Russia-Georgia strife echoes around globe

Signs of friction over the conflict between Russia and Georgia popped up around the world Friday. From Portugal to France to Nicaragua to Ukraine to Scotland, diplomats, military officials and even bagpipers took sides.

U.S. vessel brings aid to port in Poti

The flagship of the U.S. Navy’s Mediterranean fleet anchored Friday outside the Georgian port of Poti, defiantly delivering humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged U.S. ally in a slap at Moscow. The USS Mount Whitney was the first Navy ship to travel to Poti since Georgia’s five-day war with Russia last month.

The continued presence of hundreds of Russian soldiers in the port has been a major point of friction between Russia and the West, which insists Moscow hasn’t honored a cease-fire deal to pull back to positions held before fighting broke out Aug. 7.

Two U.S. ships had already come and gone from Georgia carrying humanitarian aid, but they anchored at Batumi, a smaller port to the south with no Russian military presence.

The Mount Whitney carried more than 17 tons of humanitarian supplies, all due to be unloaded today.

Russians suspicious of shipments

Russia voiced suspicion of the arrival of the Mount Whitney in Georgia and other U.S. warships carrying aid. It says U.S. military assistance in the past encouraged Georgia to launch its offensive in South Ossetia and argues the new shipments could be a cover for weapons deliveries. “We don’t want that Georgia, which acted as the aggressor, continues to arm itself in an uncontrolled way and with unknown aims and completely unclear consequences,” Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Friday.

Signaling solidarity

Vice President Dick Cheney on Friday visited Ukraine, another former Soviet republic that feels threatened by Moscow’s military belligerence. Cheney pledged that the United States is committed to Ukraine’s security and freedom and said Ukrainians should not be forced to live under a Russian “threat of tyranny, economic blackmail and military invasion.” Cheney’s visit to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, came after trips to Georgia and another former Soviet state, oil-rich Azerbaijan.

Warning from top U.S. diplomat

In Lisbon, Portugal, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that Russia was “deepening its isolation” by not honoring commitments to withdraw its troops from Georgia.

A bit of support for independence

Nicaragua on Friday became the first country other than Russia to formally recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, giving Moscow a victory in its battle with Georgia over the two breakaway provinces.

Diplomatic counterpunch

Russia received support Friday from the leaders of six former Soviet republics who issued a joint statement condemning Georgia for using force to try to retake control of its separatist province of South Ossetia. The declaration by members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization —- linking Moscow with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan —- also praised Russia for “helping peace and security” in the region.

Seeking investigation

European Union nations called Friday for an independent, international inquiry to find out which country should shoulder responsibility for starting the conflict between Georgia and Russia. EU foreign ministers will discuss the matter during a two-day summit in Avignon, France.

Brits ordered to pipe down

The sound of bagpipes has fallen victim to frosty relations between the West and Russia. British officials have banned three military bands from attending a musical parade in Moscow. More than 40 musicians have been told they won’t be taking part in the Kremlin Zoria in Red Square because of Russia’s invasion of Georgia. The Foreign Office said Friday that it’s a demonstration that it’s not “business as usual” between Britain and Russia. The ban affects army pipe bands from the 2 Scots Regiment in Edinburgh, the Irish Guards and 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Powerful —- but not sexy?

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is widely admired inside Russia for his macho image and for having restored national pride —- especially after sending troops to occupy Georgia. But according to one magazine, that doesn’t quite make him the nation’s sexiest politician. Sex & the City magazine’s ranking of the nation’s 20 sexiest politicians gives the top slot to Boris Nemtsov, an ex-opposition leader seen as a spent political force.