Bush says some progress in Georgia crisis

US President George W. Bush believes progress is being made in resolving the Georgia crisis. But, speaking at his ranch in Texas, he said that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are a part of Georgia and “there’s no room for debate on this matter.”

“The United Nations Security Council has adopted numerous resolutions concerning Georgia,” he told reporters.

“These resolutions are based on the premise that South Ossetia and Abkhazia remain within the borders of Georgia, and that their underlying conflicts will be resolved through international negotiations. These resolutions reaffirm Georgia’s sovereignty and independence and territorial integrity. Russia, itself, has endorsed these resolutions.”

Bush said the fact that Georgia and now Russia had signed a peace plan was a “hopeful step” but that Russia needed to honour the agreement and withdraw its forces.