Cheney pledges support for embattled Georgian leader

US:US VICE-PRESIDENT Dick Cheney endorsed embattled Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili yesterday, pledged that his country would one day join Nato, and called on the "free world" to back Tbilisi and condemn Russia for its military intervention in the Caucasus.

Mr Cheney said Washington would help Georgia "overcome an invasion of your sovereign territory and an illegitimate, unilateral attempt to change your country's borders by force".

After visiting neighbouring Azerbaijan and before flying to Ukraine, Mr Cheney said "America will do its duty to work with the governments of Georgia and our other friends and allies to protect our common interests and to uphold our values . . . Russia's actions have cast grave doubts on Russia's intentions and on its reliability as an international partner."

Mr Cheney called on "the free world to rally to the side of Georgia" and said Washington was fully committed to helping the country join Nato. He also lavished praise on Mr Saakashvili, just days after Russian president Dmitry Medvedev rejected future co-operation with a man he called a "political corpse".

"You have been fearless in response to the occupation of your country and steadfast in your principles. We respect you," Mr Cheney told the US-educated Georgian leader, whose forces were crushed by Russia's military when they tried to retake control of the pro-Moscow rebel region of South Ossetia.

The White House has promised $1 billion (€696 million) in aid to rebuild Georgia's ravaged infrastructure, and has brought tonnes of relief supplies to the Black Sea state on US navy warships, which Russia has accused of actually delivering weapons.

The US and EU are seeking to shore up governments in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine, which are seen as vital allies in Russia's traditional sphere of influence, and crucial to securing oil and gas supplies that flow to the West independently of Moscow.

Mr Cheney flew last night to Ukraine, where he is due to meet president Viktor Yushchenko and prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. They are engaged in a power struggle, with the president now accusing his premier of trying to oust him with the help of pro-Russian parties.