Regional press lukewarm on Cheney visit

Commentators have questioned the impact of Cheney's visit

US Vice-President Dick Cheney's tour of former Soviet countries of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine has left most commentators in the region unimpressed.

They believe his promises of Nato membership for Georgia and Ukraine ring hollow, while one commentator in Azerbaijan says Mr Cheney's plans for energy routes which bypass Russia are impractical.

Several Ukrainian newspapers question how much influence Mr Cheney really has, given that the current US administration will be leaving the White House in a few months' time. Meanwhile, one Russian tabloid simply describes the trip as an "anti-Kremlin publicity campaign".

NIKA VASHAKIDZE IN GEORGIA'S VERSIA

Dick Cheney's trip to the region has been difficult so far. We know that the construction of a trans-Caspian gas pipeline was one of the main topics of his visit to Georgia. However, Russia's punitive operation has frightened the leaders of other states in the region.

RUSIKO MACHAIDZE IN GEORGIA'S REZONANSI

The US vice-president made important statements in Tbilisi as he said that every Georgian deserves to live as a member of a free nation and the United States fully supports Georgia's accession to Nato.

AQIL MEHDI IN AZERBAIJAN'S NABZ

The strangest aspect of the issue is which route exactly Cheney had in mind when he spoke about alternative energy routes. Azerbaijan's oil can go to the world market via either Armenia or Iran, in addition to Georgia. Considering that Armenia is at war with Azerbaijan and is Russia's ally, this option is absolutely ruled out. This means that Iranian territory still remains the most effective route... but undoubtedly, the US will never discuss this with Iran.

VITALIY PORTNIKOV IN UKRAINE'S GLAVRED WEBSITE

US Vice-President Dick Cheney's trip to former Soviet republics might appear to be a demonstration of Washington's growing role in the region, which Moscow still considers its zone of influence. After the events in Georgia, however, this visit looked more like the Bush administration's au revoir to its own mistakes. It will take a new president to correct them.

OLEH BASARAB IN UKRAINE'S GAZETA PO-KIYEVSKI

Washington believes that Ukraine has fulfilled all the requirements for getting a Nato Membership Action Plan and that the issue will be resolved in December 2008 at the alliance's summit. But can the US promises be realistic?... One should bear in mind that the current American administration has only got a few months left in power.

HEADLINE IN RUSSIA'S MOSKOVSKIY KOMSOMOLETS

The main hawk of the US administration, Vice-President Dick Cheney, continues his anti-Kremlin publicity campaign in Eurasia.