White House Renews Appeal for End to Georgia-Russia Conflict  

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10 August 2008

The White House is making a renewed appeal for an end to the bloody conflict between Georgia and Russia over the Georgian breakaway province of South Ossetia, and accusing Russia of 'disproportionate' action. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports from Beijing, where U.S. President George Bush is pushing for a cease-fire.

White House press secretary Dana Perino makes clear the Bush administration is doing all it can to prevent that scenario. She says the White House is trying to get all the parties back to the negotiating table and end the bloodshed.

"I think what we need to do right now is continue to work to solve this peacefully, and if it is true the Georgians have started pulling out, that might get us to where we need to be to start the cease-fire," said Perino.

Perino says the main U.S. objective is to prevent further loss of life. She says too many people have already died because of the dispute - both troops and civilians.