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Rice to push Georgia-Russia deal Rice to push Georgia-Russia deal
(29 minutes later)
The search for a resolution to the conflict between Russia and Georgia is set to intensify when US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Tbilisi.The search for a resolution to the conflict between Russia and Georgia is set to intensify when US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Tbilisi.
Ms Rice will meet Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, and present him with the formal ceasefire agreement.Ms Rice will meet Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, and present him with the formal ceasefire agreement.
She is expected to show strong support for Georgia in the face of Russia's military advance into its territory.She is expected to show strong support for Georgia in the face of Russia's military advance into its territory.
Earlier, the US said its relationship with Russia could be harmed for years because of its "aggressive" actions.Earlier, the US said its relationship with Russia could be harmed for years because of its "aggressive" actions.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Moscow's behaviour had profound security implications, but he stressed he did not see a need for US military intervention.Speaking to reporters in Washington, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Moscow's behaviour had profound security implications, but he stressed he did not see a need for US military intervention.
See map of the region See map of the region
Meanwhile, President George Bush again called on Russia to respect Georgia's territorial integrity and honour the EU-brokered ceasefire. Meanwhile, President George W Bush again called on Russia to respect Georgia's territorial integrity and honour the EU-brokered ceasefire.
The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, will also seek a peaceful end to the conflict when she meets the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Friday. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will also seek a peaceful end to the conflict when she meets Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Friday.
It is thought she will urge Mr Medvedev to adopt a less confrontational approach, and to refrain from questioning Georgia's territorial integrity or undermining the legitimacy of its government.It is thought she will urge Mr Medvedev to adopt a less confrontational approach, and to refrain from questioning Georgia's territorial integrity or undermining the legitimacy of its government.
Meanwhile, Canada has become the latest country to cancel a joint military exercise with Russia in protest at its military actions in Georgia.Meanwhile, Canada has become the latest country to cancel a joint military exercise with Russia in protest at its military actions in Georgia.
Defence Minister Peter Mackay said Canada decided to pull out of a joint exercise scheduled for next week, after consultation with the United States. Defence Minister Peter Mackay said Canada had decided to pull out of a joint exercise scheduled for next week, after consultation with the US.
'Making progress''Making progress'
Ms Rice will fly to the Georgian capital on Friday to present Mr Saakashvili with the formal ceasefire agreement, which she was given by French President Nicolas Sarkozy when they met at his summer residence in the south of France.Ms Rice will fly to the Georgian capital on Friday to present Mr Saakashvili with the formal ceasefire agreement, which she was given by French President Nicolas Sarkozy when they met at his summer residence in the south of France.
She has no plans to visit Moscow.She has no plans to visit Moscow.
Georgia... must be able to go back to normal life Condoleezza RiceUS Secretary of State Eyewitness: Gori's combustible mixIn pictures: Georgia tensionDay-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisisGeorgia... must be able to go back to normal life Condoleezza RiceUS Secretary of State Eyewitness: Gori's combustible mixIn pictures: Georgia tensionDay-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisis
After her talks in France, Ms Rice said it was time for the crisis to be over.After her talks in France, Ms Rice said it was time for the crisis to be over.
She said that both the US and France strongly backed Georgia's territorial integrity and accused Russia of failing to respect the ceasefire.She said that both the US and France strongly backed Georgia's territorial integrity and accused Russia of failing to respect the ceasefire.
"Georgia, whose territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty we fully respect, must be able to go back to normal life," she said."Georgia, whose territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty we fully respect, must be able to go back to normal life," she said.
President Sarkozy, who negotiated the deal on behalf of the European Union, urged both sides to "to consolidate the cessation of hostilities and accelerate the withdrawal of Russian forces to their positions prior to 7 August". President Sarkozy, who negotiated the deal on behalf of the European Union, urged both sides "to consolidate the cessation of hostilities and accelerate the withdrawal of Russian forces to their positions prior to 7 August".
"We need to stop the shock of war," he said. "It takes time but we are making progress.""We need to stop the shock of war," he said. "It takes time but we are making progress."
Mr Sarkozy also said France planned to submit a draft UN Security Council resolution on the conflict that incorporates the six-point ceasefire agreement.Mr Sarkozy also said France planned to submit a draft UN Security Council resolution on the conflict that incorporates the six-point ceasefire agreement.
SIX-POINT PEACE PLAN No more use of forceStop all military actions for goodFree access to humanitarian aidGeorgian troops return to their places of permanent deploymentRussian troops to return to pre-conflict positionsInternational talks about future status of South Ossetia and AbkhaziaSIX-POINT PEACE PLAN No more use of forceStop all military actions for goodFree access to humanitarian aidGeorgian troops return to their places of permanent deploymentRussian troops to return to pre-conflict positionsInternational talks about future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia
The deal includes a pledge to pull troops on both sides back to their pre-conflict positions, and a plan to begin international discussions about the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.The deal includes a pledge to pull troops on both sides back to their pre-conflict positions, and a plan to begin international discussions about the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
President Saakashvili has said he would need to "take a closer look" at the proposed text before signing anything. Mr Saakashvili has said he would need to "take a closer look" at the proposed text before signing anything.
"We have to see what she [Rice] has to bring," he told CNN."We have to see what she [Rice] has to bring," he told CNN.
The BBC's Natalia Antelava in Tbilisi says the government here hopes that the coming visit by Ms Rice will put more pressure on Moscow and create conditions for the return of tens of thousands of refugees who have fled violence over the last few days.The BBC's Natalia Antelava in Tbilisi says the government here hopes that the coming visit by Ms Rice will put more pressure on Moscow and create conditions for the return of tens of thousands of refugees who have fled violence over the last few days.
Earlier, however, Russia's foreign minister said the idea of Georgian territorial integrity was an irrelevance.Earlier, however, Russia's foreign minister said the idea of Georgian territorial integrity was an irrelevance.
"I believe it is impossible to persuade South Ossetia and Abkhazia to agree with the logic that they can be forced back into the Georgian state," Sergei Lavrov said."I believe it is impossible to persuade South Ossetia and Abkhazia to agree with the logic that they can be forced back into the Georgian state," Sergei Lavrov said.
Mr Lavrov said Georgia's breakaway regions - Abkhazia and South Ossetia - would never agree to being part of Georgia again.Mr Lavrov said Georgia's breakaway regions - Abkhazia and South Ossetia - would never agree to being part of Georgia again.
On Thursday, Russia said it had begun handing back the town of Gori to Georgian police, but insisted its troops would stay in the area.On Thursday, Russia said it had begun handing back the town of Gori to Georgian police, but insisted its troops would stay in the area.
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A Georgian state TV reporter was injured by gunfire while she was on airA Georgian state TV reporter was injured by gunfire while she was on air
Georgian police and Russian military failed to create a joint patrol force in the town where Moscow was still in control.Georgian police and Russian military failed to create a joint patrol force in the town where Moscow was still in control.
A Russian general said his forces were there to remove weaponry and help restore law and order in Gori, which lies some 15km (10 miles) from South Ossetia and on a key route to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.A Russian general said his forces were there to remove weaponry and help restore law and order in Gori, which lies some 15km (10 miles) from South Ossetia and on a key route to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.
There were also reports of Russian military vehicles moving around the town of Senaki and the Georgian Black Sea port of Poti.There were also reports of Russian military vehicles moving around the town of Senaki and the Georgian Black Sea port of Poti.
Georgia attacked South Ossetia from Gori a week ago, prompting Russian retaliation. The Georgians say it followed provocation.Georgia attacked South Ossetia from Gori a week ago, prompting Russian retaliation. The Georgians say it followed provocation.
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