Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Peace Deal Opened Door to Russian Advance

Russian 'peacekeepers' given wide latitude in new pact

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 14, 2008 4:22 AM CDT

(Newser) – A Russian convoy was headed deeper into Georgia within hours of a new peace deal thanks to a big loophole in the agreement, Andrew E. Kramer writes in the New York Times. The deal brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy allows Russian peacekeepers to implement unspecified "additional security measures,” giving them plenty of room to maneuver, Kramer reports. Russian troops quickly took up posts in the key Georgian city of Gori.

The Russians were able to insist on the vague provision because they were negotiating from a position of strength, notes Kramer. When Georgian negotiators pushed for more safeguards, Sarkozy reportedly warned them: "Their tanks are 40 kilometers from Tbilisi. This is where we are.” The Georgians signed the deal and the Russian "peacekeepers" were on the move again soon afterward.

Soldiers secure a Russian military convoy outside Gori, Georgia, yesterday.
Soldiers secure a Russian military convoy outside Gori, Georgia, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Russian soldiers atop a military vehicle outside Gori, Georgia, yesterday.
Russian soldiers atop a military vehicle outside Gori, Georgia, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
A Russian military convoy moves past a horse-drawn cart with local residents, outside Gori, Georgia, yesterday.
A Russian military convoy moves past a horse-drawn cart with local residents, outside Gori, Georgia, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Georgians holding Georgian and US flags react to the arrival of US humanitarian aid at the airport in Tbilisi, Georgia, yesterday.
Georgians holding Georgian and US flags react to the arrival of US humanitarian aid at the airport in Tbilisi, Georgia, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Georgy Abdaladze)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Rice Arrives in Georgia

Promising to Leave, Russia Amps Up Forces in Georgia

Russia Orders End to Georgia War

Georgia Needs Our Help—Not a Seat at NATO

Rice: Russia Aimed for Georgia Overthrow


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne