Remarks With Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves

QUESTION: Madame Secretary, are you concerned about Russian intentions toward separatist regions in Georgia?

SECRETARY RICE: We are very concerned about the presidential decree that was issued. I have spoken with Foreign Minister Lavrov this morning. I spoke yesterday with President Saakashvili of Georgia. The United States is absolutely committed to the territorial integrity of Georgia. We believe that there should be an effort to carry out the plans that the Georgians have talked about to try and deal with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Obviously, the people of those regions need to have a good life and Georgia needs to provide for them. But we are very concerned at the steps that have been taken and we have made our views known to the Russian Government.

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