World

U.S.: Russia preparing for Georgia exit

by SOLARLIFE | August 14, 2008 at 12:52 pm | 79 views | 1 comment | 5 recommendations

Russian troops seem to retreat, US Humanitarian aid on the way. New doubts about a successful peace-plan appear. The signature of the anti missile defense deal US-Poland may provoke uncontrolled reactions to the peace process in Georgia

Concern beyond Georgia's borders prompted European leaders, spearheaded by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to mediate a cease-fire deal and U.S. President Bush to offer humanitarian support.

Analysts see the conflict as a gamble initiated by Georgia, which is seeking EU and NATO membership, to test the strength of its Western allies in the face of Russia's unwillingness to see the West encroaching on its doorstep.

Senior U.S. General James Cartwright told a Pentagon briefing that Russian forces seemed to be complying with an internationally-mediated cease-fire to end a territorial conflict over the breakaway Georgian territory of South Ossetia.

"We see them generally complying and moving back into a position where they can make their exit in an orderly fashion," Cartwright said.

About 200 Russian troops are in Gori, a strategic city about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, a U.S. defense official earlier told CNN.

A Russian general confirmed presence of the troops in Gori, but said they should be withdrawn