Russia and Europe draw up Georgia peace plan

Russia says it has called off the war in Georgia and agreed to a peace plan drawn up by current EU president France. But Georgia is tonight remaining defiant, claiming Russian planes are still attacking. It also says it will never surrender in its conflict over the pro-Russian breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. After meeting in Moscow, the French and Russian presidents announced a list of principles they've agreed on to try to resolve the conflict. The plan still has to be presented to Georgia.

President Dimitry Medvedev said: "The President of Russia and the President of France support the following principles of settlement of conflict and urge the two sides to put their signatures to those principles, which are as follows: First: the non-use of force. Second: the cessation of all hostilities. Third: free access for humanitarian aid."

"The fourth principle," said Sarkozy," is that the armed forces of Georgia are to be returned to their usual military positions. Fifth: the armed forces of Russia are to be withdrawn to the positions they held before the start of hostilities. And lastly: international talks will be held on the future status and lasting security model for Abkhazia and South Ossetia."

Russia said it would keep its peacekeepers in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and President Sarkozy said the EU is ready to take part in a peacekeeping mission.

UN approval for EU Kosovo mission

The UN Security Council has approved a plan to hand over security duties in Kosovo to a European Union force.

All 15 members of the Security Council backed Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's plan, which earlier this week won the approval of both Kosovo and Serbia.

The 2,000-strong EU mission is due to take over police and customs duties from the UN in December.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February, a move strongly resisted by Belgrade.

And while Serbia has agreed to allow the EU to take over the UN's responsibilities, it has not changed its stance on Kosovo, which it regards as part of its territory.

Objections

Kosovo has refused to accept any provisions which would keep its majority-Serb areas under UN auspices.

The government in Pristina, Kosovo's capital, fears this could lead to partition of its fledgling state.

Serbia had objected to the EU mission having any role, until the plan was altered to keep the UN in Serb areas.

But earlier this week both sides agreed to accept the EU mission, despite their concerns.

The plan approved by the Security Council does not explicitly refer to the issue of independence.

The UN has not recognised Kosovo's independence, which has been recognised by about 50 nations, including most, but not all, EU states.

Kosovo's population is 90% Albanian, with a minority of Serbs, who mainly occupy northern Kosovo, bordering Serbia, and some other areas.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7751660.stm