U.S. Says Russia should Fully Comply with Commitments

Leaving a strong military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is not in line with Russia’s commitment to remove troops to pre-conflict positions, U.S. Department of State spokesman Sean McCormack said on September 9.

Russia’s defense minister told President Medvedev on September 9 that Russia would maintain 3,800 troops in each of the regions.

“It would seem that they’re not doing what President Medvedev said that they would do,” McCormack said. “And he [President Medvedev] had previously – has committed from the very beginning to removing those troops from – to pre-August 6 positions.”

“I think the number of peacekeepers, or the Russian troop presence in South Ossetia, numbered about – right around 1,000, just over a 1,000. They need to get back to those pre-August 6 positions. So the question – of course, we want that to happen because the Russians said it would happen and that’s what has been recognized by the international community. The real question is: Is there a difference of opinion between President Medvedev and the officials who are making these statements?” he added.