Washington briefing: Biden: East Europeans should feel safe, tutor former Soviets

by Emil Sanamyan

Published: Saturday October 31, 2009

Vice President Joe Biden speaking at a university in Romania. White House

Washington - Visiting the capitals of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Romania, Vice President Joe Biden reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to their security. During an October 21-23 tour, he also suggested that the newer NATO members should help former Soviet states become more democratic.

The tour came a month after the Obama administration announced that it would be scrapping its predecessor's plans to install major elements of a new missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. The move was widely seen in the context of a fresh U.S. push to win Russia's support for its policy on Iran. That worried eastern Europeans, who remain concerned about Russia's intensions and want to see U.S. military bases on their territory.

Mr. Biden's visit sought to reassure America's East European allies. In July Mr. Biden visited Georgia and Ukraine on a similar mission, shortly after the U.S.-Russia summit in Moscow.

"I made it clear that, with respect to Russia we will not tolerate [any spheres of influence or grant Russia] a veto power over the ability of any nation to make its own decision about which alliances it wishes to join," Mr. Biden told the Prague-based Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty (RFERL). "We need a secure, whole, free Europe that is expanding."

Mr. Biden also suggested that eastern European countries should make it their mission to make countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus more democratic.