MOSCOW, July 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is not planning to reinforce its peacekeepers in Georgia's self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia following recent tensions in the region, the first deputy commander of the ground forces said Tuesday.
The situation in the conflict zone recently deteriorated over damaged water pipelines leading to South Ossetia, and Georgia constructing a road in the area without consulting local authorities. Russian peacekeepers blocked the construction urging consultations between the two sides.
"The current developments there are an internal matter that might even be a provocation but there is no need to increase the number of peacekeepers," Col.-Gen. Vladimir Moltenskoy said, calling for political dialogue.
South Ossetia asked Georgian authorities to help repair the water pipelines in early June. Tbilisi, which is seeking to regain control over the republic and accuses Russia of fueling local separatist sentiments, directed South Ossetia to the new pro-Tbilisi authorities in the republic. The South Ossetian government is refusing to recognize the new "leadership".
South Ossetian villagers have started protests demanding water supplies be resumed to 70 villages where 44,000 hectares of farmland are still without water. The protesters say they risk being left without bread.
