Bush's Georgia visit takes history full circle

TBILISI, Georgia - President Bush capped off his five-day trip to Europe marking the end of World War II with a triumphant visit to the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

Bush’s visit to Georgia, after the ceremonies marking the end of the war in Moscow’s Red Square raised the ire of Russia. But, as NBC News’ David Gregory reports, Bush’s hero’s welcome in Tbilisi was crucial to recognize full legacy of the end of WWII.

Diplomatically speaking, how bold was it for Bush to bookend his trip in Georgia – especially after the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, boycotted the memorial marking the end of WWII in Moscow because of Russia’s refusal to close two military bases in Georgia?
It was an important way for Bush to address some of the changes and shifts among the former World War II allies and to balance his presence in Moscow’s Red Square on Monday for the celebrations marking the end of World War II. 

It was also a way for Bush to recognize that this former Soviet republic — turned into a democracy with the bloodless Rose Revolution of 2003 — is, as the president declared, an American ally and an inspiration.

The visit also offered a challenge to Russia that they accept changes in the region.

Bush backed the country’s effort to defeat some 300,000 separatists from two regions aligned with Moscow, instead saying that the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia must be respected... by all nations.”

SPECIAL COVERAGE Bush honors WWII fallen Unique hero missed on V-E Day Bush meets Putin on troubled ground Germans still grapple with WWII legacy Special Report: D-Day at 60

Georgia’s independence movement is specifically worrying to Russia because of its strategic location — it borders Chechnya. That is one reason that those soldiers are still occupying two military bases here.

But, speaking more generally, another aim of Bush’s visit was clearly to encourage young democracies in the region and throughout the world.

How was Bush’s speech "Celebrating Democracy and Freedom" received in Tbilisi?  
He was received very well. He really does get a hero’s welcome when he comes to places like this that are filled with the exuberance of democracy.

Georgia still has some of its own problems — it has a pretty sizable separatist movement, and significant issues with Moscow over the military bases that are still here. So, democracy has not fully taken root here, but it's on its way.

This is the first time an American president has visited Georgia. So, there was a huge reception and that’s great place for the president, too.

Last night Bush danced in Freedom Square and had a long, unscheduled dinner with Saakashvili. It is usual for the president to get up on stage and shake the way he did — he was clearly enjoying the huge reception he received and fully absorbing it.

He held up Georgia as an example for others to follow. Presumably where the president would really like to focus his attention — which is the Middle East. He likes to point some of these new democracies as an example to that region.

MORE FROM EUROPE

Europe Section Front

Demjanjuk charged over WWII killings   Say fromage! Parisians urged to smile 5 runners gored by bulls in Pamplona Major exporter of burkas seeks to ban them Spain's teen abortion proposal hits nerve Thousands of Turks protest China violence Europe Section Front   Add Europe headlines to your news reader: