With Bush in Beijing, Cheney talks tough on Russia

President Bush was still in Beijing, having a great time. Between watching the swimming matches and doing his own mountain bike trek, the president gave an interview to NBC's Bob Costas, discussing his "constructive engagement" with China (over Sudan, Iran and religious freedom) and Russia (over its pounding of the independent country of Georgia).

Bush said he had talked to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin, telling them the violence was "unacceptable" and seeking a cease-fire. He called it ironic that the Russian attacks occurred during a sporting event meant to "promote peace and harmony," and he said he hoped the two sides could get their differences "resolved peacefully."

Meanwhile, back in Washington, Vice President Dick Cheney sounded a lot more hawkish. He called Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Sunday afternoon, stating "The Russian aggression must not go unanswered" and warning that continued violence "would have serious consequences for its relations with the United States."

Cheney Press Secretary Lea Ann McBride told the Associated Press that the vice president expressed U.S. solidarity with the Georgian people and with the democratically elected government "in the face of this threat to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Back in Beijing, Bush told Costas he was delivering many diplomatic messages. In fact, he told the Olympic audience, although he was sorry that the Chinese had revoked Joey Cheek's visa,  "Joey Cheek has just got to know that I took the Sudanese message for him" and other athletes who had lobbied to increase awareness about Darfur.

Costas asked Bush whether it was difficult to press for reform with leaders from Russia and China while America was experiencing its own problems.

"I don't see America as having problems," Bush said. "I see America as a nation that is a world leader, that has got great values."

— Johanna Neuman

Photo: Eric Draper / White House

Comments

[tRussia]

McCain wants Russia to move out of Georgia. Why not the same analysis for Iraq? One of McCain's chief strategists is a lobbyist for Georgia. Why did Georgia move on South Ossetia now? To get republican fear votes and rally the cold war relics in the US? It is the American imperialist that we need to fear not Russia. Russia now taking them out is the same logic we allow Israeli forces to employ against its enemies. We have no creditability on the matter and Russia has a right to protect its borders just the like the US. Looks like an election year stunt to me.

[pakyaw]

Why should anybody in their right minds listen to C or B?
When millions of people and dozens of countries pleaded for them to not go to Iraq, they ignored them all. Resolve was the in word and brought about a lot of american admiration for the same Resolve. Well, i say, as I see it, there are many governments with resolve, namely, Myanmar, China, Russia, Iran, Cuba. Their leaders should be admired also for this resolve quality. American voters should note that their leader says there are no problems in America. Wow!
Russia is defending its citizens. And what is the problem if Russia calls for and try to implement regime change? Doesn't america do this. They are doing exactly what the complainants in America have done for decades and will continue to do as long as there is oil and water in them darn'd hills.
Remember pre-emptive strike was and is the american and Israeli tool of war.

[Peabody75]

If Russia has a right to protect its borders then doesent Gorgia have a right to fight aginst the seapratist that have comendeered part of their region and should'nt have to fear that Russia is supplying this separatist group with wepons so when Gorgia stops trying to take back that land Russia Will. By the way South Ossetia was under Gorgian Rule till Russia took it from them. And your idea that this is a political stut put on by Republicans Is idiotic at best and by the way the "American imperialist" that you worry about are they both democratic and repubican beaucse no offense sir Obama is a fanatical Democrat so i would hope that he would be included under this Imperalist group that you have and i have yet to see.