U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney upped U.S. pressure on Moscow on Wednesday, calling the Russian occupation of Georgia an "unjustified assault" and pledged to ensure the nation's territorial integrity.

"That young democracy has been subjected to an unjustified assault," Cheney said in address to armed forces veterans gathered at the 90th National Convention in Phoenix.

"We support their democracy, and we will work with our allies to ensure Georgia's territorial integrity as a free and independent nation."

He made the remarks after Russia recognized two rebel regions of Georgia as independent states on Tuesday, driving up tension in the volatile Caucasus and putting Moscow on a collision course with the West.

President George W. Bush condemned Moscow's recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as an action that "only exacerbates tensions and complicates diplomatic negotiations."

Cheney is to travel to Tbilisi next week. He said the international community had joined in condemning Russia's "invasion of a sovereign and democratic neighbor and its recognition of the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

"The Georgian people won their freedom after years of tyranny and they can count on the friendship of the United States," he added.

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