Siyasat-e Ruz, Iran
Sept 4 2008

Cheney’s role in the Caucasus crisis

Tehran, 4 September: Dick Cheney, George Bush’s deputy, in a round
trip has travelled to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. This trip has
taken place at a time when Georgia’s attack to South Ossetia and
Russia’s response have led to a crisis in the Caucasus and Russia’s
direct confrontation with the West.

The Americans who were, on the one hand surprised by Moscow’s harsh
reaction to Georgia, and on the other could not persuade Europe to
side with them, are trying to be directly present in this
region. Therefore we can say that Cheney’s visit to these three
countries was made for specific objectives:

1- Emphasizing on the fact that America would not leave its allies
alone and it would take action to help them under any
circumstances. Cheney’s trip to the region is on the one hand aimed at
empathizing with Georgia and on the other giving support to Ukraine,
as the second regional opponent of Russia.

2- Executing the Caucasian Union Plan, which is being implemented by
Russia and Turkey, is one of the main issues discussed in the
region. Based on this plan Turkey, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia will work in unison to solve the Caucasian crisis. This plan
which strengthens Russia’s position and threatens Europe’s interests
is not pleasant to the Americans. Therefore we can say that Cheney has
travelled to the region to stop this plan being implemented.

3- Succeeding in the missile shield plan and challenging Russia are
America’s main policies. Cheney’s trip to Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Ukraine, which has been planned for this purpose, can be considered as
strengthening the anti-Russian movement and a new step towards
executing the missile shield plan.

4- Clearly America could not persuade Europe to join forces with it
against Russia. Therefore it had no other choice but to be physically
present in the region. With this action, the Americans hope that they
can make Europe count on their support so that they can be united
against Russia.

Generally, we can say that Cheney’s trip to Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Ukraine is due to Washington’s failures against Russia and that due to
the lack of support from Europe they had to arrange this trip to the
region. America hopes that it can strengthen these countries against
Russia with economic, political and military pledges in order to prove
that America supports its allies in the international arena. But
Georgia’s war practically nullified this claim.