Latvian and U.S. president discuss Georgia

RIGA- Latvian President Valdis Zatlers discussedthe conflict in Georgia with US President George W. Bush and Georgian PresidentMikheil Saakashvili over the weekend.

The president's press service reported that the Georgian topic had also beendiscussed with the Estonian andUkrainian presidents. Zatlers said that the signed ceasefire should be assessedpositively, but it is important for both parties to observe it, especiallyregarding withdrawal of the Russian troops from Georgia,which has not been done so far.

Zatlers and the USpresident discussed further international reaction to the situation in Georgiaand possible diplomatic steps to promote withdrawal of the Russian troops fromthe territory of independent Georgia.Zatlers said that at present the most important thing is to ensure presence ofinternational observers and peace-keepers in Georgiato observe implementation of ceasefire. Latviaand its allies will actively work in the European Union (EU), OSCE, UN and NATOto achieve that. Zatlers also said that Latviais ready to send its observers and peace-keepers to Georgiaas soon as the mandate for the international mission is given.

The Latvian and US presidents agreed that a strict stance is needed at theNATO foreign ministers' extraordinary meeting on August 19, taking into accountthe decisions of NATO Bucharest summit, where the allies agreed that Georgiawill be a NATO member in the future.

 Zatlers said that internationalorganizations have to revise their cooperation with Russiain the context of the military conflict.

A similar opinion was voiced by Zatlers in a telephone conversation with hisUkrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko and Estonian colleague Toomas Hendrik Ilves, underscoring thenecessity for a coordinated reaction from the international society.

Zatlers voiced the necessity to provide all needed assistance to Georgiaand told Saakashvili that Latviawill offer Georgiahumanitarian.

Russia hasbeen engaged in armed hostilities with Georgiasince August 8. On August 12 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered a haltto military operations in Georgia,but the Russian army has not yet left the Georgian territory. On August 17Medvedev reported that Russiawill start withdrawing its troops from Georgia,but Georgians are still waiting for a move.

Leaders of five Eastern European countries, including Latvian Prime MinisterIvars Godmanis, went to Tbilisi toshow their support to Georgia,while Zatlers was in Beijing forthe Olympic Games at the time.