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Russia sends cash, builders to S. Ossetia
Russia has sent hundreds of workers to rebuild this shattered rebel capital just weeks after its military routed Georgian forces here, and has promised cash payments for every South Ossetian _ the latest in efforts to shore up its alliance with the breakaway Georgian province.Russian builder Igor Semyonov is proud just to be a part of the substantial reconstruction effort his country is funding. Semyonov stood in the center of what is now called Three Tank Square, where the scorched remains of Georgian tanks are surrounded by battle-scarred buildings including one with a tank turret sitting on its front steps. "It will be more beautiful than ever," the he promised as he worked to reconstruct a shattered labor union headquarters. Moscow is matching in South Ossetia what the U.S. and its allies are doing in Georgia, pouring in aid to support its ally along the new confrontation line that has grown up between Russia and the West. Russian authorities have dispatched 500 construction workers to repair and rebuild scores of damaged or destroyed administrative buildings and schools, as well as the region's main hospital in Tskhinvali. It's a massive effort made possible by Russia's oil-fueled economic resurgence. Posted by: Fred 2008-09-04 |
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