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Last Updated: Tuesday, 24 August, 2004, 13:25 GMT 14:25 UK

Georgian laser show taunts Russia

Anti-war slogans are projected onto the embassy (Picture: Georgian
TV)

Tech-savvy Georgian protesters are blasting the Russian embassy in
Tbilisi with a computer-generated laser show and loud music.

With a unique "son et lumiere" display, protesters are calling for a
withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping troops from Georgian territory and
for a settlement of the conflict in breakaway South Ossetia.

Every evening, using a laptop, projector and speakers, activists
huddle across the street to project a series of explosions, flags,
and anti-Russian slogans on the walls of the embassy.

Blaring nationalistic music is directed against the embassy as well.

The protests come as Russian and Georgian politicians trade
accusations over fighting in South Ossetia, where pro-Russian
separatists are pushing for independence from Georgia.


*The protesters' slogans include: "Georgia without Russian
troops", "Police state", "MirotWARtsy" - an ironic corruption of the
Russian word for peacekeepers, "mirotvortsy" - and "Take your trench
coat and go".

At one point, a verse from the 19th Century Russian poet Mikhail
Lermontov appears: "Farewell, unwashed Russia, land of masters, land
of slaves, land that can no lower go, land where the rabble run the
show."

'Computer hooligans'

All of this is unnerving not only the Russian diplomats inside the
embassy building, but Russian newspapers too.

"Georgians ridicule Russia - every evening on the facade of our
embassy in Tbilisi," complains Komsomolskaya Pravda.


Protesters use a laptop to orchestrate the light show (Georgian TV)
"The embassy guards, who are provided by the Georgian interior
ministry, and the local authorities are taking no notice of this,
despite protests by Russian diplomats."

"A clip which shows an oncoming tank firing straight at the viewer is
particularly popular," it adds.

"Target of a techno-attack. Computer hooligans stage laser show at
the diplomatic mission," declares Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

"Since the end of last week, life has been one big disco for
diplomats at the Russian embassy to Georgia."

"A group of young Tbilisi computer experts, unhappy with Moscow's
position on a settlement of the crisis between Georgia and South
Ossetia, have been 'entertaining' the Russian diplomats in their own
special way."

Trading accusations

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in a newspaper interview
denounced what he called military aid from Russia for the South
Ossetian rebels.

Since the end of last week, life has been one big disco for diplomats
at the Russian embassy - Nezavisimaya Gazeta

Mr Saakashvili told France's Liberation he had "no intention" of
provoking a war and called for an international conference to discuss
the status of South Ossetia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week the crisis was rooted
in a "stupid decision" by Tbilisi to revoke the region's Soviet-era
autonomous status after it became independent in 1991.

South Ossetia falls within Georgian borders but is inhabited mainly
by ethnic Ossetians. The adjacent province of North Ossetia, also
dominated by Ossetians, is part of Russia.

South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in 1992, following an 18-month
conflict.


Last week Georgia began pulling troops out of the conflict zone,
apart from those serving in a joint peacekeeping force alongside
Russians and Ossetians.

A ceasefire deal struck earlier this month has been repeatedly
violated.

"Is that a Ninos sub? Right on...those are some good subs. Not as good as ours of course, but still good." -Subway employee.

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