Condoleezza Rice no-show in Tbilisi

The former U.S. secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, had skipped a reportedly planned trip to Tbilisi, and flew from Batumi to Dublin on Monday, the same day she arrived in Georgia.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry later confirmed Rice's departure but gave no elaboration.

"As for her set-off, I have no information about it," Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze told a press briefing.

The foreign ministry official said that Rice had arrived in the South Caucasus country for an informal visit and had a brief stay in the Adjara region where Batumi lies.

Rice, former Soviet president Mikhail Gobachov and former U.S. defense secretary William Perry were expected to visit Tbilisi for lectures and discussions with local intellectuals and press people. The trio reportedly started a tour of Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan on Aug. 30, which was expected to last till Sept. 15.

Gobachov did not show up in the trip, while Perry was not confirmed for arrival.

Source: Xinhua