White House urges restraint over Abkhazia tensions

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

GREENSBURG, Kansas (AFP) — The White House called for restraint Sunday in the face of mounting tensions between pro-Western Georgia and Moscow over the Russia-leaning breakaway republic of Abkhazia.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said he could not confirm the latest actions that have ratcheted up the war of nerves between Georgia, Russia and Abkhazia, including claims by Abkhaz officials that they shot down two unmanned Georgian spy planes.

But, Fratto said, "we encourage everyone in the region to avoid actions that would increase tensions."

The de facto defence ministry of the self-declared Abkhaz republic said Sunday it shot down the two drones, while Russia's defense ministry slammed Georgia for "yet another provocative incident" and saying the flights...