Russia/Georgia Conflict

Russia reportedly ordered the closure of all transport links with Georgia -- including air, rail, road and sea links, as well as postal service -- for an unspecified period of time on 2 October 2006 in the latest escalation of a dispute between the two countries that began with the arrests of several Russian military officers on 27 September for charges of espionage. Air traffic will reportedly cease on 3 October, while it is not known when the other closures will take effect. Meanwhile, in an apparent effort to decrease tensions, Georgia stated on 2 October that it would hand over the four Russian officers it has in its custody to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE has stated it will return the officers to Moscow.