Russian Forces Won't Go Home; Christians Give Aid to Georgia

By Ethan Cole, Christian Post Reporter Saturday, August 23, 2008

Russian forces remained in Georgia on Saturday despite having signed an agreement to withdraw all troops by Friday, reports indicate.

In the western port of Poti, Georgia's main commercial port, Russian troops are still controlling access, according to Agence France-Presse.

The United States, France and Britain have called for further withdrawal of troops, but the Russian general Anatoly Nogovitsyn said his country's activities are based on the ceasefire agreement by the presidents of Russia and France.

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Russian troops' uniform are marked with the official symbol of peacekeepers, and the Russian general said his troops will continue to patrol and control Poti.

However, President Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy agreed in a telephone conversation that "Russia is not in compliance and that Russia needs to come into compliance now," a White House spokesman said, according to AFP.

Russia has withdrawn tanks, artillery and troops in other parts of Georgia on Friday.

The fighting began on Aug. 8 when Georgia ordered troops to stop the province of South Ossetia from seceding. In retaliation, Russia sent in forces to South Ossetia and bombed other areas in Georgia to support South Ossetia's desire to be independent from Georgia.

South Ossetia, which borders Russia, is predominantly made up of Russians. Although the province has an autonomous government, many South Ossetians still want to break away from Georgia to unite with the neighboring Russian province of North Ossetia.

The United States has supported pro-Western Georgia, whose army is U.S.-trained, throughout the conflict.

As the conflict fails to end, churches throughout the region are opening their doors to help refugees.

It is estimated that 100,000 people have been displaced by the violence.

Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists churches in North Ossetia are sending people to visit injured people in area hospitals, according to Mission Network News.

"They are trying to help the refugees with food and clothing. And you can be sure that they are seizing every opportunity to share the Gospel with them," said Joel Griffith of Slavic Gospel Association. SGA is a partner of UECB.

Griffith said the victims in the hospitals are telling heartbreaking stories.

"They've been talking about bombings, people crushed by tanks, and others being burned alive," he said.

In addition to SGA and UECB, the Baptist World Aid is helping by making an initial grant of $10,000 available to Georgian Baptist to help those in need.

"We condemn this wanton taking of human life, and mourn the death and suffering of all the peoples of this region," said BWAid director Paul Montacute, in a statement. "Baptists of the world pledge their support for all in need with their prayers, expressions of concern and their giving."

The Southern Baptist Convention's Baptist Global Response is also working with local partners to help refugees.