South Ossetia's military are shown at the street of Tskhinvali during the military conflict with Georgia, August 13, 2008.
Photo: Valery Melnikov
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Washington Responds to Deployment of Russia’s Troops in S. Ossetia, Abkhazia
Washington lashed out at Russia for deployment of military forces in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, blaming on Moscow the breach of Medvedev-Sarkozy plan. What’s more, the U.S. Department of State questioned the motives that Russia gave for the military campaign in the Caucasus, i.e. the statement of Kremlin about the need to protect Russia’s citizens in South Ossetia.
The response of Washington to Russia’s intention to deploy a military contingent of up to 3,800 in South Ossetia and a military contingent of equal strength in Abkhazia was predictably negative. The U.S. State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack called a special briefing yesterday to accuse Russia of breaching the peace deal brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Russia should meet international commitments that it assumed and the Russians should pull out of Georgia, the spokesman made clear.
The standing of the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza is even tougher. In his Wednesday speech, Bryza pledged to respond to the false statement of Moscow, whereby it had started the war with Georgia when Tbilisi had attacked Tskhinvali. The real purpose of the Russians had been to dislodge democratically-elected government of Georgia and reshape borders, Bryza emphasized.
In the RF Foreign Ministry, they don’t view criticism of Washington well-justified. “The talks about our plans to overthrow anyone, they are the fantasy. We fully execute the principles set forth in the settlement plan,” said Igor Lyakin-Frolov from the ministry. “The withdrawal of checkpoints at Poti-Senaki line has begun and will be completed next week. But a lot depends on the European Union. As soon as the EU observers appear in the safety zones, our peacekeepers will leave them.”
As to the contingents in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, this is “from another opera,” Lyakin-Frolov pointed out. “We have recognized these republics and move our forces under the agreements with their authorities. These 3,800 servicemen will deal with ensuring security in these regions,” the diplomat explained.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Sep. 12, 2008
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