U.S. Concerned With 'Borderization' Along Lines With Georgian Breakaway Regions

The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi has expressed concern over "borderization" activities in Georgia along the administrative boundary lines of what it describes as the "Russian-occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia."

The statement issued on September 20 said the increased pace of installation of border barriers "further separates families and neighbors and has a profound negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of populations on both sides of the barbed wire."

The statement also calls for the barriers "to be removed in accordance with Russia's commitments under the August 2008 cease-fire agreement and its obligations under international humanitarian law."

The Kremlin recognized the independence of the two separatist regions after a short war with Georgia in August 2008.

Moscow keeps its troops in both regions, which Tbilisi considers its territory.