G8 leaders to discuss CIS trouble spots – Putin-1

RIA Novosti, Russia
July 16 2006

STRELNA (near St. Petersburg), July 16 (RIA Novosti)-Leaders of the
Group of Eight industrialized nations will discuss the situation
in the former Soviet Union, particularly troubled areas, Russian
President Vladimir Putin said Sunday.

"I am certain that we will talk about the entire post-Soviet space,
particularly those problem areas that are not yet quiet," Putin told
a briefing in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He told journalists that he and U.S. President George Bush had talked
about conflicts in territories neighboring Russia earlier in the day.

"We mostly talked about Georgia," he said.

Talking about the breakaway region of South Ossetia in Georgia, which
has been the source of tension between Moscow and Tbilisi this year,
Putin said it was a concern.

"The situation is tense and is not being defused," he said.

He called on Georgia to find ways to cooperate with South Ossetia.

Putin also said the G8 leaders would touch upon the problem of
Nagorny-Karabakh, a territory disputed by Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The president said the U.S. and French leaders were particularly
involved in the problem, but added Russia and its partners were ready
to become guarantors of any agreements on the issue.

"We will not foist a decision on either the Azerbaijani nor Armenian
side," he said.