Russia claims Georgians fail to withdraw

Published: Aug. 19, 2008 at 4:32 PM

MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Russian military leaders claim Georgian troops are not withdrawing from South Ossetia as ordered under a peace pact.

An agreement signed by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is not being honored by his troops, the Russians say, even as they claim to have begun pulling troops back from Georgia, reported RIA Novosti Tuesday.

"Although Saakashvili signed the six principles (peace plan), we can see that this order is not being implemented," said Col. Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn, deputy chief of the Russian General Staff.

He also denied that Russia is holding 80 Georgian prisoners after releasing 13 Georgian military personnel and two civilians early Tuesday in return for five captured Russians.

"I wonder if the list of 80 captives had been prepared beforehand ... to get on our nerves," Nogovitsyn said.

He did confirm that Russian forces were remaining in Georgia's Black Sea port of Poti to "help with the formation of a new local administration."

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Scientists plea for gorilla protection (19 min)
Merck denies knowing risk of Vioxx (24 min)
Playboy hires out operations to cut costs (33 min)
UPI NewsTrack Business (38 min)
Insurance fund for bank deposits turns red (47 min)
Tsunami educational Web site developed (50 min)
Most Nickelodeon food ads for junk food
fark
Couple who stole home from Alzheimers Patient preparing for an experience they'll never forget
Report: 20 Michigan State football players in ski masks 'stormed' MSU dorm in bloody attack, injuring...
Police need to find this woman chop-chop
Several pictures of a squirrel with enormous balls. It's what Fark was made for
Britain opens official inquiry into Iraq war, appoints insider to run it. Expect hard-hitting answers...
Beachfront property owners band together to protest the State adding sand to their beaches. Which...