Russia Withdraws

From Hollister: After much tribulation concerning Russia/Georgia relations, Russian peace forces have begun to take down checkpoints near South Ossetia and Abkhazia. At least one checkpoint is completely removed, and the forces were beginning to dismantle several others as of Sunday.

Georgian officials as well as the head of the EU are hopeful that this withdrawal from the checkpoints means not only a peaceful future, but that Russia will meet the deadline to leave these buffer zones.

Hansjorg Haber, the head of the EU mission, stated, "Our monitors have seen indications that preparations for withdrawal is ongoing at different observation and checkpoints.” He believes that Russia will pull out by the deadline of October 10, 2008.

When Russia leaves the buffer zones, South Ossetia’s president Dduard Kokoity said that South Ossetia will leave two checkpoints, but will otherwise close its border with Georgia.