This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8188904.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Georgia marks anniversary of war Georgia marks anniversary of war
(10 minutes later)
Ceremonies are under way in Georgia to mark one year since the war between Russia and Georgia over the South Ossetia region.Ceremonies are under way in Georgia to mark one year since the war between Russia and Georgia over the South Ossetia region.
Midnight bonfires were lit in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and other towns. A march and candlelight ceremony in South Ossetia are also planned.Midnight bonfires were lit in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and other towns. A march and candlelight ceremony in South Ossetia are also planned.
A minute's silence will be held to remember the hundreds who died.A minute's silence will be held to remember the hundreds who died.
Russia's president said the decision to go to war "was probably the hardest thing, but eventually we did it right".Russia's president said the decision to go to war "was probably the hardest thing, but eventually we did it right".
Among the day of events in Georgia, there was a raising of the Georgian flag over the city of Gori, a ceremony attended by President Mikheil Saakashvili. Among the day of events in Georgia, several hundred people formed the Georgian flag in the grounds of Gori's medieval fortress, at a ceremony attended by President Mikheil Saakashvili.
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
The town was hit by Russian airstrikes and then occupied by Russian forces last year.The town was hit by Russian airstrikes and then occupied by Russian forces last year.
The Georgian national anthem was played as the flag was raised.The Georgian national anthem was played as the flag was raised.
Mr Saakashvili also visited a war cemetery in Tbilisi to lay a wreath, and is due to address the nation later on Friday.Mr Saakashvili also visited a war cemetery in Tbilisi to lay a wreath, and is due to address the nation later on Friday.
In an interview to be broadcast later on Russian TV, his Russian counterpart spoke of the decisions he made on 7 August, 2008.In an interview to be broadcast later on Russian TV, his Russian counterpart spoke of the decisions he made on 7 August, 2008.
President Dmitry Medvedev called the decision "the hardest thing".President Dmitry Medvedev called the decision "the hardest thing".
"But in the end we got it right," he said in extracts of the interview released by the Kremlin."But in the end we got it right," he said in extracts of the interview released by the Kremlin.
"I believe our country generally got through in a responsible and decent manner, although it was quite a challenge.""I believe our country generally got through in a responsible and decent manner, although it was quite a challenge."
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.
'Omnipresent sports''Omnipresent sports'
One year on some 30,000 people remain displaced because of the five-day conflict, Amnesty International says.One year on some 30,000 people remain displaced because of the five-day conflict, Amnesty International says.
ANALYSIS Richard Galpin BBC News, TskhinvaliANALYSIS Richard Galpin BBC News, Tskhinvali
Tensions had been rising ever since Mikheil 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 Mikheil 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 restore his country's territorial integrity 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 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.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.
Soon after, both Russia and Georgia started preparing for war.Soon after, both Russia and Georgia started preparing for war.
A report by the human rights group Amnesty International said most of the displaced were ethnic Georgians, many of whom continue to lack basic services and suffer hardship.A report by the human rights group Amnesty International said most of the displaced were ethnic Georgians, many of whom continue to lack basic services and suffer hardship.
In its report, it said it had found that 30,000 civilians from both sides were still unable to return to their homes.In its report, it said it had found that 30,000 civilians from both sides were still unable to return to their homes.
A total of nearly 200,000 were displaced by the fighting, it said. 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 total of nearly 200,000 were displaced by the fighting, it said. 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.
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.
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.
Click here to returnClick here to return


Are you in the South Ossetia region? Were you affected by the conflict one year ago? How have you been affected since? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in the South Ossetia region? Were you affected by the conflict one year ago? How have you been affected since? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions