Bush criticises Moscow's actions in Georgia

By David Alexander and Oleg Shchedrov

TBILISI/SOCHI (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush denounced Moscow's actions in Georgia as unacceptable on Friday while Russian troops made their deepest incursion into Georgian territory since the conflict began last week.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said he had signed a ceasefire agreement, negotiated by France on behalf of the European Union, but Russia said it would not comment until it had seen his signature on the document.

"The time for conversations has passed. The time for concrete action has come," Russian news agency Interfax quoted an unidentified, high-ranking source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying.

About 17 armoured personnel carriers and about 200 soldiers advanced to a village 45 km (30 miles) from Tbilisi, the deepest drive into Georgian territory since fighting began in Georgia's breakaway region South Ossetia on Thursday.

The vehicles travelled unimpeded by Georgian police and army stationed along the road. A Reuters correspondent saw a military ambulance, snipers and rocket-propelled grenades.

Saakashvili said tanks also advanced on another two towns -- Khashari and Borjomi -- in central Georgia, but that could not be independently verified.

A reason for the presence of Russian armour manoeuvring inside Georgia in either case was not immediately clear.

ALARM