By Michelle Costa
The conflict in Georgia may finally be over. Friday, the Russian troops must begin withdrawing after a cease-fire agreement was signed by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.
The conflict began last week when Georgia launched a military attack into South Ossetia trying to rout separatist rebels.
Russia, which supports the separatists, has peacekeeping responsibilities for the region and responded by sending tanks into the province for what it said was peace enforcement.
A local Pocatello man served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Georgia.
Nate Peterson spent two years in a place now haunted by conflict.
"I think like a lot of people after 9/11, I wanted to help," said Nate Peterson, Foreign Peace Corps Volunteer in Georgia.
So in 2003, he joined the Peace Corps and taught English at a public school.
"It's was incredibly rewarding. I still have a lot of friends there," said Peterson.
Peterson's among the thousands of volunteers giving themselves to help our world. But, now, seeing images of Russian bombings is painful.
"When I think back to the people there, so far this conflict has displaced 100,000 Georgians," said Peterson.
A conflict he feels was in the works for years.
"I think it was all planned by the Russian government. You can't trust them. They haven't upheld their part of the cease-fire, they're still occupying it," said Peterson.
Peterson feels this country, smaller than South Carolina, is now on its knees.
"I can picture people who live in Glory that are displaced right now," said Peterson.
Although the thirty-year-old now studies law in Washington, he's hoping the United States won't turn a blind eye.
"What I hope is the US takes a stand against Russia because Russia won't stop," said Peterson.
Peterson's left holding onto pictures of his life in Georgia and praying for the best.
Peterson said many locals do care about this conflict, but wants more people to become educated. Under the cease-fire, about 1,500 Russian peacekeepers are allowed to remain in the area of conflict and can do patrols.
