(Tbilisi, August 24 2002, Civil Georgia) US Senator Chuck Hagel (Nebraska) issued a statement in connections with the bombing of the Georgian territory by the Russian aircraft, Information Agency GEA informs.

"I am concerned by these reports. This is a very serious matter. Russia needs to clarify what role it may have had in these reported bombing raids. It is important that this situation does not escalate. The Georgian people are our friends, and they find themselves in the difficult position of fostering a democratic society while bordering unstable areas like Chechnya", says the Senator in the statement.

Senator Hagel hopes that the Georgian and the US governments will solve the terrorism problems in the region together. "The Georgian government is working with the United States to address the terrorist problems in the region. These kinds of reported incidents further undermine the relationship between Russia, Georgia and the United States. Cooperation between our nations is critical in the war against terrorism", says the statement.