Let’s Stand Up To Moscow!

The number one topic in the Georgian mass media remains the recent visit of U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden to Tbilisi. As reports continue to surface, new interesting details are appearing. For example, the Georgian Times, quoting “a credible source,” informs, “At a meeting with representatives of the Georgian opposition, the American guest compared Mikheil Saakashvili to Mickey Mouse.”

Four opposition leaders spoke with the vice president: Georgiy Targamadze, Nino Burdzhanadze, Levan Gaceciladze and Irakli Alasania. At the close of the meeting, one of the four (said the “credible source”) gave the Georgian Times the essential message of the foreign policy Biden presented, namely, “Whoever the President of Georgia is – even Mickey Mouse – you should respect him. And in addition, you should do all you can to defy the influence of Russia in the Caucasus.”

According to the source, Biden’s frankness alarmed even a U.S. ambassador in Tbilisi, John Tefft. “Do you believe these people, do you believe that these words won’t leak to the rest of the world?” asked the surprised diplomat. As events unfolded, it became clear that Tefft’s misgivings were not without reason.

In Moscow, new questions regarding Barack Obama’s administration arose: What are its true intentions as far as the U.S.-Russian relationship and just who is shaping those policies?

[Editor’s note: some quotes may be worded based on translated material].