White House calls for speedy withdrawal

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The Russian government needs to speed its withdrawal from the Republic of Georgia, a White House spokesman said Wednesday.

Spokesman Gordon Johndroe called on Moscow to comply with the French government-brokered ceasefire and pick up the pace of its troop withdrawal process.

"I think we are beginning to see the early signs of some withdrawal. It is not significant and it needs to increase; both the size and pace of the withdrawal needs to increase, and needs to increase sooner rather than later," Johndroe told reporters.

Under the Aug. 12 ceasefire brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Russian troops were to retreat and Georgian troops were to return to their permanent bases.

"I don't think they need any more additional time or need to set -- continue to set additional dates in the future, whether it's two or three days or whatever it is," Johndroe said. "They just need to withdraw."