Medvedev: Russian forcing peace in Georgia

MOSCOW, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told U.S. President George Bush Saturday that Russian military efforts in Georgia were aimed at creating peace.

Medvedev said in a phone call to his U.S. counterpart that his country was attempting to force Georgia to accept peace through its ongoing military efforts in the Georgian breakaway republic of South Ossetia, RIA Novosti said.

"Acting within our peacekeeping mission, and in line with the mandate issued by the international community, Russia is engaged in the task of forcing the Georgian side to accept peace, while defending the lives and property of its citizens, as is required under the Constitution and laws of the Russian Federation, and the legal standards of any civilized country," Medvedev said.

Georgia imposed martial law Saturday as part of its military offensive in South Ossetia, RIA Novosti said. The Russian news agency said that offensive prompted Russia to send similar military forces into the republic and begin bombarding military bases.