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The Russians may have left Gori, but they were clearly determined not to surrender their stranglehold on the city.
Western politicians, including David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, protested bitterly that this was not the withdrawal that Russia had promised, merely a partial pull-back.
Russia says it will maintain military checkpoints within Georgian territory for good, despite a promise to complete a partial troop withdrawal by the end of the day.
A senior Russian official said they will build a permanent infrastructure in a ‘buffer zone’ close to the disputed breakaway region of South Ossetia.
"Putting up permanent facilities and checkpoints are inconsistent with the (ceasefire) agreement," said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy "insisted it was important that Russian troops present at the Poti/Senaki area should withdraw as soon as possible," a French statement said.
Originally posted by MacDonagh
Why the hell should they if they have no guarantee that South Ossetia (or their investments?) will be protected?