CSTO regional security group condemns Georgia's action in S.Ossetia

Moscow, Sep 6 (UNI) Presidents of the member-countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have at their two-day summit, condemned Georgia's military action in the breakaway region of South Ossetia and backed Russia's active role in peacemaking there.

"The CSTO member-states delare their deep concern over Georgia's attempt to resolve the conflict in South Ossetia by force, an act that has caused numerous victims among civilians and peacekeepers," a declaration adopted at the summit said.

The CSTO leaders also called on all countries "to make a balanced and objective assessment of events in the Caucasus, free of double standards, and not to undertake any action that could provoke an escalation in the situation." The declaration welcomed the peace settlement plan worked out by the Russian and French Presidents, expressing "support for Russia's active role in facilitating peace and cooperation in the region." Noting the "serious potential" for conflict that is building up in close proximity to CSTO's "zone of responsibility," the declaration also called on the NATO countries to "weigh up all possible consequences of NATO's estward expansion and the deployment of new missile defence system." The CSTO includes Russia, Belarus, Armenia and four Central Asian coutries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

On the recognition of South Ossetia and another breakaway region of Abkhazia, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters that the CSTO countries will act on the basis of national law, but wil be guided by national interests.

UNI XC NC KP1155