NATO, EU urge calm in Russia-Georgia row

The diplomatic crisis between the two former Soviet states was sparked by the arrest of five Russian army intelligence officers on spying charges, one of whom has since been released.

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer was among the first to offer calming words.

He spoke today at a news conference in Slovenia after meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov at the NATO-Russia Council.

"On my behalf, there was a call for moderation and for de-escalation, and that is relevant for all parties -- that is as relevant for Georgia as it is for our Russian friends -- a general appeal, also from my side, to both sides to moderate and de-escalate the current situation," de Hoop Scheffer said.

European Commission spokeswoman Emma Udwin echoed that sentiment saying that both sides had to avoid actions that could heighten tensions. And U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said that the NATO ministers had urged for calm in their meeting with Ivanov. RFE/RL