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Georgia submits note on cease-fire to Russia

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-11 16:37

MOSCOW - Georgia submitted on Sunday to the Russian embassy in Tbilisi a note on cease-fire while Russia said Georgia has not stopped hostilities in its breakaway region of South Ossetia yet.

A Russian military column drives through the township of Alagir to Georgia's breakaway province South Ossetia August 10, 2008. [Agencies]

"Georgia is ready to start immediate talks with the Russian Federation on an end to all hostilities and a cease-fire," Interfax news agency quoted the Georgian Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement.

Related readings:  Georgia offers ceasefire as fighting continues  Russia expands bombing blitz in Georgia  US faults Russia for rising violence in Georgia  Georgia, Russia conflict escalates

The ministry said all Georgian armed forces have been pulled out from the conflict zone, and a humanitarian corridor was formed for civilians and the wounded to leave the area.

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that it has received the note. However, it said exchanges of fire continued in the region and Georgian troops have not been fully withdrawn.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff Col. Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn said at a press conference in Moscow that peacekeepers have controlled most part of the regional capital Tskhinvali.

"The situation is changing rapidly," Nogovitsyn said, adding that Georgia is pulling in reserves and continues to withdraw troops from Tskhinvali.

Nogovitsyn denied Georgia's claims that Russian warplanes deliver strikes on Georgian populated areas, saying Russian aviation is only being used against armed formations.

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