Russia disbands Georgian checkpoint

Russia has dismantled a checkpoint near Gori

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Sunday, 05, Oct 2008 12:10

Russian forces have disbanded a checkpoint near the town of Gori in a move that is being seen as evidence of them following the terms of the ceasefire agreement with Georgia.

A French-brokered ceasefire which put an end to the war between Georgia and Russia contains undertakings by Russia to withdraw its troops from parts of Georgia by October 10th. The removal of the checkpoint is being considered as a first step towards enabling the troops to leave its neighbour's territory.

Currently there are over 200 European Union (EU) observers in Georgia who are assessing Russia's compliance with the deal. A spokesman for the EU's monitoring mission told Reuters: "Monitors have been observing the dismantling of the checkpoint. This is the first open sign."

The 10-day conflict broke out between the two countries when Russia sent its troops across the border to South Ossetia to defend ethnic Russians living in Georgia from human rights violations it said were being perpetrated by the Georgian government.

Since then Russia has recognised the separatist regions of Abhkazia and South Ossetia as independent states and has said it will keep its troops in the two areas.