Georgian and South Ossetian authorities traded accusations February 4 over several exchanges of fire in the separatist region overnight. South Ossetia said its regional capital Tskhinvali had come under fire from Georgia-controlled villages while Georgian authorities accused the separatist region of shelling a Georgian village.
"We emphatically state that the Georgian side is committed to the principles of the peaceful settlement of the conflict and urge the Tskhinvali leadership de facto to consider all problematic issues within the bilateral format through a constructive dialog," said Merab Antadze, Georgia's state minister for conflict resolution.
South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia following a bloody conflict in 1991-1992 that killed hundreds of people. The pro-Western Georgian government of Mikheil Saakashvili has said it is determined to bring the breakaway region back under its control.
