OSCE calls for dialogue in Georgia

TBILISI, Georgia, July 10 (UPI) -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is urging leaders in Georgia and its disputed regions to de-escalate tensions.

A recent delegation from the OSCE that included the chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council, Finnish Ambassador Antti Turunen, is calling on Georgian government officials and leaders of the country's South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions to come together and foster a dialogue. Officials say the recent increase in tensions on all sides, as a result of military posturing and other disputes, threatens peace, the OSCE reported.

"The OSCE is deeply concerned about the worrying increase in tensions, and calls for an immediate restoration of dialogue and avoidance of unconstructive actions or statements," Turunen said in a statement.

"The OSCE urges the sides to stop the violence and reiterate their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. This requires a firm political will from all parties, and would be supported by the OSCE."

Tensions have flared since Russia began openly calling for official ties to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, separatist regions unrecognized by Georgia and many countries in the West. This, along with an increase in military units from Georgia and Russia along the borders, has raised concerns about peace.

The OSCE delegation, over a three-day period, held discussions with key leaders in the region, including in the northernmost post in the conflict zone at Didi Gupta, in an effort to encourage opening a dialogue to reduce tensions.