U.S. Concerned over South Ossetia Clashes

The U.S. Department of State called on the conflicting sides in South Ossetia ?to exercise restraint? and to implement the ceasefire agreement signed by the Georgian and South Ossetian sides on August 13.
 
?We should let you know, too, that we’ve been continuing our discussions with both the Georgian and Russian governments on the subject. Our Ambassador in Tbilisi, Ambassador [Richard] Miles, talked to Georgian Prime Minister [Zurab] Zhvania today [on August 16], and I know Department officials, both through the Embassy and here in Washington, have been in touch with folks in Russia about the same subject,? Tom Casey, Director of the Office of Press Relations at the Department of State, said at a news briefing on August 16.

He also said that the parties need to move forward with political dialogue and discussion through the Joint Control Commission (JCC), a quadripartite body involving the Georgian, South Ossetian, Russian and North Ossetian sides.

The JCC session is scheduled to be held in Tbilisi on August 17 with the participation of the Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania.