Mr. Assad has also defied Russian counsel to "stop the hostilities and bloodshed".
"These policies are, in turn, aggravating hostilities and allowing the Bush administration to justify its belligerence.
Famines and epidemics followed hostilities, and the population dropped from roughly 11 to 7 million.
It called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities and the immediate opening of a dialogue".
"First, we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and violence".
Russia has said Georgia instigated the hostilities, and called Mr. Saakashvili a war criminal.
Hostilities and egos escalated, but friends eventually cooled the instigators before a fight could happen.
Russia has informed Greece, Servia and Montenegro that Bulgaria is ready to cease hostilities and go to a conference.
He would make talks with the FARC conditional on an end to hostilities and international verification of the demilitarised zone.
That could lead to a resumption of hostilities and reduce the chances of the Vajpayee visit taking place.
The Spanish governor, however, chafing at the limitations on his power, soon resumed hostilities, and Spanish troops reentered the provinces.
