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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Putin fury at Georgia 'blackmail' | Putin fury at Georgia 'blackmail' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| President Vladimir Putin has warned Georgia not to use the "language of provocation and blackmail" against Russia in a speech in parliament. | President Vladimir Putin has warned Georgia not to use the "language of provocation and blackmail" against Russia in a speech in parliament. |
| He was speaking ahead of a Duma debate on a motion dubbing Georgia's policies "anti-Russian" and "anti-democratic". | He was speaking ahead of a Duma debate on a motion dubbing Georgia's policies "anti-Russian" and "anti-democratic". |
| Tension between the two countries has been increasing since Georgia detained and later released four Russian army officers accused of spying. | Tension between the two countries has been increasing since Georgia detained and later released four Russian army officers accused of spying. |
| Russia has imposed a travel and postal ban between the two countries. | Russia has imposed a travel and postal ban between the two countries. |
| "I would not advise anyone to talk to Russia in the language of provocation and blackmail," Mr Putin told the heads of parliamentary factions in the Duma. | "I would not advise anyone to talk to Russia in the language of provocation and blackmail," Mr Putin told the heads of parliamentary factions in the Duma. |
| "I am talking about Georgia here," he added. | "I am talking about Georgia here," he added. |
| I would not advise anyone to talk to Russia in the language of provocation and blackmail President Putin | I would not advise anyone to talk to Russia in the language of provocation and blackmail President Putin |
| There are signs that Russian authorities are targeting Georgians and their businesses, says the BBC's Emma Simpson in Moscow. | |
| Two popular casinos, apparently run by Georgians, have been closed down, allegedly for tax evasion. | |
| Two Georgian restaurants and a hotel have also been raided. | |
| Russian media say that the interior ministry has told the police to take tough actions against Georgian organisations and businesses. | Russian media say that the interior ministry has told the police to take tough actions against Georgian organisations and businesses. |
| Troops withdrawal | Troops withdrawal |
| Defence minister Sergey Ivanov said Russia could speed up the withdrawal of its troops from Georgia because of the current tensions. | Defence minister Sergey Ivanov said Russia could speed up the withdrawal of its troops from Georgia because of the current tensions. |
| "We will keep withdrawing our two Russian bases from Georgia in line with the schedule and even ahead of it. We understand the conditions our servicemen are living in," Mr Ivanov said, speaking in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. | "We will keep withdrawing our two Russian bases from Georgia in line with the schedule and even ahead of it. We understand the conditions our servicemen are living in," Mr Ivanov said, speaking in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. |
| In a deal signed last year, Russia pledged to withdraw its 3,000-4,000 troops from Georgia by the end of 2008. | In a deal signed last year, Russia pledged to withdraw its 3,000-4,000 troops from Georgia by the end of 2008. |
| Further sanctions | Further sanctions |
| Moscow has ignored a call from the EU to lift the transport and postal ban imposed on Georgia, and may go even further. | Moscow has ignored a call from the EU to lift the transport and postal ban imposed on Georgia, and may go even further. |
| "It is possible to use other, tougher measures against Georgia, said Duma speaker, Boris Gryzlov, who labelled Georgia's policy towards Russia "state terrorism". | "It is possible to use other, tougher measures against Georgia, said Duma speaker, Boris Gryzlov, who labelled Georgia's policy towards Russia "state terrorism". |
| One of the possible sanctions is the adoption of a bill that would prevent Georgians living in Russia from sending money home. | One of the possible sanctions is the adoption of a bill that would prevent Georgians living in Russia from sending money home. |
| Life is suddenly getting tough for the large Georgian diaspora in Russia, with no sign that there will be any let-up soon, our correspondent says. | |
| According to some estimates, about one million of Georgia's 4.4 million population work in Russia and their families depend on the hundreds of millions of dollars sent home, the Associated Press agency reports. | According to some estimates, about one million of Georgia's 4.4 million population work in Russia and their families depend on the hundreds of millions of dollars sent home, the Associated Press agency reports. |
| Russian sanctions could take 1.5% off Georgia's GDP this year, Georgia's minister for economic reforms, Kakha Bendukidze, told Reuters news agency. | Russian sanctions could take 1.5% off Georgia's GDP this year, Georgia's minister for economic reforms, Kakha Bendukidze, told Reuters news agency. |