TBILISI, May 9: George Bush travelled to Georgia on Monday in the first-ever visit by a serving US president to the Caucasus region long dominated by Russia, underscoring the dramatic geopolitical shifts underway in the former Soviet Union. The US leader flew in from Moscow where he and more than 50 other leaders joined Russian President Vladimir Putin in attending a parade on Red Square and other ceremonies commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

Georgian television networks aired live video of Bush clapping and nodding his head to the beat of traditional Georgian music as his host, President Mikhail Saakashvili led him through a giant, tightly choreographed dance presentation before hosting the US president and his wife, Laura, for dinner.

The Bush visit comes 18 months after the US-educated Saakashvili was swept to power by a peaceful revolt promising to lead his country away from centuries-old domination by Russia.

He arrived in Tbilisi on the eve of his visit’s showcase event Tuesday when Bush was due to address a massive crowd of Georgians on Tbilisi’s Freedom Square — formerly known as Lenin Square — in a tour in which he has linked the defeat of Nazi Germany to the struggle for democracy.

“I have been most impressed by the aftermath of the revolution,” Bush said in an interview with a local television network prior to his arrival, referring to the “people power” revolt that dislodged an entrenched regime here in 2003.

“I want to go to your country and thank the Georgian people for setting such a good example for other nations to follow.”

Georgia became the first of three former Soviet republics to overthrow corrupt, entrenched governments in the last 18 months, defying Moscow and ushering in reforms.—AFP