For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 24, 2002
Statement by the Press Secretary
The United States is deeply concerned about credible reports that
Russian military aircraft indiscriminately bombed villages in northern
Georgia on August 23, resulting in the killing of civilians. The
Government of Georgia and border monitors of the Organization of
Security and Cooperation in Europe have verified that these aerial
bombardments occurred. The United States regrets this loss of life and
deplores the violation of Georgia's sovereignty.
The United States strongly supports Georgia's independence and
territorial integrity, and has welcomed similar statements by the
Russian Federation. Yesterday's attacks and their denial by the
Russian Government, however, belie such Russian assurances and escalate
existing tension between Russia and Georgia, just as cooperative
arrangements for resolving regional security problems are emerging. In
this context, we call again urgently for a political settlement to the
conflict in Chechnya, which would contribute to stability in both
Russia and Georgia, and advance our efforts to fight terrorism and
establish peace in the Caucasus.
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