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Bernard Kouchner: â€œWe could stop Russians, who intended to attack Tbilisiâ€

10 October 2008 15:14 (UTC +04:00)

Tbilisiâ€“APA. First phase of implementation of Sarkozy-Medvedev deal for stabilizing situation in Georgia was completed, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told journalists in Gori, Georgia, APA reports quoting News Georgia agency. The French minister visited the villages left by the Russian troops and met with the local residents. He reminded about the situation two month ago. â€œRussians were here and battles were going and Georgia was bombed. We could stop the Russians who intended to attack Tbilisi in a short periodâ€. Kouchner said withdrawal of Russian troops was only a start and political negotiations would begin on October 15 in Geneva. â€œRepresentatives of UN, European Union, OSCE and other international organizations will attend the negotiations. A dialogue will start and probably it will need to hold several meetings. The deal of ceasefire doesnâ€™t solve all issues. We have to work for returning the population to the zone of conflictâ€. Kouchner said that Russian troops were staying in Akhalgori and several other villages and their withdrawal would be discussed in the next round of negotiations.