MOSCOW, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Andrei Popov, commander of Russian troops in Georgia, on Sunday ordered his troops to be on high alert in event of any offensive attempts as tensions grew between the two ex-Soviet republics over Georgia's detention of four Russian military officers.
The Russian military forces were ordered to adopt all possible measures, including shoot to kill, to protect their facilities from being penetrated with any possible means, said reports from Georgian capital Tbilisi, citing the Russian commander.
On Saturday, North Caucasus Military District Commander Alexander Baranov said that Russia had suspended its planned withdrawal of troops from the South Caucasus due to security concerns, Interfax news agency reported.
On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Defense Ministry to go ahead with the withdrawal of Russian troops as planned from bases on Georgian territory, though he denounced Georgia's arrest of Russian officers as "state terrorism."
Russia and Georgia signed an agreement in late March that set out the deadline and details of the pullout of Russian military bases from Georgia. Under the accord, the two sides agreed to complete the phased withdrawal of the Russian bases and other military installations in Georgia by the end of 2008.
Georgian security forces detained five Russian officers on Wednesday, which triggered strong protest from Moscow.
The Georgian Interior Ministry confirmed the release of a Russian serviceman earlier on Friday and the city court of the Georgian capital Tbilisi ordered keeping the other four accused incustody for two months on charges of espionage.
Russian ambassador to Georgia Vyacheslav Kovalenko was recalled on Thursday and went back to Moscow on Friday. Enditem
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-10/02/content_5163548.htmI know the Russians are given to the dramatic gesture but would they actually risk a shooting match with Georgia?
