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.
AP Photo/Petr David Josek
Secretary of State Rice and Czech Republic's Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg exchange the newly signed preliminary missile defense agreement at Cernin Palace at Prague, Czech Republic on Tuesday
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.
