Georgia flexed its muscle before its separatist regions as it sent in troops to the border of its pro-Russian republic of South Ossetia. Russia immediately slammed the move in a toughly worded statement as tension between the neighbors ignited yet again, prompting a new wave of telephone diplomacy. Georgian military sources said some 400 interior ministry troops were sent to the republic’s trading posts with South Ossetia and that their main task was to stamp out illegal trade going through the region. Television footage showed heavy artillery pieces and armored personnel carriers stationed at the border. Full Story