Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said Thursday, after meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell, that he will not succumb to Russian attempts to provoke a confrontation with his country

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said Thursday, after meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell, that he will not succumb to Russian attempts to provoke a confrontation with his country. "The last thing we want is some kind of confrontation," Saakashvili said, Powell at his side. "That's exactly something that they would like to impose on us because they think now we're so vulnerable," he said. Saakashvili is holding talks here amid rising tensions with Russia over two Georgian regions where Russia continues to wield influence. Powell said the United States is trying to calm the situation. "I think there's a bit of tension there, but I don't think we're on the verge of a crisis of the kind that some have suggested," he said. Powell added that U.S. officials are in close touch with both sides.