03 September 2008
Cheney Begins Consultations with Former Soviet Republics
Focus is on the crisis in Georgia
Washington — Vice President Cheney is beginning a series of consultations with the leaders of three former Soviet republics in the aftermath of Russia's recent incursion into Georgia and its recognition of the breakaway Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
"It is critically important at this time of uncertainty that we are consulting and coordinating very closely with our friends, especially those who literally are living in the shadow of Russia's recent power play," a senior U.S. official says. "But also with our allies throughout Europe, the West and the broader international community — Russia's actions pose a serious challenge to us all. They merit and demand a unified response from the free world."
Cheney was planning to go to Georgia even before Russia invaded South Ossetia and Abkhazia in August, White House press secretary Dana Perino said.
"The trip had been under consideration for quite a while, but obviously it takes on some added significance since the situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia," she said at a White House briefing September 2. "The vice president will have a bill of particulars to talk about in each of the stops that he goes to, but the message will be clear, which is that we support the territorial integrity in Georgia, Georgia's sovereignty and Georgia's independence, and we have an abiding interest in the well-being and security of this part of the world."
Perino said the United States is trying to work closely with its European partners in a unified response to Russia's incursion into Georgia that resulted in a short war there.
Russia has "taken action to attempt to unilaterally change that neighbor's borders both by force and by some political action. And it obviously has a number of other neighbors that are in similar situations and are wondering what all this means for them," the senior U.S. official said at a recent White House briefing on Cheney's trip.
CHENEY ARRIVES IN AZERBAIJAN
Cheney arrived in Azerbaijan September 3 for consultations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his government. He said they met in the shadow of Russia's invasion of Georgia, which is on Azerbaijan's northern border.
"We both seek greater stability, security and cooperation in [this] vital region of the world," Cheney said after meeting with Aliyev in Baku. "And we are both devoted to the cause of peace."
One of the basic foundations of security and peace, Cheney said, is respect for national borders, "a principle that is endangered today." Russia's actions, he said, have been widely condemned by the international community.
Cheney also said the United States has been working with Azerbaijan for almost two decades to build and consolidate its independence, sovereignty and integration as a respected member of the international community, and the United States reaffirms that commitment.
"America also appreciates Azerbaijan's commitment to working with Western countries on energy issues," he said.
Energy is a central issue because Azerbaijan is home to some of the largest oil and natural gas reserves in the region. "The importance of working with Azerbaijan to help its people develop their energy resources and reliably bring them to market is a very strong common interest, not just for the United States but for all the nations of Europe as well as they plan for their own energy futures," the senior official said.
In Baku, Cheney said the United States was committed to helping resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which begins with respecting territorial integrity. "Achieving a solution is more important now than ever before. That outcome will enhance peace and stability in the region, and Azerbaijan's security as well," Cheney said.
His trip will take him next to Georgia and then Ukraine before he attends the Ambrosetti forum — "Intelligence on the World, Europe and Italy” — at Lake Como, Italy.
In Georgia on September 4, Cheney will meet with President Mikheil Saakashvili to discuss the aftermath of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. The vice president wants to assess U.S. efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Georgia by the U.S. military, and to assess international relief efforts, the official said.
"The vice president and President Saakashvili will also look beyond the immediate situation and discuss in depth the need for a comprehensive long-term strategy by the international community to help Georgia recover and rebuild, including the critical task of supporting the democratic choice of the Georgian people to integrate further with Euro-Atlantic institutions, including NATO," the senior official said.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced September 3 at a Washington briefing that the United States was preparing a $1 billion economic aid package for Georgia as part of efforts to stabilize and rebuild the nation following the incursion of Russia combat forces.
Efforts to convince Russia to withdraw its forces to their positions before August 7 have met with resistance from Russia.
In Ukraine, Cheney will hold an informal dinner with President Viktor Yushchenko on the evening of September 4 before beginning meetings September 5 that also will include Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko.
"Ukraine continues to develop its democracy and its economy, and to seek deeper integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions, including NATO," the senior U.S. official said. "The United States has long supported Ukraine in these efforts, and we will want to continue doing so going forward."
Both Georgia and Ukraine have sought membership in NATO and in the European Union, despite objections from Russia.
