Ｃｈｏｏｓｉｎｇ　Ｓｉｄｅｓ

ＤＩＮＧ　ＹＩＮＧ

Tensions between Russia and Georgia mount as bothsides dig in their heels in a regional standoff.

The strained relationship betweenGeorgia and Russia stretchedtight since the launch of the "RoseRevolution" in 2003 came closeto recent breaking point. On April 20,the Georgian Government reported thata Russian fighter had shot down one ofits unmanned spy planes flying over theGeorgian breakaway province of Abkhazia.Russia was quick to deny the charges andAbkhaziai took the blame for the attack.Georgia fumed.