OSCE Chairman calls for calm and restraint in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict

BRUSSELS, 11 July 2006 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, expressed concern today about increased tensions in recent days in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.

After the 8 July closure of the only recognized road crossing point between Georgia and the Russian Federation, Minister De Gucht said he hoped the border crossing point could be re-opened quickly as the free movement of local residents and travellers had been affected.

"An already difficult situation is becoming exacerbated," said the Chairman-in-Office. "I express the hope that the border crossing point can be re-opened as speedily as possible, so that current tensions can be defused."

The Chairman-in-Office welcomed the Georgian Government's readiness to allow people to enter the country through an unrecognized border crossing point until 14 July, by which time he hoped discussions between the two Governments would lead to the official border point being reopened.

On 9 July, a security official was killed in a bomb attack in the region of South Ossetia. The results of the investigation are still unknown.

The Minister urged all sides in the conflict zone to exercise calm and not to take any measures which would add to the difficulties as well as to refrain from any use of violence.