US Vice president Biden addresses Georgia parliament

(23 Jul 2009) SHOTLIST
AUDIO AS INCOMING
1. US Vice President Joe Biden walking along red carpet with Georgian Parliament Speaker, David Bakradze, the two then greet officials
2. Various of Biden arriving for Parliament speech to standing ovation
3. Wide parliament
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Biden, US Vice President:
"I've come here on behalf of the United States, with a simple, straightforward message. We, the United States, stand by you on your journey to a secure, free, democratic and, once again, united Georgia."
5. Various parliament members applauding
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Biden, US Vice President:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I know that some are concerned, and I understand it, that our efforts to reset relations with Russia will come at the expense of Georgia. Let me be clear. They have not, they will not, and they cannot."
7. Various parliament members standing up applauding
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Biden, US Vice President:
++Partly overlaid by cutaways of lawmakers applauding++
"We will not recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. And we urge, we urge the world not to recognise them as independent states. And we call upon Russia to honour its international commitments, clearly specified in the April 12 ceasefire agreement, including withdrawal of all forces to their pre-conflict positions and ultimately out of your territorial area."
9. Cutaway applause
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Biden, US Vice President:
++Partly overlaid by cutaways of lawmakers applauding++
"We understand that Georgia aspires to join NATO. We fully support that aspiration and members of parliament we will work to continue to help you meet the standards of NATO membership."
11. Various wide shots of parliament, lawmakers applauding
12. Various Biden leaving after speech to standing ovation
STORYLINE
US Vice President Joe Biden addressed the Georgian parliament on Thursday, where he reiterated the United States' support for Georgia, and its aspirations for NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) membership.
Biden received a standing ovation from members of parliament as he walked in with speaker, David Bakradze who greeted him outside the parliament building with a red carpet welcome.
During his speech Biden stressed that restoring cordial relations with the Kremlin would not come at the price of weakening support for Georgia and other democratic allies in the region.
He also said the US would not recognise the breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and called upon the international community to do the same.
"We call upon Russia to honour its international commitments, clearly specified in the April 12 ceasefire agreement, including withdrawal of all forces to their pre-conflict positions and ultimately out of your territorial area," he said to enthusiastic applause.
Biden was referring to last year's conflict between Georgia and Russia, won by Russia, which defied the West by deploying thousands of troops in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and recognising both regions as independent nations.
Meanwhile, US officials said Thursday that Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili did not ask Biden for advanced US weaponry and unarmed observers to help monitor a cease-fire along the boundaries of the two Moscow-backed breakaway regions.
Earlier, a senior US administration official speaking on condition of anonymity had told reporters that Saakashvili had made the requests during his talks Thursday with Biden.
The official later said he had spoken in error.
Another official, Biden's national security adviser Anthony Blinken, said neither subject was raised.

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