Powell Calls on International Community to Support Georgia's Territorial Integrity

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has pledged to support the new government of the former Soviet republic of Georgia and said no help should be given to separatists in that country. He was speaking at a ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe being held in the Dutch city of Maastricht. Colin Powell's message to some 40 foreign ministers was clear. "The international community should do everything possible to support Georgia's territorial integrity throughout and beyond the election process," emphasized Mr. Powell. "No support should be given to breakaway elements seeking to weaken Georgia's territorial integrity." Secretary Powell's words come the day after Georgia's new acting president accused Russia of undermining her nation's sovereignty by meeting with separatist leaders from the country's provinces. President Nino Burjanadze said her country wanted to repair relations with Russia but claimed that Russia was more interested in having Georgia as a dependent partner than as a friend.