From: MSN NicknameEagle_wng (Original Message) Sent: 10/31/2007 5:56 AM Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Georgian Leader Confronts Russian Troops After 'Beatings'
Georgia -- President Mikhiel Saakashvili at the village of Ganmukhuri in the Abkhaz conflict zone, 30Oct2007 Saakashvili made an emergency visit to Ganmukhuri (AFP) October 31, 2007 -- Tensions between Moscow and Tbilisi have escalated following allegations that Russian peacekeepers seized and beat several Georgian police officers near the breakaway region of Abkhazia.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on October 30 made an emergency helicopter trip to the region, where he confronted Russian peacekeeping troops and ordered their commander to leave the country.
"If such an incident occurs again, you will draw Russia and Georgia into an enormous provocation," Saakashvili told Russian troops in a face-to-face confrontation.
Saakashvili's standoff with the peacekeepers was captured by television cameras and broadcast in Russia and Georgia. It took place in the Georgian-administered village Ganmukhuri, in the security zone between Abkhazia and Georgia.
"Our patience is running out," Saakashvili told the Russian troops. "Also, tell your [peacekeeping force commander] General [Sergei] Chaban that I declare him an undesirable person in Georgia. He should leave the territory of Georgia within the next few days. I am telling you that Sukhumi [the capital of breakaway Abkhazia] is part of Georgia -- just like Ganmukhuri, Zugdidi, and Tbilisi. He should leave immediately. And you should immediately put everything in order here, according to the norms outlined under your mandate."
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