US President George W Bush on Saturday
expressed deep "concern" concerning the fighting between Georgian and
Russia troops in the South Ossetian crisis, reported dpa.
"The attacks are occurring in regions of Georgia far from the zone of
conflict in South Ossetia. They mark a dangerous escalation in the
crisis," Bush said, speaking in the Chinese capital Beijing where he
attended the Olympic opening ceremonies on Friday.
Bush called on the two sides to resolve the regional issue peacefully, adding
that Georgia was a sovereign nation whose territorial integrity needed to be
respected.
He specifically called on Russia to stop bombings and for a "return by the
parties to the status quo of August 6."
The US politician also said his country would be working with partners in Europe to mediate a solution to the conflict.
On Friday, the United States announced that it was sending an envoy to help
bring about a ceasefire in the conflict in Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had also been in contact with a number
of foreign officials to seek an end to the hostilities.
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