By KUNA,
Paris : The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Luis Marie de Puig, has expressed deep concern about the large-scale military hostilities between two Council of Europe member states, Georgia and Russia.
De Puig said the declaration of a state of war in Georgia unfortunately marks a new step in the current conflict in South Ossetia, according to a statement released by the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg on Monday.
He deplored the large numbers of casualties that have already resulted from the recent clashes and expressed anxiety about Russian military action which “far exceeded Russia’s responsibilities under its peacekeeping mandate in South Ossetia,” the statement said.
Indeed, many parties are accusing Russia of “using disproportionate force” in the conflict and the United States has said it will introduce a UN Resolution condemning Russian action in Georgia, a US ally.
“When they joined the Council of Europe, Georgia and Russia pledged to achieve a political and non-violent resolution of the conflict in South Ossetia. The very serious events of the past few hours represent a flagrant violation of those commitments. And the risk of the conflict spreading to other parts of Georgia cannot be excluded,” the PACE President added.
He reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of all violence and a return to political dialogue. He particularly appealed to Russia to halt all activity which fell outside its mandate in South Ossetia.
He also said that “the Parliamentary Assembly, which respects international rules and principles, including that of territorial integrity, is willing to help the parties to achieve a peaceful settlement of this conflict.”