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/7629478.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
EU prepares Georgia observer role EU prepares Georgia observer role
(about 1 hour later)
The German head of the EU's observer mission in Georgia says his team is due to deploy by 1 October around Russian-held Abkhazia and South Ossetia.The German head of the EU's observer mission in Georgia says his team is due to deploy by 1 October around Russian-held Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Hansjoerg Haber said most of his team would arrive in Georgia this week, Reuters news agency reported.Hansjoerg Haber said most of his team would arrive in Georgia this week, Reuters news agency reported.
At least 200 EU observers are expected to monitor a Russian troop withdrawal, though some reports say the EU contingent may total as many as 350.At least 200 EU observers are expected to monitor a Russian troop withdrawal, though some reports say the EU contingent may total as many as 350.
Russia plans to keep nearly 8,000 troops in Georgia's breakaway regions.Russia plans to keep nearly 8,000 troops in Georgia's breakaway regions.
Moscow recognised the two regions as independent following a brief but intense conflict with Georgia last month.Moscow recognised the two regions as independent following a brief but intense conflict with Georgia last month.
The EU wants its unarmed civilian observers to have access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia - but Russia is refusing to allow that.The EU wants its unarmed civilian observers to have access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia - but Russia is refusing to allow that.
Initially their role is to monitor a Russian military withdrawal from buffer zones around the two disputed regions, in line with an EU-brokered ceasefire deal. Most of the 27 EU member states are contributing personnel to the mission.Initially their role is to monitor a Russian military withdrawal from buffer zones around the two disputed regions, in line with an EU-brokered ceasefire deal. Most of the 27 EU member states are contributing personnel to the mission.
Last week talks broke down between Russia and the European security organisation, the OSCE, over the planned deployment of 80 more OSCE ceasefire monitors in Georgia. The OSCE currently has 28 observers in Georgia.
Georgian casualties
Two Georgian police officers were wounded in a landmine blast near Abkhazia on Monday, Georgia's interior ministry said.Two Georgian police officers were wounded in a landmine blast near Abkhazia on Monday, Georgia's interior ministry said.
A Georgian policeman was shot dead and two others were wounded in the same area - near the village of Khurcha - on Sunday, according to the ministry.A Georgian policeman was shot dead and two others were wounded in the same area - near the village of Khurcha - on Sunday, according to the ministry.
In a fresh blow to Georgia, Kazakhstan announced that it had scrapped plans to build a grain terminal at the Georgian Black Sea port of Poti.In a fresh blow to Georgia, Kazakhstan announced that it had scrapped plans to build a grain terminal at the Georgian Black Sea port of Poti.
"We've dropped the Poti (plan)," Kazakh Agriculture Minister Akylbek Kurishbayev said on Monday. "It's clear that this is linked to international problems, to the situation in Georgia.""We've dropped the Poti (plan)," Kazakh Agriculture Minister Akylbek Kurishbayev said on Monday. "It's clear that this is linked to international problems, to the situation in Georgia."
The Russian Itar-Tass news agency says it is Kazakhstan's second major refusal to invest in Georgia since the conflict. The KazMunaiGaz firm abandoned plans to build an oil refinery at the port of Batumi.The Russian Itar-Tass news agency says it is Kazakhstan's second major refusal to invest in Georgia since the conflict. The KazMunaiGaz firm abandoned plans to build an oil refinery at the port of Batumi.
The conflict in the region began on 7 August when Georgia tried to retake South Ossetia by force after a series of lower-level clashes.
Russia launched a counter-attack and the Georgian troops were ejected from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia several days later.