As the War in Georgia Expands so does the Concern of the International Community!
Georgia shells South Ossetia as Russia attacks
TSKHINVALI, Georgia (Reuters) – Georgia shelled the capital of South Ossetia on Monday, a Russian news agency said, while Tbilisi said dozens of Russian bombers were attacking Georgia.
U.S. President George W. Bush denounced Moscow’s “disproportionate response” to the South Ossetian crisis and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner began a mission to Tbilisi and Moscow to promote a peace plan designed in Paris.
The new crisis in the Caucasus has triggered alarm in the West, which gets much of its oil from a pipeline running through Georgia, and led to Cold War-style clashes at the United Nations. Oil prices rose again on Monday after a recent retreat from record levels, with crude topping $116 a barrel.
Sounds of explosions rocked the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali, now controlled by Russian troops. Soldiers said several Russian peacekeepers were killed in the Georgian shelling.
Interfax news agency quoted South Ossetian spokeswoman Irina Gagloyeva as saying the Georgians had fired Katyusha rockets killing 3 Russian peacekeepers and wounding 18. There was no independent confirmation of the casualties.
Georgia said up to 50 Russian fighter jets attacked Georgia overnight.
“Several dozen Russian bombers are in the Georgian skies and have been attacking throughout the country over the past several hours,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
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Update: Chechen forces join the fight, fear of ethnic cleasing. Watch video here.
