Georgia, US sign strategic accord

The United States and Georgia signed an accord here Friday to bolster defence, trade and energy ties in a new sign of US support for Georgia after its brief war with Russia in August.
The deal shows the way for Washington and Tbilisi to boost "cooperation in defence, trade, energy security" and strengthen Georgia's budding democratic institutions, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at a signing ceremony.
The Charter on Strategic Partnership amounts to what US officials say is a declaration of intent by President George W. Bush's departing team to deepen US-Georgian cooperation without committing his successor, Barack Obama.