Washington briefing: Ahead of Moscow summit, U.S. reasserts role in ex-USSR

by Emil Sanamyan

Published: Friday June 26, 2009

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg.

Related Articles

U.S. seeks to keep Kyrgyzstan airbase

U.S., Russia say both want Caucasus stability, but disagree on Georgia

U.S. developing security pact with Georgia

Washington - As President Obama readied for talks with Russian leaders early next month, the United States held "strategic partnership" talks with Georgia and succeeded in having Kyrgyzstan reverse its decision to close the U.S. air base on its soil.

U.S.-Russia talks slated for July 6-8 are expected to focus on a new nuclear disarmament treaty, as well as international concerns about Iran and North Korea. But according to media commentary, recurring disagreements over former Soviet republics, which the Kremlin has declared an area of its "privileged interests," are likely to continue to provide fodder for tension.

In recent weeks, Russia and the West disagreed on international monitoring in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Russia recognized as independent from Georgia. Talks on the status of two entities have come to an impasse.

On June 22 Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg reaffirmed "strong support for Georgia's independence and territorial integrity" in talks with visiting Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze. Bilateral talks followed up on the Strategic Partnership Charter signed last January under the Bush administration.

Following the talks, Mr. Steinberg noted that the United States is proving Georgia with $1 billion in aid in the aftermath of the war with Russia and promised continued support for the Georgian military.

And in Kyrgyzstan, the United States succeeded in getting Bishkek to reverse its decision earlier this year to close an air base used for U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan. According to media reports, the United States promised to triple the rent paid for Manas air base, while also overlooking the incumbent president's crackdown on the opposition ahead of elections next month.