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Georgians remain displaced by war Georgia marks anniversary of war
(about 2 hours later)
Some 30,000 people remain displaced one year after the war between Russia and Georgia over the South Ossetia region, a leading human rights agency reports. Ceremonies have begun in Georgia to mark one year since the war between Russia and Georgia over the South Ossetia region.
Amnesty International says most are ethnic Georgians, who continue to lack basic services and suffer hardship. Midnight bonfires were lit in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and other towns. A march and candlelight ceremony in South Ossetia are also planned.
The reports comes one year since the start of the five-day conflict, in which Georgia failed to reassert its control over South Ossetia. A minute's silence will be held to remember the hundreds who died.
Vigils will be held across the area as people remember the hundreds who died. Some 30,000 people remain displaced one year after the five-day conflict, a leading human rights agency reports.
In Georgia, President Mikheil Saakashvili is due to address the nation following a day of ceremonies, including a nationwide day of silence. Amnesty International said most are ethnic Georgians, who continue to lack basic services and suffer hardship.
name="up"> class="bodl" href="#map">Click here for a map of the region In Georgia, President Mikheil Saakashvili is due to address the nation later.
Earlier, bonfires were lit across the country at midnight.
'Omnipresent sports''Omnipresent sports'
In its report, Amnesty International said it had found that 30,000 civilians from both sides were still unable to return to their homes.In its report, Amnesty International said it had found that 30,000 civilians from both sides were still unable to return to their homes.
Bonfires were lit in Georgia at midnight to mark the anniversary of the warBonfires were lit in Georgia at midnight to mark the anniversary of the war
A total of nearly 200,000 were displaced by the fighting, it said.A total of nearly 200,000 were displaced by the fighting, it said.
However, of the 38,500 people who fled South Ossetia for Russia, all but 4,000 were thought to have been returned. name="up"> class="bodl" href="#map">Click here for a map of the region However, of the 38,500 people who fled South Ossetia for Russia, all but 4,000 were thought to have been returned.
A further 138,000 ethnic Georgians living in South Ossetia were displaced by the fighting, but 18,500 who fled South Ossetia and the district of Akhalgori remain displaced.A further 138,000 ethnic Georgians living in South Ossetia were displaced by the fighting, but 18,500 who fled South Ossetia and the district of Akhalgori remain displaced.
Most have been provided with compensation or temporary accommodation, as well as basic furniture and facilities.Most have been provided with compensation or temporary accommodation, as well as basic furniture and facilities.
However, their biggest problems remained the remoteness of some of the settlements, which deprived the inhabitants of easy access to hospitals, schools and places of work, Amnesty said. Many people are still dependent on aid.However, their biggest problems remained the remoteness of some of the settlements, which deprived the inhabitants of easy access to hospitals, schools and places of work, Amnesty said. Many people are still dependent on aid.
"An omnipresent sense of tension and insecurity prevent many people from returning to their homes and carrying on with their lives," the human rights group said in a statement."An omnipresent sense of tension and insecurity prevent many people from returning to their homes and carrying on with their lives," the human rights group said in a statement.
"Many of the people who have returned are facing a new reality brought about by the conflict, a reality in which they struggle to rebuild their lives and livelihoods," it added."Many of the people who have returned are facing a new reality brought about by the conflict, a reality in which they struggle to rebuild their lives and livelihoods," it added.
Blame gameBlame game
On Thursday, Georgia's government repeated its assertion that its assault on South Ossetia was a response to a secret Russian invasion.On Thursday, Georgia's government repeated its assertion that its assault on South Ossetia was a response to a secret Russian invasion.
Much of the South Ossetian capital is still in ruinsMuch of the South Ossetian capital is still in ruins
Russia denied it was first to move, and accused the Georgian government of "a pre-planned criminal act".Russia denied it was first to move, and accused the Georgian government of "a pre-planned criminal act".
The causes of the war last August remain a hotly contested issue, with both Russia and Georgia continuing to blame each other.The causes of the war last August remain a hotly contested issue, with both Russia and Georgia continuing to blame each other.
But many diplomats believe Mr Saakashvili acted rashly, walking into a trap laid by the Russians, says the BBC's Richard Galpin, in the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali.But many diplomats believe Mr Saakashvili acted rashly, walking into a trap laid by the Russians, says the BBC's Richard Galpin, in the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali.
Tensions had been rising ever since Mr Saakashvili came to power five years ago determined to move Georgia out of the Russian sphere of influence, in particular by applying to join Nato.Tensions had been rising ever since Mr Saakashvili came to power five years ago determined to move Georgia out of the Russian sphere of influence, in particular by applying to join Nato.
Moscow began to pressure the Georgian president through its influence in South Ossetia and the other breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, which lies on Russia's southern border.Moscow began to pressure the Georgian president through its influence in South Ossetia and the other breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, which lies on Russia's southern border.
By the summer of 2008 Mr Sakhashvili was clearly impatient to to restore his country's territorial integrity, our correspondent says, so Russia developed ever-closer relations with the two regions. By the summer of 2008 Mr Sakhashvili was clearly impatient to restore his country's territorial integrity, our correspondent says, so Russia developed ever-closer relations with the two regions.
The West's decision to recognise the independence of Kosovo early last year may have been a turning point for Moscow, which in response moved as close as possible to recognising South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states without explicitly saying so, he adds.The West's decision to recognise the independence of Kosovo early last year may have been a turning point for Moscow, which in response moved as close as possible to recognising South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states without explicitly saying so, he adds.
Soon after, both Russia and Georgia started preparing for war.Soon after, both Russia and Georgia started preparing for war.
The conflict erupted on 7 August 2008, as Georgia tried to retake control of South Ossetia, following a series of clashes.The conflict erupted on 7 August 2008, as Georgia tried to retake control of South Ossetia, following a series of clashes.
Russian forces quickly repelled the assault, and pushed further into Georgia.Russian forces quickly repelled the assault, and pushed further into Georgia.
The conflict lasted for five days before a ceasefire was agreed. Russia pulled back, but built up its military presence in both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.The conflict lasted for five days before a ceasefire was agreed. Russia pulled back, but built up its military presence in both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
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