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| Georgian troops attack separatist forces in South Ossetia [Reuters] |
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Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state
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"The United States calls for an immediate ceasefire to the armed conflict in Georgia's region of South Ossetia," Rice said in statement.
"We call on Russia to cease attacks on Georgia by aircraft and missiles, respect Georgia's territorial integrity, and withdraw its ground combat forces from Georgian soil."
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Javier Solana, European Union foreign policy chief
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"I am deeply concerned over the dramatic situation in Georgia and I deplore the loss of human lives and the suffering inflicted on the civilian population.
"I spoke with Sergei Lavrov [Russian foreign minister] and Eka Tkeshelashvili [Georgian foreign minister] and called on both to spare no efforts to obtain an immediate ceasefire.
"We will continue to work relentlessly with the parties and the international community, in particular the OSCE, to help find a peaceful way out of the crisis."
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International Crisis Group
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"There is a real danger that the conflict will expand beyond South Ossetia to Abkhazia and other parts of Georgia," the group said in a statement
"It is particularly important that humanitarian assistance be immediately provided to the 75,000 civilians living in South Ossetia.
"Authorities need to ensure that there is full access to water, food and medical services.
"Persons who wish to evacuate should be allowed free passage, but no forced displacements should occur."
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