'Georgia proclaimed its independence in April 1991 in a wave of nationalist fervour, partially expressed by the abolition of South Ossetian autonomy. Fighting broke out across South Ossetia in the winter of 1991. This involved armed units based around the former Georgian and South Ossetian police forces, ex-soldiers, and a variety of militia.

In the summer of 1992 Russian president Boris Yeltsin and his Georgian counterpart (and former Soviet foreign minister) Eduard Shevardnadze agreed a ceasefire under the auspices of the largely moribund Commonwealth of Independent States.'

In fact, Russian peacekeeping forces have remained in South Ossetia since that date until President Saakashvili launched his 'reckless shelling of the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, on August 8th last, killing several Russian soldiers.'

The Irish Times perspective 18th August