Nordic governments call for restraint in South Ossetia

11.08.2008 “The ongoing fighting in Georgia has an extent with is without precedence in Europe since the Balkan wars”, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says in a press release. Together with his colleague from Finland and Sweden, Mr. Støre now calls on all parties to end the fighting.
<br><br>
-The conflict is a violation of core principles in international law and can have consequences for security in the whole region, Minister Støre says in a government press release. –Russian bombing and military action on Georgian territory is completely unacceptable and must seize. […] Now a heavy responsibility rests on Russia to get an end to hostilities and show respect for Georgia’s territorial integrity, he adds.
<br><br>
In a statement from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Carl Bildt underlines that “it is extremely important that all those involved show restraint and play their part in bringing about a political solution. - A great responsibility rests on Russia and I expect Russia to act constructively and with restraint, he adds.
<br><br>
Finnish Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Alexander Stubb, in a statement from the Finnish Government urges an to end all military action in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. "The intense fighting in the South Ossetian conflict zone risks escalation into a full-fledged war. War would have a devastating impact for the entire region. I urge the Georgians, South Ossetians and Russians to cease fire, end military action and stop further escalation”, the statement reads.
<br><br>
Source: <noindex><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.barentsobserver.com/" target="_blank">www.barentsobserver.com</a></noindex>