Richard Holbrook: Yet Saakashvili is still in power

Given the tremendous damage Russia inflicted on Georgia, it is easy to conclude that Moscow has achieved its objectives. But so far Moscow has failed in its real goal — getting rid of Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia’s pro-democracy, pro-American president. To be sure, Russia has tightened its control of the separatist enclaves of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It shattered the Georgian military, grievously damaged Georgia’s economy and stirred up discord within the Western alliance. For three years, it has tried every conceivable tactic to bring him down — fomenting a domestic uprising, imposing an economic blockade, beefing up its forces in the enclaves and finally a war. Yet Saakashvili is still in power. ”

Richard Holbrook’s article was published in Washington Post today.

Russian military forces leaving Khashuri

Russian military forces have moved out from Khashuri. In the first half of the day heavy military hardware have moved out of the city and later troops have left Khashuri as well.

This time the assertions of the Russian president that the pullout would begin on Friday turned out to be true. Khashuri is the third city which the aggressors left on August 22.

However, before that Russian occupants robbed Osiauri military base. Whatever they could not take away with them they mined and exploded. Because of powerful explosions, residential houses near Osiauri base have been damaged.

Protest of IDP-s from Abkhazia

Today IDP-s from Abkhazia have protested in front of Russian embassy. Citizens were protesting against aggressive politics of Russia.

Protesters will send an appeal to Russian government which will be delivered to official Moscow through diplomatic mission.

Major request of IDP-s is that Russian occupants leave all territories of Georgia including conflict zones. IDP-s also underlined that according to the 6 paragraph document Russia is obliged to move out the forces from the occupied territories of Georgia.

Signs of pullback by Russian forces in Georgia

By MIKE ECKEL, Associated Press Writer

IGOETI, Georgia – Russian forces pulled out of positions deep inside Georgia on Friday, two weeks after thousands of troops roared into the small Caucasian nation aboard hundreds of armored vehicles.

The movements came after Russia’s defense minister said President Dmitry Medvedev had ordered a pullback and promised that Russian forces would withdraw to separatist regions and surrounding security zones by the day’s end.

An armored column was seen moving away from a military base in western Georgia toward the border with the breakaway region of Abkhazia in the late afternoon.

Central highway will open today, Russian General claims

“The Georgian central highway will be opened today,” Russian General Nicolay Borisov stated. The Russian occupants have already left Khashuri town and closed down the illegal checkpoint, which they had stationed in the vicinity.

The 3 Russian convoys have departed in direction of Eastern Georgia. The Russian troops are reported to be ready to leave Sachkere town as well.

Russian troops moving about at Igoety village

The Russian troops were scheduled to start pulling out from Georgia’s territory starting 6 AM this morning. However, Georgia’s main highway has remained blocked at Gori town for the time being.

Vladimir Boldirev, Commander of the Russian Ground Forces claimed that since August 22 only checkpoints of Russian peacekeepers would have been stationed across Georgia, while other armed units would have withdrawn from the country.

Also according to Boldirev, Russian convoys would need up to 10 days to leave Georgia through South Ossetia, Georgia’s one of two breakaway regions and “frozen conflict zones.”