Maastricht, Dec 02: US Secretary of State Colin Powell today warned against support for separatism in Georgia and called on the international community to ensure the country's territorial integrity. "No support should be given to breakaway elements seeking to weaken the territorial integrity of Georgia," he said in a clear reference to Russia's support for separatist movements in the country, without naming Moscow.
One week ago the opposition seized power in Tbilisi in a bloodless revolution. Since then Russia tried to increase its grip on the former Soviet Republic by hosting top representatives from Georgia's separatist regions who have refused to deal with the new leaders.
"The international community should do everything possible to support Georgia's territorial integrity throughout and beyond the elections," Powell told delegates at a ministerial meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Maastricht.
Georgia's new leadership had called fresh presidential elections for January 04. Powell warned that the vote should be "free and fair".
At the OSCE conference Powell will also meet acting President Nino Burjanadze of Georgia who took over from Eduard Shevardnadze on November 23. Bureau Report