Georgians Embrace Bush, But Expectations Vary for the Presidential Visit to Tbilisi

Bush began the two-day visit by attending a performance by a traditional Georgian dance troupe in Tbilisi's Old Town. Later, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili hosted a state dinner in honor of Bush at a restaurant in the city center. On May 10, Bush is scheduled to hold formal talks with Saakashvili and Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze, as well as a meet with non-governmental organization activists. He also will give a public address at Tbilisi's Freedom Square.

Russian media outlets have treated Bush's visit as a slap in the face to Moscow, and some Georgian politicians agree. Timur Grigalishvili, a spokesman for Georgia's governing National Movement Party, said Bush's trip to Georgia will show Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow can no longer treat its southern neighbor like an extension of its own territory. "With this visit, the president of the United States is announcing that Georgia is a partner of America and a friend of the United States," Grigalishvili said. "That has huge meaning."

Tina Gogueliani, a political scientist with the Tbilisi-based International Center on Conflict and Negotiation, said it is no surprise that Russia feels that the US is stepping on its toes. "Georgia is openly supported by the United States and Russia doesn't like that," Gogueliani said. "It [America] is not doing this against Russia. But Russia is to some extent offended.