Russian forces withdraw from Poit, Georgia

GEORGIA CONFLICT 2008 ^ | 13 Sep 2008 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

GEORGIA CONFLICT 2008

SEPTEMBER 13, 2008 - Russians withdraw from Poti



At long last, and after much negotiation and foot dragging by the Russians, hundreds of Russian personnel withdrew from positions Saturday in western Georgia and Georgian officials indicated that Russia met a deadline for a partial pullout agreed to with French President Sarkozy.

Russian soldiers and armored vehicles withdrew from six checkpoints and temporary bases in the Black Sea port of Poti and other areas nearby, Georgian Security Council chief Alexander Lomaia said.

"They have fulfilled the commitment" to withdraw from the area by Sept. 15 under an agreement European Union leaders reached with Russia last week, Lomaia told The Associated Press. But he stressed that Georgia, along with its western allies and supporters, demands a full withdrawal to pre-conflict positions.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko confirmed the withdrawal later in the day.

[Jeff Head]

See full reports of the entire conflict at: GEORGIA CONFLICT 2008

[Jeff Head]

FYI

[Greenpees]

Good Job to Sarkowsky, and Good job to us. The Russians had no motivation to leave, outside of thier sliding stock market and the real possiblity of US/EU Sanctions. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that Palin didn’t mince words either.

[Jeff Head]

President Bush and John McCain have been very strong on this issue as well. I believe Putin certainly does not look forward to dealing with McCain.

Several of our own powerful warships, along with a powerful surface action group of and NATO warships in the Black Saea have also helped make the point.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[FreeReign]

The Russians had no motivation to leave, outside of thier sliding stock market and the real possiblity of US/EU Sanctions.

The theory is that economic interaction even with such countries as Russia and China will help conflict resolution.

Maybe.

[Fichori]

Yehaw!

Oh, yeah... btt.

[Jeff Head]

You are welcome AG. God bless!

[Jeff Head]

Thanks for the BTTT. It's about time Ivan got out of there.

Our supplies and aid came in despite them being there...and continue to do so.

[editor-surveyor]

Sarah’s tough talk with Charlie Gibslouch has had an effect!

Thank you Saracuda

[Brad’s Gramma]

Ya mean we didn’t sit down and negotiate???

:)

Good news, Jeff.....thanks for the ping!

[advance_copy]

Good to see the Russians get out of the port of Poti.

[Lasha]

Thanks for the post Jeff...

as a side note, they still remain in couple of places in Tsalenjixa, Chkorutsku (districts bordering with Abkhazia), Sachxere (district bordering with South Ossetia) and Akhalgori - predominantely Georgian populated anclave in South Ossetia that never was under jurisdiciton of Kokoiti - not to imply that anything there is under jurisdiction of that idiot!

[Lurker]

Good news.

Let's hope the withdraw completely from Georgia.

L

[Lasha]

Thanks, but I doubt it will happen with respect to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Lavrov yesterday openly stated that these troops there are not peacekeepers anymore but Russian army invited there by separatists... is there any other definition for annexation?