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Cameron wants Georgia solidarity | |
(about 23 hours later) | |
Conservative leader David Cameron has said it is important the West shows solidarity with Georgia, as he visits the country's capital, Tbilisi. | |
He travelled to the region for talks with political leaders amid continuing tensions between Georgia and Russia. | |
"What Russia destroys, the EU and Nato will help... restore," said Mr Cameron. | |
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said "Russian aggression" and threats to neighbouring states, such as Poland, were "unacceptable". | |
In a statement, Mr Miliband welcomed the signing of the Georgian ceasefire agreement by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. | |
"The priority now is to ensure that the commitments made in the agreement are speedily and fully implemented," he said. | |
"There must be a complete and immediate withdrawal of Russian troops to the line they occupied before military action started." | |
Mr Miliband also condemned threats by Russian military figures to launch a nuclear strike against Poland if it allowed America to put a missile defence system on its soil. | |
The conflict began when Georgia attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia a week ago, sparking Russian intervention. Its troops continue to occupy positions in Georgia. | |
Scores of people have died and thousands displaced since the fighting began. | Scores of people have died and thousands displaced since the fighting began. |
David Cameron said a "clear message" needed to go out from the West | |
Speaking from Tbilisi, Mr Cameron said: "Just a few miles away there are still Russian troops on the ground, still doing damage." | |
A "clear message" needed to go out from all Western politicians - in government or opposition - that they would rally round Georgia and help rebuild it. | |
"This is a free, independent, sovereign democracy, whose borders and boundaries and legitimate sovereignty should be respected," Mr Cameron added. | |
'Atrocities' | |
Mr Cameron said it was vital checks were kept on all the armed groups in the area. | |
"What I've heard is there's a real danger that the militias that are in the areas that the Russians occupy may well be carrying out appalling atrocities. | |
"Reports are beginning to come in, obviously we need the evidence, but a very clear message needs to go out to the Russians that while they are in control of this territory - which they shouldn't be - anything that happens there is their responsibility. | |
"If atrocities have taken place, they will be held to account for that." | |
Mr Cameron earlier called for Nato to speed up Georgia's application for membership, in a bid to deter further attacks. | |
He has also called for Russia to be expelled from the G8 and for tough new visa restrictions to be placed on Russian nationals travelling to the UK. | He has also called for Russia to be expelled from the G8 and for tough new visa restrictions to be placed on Russian nationals travelling to the UK. |
The Liberal Democrats have urged the EU and others to "show tough resolve in helping to negotiate a lasting peace". | The Liberal Democrats have urged the EU and others to "show tough resolve in helping to negotiate a lasting peace". |
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