The August conflict over South Ossetia came as no surprise to the United States, according to the outgoing US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

In an interview with Agence France Press, she said Washington didn't agree with Georgia's actions against its neighbour.

“I don't think that in the days before the events of August 8, Georgia really behaved in a way that was responsible,” Rice said.

Secretary Rice revealed that a month before the conflict she had visited Georgia to see if it would accept a pledge never to resort to force. The proposal was put forward by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Georgia attacked its breakaway republic of South Ossetia on August 8. Russia has since recognised the independence of South Ossetia and the other Georgian breakaway republic, Abkhazia.