Vladimir Putin: Russian Peace-keepers In Abkhazia Also Guard Un Personnel Who Come Under Attacks

Peace-keepers in Abkhazia, who are Russian servicemen, are CIS peace-keepers and are there at Georgia's request, Vladimir Putin said on Friday in an interview with journalists in the State Kremlin Palace, where a gala evening is being held, devoted to Day of Workers of Agro-Industrial Complex. The president emphasised that the peace-keepers, apart from keeping back "an explosion in inter-ethnic contradictions, also engage in guarding UN personnel, who come under attacks". Some of them died recently at the hands of bandits and terrorists, Putin recalled. "If the Georgian leadership assumes all responsibility to the international community and its own people upon itself, this is their choice, and we will withdraw our peace-keepers," Putin said.