Rice: Russians may be reneging on Georgia

CRAWFORD, Texas, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Saturday if Russia doesn't pull all but a few troops from Georgian territory it would be backing out on its word.

Rice said negotiations involving France made it clear that Russia was to keep only a very limited number of peacekeepers in a contained area. She said French President Nicolas Sarkozy told her Russian President Dimitry Medvedev had told him Russian forces would begin to withdraw once Georgia signed the cease-fire agreement.

"So, from my point of view -- and I am in contact with the French -- the Russians are perhaps already not honoring their word," Rice said. "But now that President Medvedev has reportedly signed the cease-fire agreement, I assume that Russian forces are going to begin to withdraw expeditiously."

When asked what the U.S. response would be should the Russians not pull back, Rice said, "Well, then, let's not speculate."

"I have to assume for now that the word of the president of Russia to the presidency of the EU is going to be respected."

Rice, who briefed President George W. Bush at his Texas ranch after returning from Georgia, will soon travel to Brussels where she will meet with the foreign ministers of NATO nations and EU officials to rally support for Georgia.