OSCE Chairman-in-Office expresses serious concern at increased tension between Georgia and Russian Federation

VIENNA, 2 August 2002 - The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz, has expressed his serious concern over the current escalation of tension between Georgia and the Russian Federation.

This has become evident in official statements issued by the two participating States in recent days, as well as in evidence seen by OSCE Border Monitors that a bombardment of Georgian territory took place this week in the area of Girevi, south of the Chechen part of the Georgian-Russian Federation border.

The OSCE Chairmanship urges both participating States to refrain from any steps that could further increase tension in the Caucasus area and to adhere to the principle of resolution of security problems in the spirit of co-operation between the participating States.