This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7597336.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Cheney in Georgia solidarity trip | Cheney in Georgia solidarity trip |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| US Vice-President Dick Cheney is due to visit Georgia to emphasise Washington's support for its government. | US Vice-President Dick Cheney is due to visit Georgia to emphasise Washington's support for its government. |
| In Azerbaijan on Wednesday, Mr Cheney said the US had a "deep and abiding interest" in the region's stability. | In Azerbaijan on Wednesday, Mr Cheney said the US had a "deep and abiding interest" in the region's stability. |
| Washington has announced a $1bn (£564) aid package to help Georgia rebuild after its conflict with Russia. | Washington has announced a $1bn (£564) aid package to help Georgia rebuild after its conflict with Russia. |
| Fighting between Russia and Georgia erupted last month after the Georgia tried to retake the breakaway region of South Ossetia by force. | Fighting between Russia and Georgia erupted last month after the Georgia tried to retake the breakaway region of South Ossetia by force. |
| Russian forces launched a counter-attack and the conflict ended with the ejection of Georgian troops from South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia. | Russian forces launched a counter-attack and the conflict ended with the ejection of Georgian troops from South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia. |
| Russia has since recognised the independence of both regions, and earlier this week dismissed Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili as a "political corpse" whose leadership it did not recognise. | Russia has since recognised the independence of both regions, and earlier this week dismissed Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili as a "political corpse" whose leadership it did not recognise. |
| 'Urgent needs' | 'Urgent needs' |
| In the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, Mr Cheney is likely to offer a spirited defence of Mr Saakashvili's administration, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus. | In the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, Mr Cheney is likely to offer a spirited defence of Mr Saakashvili's administration, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus. |
| Georgia has been a significant troop contributor to US operations in Iraq, and it is a key link in the only energy export route from Central Asia westwards that does not pass through Russian territory. | Georgia has been a significant troop contributor to US operations in Iraq, and it is a key link in the only energy export route from Central Asia westwards that does not pass through Russian territory. |
| However, the aid package announced on Wednesday is limited to helping re-settle refugees and re-build Georgia's infrastructure. | However, the aid package announced on Wednesday is limited to helping re-settle refugees and re-build Georgia's infrastructure. |
| Our correspondent says it remains unclear how far the US and its Nato allies are prepared to go in re-arming its military. | Our correspondent says it remains unclear how far the US and its Nato allies are prepared to go in re-arming its military. |
| Cheney in ex-Soviet energy call Announcing the aid package, Ms Rice said the US was "responding to what we consider to be urgent needs". | Cheney in ex-Soviet energy call Announcing the aid package, Ms Rice said the US was "responding to what we consider to be urgent needs". |
| "With our full support and the support of the entire free world, a democratic Georgia will survive, will rebuild and will thrive," she said. | "With our full support and the support of the entire free world, a democratic Georgia will survive, will rebuild and will thrive," she said. |
| On Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also announced that Georgia was to receive a $750m (£422m) loan. | On Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also announced that Georgia was to receive a $750m (£422m) loan. |
| Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has accused the US of helping Tbilisi build its war machine, and criticised its decision to send humanitarian aid to Georgia aboard military ships. | Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has accused the US of helping Tbilisi build its war machine, and criticised its decision to send humanitarian aid to Georgia aboard military ships. |
| Faced with a chorus of international calls for Russia's isolation as a result of the war, Mr Medvedev said Moscow did not fear being expelled from the G8 group of rich nations nor did it fear Nato cutting ties with his country. | Faced with a chorus of international calls for Russia's isolation as a result of the war, Mr Medvedev said Moscow did not fear being expelled from the G8 group of rich nations nor did it fear Nato cutting ties with his country. |
| Early this week, EU leaders agreed to suspend talks on a new partnership agreement with Moscow until Russian troops have withdrawn from Georgia, but they did not threaten sanctions. | Early this week, EU leaders agreed to suspend talks on a new partnership agreement with Moscow until Russian troops have withdrawn from Georgia, but they did not threaten sanctions. |
| Mr Cheney will end his tour of the region in Ukraine later on Thursday. | Mr Cheney will end his tour of the region in Ukraine later on Thursday. |
Will you be following Dick Cheney's visit to Georgia? | |
| Send your comments using the post form below, or text 00 44 7725 800 100. | |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | |