Posted on 05/13/2006 9:38:32 AM PDT by snugs
Vice President Dick Cheney recently visited Eastern Europe the following are links to his speeches and a photo essay of the trip.
I WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT NO PHOTOS OR GRAPHICS ARE POSTED UNTIL I GIVE THE ALL CLEAR SO THAT WE KEEP A CHRONLOGICAL RECORD OF THE TRIP.
QUOTE OF THE VISIT
Vice President's Remarks at the 2006 Vilnius Conference
Reval Hotel Lietuva
Vilnius, Lithuania
America and all of Europe also want to see Russia in the category of healthy, vibrant democracies. Yet in Russia today, opponents of reform are seeking to reverse the gains of the last decade. In many areas of civil society -- from religion and the news media, to advocacy groups and political parties -- the government has unfairly and improperly restricted the rights of her people. Other actions by the Russian government have been counterproductive, and could begin to affect relations with other countries. No legitimate interest is served when oil and gas become tools of intimidation or blackmail, either by supply manipulation or attempts to monopolize transportation. And no one can justify actions that undermine the territorial integrity of a neighbor, or interfere with democratic movements.
Russia has a choice to make. And there is no question that a return to democratic reform in Russia will generate further success for its people and greater respect among fellow nations. Democratization in Russia helped to end the Cold War, and the Russian people have made heroic progress in overcoming the miseries of the 20th century. They deserve now to live out their peaceful aspirations under a government that upholds freedom at home, and builds good relations abroad.
None of us believes that Russia is fated to become an enemy. A Russia that increasingly shares the values of this community can be a strategic partner and a trusted friend as we work toward common goals. In that spirit, the leading industrialized nations will engage Russia at the Group of Eight Summit in St. Petersburg this summer. We will make the case, clearly and confidently, that Russia has nothing to fear and everything to gain from having strong, stable democracies on its borders, and that by aligning with the West, Russia joins all of us on a course to prosperity and greatness. The vision we affirm today is of a community of sovereign democracies that transcend old grievances, that honor the many links of culture and history among us, that trade in freedom, respect each other as great nations, and strive together for a century of peace.
Our cooperation is vital, because democracies have great duties in today's world. The challenges of a new era require concerted action by nations and peoples who believe liberty is worth defending. For the sake of our security, we must act decisively against known dangers. And to secure freedom and peace for generations to come, we must be true to the democratic dreams of others, and remember our brothers and sisters who have kept their hopes in exile.
Thanks! Great pictures!
Most excellent thread, snugs. I'm looking forward to seeing the whole thing, and appreciate ALL the work you put into this.
Vice President Dick Cheney meets with Inna Kuley, wife of recently jailed Belarusian democracy advocate Alyaksandr Milinkevich, at the Vilnius Conference 2006 in Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, May 4, 2006. Earlier in the day the Vice President delivered the conference's keynote speech and called for the release of Milinkevich and other activists who were jailed after pledging to use civil disobedience to bring about the removal of Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Thanks, snugs. Love the green tie!
I don't seem to be on your ping list for VEEP Cheney.MO<
Please add me to any of your special projects, VP, Condi, the First Lady, etc. Thanks.
Vice President Dick Cheney, with his wife Lynne Cheney, walk down the steps of Air Force 2 in Astana, Kazakhstan May 5, 2006
Vice President Dick Cheney walks past an honor cordon after walking down the steps of Air Force 2 in Astana, Kazakhstan May 5, 20
A Kazakh Honor Guard stands at attention during Vice President Dick Cheney's arrival to Astana, Kazakhstan, Friday, May 5, 2006. The Vice President's visit to Kazakhstan is the second stop of a six-day, three-country trip to Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Vice President Dick Cheney walks through an Honor Guard with Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev upon arrival in Astana, Kazakhstan, Friday, May 5, 2006. While in Astana the Vice President will meet with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to discuss a range of issues including democratization, Central Asian relations, energy, and the global war on terror
Vice President Dick Cheney enters the Presidential Palace in Astana, Kazakhstan, to meet with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Friday, May 5, 2006.
Mrs. Lynne Cheney listens to an interpreter, as she's greeted by Sabilya Mustafina, center, deputy Mayor of Astana, as she arrives at Biterek. Vice President Dick Cheney and Mrs. Cheney arrived in Kazakhstan Friday, May 5, 2006.
From a high window in the Presidential Palace, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev points out places of interest along the Astana, Kazakhstan skyline, Friday, May 5, 2006.
Vice President Dick Cheney, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and delegations from the US and Kazakhstan conduct a bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace in Astana, Kazakhstan, Friday, May 5, 2006.
Vice President Dick Cheney talks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in a one-on-one meeting at the Presidential Palace in Astana, Kazakhstan, Friday, May 5, 2006. The two leaders discussed democratic pursuits, energy production, trade and Kazakhstan's developing role in Central Asia relations.
Vice President Dick Cheney (R) walks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to a joint news conference at the Presidential Palace in Astana, Kazakhstan May 5, 2006
Vice President Dick Cheney and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev speak to the press following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Astana, Kazakhstan, Friday, May 5, 2006. In his remarks the Vice President said, "The vision we affirm today is a community of sovereign states that grow in liberty and prosperity, trade and freedom and strive together for a century of peace. Standing in this modern capital city, I am proud to affirm the strong ties between Kazakhstan and the United States."
Most excellent snugs.
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