Posted on 06/29/2009 8:01:16 AM PDT by jhpigott
Russian forces have begun their biggest military exercise in the Caucasus since the war with Georgia last year.
More than 8,000 troops are taking part in the manoeuvres near the Georgian border, which Georgia has called "a pure provocation from Russia".
Military sources are also quoted as saying the exercises would help to "cool down the fantasies of some warmongers", in a clear reference to Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, whom Moscow blames for starting last year's war, says our correspondent.
People frightened
Tensions in the region are still high: Russia maintains heavy military presences in Georgia's two breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and has recognised them as independent.
The United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are about to pull their monitors out of Georgia because Russia has blocked any renewal of their mandates to work in the region.
Twenty OSCE military monitors, who have been conducting patrols near South Ossetia, made their last tour on Friday.
"The villages close to the border line are still insecure and people feel frightened. During the night there is still shooting going on, sometimes even looting going on," he told the BBC.
The International Crisis Group last week warned that the pullout by the UN and OSCE would fuel tensions.
It also pointed out that Russia had yet to honour its side of the August ceasefire agreement by withdrawing its troops back to their pre-war positions.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Death to Vladimir Putin!
May God curse and destroy the evil satanic Russian nation forever!
Ozero will vote present.
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