Medvedev, Obama discuss Georgia tensions

USA: Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev called US President Barack Obama on Tuesday and the two leaders discussed the worsening situation in Georgia and tensions over ex-Soviet states, the White House said.

The call came as Georgia warned of the risk of a new war with Russia and Moscow raised the battle-readiness of its forces, ahead of the anniversary of their conflict over rebel South Ossetia.

“Russian President Medvedev called President Obama today to wish him happy birthday,” the White House said in a press statement.

“During the call, the presidents discussed the situation in Georgia and the need to decrease tensions in the region.

“President Obama reiterated the importance of working through established crisis management mechanisms such as the Joint Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism and underscored the need for international monitors.”

Obama’s administration is currently walking a tightrope between its desire to reset ties with Moscow and showing support for its ally Georgia, as tensions rise again between Moscow and Tbilisi.

Russia smashed a Georgian military offensive to recapture South Ossetia in a brief war in August last year, sending relations between Moscow and Washington during the final months of George W. Bush’s administration to post-Cold War lows.

US Vice President Joe Biden risked irking Russia last month when he said in a speech in the ex-Soviet republic that Obama backed Georgia’s aspiration to join NATO.

He also reiterated long-standing US policy on Georgia’s territorial integrity, saying Washington sought a “free, secure, democratic, united Georgia.” Moscow has recognized two rebel regions of Georgia Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, prompting condemnation from around the world.

The White House also said that Obama and Medvedev used Tuesday’s conversation to discuss the need to “move forward quickly” on agreements reached at their summit last month in Moscow.

“In particular, the presidents reaffirmed their commitment to complete negotiations on a follow-on agreement to START by December of this year.”

Obama and Medvedev signed a declaration in Moscow pledging to reach a new nuclear arms pact to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. WASHINGTON, Wednesday, AFP