FACTBOX: International reaction to South Ossetia conflict
(Reuters) - The United States, NATO and the European Union called for an immediate end to fighting in Georgia's South Ossetia region and called for talks between the sides.
Here are some details:
FRANCE:
"Foreign and European affairs minister, Bernard Kouchner, is extremely preoccupied by the events in South Ossetia, Georgia. He deplores the loss of human life.
"France reiterates its attachment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia in its internationally recognized borders.
"France calls on all parties to cease hostilities immediately and return to without delay to negotiations, which are the only way to resolve this crisis."
GERMANY: Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier:
"I am shocked by the escalation of violence in South Ossetia in the last 48 hours. It is still unclear who is responsible for the new outbreak of violence.
"All combat operations must be stopped and all the forces that have been led to South Ossetia in the last 48 hours must be pulled back. I have expressed that opinion to Georgian President Saakashvili and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on the phone."
Government spokesman Thomas Steg:
"Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged the conflict parties in South Ossetia to show calm and restraint and called for an immediate stop to all use of force."
POLAND: Polish President Lech Kaczynski's office:
"The president believes that any interference in internal matters of the Republic of Georgia is unacceptable and that any such action, if it intensifies, could lead to tragic consequences."
TURKEY:
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement it was watching developments with concern and called for a peaceful solution.
"Our country is making a call for the sides to halt clashes and military action and hold direct talks."
BRITAIN: spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown:
"We are urging an immediate ceasefire to the fighting in South Ossetia and calling for a resumption of direct dialogue between the parties."
UNITED STATES: White House spokeswoman Dana Perino in a statement in Beijing:
"President Bush has been regularly updated on the situation. I want to reiterate on his behalf that the United States supports Georgia's territorial integrity and we call for an immediate ceasefire. We urge all parties, Georgians, South Ossetians and Russians to de-escalate the tension and avoid conflict. We are working on mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire and we are urging the parties to restart their dialogue."
EUROPEAN UNION: Foreign policy chief Javier Solana:
"I am deeply concerned over the dramatic situation in Georgia and I deplore the loss of human lives and the suffering inflicted on the civilian population. I spoke with (Russian Foreign Minister) Sergei Lavrov and (Georgian Foreign Minister) Eka Tkeshelashvili and called on both to spare no efforts to obtain an immediate cease-fire. We will continue to work relentlessly with the parties and the international community, in particular the OSCE, to help find a peaceful way out of the crisis."
NATO:
"The NATO Secretary General (Jaap de Hoop Scheffer) calls on all sides for an immediate end of the armed clashes and calls for direct talks between the parties.".
OSCE: Russian envoy Vladimir Voronkov:
"Georgia has started to enact a 'scorched earth' policy. The heavy bombardments and indiscriminate targeting of buildings have resulted in numerous civilian casualties, although their numbers cannot be precisely assessed due to continued Georgian shelling."
U.S. mission:
"In our view, the introduction of additional forces into this volatile situation and any further violence will solve nothing. We again call for a political solution to this situation ... We call for an immediate end to violence and direct talks between the parties."
