Georgia Rumbles

I find it interesting that the EU monitors on site can't (or won't) confirm this, and Russia still claims it. What concerns me is that they may be working to a timetable that they consider inviolate, and will press ahead despite denials from other sources. Considering that I think that Russia's taking Georgia will be in conjuntion with actions in Iran and/or North Korea, it concerns me.

Russia says troops on alert in South Ossetia

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE57337B20090804?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

Tue Aug 4, 2009 2:23pm BST

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A year after fighting a war with Georgia, Russia strengthened the combat readiness of its troops in rebel region South Ossetia on Tuesday and warned the United States against arming Georgia.

"Provocations from the Georgian side ahead of the anniversary of the August events last year are not stopping," Andrei Nesterenko, a spokesman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, said in a statement, referring to last August's five-day war.

"In connection with this, we have stepped up the combat readiness of Russian troops and border guards."

South Ossetia accused Georgian forces of firing mortars at the rebel territory last week, underscoring simmering tension in the region which analysts say could boil over into a new war.

Tbilisi denied the charge and monitors from the European Union said they have seen "no evidence" to confirm any shelling...