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Unnamed U.S. Diplomat Held Georgia Partially Responsible for War in South Ossetia
Georgia is partially responsible for the start of military standoff with Russia in South Ossetia, a top ranked representative of the U.S. Department of State announced August 9 on condition of anonymity.
The United States long urged Georgia to avoid military conflict with the Russians, to avoid any escalation. The standing of Washington was clear from the very beginning, the unnamed diplomat said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called for immediate cease-fire. "We call on Russia to cease attacks on Georgia by aircraft and missiles, respect Georgia's territorial integrity and withdraw its ground combat forces from Georgian soil," Rice said in a statement.
Georgia launched assault on South Ossetia at night to August 8, endeavoring to restore "the constitutional order" there. Russia brought forces of the 58th Army in the afternoon of August 8, following heavy casualties amid the civilians suffering from bombing and shelling attacks of Georgia's warplanes and artillery. The Russians continue to force Georgian troops out of the breakaway Republic of South Ossetia.
www.kommersant.com
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