TBILISI. Aug 5 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania has confirmed his readiness to leave for Tskhinvali within the next few days to meet with the leader of the self- proclaimed republic of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity.
"We have once again suggested holding a direct dialogue with Tskhinvali to settle all problems," Zhvania told a news conference on Thursday.
Georgia is calling for a full demilitarization of the conflict zone and wants only the Combined Peacekeeping Forces and an enlarged contingent of observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to remain there, he said.
"We are seeking a response to our initiative both from Moscow and Tskhinvali," he said. "Those who have chosen to ignore these suggestions are responsible for this constant artificial escalation of tensions in the region," the prime minister said.
"Problems emerge every time the Georgian authorities put forward peace initiatives," Zhvania said.
"Over the past few days, a true bacchanalia has swept Russian media outlets, and the Russian defense minister has made absolutely unacceptable statements, which we are not going to comment on," Zhvania said.
South Ossetia is legally a province of Georgia, but a conflict in the 1990s led to its de facto independence. Tensions between Tbilisi and Tskhinvali have escalated in recent weeks, as Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has stepped up efforts to restore control over South Ossetia.
The peacekeeping forces deployed in the conflict zone include Russian, Georgian, and South Ossetian battalions of 500 servicemen each. They were deployed in 1992, and are serving in 12 outposts in the area.