EU begins patrols as part of accord
European Union monitors started their patrols of Georgian territory near the separatist republic of South Ossetia today, in line with a French-brokered peace deal.
The monitors are unarmed and traveling in light armored vehicles.
Russia, which backs South Ossetia and another breakaway republic, Abkhazia, warned Tuesday that it would not allow monitors into a buffer zone around South Ossetia.
The Russian statement appeared to be another example of Moscow stalling on compliance with the cease-fire agreement it reached after the August war with Georgia.
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