Saakashvili Vows to Avoid Ethnic Cleansing in Tskhinvali Region

President Saakashvili raised today concern over the recent developments in breakaway South Ossetia and vowed to avoid ethnic cleansing in the region.

?We must not allow for ethnic cleansing of the Georgian population or a humanitarian catastrophe in breakaway South Ossetia,? Saakashvili said before a session of the National Security Council on August 13.

He said, the situation in the conflict area is difficult, but not so alarming. ?The situation will stay difficult there until we struggle for reunification of Georgia,? the President added.

The Georgian population of breakaway South Ossetia, comprised mostly of women and children, are leaving the breakaway region.

The Georgian authorities have already vowed to protect the children and provide normal shelters for them.