"Underscoring the point, Cheney's first meetings here in Baku were with representatives of two international oil companies: William Schrader of
"US plans $1b aid package for Georgia; Cheney arrives in region to signal support" by Steven Lee Myers, New York Times News Service | September 4, 2008
BAKU, Azerbaijan - The Bush administration plans to announce a $1 billion package of aid to help rebuild Georgia after its rout by Russian forces last month, administration officials said yesterday, as Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in the region to signal support for Georgia and other countries neighboring Russia.
The aid, along with Cheney's visit, is sure to increase tensions with Russia, whose leaders have accused the United States of stoking the conflict with Georgia over its two separatist regions by providing weapons and training to the Georgians.
All true.
President Dmitri A. Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin have also complained that humanitarian supplies delivered by the American Navy and Air Force since Russian forces routed Georgian forces and occupied parts of the country were a disguise for delivering new weapons.
Administration officials have dismissed those accusations as baseless.
The aid package, which is expected to include money for rebuilding Georgia's infrastructure and its economy, was scheduled to be detailed in Washington later yesterday by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the official said. President Bush is also expected to release a statement.
UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE!!
Give it New Orleans instead!!!!
It is not clear whether the package will include any direct military support, which officials have acknowledged they are considering. Azerbaijan, like Georgia, is a former Soviet republic that has sought closer ties to the West and the United States, and it is considered a vital crossroads for oil and gas from the Caspian Sea.
Underscoring the point, Cheney's first meetings here in Baku were with representatives of two international oil companies: William Schrader of--more--"
