"The United States is deeply concerned about credible reports that Russian military aircraft indiscriminately bombed villages in northern Georgia on Aug. 23, resulting in the killing of civilians," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said in a statement.

"The United States regrets this loss of life and deplores the violation of Georgia's sovereignty," Fleischer said, adding that the government of Georgia and border monitors of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe verified the bombardments.

Fleischer said the attacks and Russia's denials "escalate existing tension between Russia and Georgia.

Russia accuses Georgia of doing nothing to halt rebel incursions from its territory into neighboring Chechnya, where its troops are attempting to crack down on a separatist insurgency.

The Unite States strongly supports Georgia's independence and territorial integrity, Fleischer said.

"We call again urgently for a political settlement to the conflict in Chechnya, which would contribute to stability in both Russia and Georgia, and advance our efforts to fight terrorism and establish peace in the Caucasus," he added.

Russian military officials had denied Georgia's claim that Russian aircraft bombed its territory, killing at least one person and wounding five others.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2002)