Cheney to give Georgia more U.S. reassurances

By Tabassum Zakaria

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President Dick Cheney in his first visit to Tbilisi next week will assure Georgia that the United States stands firmly with its ally which is reeling from a decisive military defeat at Russian hands.

Cheney leaves on September 2 on a trip to former Soviet states Georgia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine. Washington is assessing possible options to punish Russia for its military actions against Georgia.

"The overriding priority, especially in Baku, Tbilisi and Kiev, will be the same: a clear and simple message that the United States has a deep and abiding interest in the well-being and security in this part of the world," John Hannah, national security adviser to Cheney, on Thursday told reporters.

While parts of the trip were under consideration before the Georgia crisis erupted this month, it "has clearly taken on increased importance in light of Russia's recent military operations and its decision to recognize unilaterally the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia," Hannah said.

Washington and Moscow have exchanged increasingly harsh words since Georgia tried to retake the separatist region of South Ossetia, prompting an overwhelming Russian counter-attack and invasion of Georgian territory.

Despite signing a French-brokered cease-fire, Russia has not withdrawn all troops from Georgia and has ignored demands from the West to do so. Moscow also recognized Georgia's rebel regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, drawing criticism from Washington and Europe.

Cheney, considered one of the administration's harshest critics of Russia, will "reaffirm America's unwavering commitment to continue strengthening our relations with these countries, not just today but for the long haul," Hannah said.

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