Russia decries Georgian military buildup

MOSCOW, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Russia's permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Georgia has deployed troops along its border.

Representive Anvar Azimov said Georgia was engaging in military activities in areas bordering on South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Interfax news agency reported Saturday.

"Several hundred servicemen of the Georgian Interior Ministry, including special task forces and sharpshooters, have been deployed in the village of Variani, Kvenatkotsa, Sagolasheni and Kheltubani," he said.

He said the number of Georgian observation posts along its border of the South Ossetian border exceeds the earlier-promised level of 10 posts.

"Russia is concerned over the continuing build-up of Georgian military and police presence in areas adjoining South Ossetia and Abkhazia and growing provocations on the part of Georgia," Azimov said.

"We again want to draw the Permanent Council's attention to signs of destabilization in security areas around South Ossetia and Abkhazia after the Russian peacekeepers pulled out," he added.