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Russia rejects Western criticism Russia to keep forces at key port
(about 1 hour later)
Russian military leaders have rejected Western criticism of their withdrawal from Georgia, saying it is in line with a French-brokered ceasefire deal. Russia has defended plans to keep its forces in the key Georgian port of Poti, saying it does not break terms of a French-brokered ceasefire deal.
The US, France and UK say Russia has failed to meet terms of the deal by creating buffer zones and checkpoints. The US, France and UK say Russia has already failed to comply by creating buffer zones around the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Russia's Gen Anatoly Nogovitsyn said the situation in Georgia was fluid, adding that combat troops had left and only peacekeepers remained. Russia's Gen Anatoly Nogovitsyn said combat troops had left now Georgia and only peacekeepers remained.
He added that Russian forces would stay in Poti, Georgia's key commercial port. Georgia accuses Moscow of creating an economic stranglehold on the country.
Georgian forces are reported to have taken control of the main east-west highway and residents are said to be returning to their homes in the strategic town of Gori after the Russian withdrawal. Georgian forces are reported to have taken control of the main east-west highway and residents are said to be returning to their homes in the town of Gori, the largest town close to the border with South Ossetia.
On Saturday, about 1,000 Georgians held a demonstration just outside Poti against the Russian continued presence, the Associated Press reports. There are also reports of protesters marching on Russian positions outside Gori.
Gen Nogovitsyn, who said Russia was not the Soviet Union or the Evil Empire, accused Georgia of preparing acts of sabotage in South Ossetia and preparing troops for "further actions".Gen Nogovitsyn, who said Russia was not the Soviet Union or the Evil Empire, accused Georgia of preparing acts of sabotage in South Ossetia and preparing troops for "further actions".
He also warned that should the US start rearming the Georgian army, Russia might enlarge its peacekeeping force. See a map of the regionHe also warned that should the US start rearming the Georgian army, Russia might enlarge its peacekeeping force. See a map of the region
Moscow intends to maintain what it describes as a peacekeeping presence of 2,600 troops in "buffer zones" around the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 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 Crisis day-by-dayEyewitness: Russian withdrawalIn pictures: Troops on the move Moscow intends to maintain what it describes as a peacekeeping presence of 2,600 troops in "buffer zones" around Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 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 Crisis day-by-dayEyewitness: Russian withdrawalIn pictures: Troops on the move
The Georgian government, whose show of force against separatists in South Ossetia prompted Russian intervention, has denounced the move as unacceptable. Russia insists it is allowed these zones under previous peacekeeping agreements that ended fighting in Abkhazia and South Ossetia when they first broke away from Tbilisi in the 1990s.
Under the terms of the six-point peace plan brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Russia must not jeopardise freedom of movement in Georgia, says the BBC's Humphrey Hawksley in Moscow. The zones include sections of the main highway from the capital Tbilisi to the Black Sea as well as Georgia's main airbase at Senaki.
Gen Nogovitsyn admitted that Poti, 32km (20 miles) south of Abkhazia, was outside this zone.
The general accused Nato of increasing tensions by massing forces in the Black Sea. He said the arrival of Spanish, German, US and Polish ships in the Black Sea "did not contribute to the settlement of the situation".
Nato says it is holding long-planned exercises in the area, which were not linked to the conflict in Georgia.
Under the terms of the six-point peace plan, Russia must not jeopardise freedom of movement in Georgia, says the BBC's Humphrey Hawksley in Moscow.
Gen Nogovitsyn said the Russian force was in full compliance with the principles signed by the French and Russian presidents.Gen Nogovitsyn said the Russian force was in full compliance with the principles signed by the French and Russian presidents.
"The first of them is not using force," he said. "The second one is the end of all military actions. The Commander in Chief of the Russian Federation has taken a decision to that effect and all military activities have been stopped. Only peacekeeping actions are still being executed by a special contingent." "The first of them is not using force," he said. "The second one is the end of all military actions. The Commander in Chief of the Russian Federation has taken a decision to that effect and all military activities have been stopped.
Russia says the roads are clear but Georgia claims the checkpoints and buffer zones are creating a stranglehold on the country. "Only peacekeeping actions are still being executed by a special contingent."
France brokered the ceasefire to end fighting over Georgia's pro-Russian breakaway province of South Ossetia which started on 7 August. France brokered the ceasefire to end fighting over Georgia's Russian-backed breakaway province of South Ossetia which started on 7 August.
The deal's terms are vague about the extent of any buffer zones, analysts say.The deal's terms are vague about the extent of any buffer zones, analysts say.
A spokesman for the French foreign ministry, Eric Chevalier, said a United Nations Security Council resolution was needed to clarify exactly what the ceasefire agreement covers.A spokesman for the French foreign ministry, Eric Chevalier, said a United Nations Security Council resolution was needed to clarify exactly what the ceasefire agreement covers.
The zones include sections of the main highway from the capital Tbilisi to the Black Sea as well as Georgia's main airbase at Senaki. The UN Security Council was split this week over a resolution, with rival drafts submitted by Moscow, and the US and its allies.
The UN Security Council split this week over a resolution, with rival drafts submitted by Moscow, and the US and its allies.
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Are you in Georgia? How is your community affected by the conflict? Can normal life ever be resumed?Are you in Georgia? How is your community affected by the conflict? Can normal life ever be resumed?
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