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
