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Russia has suspended all transport and postal links with neighboring Georgia in retaliation for Tbilisi's detention last week of four Russian military officers accused of spying. Tuesday's suspension comes hours after Georgian authorities freed the four officers in what they called a "goodwill gesture."
Georgian officials turned over the Russians to diplomats from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Despite the sanctions, Russian president Vladimir Putin Monday ordered a long-planned pullout of Russian troops from Georgia to continue. The Russian forces are expected to leave by the end of 2008.
The U.S. State Department welcomed the Russians' release and urged both countries to avoid friction. Georgia arrested the officers last week. Georgian television broadcast videotape it says show the Russians meeting with their contacts. Russia has denied the spy charges. Mr. Putin called the arrests "state terrorism."
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