OSCE Chairman calls for a halt to all military action, re-establishment of contact in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, today urged an end to all military action in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.

"The intense fighting in the South Ossetian conflict zone risks escalation into a full-fledged war. War would have a devastating impact for the entire region. I urge the Georgians, South Ossetians and Russians to cease fire, end military action and stop further escalation," he said. "We need to pull back from the brink of a full-fledged war. "

Stubb said he was in contact with Tbilisi and Tskhinvali as well as all international actors involved in resolving the conflict.

"The international community needs to act together to prevent a full-fledged war. I am in constant contact with my colleagues in the European Union and the United States. I have also called for restraint in the Russian reaction," he said.


The Minister said the Special Envoy of the Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, would travel to Georgia immediately. Other immediate steps include an extraordinary Permanent Council meeting in Vienna today. The Chairman-in-Office is planning to visit Georgia in the very near future.

[Source: OSCE, Helsinki, 08Aug08]

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The Question of South Ossetia