Rice: Russian Moves Increase Tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who will arrive in Tbilisi on July 9, said some recent Russian steps had increased tension in Georgia’s breakaway regions.

“Frankly, some of the things that Russia did over the last couple of months added to tensions in the region,” Rice said on July 8 upon her arrival in Prague, Reuters reported.

“Georgia is an independent state. It has to be treated like one. We have said that both Georgia and Russia need to avoid provocative behaviour,” she added.