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Confusion over EU's Georgia role Confusion over EU's Georgia role
(about 1 hour later)
Only hours before scores of EU observers are expecting to start patrolling in Georgia, it is still unclear where they can go.Only hours before scores of EU observers are expecting to start patrolling in Georgia, it is still unclear where they can go.
They are due to start patrols on Wednesday, and had expected immediate access to "buffer zones" around breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia.They are due to start patrols on Wednesday, and had expected immediate access to "buffer zones" around breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
But a Russian spokesman said they would not be allowed into the zones yet.But a Russian spokesman said they would not be allowed into the zones yet.
Russia has kept troops in the zones since ousting Georgia's forces after war broke out in early August.Russia has kept troops in the zones since ousting Georgia's forces after war broke out in early August.
About 300 EU observers from 22 nations have been deployed in Georgia to monitor Russia's troop withdrawal, which Moscow says will be completed by 10 October.About 300 EU observers from 22 nations have been deployed in Georgia to monitor Russia's troop withdrawal, which Moscow says will be completed by 10 October.
But the monitors would only be able to patrol "up to the southern limit of the security zone", said Lt Col Vitaly Manushko, spokesman for Russian forces in South Ossetia, quoted by the Interfax news agency.But the monitors would only be able to patrol "up to the southern limit of the security zone", said Lt Col Vitaly Manushko, spokesman for Russian forces in South Ossetia, quoted by the Interfax news agency.
He said the European observers would be unarmed, and would not be able to erect observation posts.He said the European observers would be unarmed, and would not be able to erect observation posts.
NegotiationsNegotiations
The spokesman was not available to clarify his comments, and negotiations between the Russian military and the EU mission were reported to be continuing, says the BBC's Richard Galpin, in Gori, Georgia.The spokesman was not available to clarify his comments, and negotiations between the Russian military and the EU mission were reported to be continuing, says the BBC's Richard Galpin, in Gori, Georgia.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who was in the region to launch the mission, said: "I am optimistic that all the parties will comply, as we have done, to the terms of the agreement."EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who was in the region to launch the mission, said: "I am optimistic that all the parties will comply, as we have done, to the terms of the agreement."
The Russian pull-back was agreed in a ceasefire deal brokered by the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.The Russian pull-back was agreed in a ceasefire deal brokered by the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.
But Russia plans to keep nearly 8,000 troops in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which it has recognised as independent states.But Russia plans to keep nearly 8,000 troops in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which it has recognised as independent states.
Western leaders have condemned both the buffer zones and Russia's recognition of the two regions.Western leaders have condemned both the buffer zones and Russia's recognition of the two regions.
The EU wants its observers to have access to the breakaway regions, but Russia has repeatedly refused to guarantee that.The EU wants its observers to have access to the breakaway regions, but Russia has repeatedly refused to guarantee that.
Donor Conference
As the EU started to deploy its monitors to Georgia, it was confirmed that an international donors' conference would be held in Brussels next month.
The United States has pledged $1bn in aid to Georgia, and Europe is expected to match that sum when ministers from 27 EU countries gather at the conference.
The European Commission has already agreed a package worth $700m over three years to repair infrastructure and rebuild economic growth following the conflict - money which Georgia is not allowed to use to rebuild its military.
Commission officials say that Russia is unlikely to be invited to the conference, because it is unlikely to donate any money to Georgia.
EU-Russia talksEU-Russia talks
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.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.Russia launched a counter-attack and the Georgian troops were ejected from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia several days later.
A Russian defence ministry spokesman, Lt Gen Nikolai Uvarov, said Russia had removed five checkpoints in the Poti area, near the Abkhaz border.A Russian defence ministry spokesman, Lt Gen Nikolai Uvarov, said Russia had removed five checkpoints in the Poti area, near the Abkhaz border.
Russia still has nine checkpoints in the zone around South Ossetia and three near Abkhazia, Russia's Ria Novosti news agency reports.Russia still has nine checkpoints in the zone around South Ossetia and three near Abkhazia, Russia's Ria Novosti news agency reports.
The EU observers are to be based in four field offices - in the capital Tbilisi, in Gori - just south of South Ossetia, in Zugdidi near the Abkhaz border and in the Black Sea port of Poti, Reuters news agency says.The EU observers are to be based in four field offices - in the capital Tbilisi, in Gori - just south of South Ossetia, in Zugdidi near the Abkhaz border and in the Black Sea port of Poti, Reuters news agency says.