US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Wednesday for a two day visit. Rice's visit to Georgia takes place amid rising tensions between Georgia and its breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which have recently seen several bombings and disputes over peace keepers.

Addressing a news conference, the Secretary of State said she was disappointed at the Russian response to an agreement that would allow the US to install part of a missile defence shield system in the Czech Republic.

Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State says:
"Well first of all on the Russian reaction to the missile defence signing yesterday, I'm sorry to say I think it was predictable, if disappointing, given all of the efforts that Secretary Gates and I have made to offer to the Russians significant ways for transparency, for confidence building measures, and for cooperation.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev lashed out at the United States over the plans, and vowed a response to the planned US system but stopped short of specifying what kind.

Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State says:
"... I still hope that Russia will look at the actual threat environment, look at the fact that the Iranians are developing ever-longer ranges of missiles which they apparently intend to test, and that the Russians will see that this is not aimed at them."

Meanwhile, Rice will meet with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili on Thursday for closed-door talks, after which they are expected to hold a joint news conference.

AP