Cold War II Watch

Few Reports Of Russian Withdrawal In Georgia
by Renee Montagne and Ivan Watson

August 18, 2008 · Russia said it would start withdrawing its troops from Georgia on Monday. But so far, there are few reports of that happening. Over the weekend, the West warned Russia that it would pay a diplomatic price if it didn't abide by the cease-fire agreement signed by both countries last week.
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Defense Official: Russia Has Short Range Missiles in South Ossetia
Monday, August 18, 2008

Russia has placed short range SS-21 missiles in South Ossetia, that could pose a threat to most major Georgian cities," including the capital, Tbilisi, a U.S.Defense official confirmed to FOX News on Monday.

"Anything such as that, or any other military equipment that was moved in would be in violation of this cease-fire and should be removed immediately," Pentagon Spokesman Bryan Whitman said. "The only forces that are permitted to remain under the cease fire agreement are the forces that were in there at the Aug. 6 time frame."
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Russia Claims Right to Increase Troop Strength in South Ossetia
By Peter Fedynsky
Moscow
22 August 2008


Russia is claiming the right to increase the number of troops it has in and around South Ossetia, where it is also establishing additional checkpoints in response to what it says is a "continued Georgian threat." VOA correspondent Peter Fedynsky has this report from Moscow.

Just hours before Russia was scheduled to withdraw its troops to a buffer zone in and around South Ossetia, the deputy head of Russia's General Staff, General Anatoly Nogovitsyn, told a Moscow news conference the situation in Georgia can hardly be described as stable. General Nogovitysn accused Georgia of concentrating its forces in preparation for renewed fighting, but based the claim on intelligence he said was four days old. There are no independent reports of Georgian troop concentrations.
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Russia recognizes South Ossetia and Abkhazia to save people’s lives
Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

August 26, 2008

“The people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia have repeatedly supported their independence. We understand that they have a right to determine their fate themselves after what happened recently,” Medvedev said in a televised address. “They addressed to Russia with a request to recognize their independence. Taking into consideration the free will of the peoples, the UN Charter and OSCE documents, I have signed decrees to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on behalf of the Russian Federation. This is the only way to save people’s lives,” Medvedev said.
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You'd better get used to scenes like these again.

JDW