Saakashvili Rules out Use of Force in South Ossetia

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, during his visit to Russia, told reporters in Moscow on July 2 that he is ready to grant wider autonomous status to breakaway South Ossetia.
 
?Even much wider than Russia?s North Ossetia has,? Mikheil Saakashvili added. 
 
He ruled out the use of force in resolving the conflict and expressed readiness for political dialogue.
 
?If we had preferred to confront the Ossetian side, we would not have launched talks with them. Georgia has enough military force; however, we do not intend to use it. At the same time, everyone should know that if Georgia?s territorial integrity is threatened, we will respond with appropriate measures,? the Georgian President said.
 
President of the self-styled South Ossetian Republic Eduard Kokoev said at a news briefing in Tskhinvali on July 2, that troops in breakaway region ?are in full combat readiness to respond incursion of Georgian forces.?

He accused Georgian side of preparing attack on the breakaway region by July 7-9. However, President Mikheil Saakashvili denied allegations at a news briefing in Moscow on July 2.
 
?Actually, I will be on vacation at the [Georgia?s] Black Sea resorts on July 7-9,? Mikheil Saakashvili said.