Russia, US discuss bombing claims by Georgia

Moscow, Aug 9 (UNI) Russian State Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin and US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried today discussed on telephone the situation following the accusation by the former Soviet republic of Georgia that Russian fighters dropped bombs on a village on its territory.

The incident in the zone of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict was discussed by Karasin and Fried on the phone yesterday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

''The sides exchanged views on the incident that occurred in the Georgian -South Ossetian conflict zone on August 6 and prospects for settlement in South Ossetia,'' the statement said.

The United States has already condemned what it called a rocket attack on Georgia and urged Moscow and Tbilisi to ensure a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Georgia's breakaway region.

Georgia claimed that two aircraft with Russian insignia crossed into its airspace on Monday and fired missiles at a radar near the town of Gori.

Russia rejected Georgia's claims about the bombing of its territory as another provocation aimed at foiling a Joint Control Commission meeting.

The conflicting accounts of the incident reflected ongoing tensions between Georgia and Russia.

The deportation last year of four Russian army officers amid accusations of spying triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Moscow imposing economic sanctions against its neighbour and deporting a number of Georgians.

Georgian officials have frequently claimed that Russian military aircraft have violated its airspace, accusations denied by Russia.

UNI