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/7569357.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Nato holds Georgia crisis summit Nato holds Georgia crisis talks
(about 2 hours later)
Nato foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels for an emergency summit to discuss how the alliance should respond to Russia's military action in Georgia. Nato foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels for emergency talks to discuss how the alliance should respond to Russia's military action in Georgia.
On the eve of the meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the West must deprive Russia of any strategic victory from its assault on Georgia.On the eve of the meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the West must deprive Russia of any strategic victory from its assault on Georgia.
Tbilisi says Russia is not pulling out of Georgia - a charge Moscow denies.Tbilisi says Russia is not pulling out of Georgia - a charge Moscow denies.
In a gesture of goodwill, Russian and Georgian troops have exchanged prisoners at a checkpoint near Tbilisi.In a gesture of goodwill, Russian and Georgian troops have exchanged prisoners at a checkpoint near Tbilisi.
The exchange of 15 Georgian soldiers for five Russian soldiers took place at a Russian checkpoint in Igoeti, about 30km (18 miles) away from Tbilisi, the Georgian capital.The exchange of 15 Georgian soldiers for five Russian soldiers took place at a Russian checkpoint in Igoeti, about 30km (18 miles) away from Tbilisi, the Georgian capital.
The BBC's Helen Fawkes, at the scene, saw two injured Russians, brought to the checkpoint by ambulance, carried on stretchers by Russian soldiers towards two Russian helicopters. The BBC's Helen Fawkes, at the scene, saw two injured Russians, brought to the checkpoint by ambulance, carried on stretchers by Russian soldiers before being put onto waiting helicopters and taken away.
Two of the Russians were pilots who had been shot down, Georgian officials told the BBC.
We hope the decisions by Nato will be balanced and that responsible forces in the West will give up the total cynicism that has been so evident [which] is pushing us back to the Cold War era Dmitry RogozinRussia's ambassador to NatoWe hope the decisions by Nato will be balanced and that responsible forces in the West will give up the total cynicism that has been so evident [which] is pushing us back to the Cold War era Dmitry RogozinRussia's ambassador to Nato
The exchange took place with what looked like Georgian officials in the presence of the International Red Cross, our correspondent adds. A few minutes' walk from the site of the exchange, a noisy protest was held by several hundred Georgians demanding that Russia withdraw its forces, our correspondent adds.
The conflict broke out on 7 August when Georgia launched an assault to wrest back control of the Moscow-backed breakaway region of South Ossetia, triggering a counter-offensive by Russian troops who advanced beyond South Ossetia into Georgia's heartland.The conflict broke out on 7 August when Georgia launched an assault to wrest back control of the Moscow-backed breakaway region of South Ossetia, triggering a counter-offensive by Russian troops who advanced beyond South Ossetia into Georgia's heartland.
See map of the region See map of the region
A ceasefire was signed at the weekend, with Moscow pledging to begin pulling back its troops on Monday, but correspondents say there has so far been little sign of any large-scale force withdrawal.A ceasefire was signed at the weekend, with Moscow pledging to begin pulling back its troops on Monday, but correspondents say there has so far been little sign of any large-scale force withdrawal.
Officials in Tbilisi said there was no evidence that Russian troops were leaving Georgian territory, but the Russian defence ministry said the redeployment had begun and would be complete within days.Officials in Tbilisi said there was no evidence that Russian troops were leaving Georgian territory, but the Russian defence ministry said the redeployment had begun and would be complete within days.
Nato riftNato rift
As Nato's 26 foreign ministers gather in Brussels, the BBC's Jonathan Marcus says there is disagreement among the alliance as to how to respond, so the focus will be on where members can agree.As Nato's 26 foreign ministers gather in Brussels, the BBC's Jonathan Marcus says there is disagreement among the alliance as to how to respond, so the focus will be on where members can agree.
It is thought that in one camp, Britain, Canada, the US and most Eastern European member states will seek a tough stance on Russia, but most of Western Europe, led by France and Germany, is expected to be more cautious of harming ties with Moscow.It is thought that in one camp, Britain, Canada, the US and most Eastern European member states will seek a tough stance on Russia, but most of Western Europe, led by France and Germany, is expected to be more cautious of harming ties with Moscow.
Flying to the Nato meeting, Ms Rice told reporters: "We have to deny Russian strategic objectives, which are clearly to undermine Georgia's democracy, to use its military capability to damage and in some cases destroy Georgian infrastructure and to try and weaken the Georgian state." 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 security in South Ossetia and Abkhazia Nato's Russia dilemmaDay-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisisGeorgia left reelingFlying to the Nato meeting, Ms Rice told reporters: "We have to deny Russian strategic objectives, which are clearly to undermine Georgia's democracy, to use its military capability to damage and in some cases destroy Georgian infrastructure and to try and weaken the Georgian state." 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 security in South Ossetia and Abkhazia Nato's Russia dilemmaDay-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisisGeorgia left reeling
Our correspondent says the summit, called at the Americans' request, looks set to offer strong support to the government in Tbilisi, stressing Nato's commitment to Georgia's sovereignty. Our correspondent says the talks, called at the Americans' request, looks set to offer strong support to the government in Tbilisi, stressing Nato's commitment to Georgia's sovereignty.
A Nato spokeswoman told AFP news agency: "I think you can expect a strong message to Russia."A Nato spokeswoman told AFP news agency: "I think you can expect a strong message to Russia."
The alliance is also expected to reiterate its backing for the agreement it reached in Romania back in April that Georgia will one day be offered membership of Nato, without setting any dates.The alliance is also expected to reiterate its backing for the agreement it reached in Romania back in April that Georgia will one day be offered membership of Nato, without setting any dates.
Nato is also expected to offer more humanitarian aid and proposals on how to rebuild Georgian infrastructure damaged in the conflict.Nato is also expected to offer more humanitarian aid and proposals on how to rebuild Georgian infrastructure damaged in the conflict.
Our correspondent says Nato's immediate diplomatic goals are a full Russian withdrawal, an enhanced observer force and, ultimately, a more neutral peacekeeping arrangement.Our correspondent says Nato's immediate diplomatic goals are a full Russian withdrawal, an enhanced observer force and, ultimately, a more neutral peacekeeping arrangement.
He says high-level contacts between Nato and Russia could be suspended if Russians do not pull back to the positions their peacekeepers occupied before the hostilities.He says high-level contacts between Nato and Russia could be suspended if Russians do not pull back to the positions their peacekeepers occupied before the hostilities.
HAVE YOUR SAYThe sight of GWB [US President George Bush] complaining about Russia's "disproportionate use of force" is hilarious Max, London Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThe sight of GWB [US President George Bush] complaining about Russia's "disproportionate use of force" is hilarious Max, London Send us your comments
Washington has denied claims from Moscow that it is out to wreck the Nato-Russia Council - a consultative panel set up in 2002 to improve ties between the former Cold War enemies.Washington has denied claims from Moscow that it is out to wreck the Nato-Russia Council - a consultative panel set up in 2002 to improve ties between the former Cold War enemies.
Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's ambassador to Nato, said on Monday he hoped the "decisions by Nato will be balanced and that responsible forces in the West will give up the total cynicism that has been so evident [which] is pushing us back to the Cold War era", reported the Associated Press news agency.Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's ambassador to Nato, said on Monday he hoped the "decisions by Nato will be balanced and that responsible forces in the West will give up the total cynicism that has been so evident [which] is pushing us back to the Cold War era", reported the Associated Press news agency.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili struck a conciliatory tone on Monday as he called for talks with Russia, saying: "Let's resolve problems through civilised methods."Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili struck a conciliatory tone on Monday as he called for talks with Russia, saying: "Let's resolve problems through civilised methods."
Back to storyBack to story