A map of Georgia showing the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The head of Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region has called for talks with Tbilisi to defuse mounting tensions over the Moscow-backed region. (AFP/Graphic)MOSCOW, July 9 (Reuters) - Bombings and gun battles in two breakaway regions of Georgia are threatening efforts to ease a standoff between Tbilisi and Moscow, hours before U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits the Georgian capital.
Rice, who arrives in Tbilisi on Wednesday, is expected to appeal for restraint on all sides but also express support for former Soviet Georgia's push to join the NATO military alliance, an ambition that has angered Russia.
"We said that both Georgia and Russia need to avoid provocative behaviour," Rice said as she flew to Europe on Tuesday. She also said "some of the things that Russia did over the last couple of months added to tensions in the region."
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More News On Russia-Georgia Conflict
Russia seeks UN role for Georgia deal -- Sydney Morning Herald
Abkhazia rejects U.S. proposals for an international police presence -- International Herald Tribune
Russia submits UN draft text critical of Georgia -- Reuters
Russia says Georgia whipping up tensions with separatists -- AFP
Georgian rebel region calls for peace talks: report -- AFP
Georgia plans operation to free detained soldiers -- Reuters
Video: Abkhazia calls on the world to stop 'Georgian terror' -- RussiaToday
My Comment: With Chechnya destroyed after 14 years of conflict, you would hope that all the players in the region would be careful with what they say and do. But this is clearly not the case. Russian intervention would blow this region apart and create a catastrophe that would equal Chechnya. The Georgians must walk this path very carefully.
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