Russian blockade continues in Gori
Saturday, 16 August 2008
GORI, (Georgia) Aug 15 (Agencies): Russian troops Friday allowed some humanitarian supplies into the city of Gori but continued their blockade of the strategically located city, raising doubts about Russia's intentions in the war-battered country.
Gori is on the country's main east-west highway about 45 miles west of the capital, Tbilisi. By holding it, Russian forces effectively cut Georgia in half.
What happens in Gori is key to when - or if - Russia will honor the terms of a cease-fire that calls for both sides to pull their forces back to the positions they held before fighting broke out last week in the separatist region of South Ossetia.
Russian military vehicles were blocking the eastern road into the city Friday, although they allowed in one Georgia bus filled with loaves of bread.
"It's quiet there, but now there are problems with food," said Alexander Lomaia, the head of Georgia's national security council. He said he was able to tour the city during the night.
Russian forces also are in several other cities deep in Georgia, including the Black Sea port city of Poti, officials say. But Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said Friday that there are no Russian troops in the city of Kutaisi, Georgia's second-largest city, despite reports they were headed in that direction overnight.
Uncertainty about Russia's intentions and back-and-forth charges has clouded the conflict days after Russia and Georgia signaled acceptance of a French-brokered cease-fire, and a week after Georgia's crackdown on the two provinces drew a Russian military response.
Gori is on the country's main east-west highway about 45 miles west of the capital, Tbilisi. By holding it, Russian forces effectively cut Georgia in half.
What happens in Gori is key to when - or if - Russia will honor the terms of a cease-fire that calls for both sides to pull their forces back to the positions they held before fighting broke out last week in the separatist region of South Ossetia.
Russian military vehicles were blocking the eastern road into the city Friday, although they allowed in one Georgia bus filled with loaves of bread.
"It's quiet there, but now there are problems with food," said Alexander Lomaia, the head of Georgia's national security council. He said he was able to tour the city during the night.
Russian forces also are in several other cities deep in Georgia, including the Black Sea port city of Poti, officials say. But Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said Friday that there are no Russian troops in the city of Kutaisi, Georgia's second-largest city, despite reports they were headed in that direction overnight.
Uncertainty about Russia's intentions and back-and-forth charges has clouded the conflict days after Russia and Georgia signaled acceptance of a French-brokered cease-fire, and a week after Georgia's crackdown on the two provinces drew a Russian military response.