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Putin fury at Georgia 'blackmail' Putin fury at Georgia 'blackmail'
(about 3 hours 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". The Duma went on to vote overwhelmingly for a motion echoing Mr Putin's condemnation of "anti-Russian" and "anti-democratic" policies in Tbilisi.
Tension between the two countries has been increasing since Georgia detained and later released four Russian army officers accused of spying. Tension rose in the past week when Georgia detained, then released, four Russian army officers for 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. Politicians seem to have an interest in pitting our nations against each other Vladimir KhomerikiGeorgian Society of Russia
"I am talking about Georgia here," he added. "I would not advise anyone to talk to Russia in the language of provocation and blackmail," Mr Putin said in the Duma. "I am talking about Georgia here."
I would not advise anyone to talk to Russia in the language of provocation and blackmail President Putin The motion passed by the Duma accuses Georgia of violating human rights and advocates further economic and financial sanctions.
'Old friends'
There are signs that Russian authorities are targeting Georgians and their businesses, says the BBC's Emma Simpson in Moscow.There are signs that Russian authorities are targeting Georgians and their businesses, says the BBC's Emma Simpson in Moscow.
Putin ignored international calls to drop the sanctions against Tbilisi
Two popular casinos, apparently run by Georgians, have been closed down, allegedly for tax evasion.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.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 The head of the Georgian Society of Russia, Vladimir Khomeriki, accused politicians of going against a long tradition of friendship between the two nations.
Defence minister Sergey Ivanov said Russia could speed up the withdrawal of its troops from Georgia because of the current tensions. "Politicians seem to have an interest in pitting our nations against each other," he told Reuters news agency.
"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. He argued that as two Orthodox Christian nations, they had historically faced down threats from Muslim neighbours Turkey and Persia (Iran).
"Georgia is linked to Russia through common history, faith, culture and centuries-old friendship... and also common economic and geopolitical interests," he said.
New sanctions loom
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said Russia could speed up the withdrawal of its troops from Georgia because of the current tensions.
"We understand the conditions our servicemen are living in," he said.
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
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". One possible new sanction 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. Estimates vary but it is believed that at least one million Georgians - both Georgian and Russian citizens - currently live in Russia.
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. Georgia's own population is about five million, and many families depend on remittances sent by relatives from Russia.
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.