U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg...

Georgia has made a number of contributions to the NATO-led military campaign in war-torn Afghanistan, including the deployment of at least 700 troops as part of the international coalition fighting Taliban militants.

Some experts believe the Georgian move could unnerve and infuriate Russia because Moscow would not want to see an increased presence of NATO ships in the Black Sea.

The transit of NATO military cargoes via Georgia would also make it harder for Russia to bloc Georgia"s rearmament by Western powers following the August 2008 brief war between Moscow and Tbilisi over South Ossetia.

Moscow and Washington are already working closely to establish regular transits of Afghanistan-bound cargoes via Russia.

TBILISI, February 5 (RIA Novosti)