EU should clearly label Russia aggressor, says Havel

When the European Union discusses the South Ossetia crisis at a special summit on Monday it should clearly name Russia as the aggressor in the conflict, says former Czech president Václav Havel. Speaking on a TV debate programme on Sunday, Mr Havel said the Russian bear was trampling on the Georgian dwarf. He said the Czech cabinet had initially adopted a correct position, but then seemed to retreat after talks with the current Czech president Václav Klaus; ministers, Mr Havel said, were now saying it was not necessary to establish the culprit but to look to the future. He said Georgia may have made mistakes but it was always necessary to say who the victim was and who the aggressor.

Damage inflicted to Poti port exceeds 2 million GEL

The damage, inflicted to Georgia’s Poti port by Russian occupants has been calculated, and is estimated to amount 2, 200, 000 GEL for 10 days. The financial damage was caused by bombing the Poti port and its paralyzed work.

The Poti port was bombed early on August 9 by Russian fighter-jets. Ten people died, while more that 30 were injured in the air-attack.

Mikhail Kasyanov: Russia cannot be considered as peacekeeper

“Russia factually cannot be considered as a peacekeeper since it violated the Sarkozy-Medvedev ceasefire agreement,” Mikhail Kasyanov, Chairman of the Russian Federation’s People’s Democratic Union (PDU) stated.

Kasyanov claimed that Russia launched large-scale military operations in Georgia and invaded significant part of Georgia’s territory.

“By dragging pullout of its troops and declaring South Ossetia and Abkhazia (Georgia’s two breakaway regions) as independent states, Russia violated the agreement, which Russian president had signed,” Kasyanov said.

Protest in support of Georgia held in Tallinn

A protest action in support of Georgia was held earlier today in Estonia’s capital of Tallinn.

The Georgian ensemble “Chveneburebi” performed 2 songs during the protest. The protesters welcomed them with ovations and by waving Georgian flags.

Germany proposes new offering

Eckart von Klaeden, foreign policy spokesman for Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) in parliament has stated that Russia have to be temporarily excluded from G8 meetings because of its actions in Georgia.

Eckart von Klaeden said `The West took Russia in as a member of the G8 grouping of the most important democratic industrial nations even though it fulfilled neither the economic nor the political requirements,` von Klaeden said to the Bild am Sonntag.

In addition, concluded, `Thus, these nations should meet in the old G7 format `.

UK PM strictly slams Russia

Before the EU meeting in Brussels, scheduled for 1September, 2008, where will be held debate the bloc’s response to Russia’s military intervention and its decision to recognize South Ossetia and Georgia’s other breakaway region, Abkhazia, as independent states, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Gordon Brown strictly criticized the Russia’s steps.

Brown stated `In the light of Russian actions, the EU should review — root and branch — our relationship with Russia`.

`If you want to be welcome at the top table or organizations such as the G8, OECD and WTO, you must accept that with rights come responsibilities`, he concluded.

European leaders hold pre-summit consultations

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski have held phone conversation to discuss the Russian-Georgian conflict, including creation of a united European front.

An aide to Polish President Lech Kaczynski said Kaczynski and Merkel had agreed on the need to send a humanitarian mission to Georgia and the importance of supporting French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s effort to resolve the conflict.

UN envoy slams Russian troops

Melita Sunjic, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner of Refugees in Georgia, has stated that Russian troops remaining in Georgian territory are effectively preventing Georgians from returning to their homes.

Russian opposition members criticize Moscow’s decision again

Russian opposition members criticize Moscow’s decision. United citizen’s front expresses support for Georgia.

According to Gary Kasparov west should have protested from the times when Russia started occupation inside the country. Human rights defender Sergei Kovaliev apologized to Georgian people and ranked Russia’s decisions as well planned provocations several years before.

EU: Protect Civilians in Gori District

Security of Civilians Should Be Central to Summit Discussions on Russia

(Tbilisi, August 28, 2008 ) – The European Union should act to protect Georgian civilians from continued attacks by Ossetian militias and opportunistic violence, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch called on the European Union to use its unprecedented summit on Russia on September 1 to make a plan for ensuring protection for civilians in Georgia.

Russian forces started withdrawing from the Gori district around August 22, but they continue to have checkpoints in the area. Human Rights Watch researchers documented a disturbing pattern of violence against civilians, including abductions, looting, and beatings taking place beyond these checkpoints, particularly in areas bordering South Ossetia.

Restriction of visa regime for Russians

From September 8, visa regimes will be restricted for Russian citizens. Georgian foreign minister gave official letter to the envoy of Russian foreign ministry.

Visas will only be issued by official diplomatic representations and consulates of Georgia. Comments were made during specific press briefing today about the decision of Eka Tkeshelashvili.

Ros-Lehtinen Urges Accelerated Help for Georgia in Wake of Russia Invasion

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) today urged the Bush Administration to speed up efforts to aid the people of the Republic of Georgia, three weeks after Russia’s invasion.

Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said that relief and reconstruction funds for Georgia should be transferred from U.S. assistance programs now operating in Russia or benefiting the Russian government.

Georgians Protest Russian Occupation In West Of Country

CHKHOROTSKU, Georgia (AFP)–About 1,000 Georgians protested Friday outside a Russian army encampment in western Georgia, calling on soldiers to leave the country.

The crowd approached to within a couple of meters from the barbed wire fence encircling the Russian position at the village of Chkhorotsku, east of the town of Zugdidi.

However protesters remained peaceful and although soldiers shouted at them to get back, they didn’t use force.

“We are not enemies of Russia, but we want the troops out,” a speaker told the crowd over a public address system.

The President Comes To Poti

For the first time in weeks, there are people on the streets, and some of them even look happy. It’s all because President Mikheil Saakashvili has paid a visit to Poti, and the town suddenly feels it hasn’t been forgotten.

The announcement of the president’s visit came on short notice and created a buzz among journalists and the local administration. His first destination was the seventh pier of the Poti port — the first spot that was hit by Russian bombs when the conflict began three weeks ago. Saakashvili’s comments there were brief, but very direct in condemning Russian aggression.

Office of State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration Declares Agreement ‘On Ceasefire and Separation of forces’ from 14 May 1994 Null and Void

The InterpressNews was reported regarding this from Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration.

Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration released the special statement on August 29 regarding the mentioned issue.

The InterpressNews news agency, is offering a full text of this statement without changes:

‘Pursuant to the regulations of Georgian Parliament ‘On peacekeeping forces, deployed on the territory of Georgia’, from 18 July 2006 and ‘On the occupation of Georgian territories by Russian Federation’, from 28 August 2008, and in line with 27 August decision of Georgian Government, State Minister’s Office declares agreement “On ceasefire and separation of forces’ from 14 May 1994 null and void.
At the same time, Georgian government reiterates commitment to the six point ceasefire agreement brokered by the French President Nikolas Sarkozy and considers it as the only existing agreement in force in relation to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region’’.

Overview of Satellite Damage Assessment Georgia

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UNOSAT_GEO_Gori_Damage_Overview_19aug08_Highres.pdf (4.0MB) 

Irakli Alasania – Russia against International Civilized Principles

By recognizing of independence of Georgian conflict regions, Russia has broken all international agreements implying defense of human rights and not to interfere in other countries internal affairs. This was reported by Irakli Alasania Georgian Ambassador in UN at the session of UN Security Council yesterday, on August 28.

According to him, by this step Russia has violated UN resolutions, which provide inviolable of the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

‘By this step Russia has proved once more that it is against the international civilized principles, including UN values. Recognizing independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia is absolutely illicit’, mentioned the representative of Georgia.

White House spokeswoman: we are going to continue to press

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino has stated `We also are very concerned because Russia continues not to be in full compliance with the agreement that it signed on to just two weeks ago`.

`And so we are going to continue to press. There will be consequences for Georgia, and I think that they — I’m sorry, consequences for Russia — and I think that this isolation that they are feeling throughout the world towards them is just one of those consequences, and there will be others`, Perino pointed out.

Sensational accusation of Vladimir Putin

Sensational accusation of Vladimir Putin. During exclusive interview with CNN prime minister of Russia has stated that conflict in South Ossetia was inspired by United States.

According to Vladimir Putin’s opinion, there is serious suspicion that recent conflict in Georgia was in favor of raising rating of one of the U.S. presidential candidates. Russian prime minster also stated that U.S. military instructors were present on battlefield and they were helping Georgians in provocation of the conflict.

Georgian foreign minister addresses OSCE Permanent Council

The OSCE Permanent Council assembled to hold an extraordinary session to discuss the Georgian-Russian conflict and the Georgian Foreign Minister Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili addressed members of the OSCE Permanent Council.

While delivering her speech Tkeshelashvili said: `OSCE has been very prompt in responding to the realities of the situation. The Chairmanship has been instrumental in facilitating the ceasefire agreement, and at the same time has committed itself for the monitoring and assurance of the implementation of the ceasefire as well.`

Tkeshelashvili also pointed out: `modalities for the remaining military monitoring officers to be deployed by the OSCE Mission to Georgia have to be adequate to meet the needs on the ground`.