This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7564176.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US demands Russian troop pull-out US demands Russian troop pull-out
(about 2 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has demanded that Russian forces withdraw from Georgia immediately.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has demanded that Russian forces withdraw from Georgia immediately.
It comes after Georgia's president signed an EU-brokered ceasefire deal, after nearly five hours of talks.It comes after Georgia's president signed an EU-brokered ceasefire deal, after nearly five hours of talks.
In angry comments at a news briefing in Tbilisi, President Mikhail Saakashvili said his country would never accept the loss of any of its territory.In angry comments at a news briefing in Tbilisi, President Mikhail Saakashvili said his country would never accept the loss of any of its territory.
The crisis began when Georgia attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia a week ago sparking Russian intervention.The crisis began when Georgia attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia a week ago sparking Russian intervention.
President Saakashvili said he had signed the six-point ceasefire agreement - brokered by France - but that it was not a permanent solution. Georgian forces launched a surprise attack on 7 August against separatist militiamen that it accused of attacking civilians in South Ossetia.
name="link"> Scores of people have died since the fighting began and tens of thousands have been displaced.
class="bodl" href="#map">See map of the region "Cold-blooded killers"
President Saakashvili said he had signed the six-point ceasefire agreement - brokered by France - but that it was not a permanent solution. See map of the region
It includes a pledge to pull all troops back to their pre-conflict positions, and a plan to begin international talks about the future status of South Ossetia and a second breakaway region, Abkhazia.It includes a pledge to pull all troops back to their pre-conflict positions, and a plan to begin international talks about the future status of South Ossetia and a second breakaway region, Abkhazia.
PEACE PLAN No more use of forceStop all military actions for goodFree access to humanitarian aidGeorgian troops return to their places of permanent deploymentRussian troops to return to pre-conflict positionsInternational talks about future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia Georgians rally behind leaderPEACE PLAN No more use of forceStop all military actions for goodFree access to humanitarian aidGeorgian troops return to their places of permanent deploymentRussian troops to return to pre-conflict positionsInternational talks about future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia Georgians rally behind leader
Mr Saakashvili denounced the Russian invasion, referring to its forces as "cold-blooded killers" and "barbarians" - he said that Georgia was now "looking evil directly in the eye".Mr Saakashvili denounced the Russian invasion, referring to its forces as "cold-blooded killers" and "barbarians" - he said that Georgia was now "looking evil directly in the eye".
He also accused the West - especially European countries - of inviting Moscow's military action by failing to offer his country Nato membership earlier this year.He also accused the West - especially European countries - of inviting Moscow's military action by failing to offer his country Nato membership earlier this year.
Ms Rice said that Georgia's acceptance of the plan meant all Russian combat forces should now withdraw, and she called on Russia to co-operate in getting international observers in place.Ms Rice said that Georgia's acceptance of the plan meant all Russian combat forces should now withdraw, and she called on Russia to co-operate in getting international observers in place.
But as the pair spoke, there were reports of Russian anti-personnel carriers moving closer towards the Georgian capital, setting up a new checkpoint about 35km (22 miles) outside Tbilisi. In a telephone call, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, that his country would sign the ceasefire agreement, French officials said.
Earlier, the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, demanded that Georgia sign the deal immediately - but said only Russia could guarantee peace in the region. "[Mr Medvedev] confirmed that he would scrupulously respect its commitments to the accord, notably the pull-out of Russian forces," the statement said.
'Guarantor' of security'Guarantor' of security
In a statement at the White House, President George W Bush accused Russia of "bullying and intimidation", saying it was an unacceptable "way to conduct foreign policy in the 21st Century". Meanwhile, President George W Bush has accused Russia of "bullying and intimidation", saying it was an unacceptable "way to conduct foreign policy in the 21st Century".
Mr Bush demanded that Moscow respect Georgia's territorial integrity and withdraw its troops - or risk international isolation. Speaking at the White House, Mr Bush demanded that Moscow respect Georgia's territorial integrity and withdraw its troops - or risk international isolation.
President Bush: "Russia must respect the freedom of its neighbours"President Bush: "Russia must respect the freedom of its neighbours"
"Only Russia can decide whether it will now put itself back on the path of responsible nations or continue to pursue a policy that promises only confrontation and isolation.""Only Russia can decide whether it will now put itself back on the path of responsible nations or continue to pursue a policy that promises only confrontation and isolation."
Meanwhile, after talks with President Medvedev in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the Russian response as "disproportionate". At the same time, after talks with President Medvedev in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the Russian response as "disproportionate".
But Mr Medvedev said Russia was the "guarantor" of the interests and lives of those in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.But Mr Medvedev said Russia was the "guarantor" of the interests and lives of those in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
He said they trusted Russian troops, and that this had to be taken into account.He said they trusted Russian troops, and that this had to be taken into account.
'Peacekeeping mandate''Peacekeeping mandate'
Mr Medvedev said he did not want to damage relations with other countries but that Russia had to fulfil its peacekeeping mandate, and that it would respond in the same way to any future attack. Mr Medvedev said he did not want to damage relations with other countries but that Russia had to fulfil its peacekeeping mandate, and that it would respond in the same way to any future attack on its troops or citizens.
He added that a new deal to base part of a US missile defence system on Polish soil was aimed at the Russian federation.He added that a new deal to base part of a US missile defence system on Polish soil was aimed at the Russian federation.
Washington - which says the timing is not linked to the Georgian crisis - insists that the shield is to protect against "rogue states" such as Iran.Washington - which says the timing is not linked to the Georgian crisis - insists that the shield is to protect against "rogue states" such as Iran.
Russia in control and on moveEyewitness: Gori's combustible mixIn pictures: Georgia tensionDay-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisisRussia angry at US missile dealRussia in control and on moveEyewitness: Gori's combustible mixIn pictures: Georgia tensionDay-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisisRussia angry at US missile deal
But, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington, the US is now likely to be less worried about Russian objections and more anxious to send signals to European allies like Poland that it is prepared to guarantee their protection.But, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington, the US is now likely to be less worried about Russian objections and more anxious to send signals to European allies like Poland that it is prepared to guarantee their protection.
Moscow's troops continue to operate deep inside the Caucasus republic. Moscow's troops continue to operate deep inside the Caucasus republic, occupying parts of at least three major towns.
There were reports of Russian anti-personnel carriers moving closer towards the Georgian capital, setting up a new checkpoint about 35km (22 miles) outside Tbilisi.
The BBC's Richard Galpin, in the Georgian port of Poti, says Russian forces have taken control of the naval dockyard - with the apparent intent to destroy or remove Georgian military and naval equipment.The BBC's Richard Galpin, in the Georgian port of Poti, says Russian forces have taken control of the naval dockyard - with the apparent intent to destroy or remove Georgian military and naval equipment.
Russian forces still control Gori, which lies some 15km (10 miles) from South Ossetia and on a key route to Tbilisi, and there is also a major contingent in the town of Senaki, our correspondent says. There was also a major Russian military contingent further inland, at Senaki, where Russia said it has seized a large depot of American-made arms.
At a news conference, the Russian army earlier said it had seized a large depot of American-made arms near Senaki, which lies on the main east-west highway. Russian forces still control Gori, which lies some 15km (10 miles) from South Ossetia, but say they are holding talks with Georgian police on transferring control back to them.
The crisis began when Georgia attacked South Ossetia on 7 August. Scores of people have died in the fighting and tens of thousands have been displaced.
Back to storyBack to story