Cheney's Not-So-Soothing Presence

Philip P. Pan and Jonathan Finer write in The Washington Post: "The Russian parliament unanimously urged President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday to recognize the independence of two breakaway regions of Georgia, a move that would escalate what has become one of the most serious conflicts between Russia and the United States since the end of the Cold War. . . .

"In a statement issued at his ranch in Crawford, Tex., President Bush said that he was 'deeply concerned' by the move and that recognition would violate both a cease-fire agreement and United Nations resolutions. 'I call on Russia's leadership to meet its commitments and not recognize these separatist regions,' Bush said."

Sergei L. Loiko and Megan K. Stack write in the Los Angeles Times: "Recognition of the rebel republics as independent countries would amount to an attempt on the part of Moscow to redraw the borders of the former Soviet Union. By attempting to chop away territory from a neighboring nation with close ties to the U.S., the declaration would also be viewed as a challenge leveled at Washington."

From yesterday's press briefing with White House spokesman Tony Fratto:

Q. "Tony, earlier this month, the Vice President's office said that Russian aggression must not go unanswered. And he talked about serious consequences for the relationship with Russia, as have other leaders in the government. Is it clear yet how the White House wants to answer Russia's aggression?"

Fratto: "Well, it hasn't gone unanswered. In fact, I'd say it's been loudly answered both by the United States -- but really, this isn't really about the United States and Russia; this is about Europe and Russia, and our relationship with Russia and Georgia. And I don't think there's any question that Russia's reputation has suffered since it took these disproportionate military steps in Georgia. And you see that in various ways.

"Now, I know a lot of people have asked the question as to what is the cost to Russia. There's been costs in terms of their reputation; there's costs in terms of the ability and willingness to do business in Russia, for example. But what we're focused on, and I think it's shown by Secretary Jeffery's trip to Georgia, is how can we best help Georgia right now, and how can we help them and support them and preserve that democracy in this critical region, and also help their economic development. . . . "

Q. "Any chance the Vice President might go to Russia to make the West's case directly, face to face?"

Fratto: "I'm not expecting that, no."

The Washington Post editorial board advocates for economic and political warfare: "There is, in fact, much that could be done to raise the cost of the ongoing occupation and to weaken Mr. Putin and the sinister circle around him. . . .

"There is certainly no reason why U.S. and international agencies should not vigorously pursue the numerous allegations of corrupt practices by Russian firms. If Kremlin-connected companies violate Georgian or international law through their actions in the occupied provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, their assets -- gas stations in the United States, for example -- could be subject to seizure.

"The Bush administration, we're told, is planning to withdraw a nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia from Congress. It retains the options of abrogating the bilateral U.S.-Russian agreement needed for Moscow's membership in the World Trade Organization and suspending negotiations on arms control. If Mr. Putin does not comply with the cease-fire agreement in the coming days, such bilateral sanctions will be needed."