Rice: Russia Should Stop Issuing Threats

TBILISI, Georgia — Russia should back off its threats and intimidation of countries once under the Soviet clamp, Secretary of State Rice said yesterday as Cold War-tinged rhetoric escalated between Russia and America.

Ms. Rice all but dared Moscow to critique her visit to this former Soviet republic locked in a shoving match with Russia that has seen Russia close its border with Georgia and impose trade and other restrictions.

"I'm going to visit a friend and I don't expect much comment about America going to visit a friend," Ms. Rice said with an edge in her voice.

Ms. Rice dined privately with President Saakashvili of Georgia, a Russian nemesis, a day after Russia warned that it might resort to military means to counter an American plan to base anti-missile defenses in the Czech Republic. Ms. Rice called the Russian response sad but predictable.