Talks with Russia on Georgia monitors have collapsed

[mattfivefour]

Russia-Georgia-Monitors@
INDEX:International, Politics, Defence@
Diplomat says talks with Russia on Georgia monitors have collapsed@
VIENNA, Austria - A senior western diplomat says talks with Russia have collapsed on the sensitive issue of sending additional international monitors to two breakaway regions in Georgia.
The official told The Associated Press that Moscow refused to approve 80 extra military monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to keep tabs on South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The official says the decision has thrown into question the sincerity of Russia's pledge to withdraw its troops from key areas of Georgia later this month.
The diplomat, who has been involved in the negotiations, said Russia staked out an increasingly `hardline' stance.
(The Associated Press)
07:29ET 12-09-08

[lafond]

:rapture:rapture:rapture:shofarrNot surprising.
I can almost hear the trumpet.

Tom

[Flyer]

Sometimes I lie awake at night listening for the trumpet sound, and maybe He is whispering to us that His time in near...I feel so sad for those who do not know Him. Keep witnessing.

[light4mypath]

:iagree and welcome to the board Flyer y

[mattfivefour]

Sometimes I lie awake at night listening for the trumpet sound, and maybe He is whispering to us that His time in near...I feel so sad for those who do not know Him. Keep witnessing.

Good post! And welcome.

[gonzo]

its scary,but very exciting.

[Nobody]

Any updates on this?

[mattfivefour]

Any updates on this?

Georgia welcomes EU monitors' move into buffer zone
Published Date: 02 October 2008
By Margarita Antidze
MONITORS from the European Union moved into a Russian-controlled buffer zone around Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia yesterday, clearing the way for Russian troops to pull out by 10 October.

The 200-plus EU monitors began deploying under a ceasefire deal that should see Moscow withdraw from two buffer zones occupied in Georgia during the war in August.

The Russian military and EU officials had said earlier there was still no agreement on full access to the zones, but yesterday three EU patrols entered at separate locations, passing Russian checkpoints.

Russia's foreign ministry issued a statement saying its troops would complete the hand-over to EU monitors in the buffer zones on 10 October, a pledge repeated by the president, Dmitry Medvedev.

"Russian peacekeepers will be withdrawn from Georgia within the agreed dates," he said in St Petersburg at a meeting with the Spanish prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

Mr Zapatero raised the prospect of talks resuming on a partnership pact between Russia and the European Union. The talks had been suspended until Russia complied with the ceasefire. "We must make the next step and strike a good treaty," he said.

Georgia welcomed the monitors' access to the buffer zone. Kakha Lomaia, the secretary of the National Security Council, said: "It is once more confirmation that when the international community is unified and resolute, the Russians are compelled to comply."