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US State Department calls on Russia to withdraw troops from the separatist regions

11 September 2008 09:06 (UTC +04:00)

Washingtonâ€“APA. Bush administration called on Russia to observe ceasefire deal and to withdraw troops from South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The administration said hampering the humanitarian aid to Georgia was unacceptable, APA reports. US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said Russia violated ceasefire agreement keeping forces in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. â€œAccording to the signed agreement Russian forces have to return to their previous position as it was until August 6. Deployment of additional troops in the region means violation of ceasefire. Russiaâ€™s decision to deploy 7600 troops in these regions is against the agreement. We demand Russia to fulfill all dutiesâ€. There were 588 Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia before the military operations. Russian Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov said on Tuesday that they would increase number of troops in Abkhazia and South Ossetia for 13 times.