Georgia asks Biden for Weapons, Observers

President Saakashvili Wants More U.S. Help Along Boundaries of Two Moscow-Backed Breakaway Regions

(AP)  Georgia's president was expected to ask U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday for advanced weaponry and U.S. observers to monitor a cease-fire along the boundaries of two Moscow-backed breakaway regions.

President Mikhail Saakashvili also plans to urge Biden at a meeting in his presidential offices to push for NATO membership for Georgia, despite skepticism among some other members of the Western military alliance.

The White House has so far avoided making any public commitment on arms or observers, although it says it stands behind Georgia's application for NATO membership despite determined opposition from Russia.

Biden is on a four-day mission to Ukraine and Georgia to demonstrate U.S. support for the two countries, where Western-style democracies have struggled in the wake of peaceful revolutions.

A number of Eastern European political figures have expressed concern that the Obama administration could weaken its support for democratic reform, in its effort to build better relations with Russia.

But Biden's message on the trip so far has been that restoring cordial relations with the Kremlin will not come at the price of weakening support for democratic allies in the region. Nor will the U.S. recognize Moscow's claim to an exclusive sphere of influence among former Soviet states.

In the Georgian capital, Biden sought to calm concerns that the U.S. might weaken its support for Georgia in the wake of its defeat in a brief war with Russia in August.

At a banquet in Tbilisi on Wednesday, Biden said he wanted to send "an unequivocal, clear message to all who will listen and some who don't want to listen, that America stands with you and will continue to stand."

But the U.S. vice president has also come to urge the leaders of Ukraine and Georgia to heal divisions among pro-Western political factions that in Ukraine have crippled the government and in Georgia led to weeks of street protests this spring.

Before Biden's arrival in Georgia, Saakashvili announced a series of political reforms, including making the post of Tbilisi mayor directly elective.

Georgian police also removed dozens of metal cages protesters erected in front of the parliament building to block traffic along Tbilisi's central street.

The cages were meant to represent jails - symbolizing what opponents say is Saakashvili's increasing authoritarianism.

In Wednesday's banquet speech, Biden called Saakasvhili's 2003 Rose Revolution, which drove a Soviet-era leader from power, "a clarion call for freedom-loving people around the globe."

But he also urged Saakasvhili to "plant the roots of democracy deep," alluding to criticism of Saakashvili's rule.

He said the U.S. encouraged the growth of civil societies that "hold all governments accountable, yours and mine accountable."

At one point, Biden said in a joking manner: "You mentioned protesters. Welcome to democracy."

[xlib]

Joe knows he's in the country of Georgia and not the state, right? Can't be sure with joe.

[Joe_NY_15]

Biden...Thank you, "I visited Savannah....a beautiful city"...."joe", this is Georgia the country....Biden "ooops, what was I thinking" Hello Russia !!

[tmittelstaed]

This should be so simple a response that even a monkey could answer it: NO EFFING WAY.

Georgia has no business in NATO until it works things out with Russia, period.

[beaumuff]

Poor ole foot in the mouth Biden, bless his heart.

[xlib]

You must be from the South and I know what "bless his heart" means. Say with a smile and a shake of the head. We are so lucky to have such an astute VP, don't you think?

[Joe_NY_15]

I can clearly see an idiot (Biden) from my house