Russian Military Trucks Leave Georgia, But No Major Pullout

Russian soldiers in armored vehicles, are seen on the outskirts of Gori, northwest of the capital Tbilisi, Georgia, 19 Aug 2008Witnesses say Russian military trucks have begun crossing from Georgia back into Russia, but say there is no evidence of the large-scale withdrawal demanded by the West.

By VOA News

20 August 2008
Source: VOA.com

Category: stories

Submit your Articles Here!
Subscribe to Articles! Get new articles everyday for your favorite subjects!! - www.Amazines.com
Related Articles

Russian soldiers in armored vehicles, are seen on the outskirts of Gori, northwest of the capital Tbilisi, Georgia, 19 Aug 2008Witnesses say Russian military trucks have begun crossing from Georgia back into Russia, but say there is no evidence of the large-scale withdrawal demanded by the West.Correspondents Wednesday reported several dozen trucks near the Roki tunnel separating Georgian South Ossetia and Russian North Ossetia. Reuters news agency said the trucks were covered with tarpaulin and that most seemed to be empty. There were no reports of Russian armor leaving Georgia.Western governments have complained repeatedly about Russian withdrawal delays after pullout promises from Russian President Dmitri Medvedev. At the United Nations Tuesday, Russia rejected a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate troop withdrawal. In his latest pledge, Mr. Medvedev said the Russian withdrawal will be completed by Friday.Meanwhile, a U.S. Senate delegation is headed to Georgia to assess the military situation and to show solidarity with the country's pro-Western government. Separately, Russian security officials say they have arrested a Russian army officer on suspicion of spying for Georgia. The officer has been identified as an ethnic Georgian.Russian President Medvedev told French President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday that most of the Russians who pushed into Georgia earlier this month will pull back to South Ossetia or go home to Russia. The Russian leader said some forces will move to what he called a temporary security zone around South Ossetia, one of the conditions of the French-mediated cease-fire.Russia sent scores of tanks and thousands of troops into Georgia earlier this month, saying it had to protect Russian citizens. The move came after Georgia sent forces into South Ossetia, a breakaway Georgian region that favors Russia.The Georgian operation was aimed at bringing the area back under Tbilisi's control.  Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.

Return to Last Page