Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev commanded today to end peace enforcement military operation in Georgia, saying that the operation's aim had been gained
"I have made a decision to end the peace enforcement operation", Medvedev said today after hearing reports in Moscow from Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and head of General Staff Nikolai Makarov. Russia's goal had been achieved, the leader said - the safety of peacekeepers restored, and "the aggressor" (Georgia) had been punished - "their military forces are now disorganized", Medvedev claimed. He also told Russian army commanders to "destroy" new violence spots in South Ossetia if they appear again.
The decision does not mean, though, that Russia will not continue "military activities", including intelligence operations, on Georgian territory, generals have explained. A considerable number of Russian troops will remain in both South Ossetia and Abkhasia.
According to col. gen. Anatoly Nagovitsyn, a General Staff official, Russian troops are currently "monitoring disarmament" of Georgian forces in Zugdidi area and control an airport near the town of Senaki. The general did not specify what the word "monitoring" stood for.
Abkhasian Flag
An Abkhasian flag was hoisted in the upper area of Kodori Gorge at about noon today. Earlier in the morning, Abkhasian paramilitary units started pushing Georgian soldiers out of the gorge, and succeeded.
The nine-thousand Russian paratroopers who entered Abkhasia yesterday did not interfere, Russia claims.
In Tskhinvali
Russia's General Staff said Georgian forces were retiring from South Ossetian early morning today, but fire around Tskhinvali still continued. Nagovitsyn claims there is still vast Georgian military presence in the unrecognized republic, and that, he believes, "shows that official Tbilisi has not yet renounced the idea of using force" to solve the conflict. The Colonel-General also said Russia's 58th army who entered South Ossetia "to supports the peacekeepers" will remain in the breakaway province until the fire is completely ceased.
Genocide Claims
Meanwhile at UN Security Council sessions, Russia's representative Vitaly Churkin is trying to explain his counterparts that the country won't withdraw from South Ossetia and Abkhasia until Georgian troops leave the regions completely and a non-use of force agreement is signed.
Russia is preparing to prove to the world that Georgia's actions in Ossetia can be classified as "genocide" and "ethnic cleansing". Prosecutors are said to be already collecting evidence, and Russia's ombudsman Vladimir Lukin is calling to create an international court for South Ossetia, similar to that that hears charges against former Yugoslavia suspected war criminals.
Revenge?
David Bakradze, the Speaker of Georgian parliament, has said today his country would regain sovereignty over Abkhasia and South Ossetia. "The Jewish nation had one goal - Jerusalem. They had been holding Jerusalem in their hearts for two tho thousand years. Our sole goal today is Tskhinvali and Batumi, but Georgian people won't wait for as long as two thousand years", said the politician.
As it was reported today, NATO will have a special session on Tuesday to consider Georgia's appeal for military help. Lithuanian government representative Zigimantas Pavilenis said his country would support the appeal. It is unlikely though, that NATo member states such as France and Germany will vote to send military help to Georgia.
Evgeniya Novikova
Photo: AP
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