Int´l community expresses concern over Georgia-Russia tension

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Source: CCTV.com | 09-05-2008 11:10

Dick Cheney was in Georgia in a show of support for its pro-western government in its conflict with Russia.

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney (L) shakes hands with  Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili in Tbilisi Sept. 4, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Meanwhile, foreign ministers of Russia and other six members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization also met to discuss the situation in the Caucasus.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu says China hopes the international community will create favorable conditions to promote a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Georgia conflict through dialogue. She called for international efforts that are conducive to peace and stability in the South Ossetia region.

Russian soldiers were still manning a checkpoint on the outskirts of the town of Karaleti, close to Gori, on Thursday.

Russian officials say these peacekeeping forces have been assigned to monitor for the possible transfer of arms.

Russia's continued presence in Georgia has drawn criticism from US Vice President, Dick Cheney, who visited Georgia.

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney (L) listens to Georgia's  President Mikheil Saakashvili during a news briefing in  Tbilisi Sept. 4, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Dick Cheney said, "America will do its duty to work with the governments of Georgia and our other friends and allies to protect our common interests and uphold our values."

Cheney has assured Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili that the US is "fully committed" to Georgia's efforts to join NATO.

Cheney's trip comes on the heels of a White House announcement of a 1-billion-dollar aid package to Tbilisi.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev harshly criticized the US, urging the Washington to "reassess" its relationship with Georgia.

Meanwhile, in Moscow, foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, met to discuss the situation.

Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting.

Eduard Nalbandyan, Armenian Foreign Ministry, said, "We passed a statement in which the foreign ministers of the CSTO countries called for a peaceful resolution of the existing problems and facilitation of negotiations. The ministers supported Russia's active role in promoting peace in the region."

Russia says the CSTO ministers will show a united front when dealing with international organizations on the subject of Georgia and Russia.

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney speaks  to the media after a meeting with  Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili  in Tbilisi Sept. 4, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Editor:Du Xiaodan