Russia Defends Peacekeeping Mission In South Ossetia

(RFE/RL) 3 February 2006 – Russia's peacekeeping mission in Georgia's separatist South Ossetia province is the only guarantee against the outbreak of new war in the region, the Russian Foreign Ministry says.

The statement was issued after Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with South Ossetia's leader, Eduard Kokoity, in Moscow on 3 February.

The Foreign Ministry also denounced what it called "provocative acts" by Georgia.

The latest incident between Georgian police and Russian peacekeepers happened on 31 January when a fist-fight broke out between Georgia police and Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia.

Georgia accuses Russia of siding with the separatist government of South Ossetia.

(AP/ITAR-TASS)