Russian Ambassador: Situation in South Ossetia Extremely Tense

The Russian Ambassador to Georgia, Vladimir Chkhikvishvili, called on the Georgian and South Ossetian sides to settle the current conflict in South Ossetia through dialogue.
 
?The situation is extremely tense in the region. Further acceleration of tension will trigger a great deal of problems for Georgia and for the entire region. However, there is a simple way out ? the conflicting sides should launch talks and settle the existing problems through dialogue,? Vladimir Chkhikvishvili told reporters on July 8.

He said that Goga Khaindrava, the Georgian State Minister, will leave for Moscow on July 9 in order to hold talks with Russian officials over South Ossetia.  
 
The Russian Ambassador also said that the issue will also be discussed during planned phone talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who is currently visiting Iran.

Together with other diplomats accredited in Georgia, the Russian Ambassador met with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania on July 8 to discuss the current situation in South Ossetia.