WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush discussed by
telephone with Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi on the conflict between Russia
and Georgia on Sunday, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe
said.
"The leaders discussed the importance of supporting Georgia's territorial
integrity, and the need for Russia to comply with all elements of the cease-fire
agreement and withdraw its troops from Georgia in accordance with that
agreement," Johndroe said in a statement.
Bush will continue his consultations with European leaders on the situation
in Georgia, Johndroe said.
It was reported that European Union leaders will meet on Monday in a bid to
boost support for Georgia.
Earlier this month, Georgia sent in troops to reclaim South Ossetia, a
breakaway region, triggering a military counter-offensive by Russia. The
conflict ended with a cease-fire agreement between Tbilisi and Moscow brokered
by France.
However, tensions between the two nations were heightened as Russia
recognized the self-proclaimed independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,
another breakaway region of Georgia, last Tuesday.