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Russia Creating "Explosive" Atmosphere In Georgia - ICG

TBILISI, Georgia (AFP)--Russian moves to force foreign observers from Georgia's rebel regions are creating a "potentially explosive" atmosphere that could spark new fighting, a leading think tank warned in a report Monday.

Russia's veto of the extension of a U.N. mission in Abkhazia and its efforts to bar a mission from South Ossetia "are blows to regional security that will fuel tensions," said the Brussels-based International Crisis Group.

"Russian diplomatic pressure is dismantling the critical international conflict resolution machinery in Georgia, leaving the region facing a potentially explosive situation in which even a small incident could spark new fighting," said the group.

The ICG urged Moscow to rethink its policy of refusing international organisations access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia unless they followed Russia's lead in recognising the regions as independent states.

"Russia's actions have created a hugely hazardous atmosphere," ICG's Caucasus project director, Lawrence Sheets said in the statement.

"Moscow needs to review its policy and work for a reasonable compromise allowing the U.N. and Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) monitors to continue their important work."

The group called on Russia to abide by an E.U.-brokered ceasefire by withdrawing its troops to positions held prior to last year's war with Georgia and by allowing an E.U. monitoring mission access to rebel regions.

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
  06-22-091252ET
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