http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/10/europe/EU-NATO-Georgia-South-Osset
ia.php
Associated Press
August 10, 2008
NATO chief says Russia used excessive force
-[Scheffer] said the deployment of Russian combat
troops in South Ossetia showed "a lack of respect for
the territorial integrity of Georgia."
BRUSSELS, Belgium - NATO's Secretary General
criticized Russia Sunday for violating the
"territorial integrity" of Georgia and urged the
warring sides to observe an immediate cease-fire in
South Ossetia.
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said he was concerned about the
"disproportionate" use of force, in an apparent
reference to Russian shelling and air attacks on
Georgian troops.
In NATO's first substantive comments about the
fighting in South Ossetia since hostilities began
Friday, De Hoop Scheffer called for talks aimed at
restoring Georgian control over its breakaway
province.
He said the deployment of Russian combat troops in
South Ossetia showed "a lack of respect for the
territorial integrity of Georgia," according to
comments relayed by NATO spokeswoman Carmen Romero.
NATO has acted carefully in the South Ossetia dispute
and officials said there were no immediate plans to
convene a special meeting of its ambassadors. Georgia
aspires to join the alliance but Russia fiercely
opposes that.
Georgia began an offensive to regain [sic] control
over South Ossetia overnight Friday, launching rocket
and artillery fire and air strikes on the South
Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali.
Russia, which has granted passports to most South
Ossetians, responded by sending in combat troops,
overwhelming artillery shelling and air attacks.
South Ossetia won de facto independence after a civil
war in 1992.
Serbian News Network - SNN
[email protected]
http://www.antic.org/
