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Georgia recalls ambassador from Moscow

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-11 11:21

MOSCOW -- Georgia has decided to recall "its ambassador to Russia from Moscow" for consultations, Russian news agencies reported Thursday.

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The move came shortly after Russia admitted it had sent aircraft to monitor the situation in South Ossetia earlier this week due to fears of a Georgian invasion of the self-proclaimed republic.

"We are very much indignant at Russia's aggressive policy. We will take some forceful diplomatic steps in order to respond adequately to Russia's actions. From today, we are recalling our ambassador to Russia for consultations," Georgian Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili told a news briefing in Tbilisi.

Earlier in the day, the Georgian Foreign Ministry summoned Alexander Smagu, the minister-counselor at the Russian Embassy in Tbilisi, and handed him a note of protest in connection with the recent flights.

Georgia's breakaway regions have long been a source of tension between Russia and Georgia. Bilateral relations were further strained recently after Moscow deployed additional peacekeepers in Abkhazia.