Moscow Calls on Georgian, South Ossetian Sides for Restraint

In an information note issued on June 8 the Russian Foreign Ministry calls on Georgian and South Ossetian sides for restraint to avoid tensions in the conflict zone.

The information note also reads that after the clash in the South Ossetian conflict zone, which resulted in death of four Ossetian armed men and one Georgian policeman on May 29 and ?which could have triggered ethnic conflict?, the tension was defused due to active interference of the Joint Control Commission.

?However the disappearance of three Georgians on June 6 has still aggravated the situation,? the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.

According to official reports, four Georgians have disappeared in the South Ossetian conflict zone  on June 6. The Georgian law enforcement agencies are actively discussing the issue of  abduction. However, in an information note issued by the Press and Information Committee of breakaway South Ossetia on June 7, the South Ossetian side claims that ?Georgians were involved in criminal business and their disappearance is linked with disputes among criminal gangs.?

The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the Georgian and South Ossetian authorities to hold urgent talks between the Interior Ministers.

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