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Georgia makes 'cleansing' protest Georgia chides Russia 'cleansing'
(20 minutes later)
Russia's treatment of Georgians during the diplomatic spat between the two countries is a "mild form of ethnic cleansing", Georgia has said.Russia's treatment of Georgians during the diplomatic spat between the two countries is a "mild form of ethnic cleansing", Georgia has said.
"This is not only xenophobia," said Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili.
Russia has closed transport and postal links with Georgia, raided businesses, imposed visa restrictions and deported 132 Georgians since the dispute began.Russia has closed transport and postal links with Georgia, raided businesses, imposed visa restrictions and deported 132 Georgians since the dispute began.
The sanctions were imposed after Georgia arrested four Russians on spying charges last month. The sanctions were imposed on the day Georgia released four Russian officers it had arrested on spying charges.
Many Georgians depend on money sent home from relatives living in Russia.Many Georgians depend on money sent home from relatives living in Russia.
Deportees arrive Suspicious names
Georgia's foreign minister Gela Bezhuashvili told reporters in Tbilisi that Russia's actions would backfire. Georgia's foreign minister told reporters in Tbilisi that Russia's actions would backfire.
RUSSIAN REPRISALS Postal and transport links cut between Russia and GeorgiaGeorgian visa regulations tightenedCrackdown on illegal Georgian immigrants Deportees describe ordeal Russian media concerns Unease grips Georgians
"This is not only xenophobia, this is a mild form of ethnic cleansing," he said.
A planeload of Georgian deportees arrived in Tbilisi on Friday after they were rounded up in police raids and accused of immigration offences.A planeload of Georgian deportees arrived in Tbilisi on Friday after they were rounded up in police raids and accused of immigration offences.
The BBC's Matthew Collin at Tbilisi airport said the deportees walked down the ramp from the huge Russian cargo plane carrying whatever possessions they had managed to bring with them. RUSSIAN REPRISALS Postal and transport links cut between Russia and GeorgiaGeorgian visa regulations tightenedCrackdown on illegal Georgian immigrants href="/1/hi/world/europe/5414078.stm" class="">Deportees describe ordeal href="/1/hi/world/europe/5412828.stm" class="">Russian media concerns href="/1/hi/world/europe/5403804.stm" class="">Unease grips Georgians
Meanwhile a Russian plane took more Russians out of Georgia, which Moscow says is now unsafe for its citizens.Meanwhile a Russian plane took more Russians out of Georgia, which Moscow says is now unsafe for its citizens.
Russian media reports that Moscow's police have asked schools to draw up lists of pupils with Georgian surnames as part of their search for illegal immigrants.Russian media reports that Moscow's police have asked schools to draw up lists of pupils with Georgian surnames as part of their search for illegal immigrants.
Alexander Gavrilov, a spokesman for the Moscow education department, said some schools had received the request, which he criticised.Alexander Gavrilov, a spokesman for the Moscow education department, said some schools had received the request, which he criticised.
But a Russian interior ministry spokesman denied the request had been made.But a Russian interior ministry spokesman denied the request had been made.
Georgia accusedGeorgia accused
The dispute began after Georgia arrested four Russian military officials on September 27 and charged them with spying. The dispute began after Georgia arrested four Russian military officials on 27 September and charged them with spying.
The four have been returned to Russia since being released on Monday, but Moscow is continuing to impose a series of punitive measures over what it terms an "act of state terrorism with hostage-taking".The four have been returned to Russia since being released on Monday, but Moscow is continuing to impose a series of punitive measures over what it terms an "act of state terrorism with hostage-taking".
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged Europe's security body to pressure Georgia to "drastically change its course" in dealing with regional disputes.Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged Europe's security body to pressure Georgia to "drastically change its course" in dealing with regional disputes.
HAVE YOUR SAY Why should Russia subsidise Georgia when it fails to consider Russian interests? Robert, New York Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Why should Russia subsidise Georgia when it fails to consider Russian interests? Robert, New York Send us your comments
In a letter to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Mr Putin accused Tbilisi of planning to solve the conflicts between Russia and Georgia over the two troubled Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by force.In a letter to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Mr Putin accused Tbilisi of planning to solve the conflicts between Russia and Georgia over the two troubled Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by force.
Tensions between Moscow and Tbilisi have grown since the early 1990s, with Tbilisi accusing Moscow of supporting separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia following the collapse of the USSR.Tensions between Moscow and Tbilisi have grown since the early 1990s, with Tbilisi accusing Moscow of supporting separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia following the collapse of the USSR.
Russia has accused Georgia of pursuing an anti-Russian foreign policy in seeking closer relations with the West and Nato.Russia has accused Georgia of pursuing an anti-Russian foreign policy in seeking closer relations with the West and Nato.