Georgian defence minister wants to withdraw Russian peacekeepers

Georgian defence minister wants to withdraw Russian peacekeepers

Russian peacekeeping forces have been in both Georgian provinces since the mid-1990s after separatist wars took the regions out of the Georgian government's control. Both regions seek independence or to become part of Russia, and Georgian officials accuse Russian forces of supporting the separatists.

Meanwhile, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili is preparing for a meeting this week in Washington with U.S. President George W. Bush as Georgian troops continued unprecedentedly large military exercises, the AP reports.