US, Russia square off over Caucasus

BAKU (AFP) - The United States and Russia squared off over the Caucasus and Central Asia on Wednesday as US Vice-President Dick Cheney said Washington had an "abiding" interest in vital regions once dominated by Moscow.

Russia and Georgia meanwhile virtually shut down diplomatic exchanges, with Moscow suspending visas for Georgian citizens and saying it would pull troops out of Georgia only when a French-brokered peace plan was fully implemented.

Speaking in the oil-rich former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan, Cheney said: "President Bush has sent me here with the clear and simple message for the people of Azerbaijan and the entire region.

"The United States has a deep and abiding interest in your well-being and security."

Cheney, the most senior US official to visit the Caucasus region since Russia and Georgia fought a brief war last month, said access to energy resources there and in Central Asia was a top concern for Washington.

"Energy security is essential to us all and the matter is becoming increasingly urgent," Cheney said after meeting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.