Russia says it has begun pulling most of its troops out of Georgia but will maintain checkpoints - je 21.08.2008 08

The Kremlin says it has begun its first substantial troop withdrawals from Georgia, but witnesses say army-operated checkpoints remain in place throughout the Russian area of occupation. Russian media are reporting that army units have begun a pullback from the key Georgian town of Gori. Georgia's government has accused Russia of reneging on a August 11 ceasefire agreement stipulating, among other conditions, a removal of all Russian forces from Georgian territory. ++++SYN+++++++