Russian forces in Georgia appear to begin pullout as EU monitors look on
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Russian forces appeared to begin the final stage of a pullback from positions outside Georgia's separatist South Ossetia region Wednesday, bulldozing a camp at a key checkpoint as EU monitors looked on.
Moscow must withdraw its troops from areas surrounding South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, by Friday under an agreement brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy after Russia's war with Georgia in August.
The pullback may ease tensions somewhat in Georgia but will not resolve major disputes pitting Russia against Georgia and Western countries, which have condemned Moscow's invasion of Georgia and its recognition of the separatist regions as independent nations.
The head of Russian peacekeeping troops based in South Ossetia said Tuesday the withdrawal from a buffer zone surrounding South Ossetia would begin Wednesday and be completed within 24 hours.
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