[Flatbutt1]

I haven't seen this story picked up elsewhere yet but I haven't had time to search yet. It's an interesting, if futile deflection.

edit: Although BBC seems to be regurgitating CNN

Mr Putin said in the interview: "The fact is that US citizens were indeed in the area in conflict during the hostilities.

"It should be admitted that they would do so only following direct orders from their leaders."


Mr Putin added: "The American side in effect armed and trained the Georgian army.

"Why... seek a difficult compromise solution in the peacekeeping process? It is easier to arm one of the sides and provoke it into killing another side. And the job is done.