Unofficial Translation From Russian

Russia is seriously disturbed by the growth of tension in the last few days in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, where the dangerous incidents with the use of weapons have become more frequent and human blood has been shed.

Four people died, and some were wounded, in the armed clash between Georgian and South Ossetian Interior Ministry personnel on the outskirts of Tskhinvali on September 8. On the night of September 8-9, followed an intensive new exchange of fire. This time, fortunately, there were no casualties.

As a consequence, the intensity of mutual accusations and bellicose statements by Tbilisi and Tshinvali has sharply increased. The region's population is agitated, and the growth of alarming sentiments is being observed.

The peacekeeping forces in the conflict zone in cooperation with the OSCE representatives are taking all measures to keep the situation under control and prevent an escalation of violence in their zone of responsibility. Moscow positively assesses the meeting held in Tskhinvali on September 8 between the Georgian and South Ossetian cochairmen of the Mixed Control Commission and the commander of the Mixed Peacekeeping Force, and presumes that such contacts must help stabilize conditions in the region.

Aware of the explosive character of the present situation in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, the Russian side calls on the authorities of Georgia and South Ossetia to exercise maximum restraint and take all measures to prevent new dangerous incidents that might grow into a large-scale armed confrontation. Russia is ready to help the parties find solutions leading to the reduction of tension in their relations in every possible way.

September 9, 2006