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Bush voices concern over escalating violence in Georgia

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United States President George W. Bush said on Saturday he was deeply concerned by the escalating conflict between Russia and Georgia over the separatist republic of South Ossetia.
BEIJING, August 9 (RIA Novosti) - United States President George W. Bush said on Saturday he was deeply concerned by the escalating conflict between Russia and Georgia over the separatist republic of South Ossetia.

Georgia, the main U.S. ally in the Caucasus Region, launched a major ground and air offensive to seize control of South Ossetia on Friday, prompting Russia to send in tanks and hundreds of troops. Georgia imposed martial law on Saturday after Russian warplanes began bombarding military bases.

"I'm deeply concerned about the situation in Georgia... The attacks are occurring in regions of Georgia far from the zone of conflict in South Ossetia. They mark a dangerous escalation in the crisis," Bush told a news conference at the Beijing Olympics.

Bush called on Russia to end its bombing campaign and to respect Georgia's territorial integrity. He said high-level consultations were ongoing between the U.S. and officials from Russia and Georgia.

Russia says 12 of its servicemen have been killed in the violence, and 1,500 civilians in South Ossetia have lost their lives. Around 30,000 refugees have flooded across the border into Russia to escape the violence since Friday morning.

South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali was largely destroyed in Georgian attacks on Friday. Georgia and Russia both claim to have control of the city.

Bush said: "The violence is endangering regional peace, civilian lives have been lost and others are endangered. We have urged an immediate halt to the violence and a stand-down by all troops. We call for an end to the Russian bombings, and a return by the parties to the status quo of August 6."

Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said earlier that Russian combat aircraft had bombed several Georgian military bases, one near the capital Tbilisi, as well as the Black Sea port city of Poti.

Georgian media also reported airstrikes on the city of Gori, and said several civilians had been killed.

However, Russian Deputy Air Force Commander Col. Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn denied that warplanes had struck non-military targets.

"We are not fighting peaceful towns, and are not conducting military strikes against civilians. We are only seeking to ensure peace," he said.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said earlier on Saturday that the country's troops had begun a military operation in South Ossetia to force Georgian troops to cease violence.

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