Russian Forces Have Not Completely Left Georgia

Russian tanks approach the Russian border as they drive through the northern part of breakaway South Ossetia August 23, 2008. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (GEORGIA)

Russian Forces At Georgian Port Despite
Pullback -- Yahoo News/Reuters

Moscow said it had honored a ceasefire deal by pulling back most of its forces, but soldiers and weapons remained deep inside Georgia to carry out what the Kremlin has called a peacekeeping operation.

And on the main road leading to the port of Poti -- which is economically vital for Georgia -- some 20 Russian soldiers were manning a checkpoint, although not stopping traffic.

In Moscow, Anatoly Nogovitsyn, deputy chief of the Russian General Staff, said the patrols were in line with a French-brokered ceasefire that ended a conflict in which hundreds were killed and tens of thousands displaced.

Read more ....

More News On The Georgian Russian War

Defiant Russia still entrenched in Georgia -- Yahoo News/AFP
U.S.: Russia would violate pact with Georgia patrols -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Georgia back in control of strategic road -- Yahoo News/Reuters
UPDATE 1-Russia says to patrol Georgia's Poti port -- Reuters
Protesters Demand Russia's Withdrawal from Georgia's Black Sea Port -- Voice Of America
Russian Retreat From Georgia Disputed -- NPR
Russia's game plan in Georgia -- BBC News
Georgia Prepares for Influx of Refugees as Russian Forces Pull Back -- New York Times
Russia invasion speeds Georgia NATO membership: U.S. -- Yahoo News/Reuters

My Comment: Russian forces are going to be where they are now dug in for a very long time. Many Georgians are aware of this, hence the talk of protest and even guerrilla war.

Georgia's war with Russia has brought nothing but economic destruction. Its industries and infrastructure has been severely disrupted if not destroyed. Its strategic centers are now under occupation, membership to NATO will never be agreed to, and any expansion of the Baku - Turkey pipeline put off the table.

I expect civil unrest to start by the end of this year.