Russians Pull Troops From Georgia

MOSCOW - Indications of withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia began to emerge yesterday (17 / 8). At the very least, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said it would pull its troops from Georgia today. However, the troops will not be withdrawn to Russia, but only to South Ossetia.

"In a telephone conversation with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, President Medvedev said that Russia would withdraw troops to the border between Georgia and South Ossetia," Kremlin spokesman said in a statement released yesterday.

In France, Sarkozy warned Russian leaders that there will be serious consequences for Moscow's relations with the European Union if Russia does not meet the ceasefire agreement with Georgia. Presidential office said Sarkozy urged Medvedev not to again delay the withdrawal of all Russian forces that entered Georgia since August 7 ago.

"In a telephone conversation, President Medvedev has promised to begin a total withdrawal of Russian troops on Monday afternoon," said a spokesman for the office of President Sarkozy in a statement released yesterday. Medvedev signed a ceasefire draft on Saturday (16 / 8), a day after Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signed the draft of a demanding Russian troops withdraw but allowed to conduct limited patrols in Georgia.

From Gori, Georgia, the AFP news agency reported, a Russian general said yesterday that peacekeeping personnel began to replace the regular army at the points of conflict.

"The Russian army began to withdraw. Personnel peacekeepers to replace them," said General Vyacheslav Borisov told AFP at the intersection of the road about 30 kilometers from Tbilisi.

According to Borisov, Russian troops began to stop the blockade of roads leading to areas of conflict. "All the roads free for the citizens of Georgia and the bearer of humanitarian assistance. Peacekeeping personnel had arrived there and the army gradually withdrawn," he said. Not explained when Russian forces will complete withdrawal. Not mentioned is also planned withdrawal of Russian troops in other parts of Georgia.

In an interview with the Journal du Dimanche yesterday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner described the Georgia-Russia ceasefire as something fragile. Therefore, he called on the international peacekeeping force was immediately sent to Georgia. "As well as a ceasefire in general, are too fragile ceasefire. However, it is necessary for political and diplomatic pressure," he said.

Meanwhile, human rights groups in New York yesterday said the rebels attacked Ossetia's ethnic Georgian-controlled territory of Russia. Therefore, they are calling for Russia to take steps to stop it. "Gori, Russian forces controlled the area. Therefore, they were responsible for the safety and welfare of all citizens who live there," said Rachel Debner, deputy director at Human Rights Watch's Europe and Central Asia.