South Ossetia supported

Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins phoned Georgian ForeignMinister Ekaterine Tkeshelashvilli in orderto review the recent military clashes andthe current situation intheregion of Georgia, South Ossetia. 

Foreign Minister Riekstins reiterated his supportfor Georgia'ssovereignty and territorial integrity, pointing to the necessity of solving theexisting situation only through negotiations and avoiding the use of militaryforce.

"We commend the ceasefire offered by MikheilSaakashvili yesterday to South Ossetia, and Georgia's repeated attempts tostart immediate negotiations between both sides," Minister Riekstinsnoted.

At the same time Foreign Minister Riekstins emphasizedthat, under the current circumstances, the Russian Federation needs to use its influence in South Ossetia inorder to put an end to provocative actions on the part of South Ossetia'sde facto government.

Minister Riekstins also expressed his hope thatthe Russian Federation willnot get involved in military operations in South Ossetia.

South Ossetia's main concerns are that their independenceis not recognized by any UN member states, the fact that Georgia retains a strong hold in the region and onAugust 8, Georgiahas moved troops in to the region to establish control.

The move by Georgiahas prompted the Russian forces to enter Georgiaby way of Southern Ossetia.