OSCE Chairman Urges Tbilisi, Tskhinvali to Exercise Calm

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, expressed concern about recent skirmishes and firing of weapons in the South Ossetian conflict zone, including a fatal shootout on September 8 that left three South Ossetian militia members and one Georgian officer dead.

?It is deplorable that an already tense situation has been exacerbated by further exchanges of fire between the sides over the weekend,? the OSCE Chairman-in-Office said.

He urged the conflicting sides to exercise calm, and refrain from any use of violence.

Minister De Gucht expressed the hope that both Georgian and South Ossetian sides would use the opportunity presented by an imminent meeting of the Joint Control Commission planned for September 14-15 for urgently needed dialogue.

?It is imperative that the sides use this opportunity to address issues in a constructive and result-oriented manner. Recent events should not be repeated. I hope the sides will consolidate their commitments through creating workable solutions, which they will implement fully,? the OSCE Chairman-in-Office said.

OSCE Chairman De Gucht will meet with Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili on September 14 in Brussels. He also plans to send his Special Envoy Pierre Chevalier to the region to contact all parties.

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