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Russia pledge on Georgia pull-out Russia pledge on Georgia pull-out
(30 minutes later)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said forces will begin withdrawing from Georgia on Monday.Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said forces will begin withdrawing from Georgia on Monday.
Mr Medvedev made the pledge in a telephone call to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who brokered a Russian-Georgian ceasefire agreement.Mr Medvedev made the pledge in a telephone call to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who brokered a Russian-Georgian ceasefire agreement.
Earlier, the Russian commander of frontline forces in Georgia told the BBC a gradual withdrawal of Russian forces was under way.Earlier, the Russian commander of frontline forces in Georgia told the BBC a gradual withdrawal of Russian forces was under way.
Russian troops went into Georgia after fighting erupted over South Ossetia.Russian troops went into Georgia after fighting erupted over South Ossetia.
Maj Gen Vyacheslav Borisov said he had given the order for Russian soldiers in the village of Igoeti, about 32km (20 miles) from the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, to be replaced by Russian peacekeepers.Maj Gen Vyacheslav Borisov said he had given the order for Russian soldiers in the village of Igoeti, about 32km (20 miles) from the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, to be replaced by Russian peacekeepers.
But National Security Council Secretary Alexander Lomaia dismissed the move.
"This is just a redeployment," he told reporters in Gori, adding that Russian troops were still "all over the place".
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Gori, the largest town close to the boundary with South Ossetia, says there is a much-reduced Russian military presence there and that lorries can be seen delivering humanitarian aid.
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The scene in one area of central GoriThe scene in one area of central Gori
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Gori, the largest town close to the South Ossetian boundary, says there is a much-reduced Russian military presence in Gori compared with Saturday and that lorries can be seen delivering humanitarian aid.
But he says Russian soldiers still control the town's key entry and exit points.But he says Russian soldiers still control the town's key entry and exit points.
The Russian commander in Gori says his troops are staying to prevent looting and will leave when Georgian police are ready to take over.The Russian commander in Gori says his troops are staying to prevent looting and will leave when Georgian police are ready to take over.
Georgia says its police force would be able to maintain law and order if allowed into Gori, and that the presence of Russian forces so close to the capital is unacceptable.Georgia says its police force would be able to maintain law and order if allowed into Gori, and that the presence of Russian forces so close to the capital is unacceptable.
Russia also controls almost all of the main highway running east-west through Georgia, and major towns along the route.Russia also controls almost all of the main highway running east-west through Georgia, and major towns along the route.
The conflict between Georgia and Russia erupted on 7 August when Georgia launched an assault to retake South Ossetia, an enclave within Georgia controlled by pro-Russian separatists.The conflict between Georgia and Russia erupted on 7 August when Georgia launched an assault to retake South Ossetia, an enclave within Georgia controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
It led to a massive counter-offensive, with Russia moving deeper into Georgia.It led to a massive counter-offensive, with Russia moving deeper into Georgia.
International attentionInternational attention
In his phone discussion with President Sarkozy, Mr Medvedev did not clearly state that additional troops sent to Georgia since 7 August would return to Russia.In his phone discussion with President Sarkozy, Mr Medvedev did not clearly state that additional troops sent to Georgia since 7 August would return to Russia.
Correspondents say this suggests some troops may retreat only as far as South Ossetia.Correspondents say this suggests some troops may retreat only as far as South Ossetia.
See map of the region See map of the region
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Moscow says the Russian pledge looks like a compromise, rather than complete adherence to the terms of the ceasefire, which says Russian troops should return to their pre-conflict positions.The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Moscow says the Russian pledge looks like a compromise, rather than complete adherence to the terms of the ceasefire, which says Russian troops should return to their pre-conflict positions.
Moscow also says it will only withdraw from Georgian territory once extra security measures are in place.Moscow also says it will only withdraw from Georgian territory once extra security measures are in place.
PEACE PLAN No more use of forceStop all military actions for goodFree access to humanitarian aidGeorgian troops return to their places of permanent deploymentRussian troops to return to pre-conflict positionsInternational talks about future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia Day-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisisIn pictures: Russians in GeorgiaPEACE PLAN No more use of forceStop all military actions for goodFree access to humanitarian aidGeorgian troops return to their places of permanent deploymentRussian troops to return to pre-conflict positionsInternational talks about future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia Day-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisisIn pictures: Russians in Georgia
President Sarkozy, who mediated the ceasefire on behalf of the European Union, has warned Moscow that its forces are barred from any "major urban area" in Georgia.President Sarkozy, who mediated the ceasefire on behalf of the European Union, has warned Moscow that its forces are barred from any "major urban area" in Georgia.
However, in a letter addressed to his Georgian counterpart, Mikhail Saakashvili, Mr Sarkozy said Russian troops did have the right to patrol "a few kilometres" beyond the conflict zone in South Ossetia.However, in a letter addressed to his Georgian counterpart, Mikhail Saakashvili, Mr Sarkozy said Russian troops did have the right to patrol "a few kilometres" beyond the conflict zone in South Ossetia.
But he underlined that clauses in the agreement permitting Russia to implement additional security measures "in no way limit or put in danger the freedom of movement and travel along the road and rail axes of Georgia".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks with Mr Saakashvili in Tbilisi on Sunday. Afterwards she said she expected a prompt withdrawal of Russian troops.German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks with Mr Saakashvili in Tbilisi on Sunday. Afterwards she said she expected a prompt withdrawal of Russian troops.
"We cannot delay this task," she said."We cannot delay this task," she said.
The German chancellor added that Georgia could become a Nato member if it wanted to. Tbilisi's bid to join Nato is fiercely opposed by Russia.The German chancellor added that Georgia could become a Nato member if it wanted to. Tbilisi's bid to join Nato is fiercely opposed by Russia.
PanicPanic
Meanwhile, the New York-based organisation Human Rights Watch called on Russian authorities to end attacks by South Ossetian militias on ethnic Georgians in Gori and to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians.
The UN puts the number of those displaced in the conflict at 118,000
"The Russian military has effective control of the Gori region, making it responsible for the security and well-being of all people living there," said Rachel Denber, HRW's Europe deputy director.
The BBC's Richard Galpin, who spent Friday and Saturday travelling from the Black Sea port of Poti to Tbilisi, says Georgian forces seemed to be surrendering control of the highway to the Russians.The BBC's Richard Galpin, who spent Friday and Saturday travelling from the Black Sea port of Poti to Tbilisi, says Georgian forces seemed to be surrendering control of the highway to the Russians.
The UN puts the number of those displaced in the conflict at 118,000
In the western town of Senaki, our correspondent saw large numbers of Russian troops moving around on Saturday.In the western town of Senaki, our correspondent saw large numbers of Russian troops moving around on Saturday.
Further east in Zestafoni, he witnessed the panic of residents as the word spread that the Russian army was approaching.Further east in Zestafoni, he witnessed the panic of residents as the word spread that the Russian army was approaching.
Cars sped away from roadblocks set up by Georgian police, the drivers realising their hopes of reaching Tbilisi had been dashed.Cars sped away from roadblocks set up by Georgian police, the drivers realising their hopes of reaching Tbilisi had been dashed.
When the Russians arrived, they stayed only a few minutes after apparently being told there was no military base to take over.
Our correspondent says he then followed the Russian troops as they entered the central town of Khashuri, where they were given an escort by the local police.
He spoke to one Russian soldier who said he believed their final destination would be the Georgian capital, although the Kremlin flatly denied this.
The UN Security Council is expected to vote later on Sunday on a draft resolution formalising the ceasefire agreement.The UN Security Council is expected to vote later on Sunday on a draft resolution formalising the ceasefire agreement.
US President George W Bush has said President Medvedev's signing of the truce is "hopeful", but South Ossetia and Abkhazia will remain within Georgian borders, which are internationally recognised.US President George W Bush has said President Medvedev's signing of the truce is "hopeful", but South Ossetia and Abkhazia will remain within Georgian borders, which are internationally recognised.
Reports suggest Mr Saakashvili only reluctantly agreed to another of the plan's clauses - international talks about the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.Reports suggest Mr Saakashvili only reluctantly agreed to another of the plan's clauses - international talks about the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
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