WORLD NEWS
August 18, 2008
A Bitter Conflict
Russia and Georgia struggle to reach a ceasefire
Almost two weeks after Russian tanks and armored vehicles stormed into Georgia, a neighboring country, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev promised to start withdrawing troops from the region.
 |  GEORGY ABDALADZE—AP Georgian residents take refuge in camps set up outside the city of Tbilisi. |
On August 7, Georgia launched a military attack on South Ossetia, a region that is historically part of Georgia but had claimed its independence in 1993. Then Russia sent 150 tanks and thousands of troops to the region, and took control of Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia. Russian leaders said that they were defending South Ossetia against Georgia. But soon, the fighting spread throughout Georgia. Russian troops also went into Abkhazia, another region that had broken away from Georgia in the past. Russia had controlled Abkhazia nearly 150 years ago.
Three days after the fighting began, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili ordered a ceasefire. Russian forces continued the attack on Tbilisi, Georgia's capital. So far, hundreds of people have been killed and nearly 100,000 people have been moved from their homes to refugee camps.
Cause for WorryMany world leaders, including those in the U.S., demanded that Russia stop its attack. They worry that giant superpower Russia is trying to expand its control of the region through violence, using a defense of South Ossetia as an excuse.
Even after Russian President Medvedev promised a withdrawal, his troops showed no sign of leaving. Russian forces continued to occupy the city of Gori on Monday. They have moved in missiles and launchers. But Russian military officials insist that troops are on their way out.
"Today, according to the peace plan, the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers and reinforcements has began," said Russia's Colonel-General Anatoly Nogovitsyn. He added that troops would only occupy a security zone in South Ossetia, a plan which had been outlined in a 1999 agreement.
Despite heavy damage and ongoing fighting and tension with Russia, Saakashvili remains defiant: "Georgia will never give up a square kilometer of its territory." But Georgian residents are hoping for a peaceful resolution. "I wish peace for my country and for our children," said Georgian Ia Kvirkvelia. "We do not want to live in fear."
