Cheney Wags Finger At A Defiant Russia

VP In Azerbaijan For First Stop On Tour Of Russia's Neighbors As Moscow Blasts Saakashvili

(CBS/AP)  U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney assured Azerbaijan on Wednesday of America's "abiding interest" in the region's stability. It was the first stop on a tour of three ex-Soviet republics that are wary of Russia's intentions after its war with Georgia last month.

Russia was watching the trip with suspicion, and a top Russian security official accused Cheney of an ulterior motive: seeking to secure energy supplies in the South Caucasus in exchange for U.S. support.

Cheney met with U.S. Embassy officials and international oil executives before going to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev's residence on the Caspian Sea.

Cheney said the principle of territorial integrity was endangered today, noting that they were meeting "in the shadow of the Russian invasion of Georgia."

He added that U.S. President George W. Bush had sent him with a clear message that the United States had a "deep and abiding interest" in the stability and security of countries in the region.

Azerbaijan has some of the largest oil and gas reserves in the former Soviet Union.

The U.S. vice president later was to go to neighboring Georgia, where Washington is trying strengthen support for President Mikhail Saakashvili's U.S.-allied government, battered by last month's short war with Russia.

Cheney was expected to announce Wednesday a $1 billion economic aid package for Georgia to help the pro-Western former Soviet republic rebuild after Russia's invasion last month.

CBS News producer Alexsei Kuznetsov said Medvedev made the comments in an interview with Italian TV network RAI, aired widely across Russia.

Medvedev's remarks were a response to a question about whether Russia would agree to take part in a mediating conference in Rome, which Saakashvili has agreed to attend

Despite the inflammatory remarks, Medvedev said Russia was willing "to discuss various issues, including those related to post-conflict settlement in this region, including at international floors."

Medvedev said other Baltic states' concerns about their security in the wake of Russia's operations in Georgia were unwarranted, reported Kuznetsov.

"Their concerns about Russia's policy following the Georgia conflict are only a way to keep the political elite in a somewhat exalted state," he told RAI.

Cheney also planned to visit Ukraine, whose Western-leaning governing coalition has been plagued in infighting and growing wariness about Russia's intentions.

The head of Russia's powerful presidential Security Council criticized Cheney's planned tour, saying his real goal was to trade U.S. support for energy supplies in the region, and to make sure these countries had governments sympathetic to Washington.

"Cheney, during his visits to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine, will try to instill in them confidence that they will receive support of the U.S., and (he) will do it in such a way that the U.S. will continue to wield influence on them," Nikolai Patrushev said during a visit to neighboring Armenia.

Russia's relations with Washington have become increasingly tense. Since the war in Georgia, Russia has boldly asserted its right to exert clout over what it says is its historic sphere of influence - including many former Soviet republics.

Russia has also objected strongly to U.S. plans to place components of a missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic - both former Soviet satellites - as well as to Western support for Kosovo's independence from traditional ally Serbia.

Both Georgia and Ukraine have sought to pull themselves out from under Russia's shadow, pushing for membership in Western structures such as the European Union and NATO - much to Moscow's consternation.

Washington also has courted Azerbaijan, trying to ensure its oil wealth is exported to the West bypassing Russia. Many European capitals are wary of Russia and its vast oil and gas wealth after disruptions in European-bound Russian gas and oil shipments exported via other former Soviet republics.

The U.S. Embassy in Baku said in a statement that Cheney on Wednesday met with local representatives of British Petroleum and Chevron who briefed him on their "assessments of the energy situation in Azerbaijan and the broader Caspian region - especially in light of Russia's recent military actions in Georgia."

Azerbaijan's government has often been criticized by rights groups for heavy-handed treatment of independent media and opposition groups. International observers have said past elections were flawed.

[cozzicon]

Maybe Cheney will go hunting with Medvedev?

God help us.

[thegoodtexan]

This evil villain goes around the world supporting one corrupt government after another. Now he is trying to give away US taxpayers money to shore up his criminal partners in Azerbaijan and Georgia. These people are criminals and only stay in power with the support of unofficial Blackwater mercenary armies. If the United States has any decency left. Congress must stop this criminal underworld.

[thegoodtexan]

You raise a good point there about the Russian winter. It finished off the French armies of Napoleon and Hitler''s German coalition of troops at Stalingrad. After the Russians rounded up the Nazis in Stalingrad they faced them north and ordered them to march with their arms above their heads. Then watched as the Russian wolves and the bitter cold finished them all. The same fate should await Cheney and his murderous band of thieves.

[rjsparling]

Evil Russia - quick, everybody forget about this administrations''s war crimes!

[thegoodtexan]

Maxify55 I share your distaste for all politicians. They are all different shades of the same grey. However this current bunch in White House are not only murderers, they are just outright crooks. I travel extensively and often work abroad. I see first hand the criminal activities that are being perpetrated in our name. Hopefully the new people coming in after the election will be a new broom, and sweep them clean. If not, it wouldn%u2019t be the first time I have been disappointed.

[mnbrant]

Whats up with the diplomatic Blitz Prez Bush is doing with Cheney and Rice? I mean Rice running to Libya and Isreal for photo ops. Cheney now running around the Former Soviet satellite states for photo ops.Its all very sneaky. Vice Prez Cheney has done lots trust me. He is going to wish he was tried while Prez Bush was in office so he can still get that pardon. I wonder, Can a President pardon himself? Oh yeah Putin=Darth Vader, Bush=desert trader Watto. Who? I don''t know I just googled it.

[rjsparling]

Maxify - the point of my post was to point out that the crisis in Georgia is a diversion of attention from other things happening in this country. We need to mow our yard first.

Yes, there are Washington lawyers who would love to hold some politicians legally accountable, but what do you do when the people who control laws do not recognize those laws in application to themselves, and actively thwart legal processes?

My god, if detainees in Guantanamo are not subject to US courts then they must be subject to Cuban court. Does anyone think that the military runs things?

If leaking a CIA operative''s name is a crime, then why isn''t Cheney in jail - yes I know the technicalities, but where is the morality?

If the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom from unreasonable search etc, then why would a President who believes in Constituational values run secret wiretapping?

What is the only reason that Secret Prisons need to be kept secret?

Why was evidence manufactured to support the Iraq invasion?

All I can say is that Bush and Cheney can be glad that they do not suffer the same affliction as Pinocchio.

[rjsparling]

The population in its fear of the unknown (and largely nonexistant) threat, has forgotten that sometimes the worst enemy of the people is its overly strong central government. Our Constitution was initially REJECTED because it did not contain a list of basic rights that the people should have. The bill of rights was designed to protect the people from the government, for god''s sake, and now we are giving up those rights to the government. The framers of the constitution knew all too well the problems that happen if those rights are not guaranteed. They fought a war to win those rights. They fought against the world''s superpower of the time. Support those troops willya?

[tapsettle]

Since a US govt by default reflects the majority will of its people, I am starting to believe that america has become the largest cancer of the planet. If they are not careful, they will have amassed so many enemies as to risk being easily destroyed by a collective response from those they persecute. I am also starting to believe that it would probably be a good thing when that happens.

[rushliberal]

QUICK - someone Put Cheney on the Terrorist Watch List and DON''T LET HIM BACK INTO THE COUNTRY

[thegoodtexan]

When people complain about the crimes being committed by Cheney and his bunch, the reaction is often the same, %u201CYou are being unpatriotic%u201D. If you saw a friend or a family member commit murder or rob a bank, you would have the same moral and social obligation to put a stop to it. The crimes being committed by Cheney are no different. The argument that the US might receive some financial gain from these crimes is repugnant. The US should stand for decency. We as a nation have an obligation to put a stop to Cheney and his bunch. I will support the troops when they take the side of truth and justice.

[whiskyrokr]

Here we go. Mr. peace himself will take care of everything. WW3 right around the corner.

[tapsettle]

It''s where we warehouse and feed them with our tax dollars.
-----
Posted by maxify55

So why not use that control to your advantage, instead of moaning about their eating habits?

[rjsparling]

Rushliberal ROFL - unfortuneatly his SS (secret service) would run over whoever got in the way.

Tapsettle - I think the people by and large are good people and mean well for the world and it''s peoples. They are unfortuneately, uninvolved, and many of those who are interested are blinded by certain loyalties that have been ingrained since childhood (standing with hand over heart during the national anthem is really the same expression of ultranationalism as the Nazi salute of that time). The people who DO understand, and who are in a position to change things are clearly advancing an agenda that is good for them or the gov3ernment, not necessarily the people.

[timdgrim]

Making Oil Deals and P*ssing OFF Russia.... and all on your dollar.....D*ck ''Satan'' Cheney

[tapsettle]

They are unfortuneately, uninvolved, and many of those who are interested are blinded by certain loyalties that have been ingrained since childhood..
-----
Posted by RJSparling

Ignorance is NEVER an excuse. Maybe they should make an effort before they end up speaking Russian .. or Chinese. The very least they could do is stay at home during election time. Sorry, I dont believe you. The US has become right-wing by the very nature of a greed driven society. They are by no means alone, but they are the worst.

[haoli25]

I wish the Russians would capture him, waterboard him, and hold him as an ''enemy combatant'' for about 6 years.

[tapsettle]

If you really think you have control over anything in this life passed the end of your nose, you need to age a bit. Then come and tell me of sanity, wisdom and control.
-----
Posted by maxify55

I''ve aged a lot over this last decade. Everyone has ultimate control over the specifics of their life, but sometimes people have to work collectively to avoid certain situations in the first place. Everything in life is a choice, but some choices are harder than others from which to recover.

[pirmin3]

"I wish the Russians would capture him, waterboard him, and hold him as an ''''enemy combatant'''' for about 6 years.Posted by haoli25"

Only 6 years? Well maybe that is life for that nasty scum sack. I''d add a Taser to the water boarding.

[tapsettle]

I''d add a Taser to the water boarding.
-----
Posted by pirmin3

Nice touch.

[jmurrieta1]

Oh I see, CBS.

The Russians are "defiant", but the USA, spitting in the face of the rest of the world over their ongoing aggression in Iraq, is just "staying the course"?

Can you spell "yellow journalism"?

[tapsettle]

Can you spell "yellow journalism"?
-----
Posted by jmurrieta1

Actually, that''s a nice touch too.

[tapsettle]

Posted by maxify55 at 07:36 AM

Good points, but kind of in a different direction to what I was getting at. Since you raised the subject, if it wasnt on TV/magazines/films etc etc so readily maybe young folks wouldnt grow up thinking it was such a prominent part of every breath of life. Maybe (just maybe) there is a little more to life, but you wouldn''t know it from todays TV/magazines/films etc.

[beehive21-2009]

Big Oil is not happy oil is down,so,Cheney and the Russians meet,on saber wagging tactics, to boost the price of a barrel of oil.

[tapsettle]

Big Oil is not happy oil is down,so,Cheney and the Russians meet,on saber wagging tactics, to boost the price of a barrel of oil.
-----
Posted by beehive21

First post I''ve agreed on with you for a long time. Kudos !

[chimpyout]

Pretty much whatever Cheney does will be seen as "normal" for a conservaturd. Wherever there''s discord, make it worse--he won''t be around for the sequel.
Just so he doesn''t repeat his earlier obscenity of decorating wounded veterans, since he is a vile war profiteer and conspicuous draft-dodger.

[oleander8]

This trip outside the country is unusual for Cheney -- sounds like he''s trying to save face for not being allowed at the GOP convention..."oh, I''m too busy to go".

[armydog2]

the russians don''t like darth vader either!!!

[dagrandma]

Well, at least he''s out of the country.

[gramto8]

All I can say is that Bush and Cheney can be glad that they do not suffer the same affliction as Pinocchio.

Posted by RJSparling at 06:42 AM : Sep 03, 2008

If they did, they could e sitting in washington, DC and have Putin scratch their noses for them in Moscow!

[gramto8]

QUICK - someone Put Cheney on the Terrorist Watch List and DON''''T LET HIM BACK INTO THE COUNTRY

Posted by RushLiberal at 06:52 AM : Sep 03, 2008


BEST POST OF THE DAY!!

[toldyouso12]

"Cheney was expected to announce Wednesday a $1 billion economic aid package for Georgia to help the pro-Western former Soviet republic rebuild after Russia''s invasion last month."

Our economy is in shambles and Cheney and Bush still think they can spend freely from our empty coffers? so who is going to pay for all of this B1tches? We got a 10 Billion dollar a month going on in Iraq, nobody says how much money is spent each month in Afghanistan--then you have our banks hopping around from Asia to the Middle east begging for money for financial bailouts...


So Again, Mr. Cheney-*beeeyatch extraordinaire--who is paying for this? You and Halliburton? Because we don''t want to. Georgia attacked first--they should have to eat and pay for the consequences themselves. That''s just life--Bad things happen to aggressors.

or as the saying goes: "Don''t start no ******, won''t be none."

[toldyouso12]

Prez Bush was in office so he can still get that pardon. I wonder, Can a President pardon himself? Oh yeah Putin=Darth Vader, Bush=desert trader Watto. Who? I don''''t know I just googled it.

Posted by MNBrant at 06:38 AM : Sep 03, 2008


A President cannot pardon himself. the POTUS, VP and Supreme Court as well as Speaker of the House are all subject to impeachment. Once impeachment proceedings begin against a President, that person can no longer hide behind National Security, Exceutive privilege or avoid subpoenas. Also, if it comes down to impeachment and removal, no removed President can pardon anyone.

Dove season opened so Cheney went to Georgia to bag a few. Medvedev better be careful how he uses "corpses" as long as ***''s in the neighborhood. Let''s be brutally honest here; McCain gets an 8 point "surge" from a handy little military escapade, by George. And we know how John likes them surges.

[toldyouso12]

There''''s just something about being cold "and" hungry in the Russian winter. The Russians want the oil and money generated by the reserves stored here. We given our word to these people to help them become a democracy. You would have us go back on our word? Without his word and his honor a man is nothing. You sir, would have us abandon them. What would NATO think of us abandoning any one of them when ever Russia wanted anything they have?

Posted by maxify55 at 05:47 AM : Sep 03, 2008


You must be really, really, really, really STUPID. Currently, Russia is flush with oil and money and fyi, stupo: Russia''s winters do NOT deter or harm the Russians it is the invading armies that attempt to attack Russia on her home soil that get their azzes handed to them. Like Napoleon and Hitler--it was the Russian winters that cause THEM massive casualties. Russia in fact, was said to be saved from the onslaught of both conquerors due to their vast size and the ferocity of their winters. As for oil--they have it--lots of it. IN fact 1/3 of all oil for Europe comes from Russia. They are also swimming in dough right now due to the inflated prices of oil brought on by our little invasion of 5 years into Iraq. Get a fvcking clue.

[toldyouso12]

The framers of the constitution knew all too well the problems that happen if those rights are not guaranteed. Support those troops willya?Posted by RJSparling at 06:49 AM : Sep 03, 2008

Hmmmmm. and yet... the "troops" do not work for the people--they support and take their orders from the CIC who is at the head of that central government. In fact, our troops do NOT obey the Constitution, they obey the CIC*

*Article 9 of the 11th amendment ratified in 1797--forbids America from ever disobeying a treaty or failing to submit to international law for any treaty we have signed. This can not be overridden by the Pres, Congress or the Supreme Court (that article says they will not have jurisdiction and MUST adhere to international law)

Since the start of the Iraq war, Bush has jettisoned the Geneva convention --having our names REMOVED as signatories, has ignored international laws on rendition, torture and invading nonagressive sovereign nations--and Bush has specifically stated to Holland that if any American is held in the Hague on war crimes--he will get their release via fighter jets.


To do that, our military must ignore our own constitution. In addition, when WP was fired on the civilian population of Fallujah (2004), it was a violation of international law (we did not sign that law) and a violation of our own military field manuals. It was also cold blooded murder. But why quibble--thousands of murders among possibly millions, right?

[talkingham]

Tolduso12, tell this slop to the American Indians as every treaty ever signed with them was violated.

Right, let''s start WW3 over a part fo the world that has been part of Russia for virtually as long as we have been a nation. Idiots.

[thegoodtexan]

toldyouso12, I have been to Russia many times, worked with them on a business level and and totaly with your viewpoints.

[leftyintexas]

Looks like Dumbya had to stay away from the convention because he is such an embarrassment to his party as he is to the rest of the country. What a total failure he has been to the country and to the world. He has left us all in a much worse state than when he entered the White House eight years ago. Only 139 days left till he is HISTORY! YES!!

[leftyintexas]

Posted by tapsettle at 07:44 AM : Sep 03, 2008 *********** What are those things. I gave away all my TV''''s about 6 yrs ago and there''''s nothing in the movies worth my time viewing...moral or educational. Whatever you put into your eyes, listen to, feel, taste or hear doesn''''t improve your part in life...why bother?

Posted by maxify55 at 09:16 AM : Sep 03, 2008

SO where do you get your info from?

[talkingham]

Dust out and restock those fallout shelters folks, it''s going to be a long dark ride under McCain (and expensive too). The big oil party has doubled and tripled our gas prices in the last 7 years and watched big oil laugh all the way to the bank, but now they are going to solve this problem, sure they are, LOL.

OF course McCain will probably have to retire after a few months due to health issues and then the Cheney wing of the party will be large and in charge, they are hoping to shoot America in the face for another 8 years.

U jerks that whine about Obama being a muslin just don''t seem to get that the only president who has made sure that a regime change resulting in the insertion of a radical Islamic government in Iraq is Bush-McCain. God U people are insanely dumb.

[missingamerica]

[bq]
"Vice President Cheney arrived in Azerbaijan on Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy said, as part of a tour in support of Russia''s southern neighbors.

Cheney was expected to meet with President Ilham Aliev and other top officials in this Caspian Sea nation, home to some of the largest oil and gas reserves in the former Soviet Union"
[eq]

You know what the above sounds like?

A recipe for D. Cheney to promise the full might and support of the United States of America.

I can hear Cheney talking to the Azerbaijani now:

"Think about it. If you guys start a big enough war, one that threatens the pipelines, NATO will have to come in and they will ask us to come in.

And we will - I will see to it. Of course, I would expect that you look upon Halliburton favorably when it comes to logistical supply contracts..."

[wardoglrs]

One Billion dollars stolen from you to give welfare to another country. The constitution is very clear and Cheney or any one else does not have the right to do this.

Obama and McCain would do the same that''s why there not qualified as leaders either.

This is just more lies to go to war with Russia.

[liberalme]

SO where do you get your info from?

Posted by leftyintexas

Radio with one station---Lintball and Hannity

[liberalme]

Where do dictators get off thinking they can control people%u2019s lives and get away with it!

Posted by JesusFace at 08

Ask Bush and Cheney

[antoniof123]

Cheney to Putin, well we may have a problem now I think we pushed it one step to far.

Putin to Cheney we have oil that Europe needs don''t worry about I am a fast learner.

Back again, okay but make it quick we need to take the money and run.

[ubrew12]

Who wants to bet Condi Rice and the entire state department fiercely opposed this visit? If Bush wasn''t a lame duck, maybe he could have finally grown a backbone and opposed Cheney''s confrontational visit.

Cheney''s got one foot in the grave already, and many Americans who back him believe Armageddon is on our doorstep and will start with a Russian invasion.

These people should not be setting U.S. foreign policy for the rest of us. At best, they don''t care if we all die, at worst, they are actually looking for WWIII.

[annia1233]

Cheney will do well in russia, he was born in this part on the world by a mistake. Russia and its doctrines goe better with the way he likes to live and drive a country.

[rjsparling]

The framers of the constitution knew all too well the problems that happen if those rights are not guaranteed. Support those troops willya?Posted by RJSparling at 06:49 AM : Sep 03, 2008

Hmmmmm. and yet... the "troops" do not work for the people--they support and take their orders from the CIC who is at the head of that central government. In fact, our troops do NOT obey the Constitution, they obey the CIC*

Posted by toldyouso12 at 08:58 AM : Sep 03, 2008


Let me take this opportunity to clear up what I think is a misunderstanding. The troops I suggested we support (recommend read the entire original post) were the soldiers who fought the Revolutionary War. Those brave men were fighting for freedom from the oppression of an overly strong and unresponsive central government (King of England). They were fighting against the world''s superpower of the time, not with a superpower at their back. They secured the freedoms that were guaranteed in the Bill of Rights that we are giving away today. Where is the support for the sacrifices these troops made?

[rjsparling]

It is always nice to be able to kill two birds with one stone. Enhance oil and war profits for the Bush/Cheney cartel, and at the same time deflect attention from domestic problems like administration war crimes, massive public debt that even our grandchildren will be unable to pay, and the meltdown of banking.