Russian Troops Begin Dismantling Key
Georgian Checkpoint -- AFP
Georgian Checkpoint -- AFP
KARALETI, Georgia (AFP) — Russian forces on Monday began dismantling a key checkpoint in the buffer zone around Georgia's rebel region of South Ossetia, an AFP correspondent at the scene said.
The checkpoint near the village of Karaleti is on a main road leading to the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali. It controls access to a cluster of Georgian villages south of the breakaway region that were on the frontline of the August war between Russia and Georgia.
Russian soldiers were seen cutting barbed wire between a road block and their encampment at the checkpoint, as well as starting to take down tents. The soldiers refused to say when they were planning to leave.
Russian soldiers were also seen taking down tents and removing material from a checkpoint near South Ossetia at Kvenatkotsa, which Georgian and European Union officials had earlier said was expected to be dismantled Monday.
There were no signs of Russians withdrawing from another position near South Ossetia they were expected to leave Monday, a communications post near the village of Nadarbazevi.
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More News From The Caucasus
Russians Dismantle Checkpoint in Georgia -- Voice Of America
Abkhazia accuses Tbilisi of killing border guard -- Reuters
Russian Forces Begin to Shut Georgia Checkpoints -- New York Times
If Russia's leaving, S. Ossetia town asks: Why build a new road? -- Christian Science Monitor
Switzerland confirms will represent Russia's interests in Georgia -- RIA Novosti