Russian troops leave western Georgia

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Source: CCTV.com | 09-15-2008 10:00

A Georgian official says Russia has fulfilled its commitment to withdraw forces from several positions in western Georgia.

The official said the Russians pulled out of 6 checkpoints and temporary bases in the Black Sea port of Poti and other nearby areas on Saturday. About 250 soldiers left for the separatist Abkhazia province.

Some 1,200 Russian servicemen still remain at 19 checkpoints and other positions. 12 of these are outside South Ossetia, and 7 outside Abkhazia. The Kremlin had promised to withdraw from the positions by Monday, under an agreement that European Union leaders reached with Moscow last week.

Russia said it would pull out its remaining servicemen by October 11th, as long as a 200-strong delegation of EU observers is in place by October 1st.