President of Estonia – Everybody, who Believes in Fredom and Demogracy , Says today – I am Georgian

Toomas Hendrik Ilves , the President of Estonia, addressed to the people rallied in front of the Parliament of Georgia
:’ Everybody, who believes in freedom and democracy, says today – I am a Georgian.’
The President of Estonia stated: ‘Europe believes in democracy and freedom.If Georgia recognizes the same value Georgia is not alone.’

Sarkozy: Georgia, Russia Agree on Ceasefire Plan in Principle

Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 13 Aug.’08 /

President Sarkozy said the Georgia and Russia agreed on terms of ceasefire plan in principle.

Speaking at a joint news conference with President Saakashvili after talks in Tbilisi, Sarkozy said that he had long and extensive discussions with the Georgian leader over the text of the agreement.

He said that some amendments have been made into the initial text of the agreement that was first unveiled in Moscow after the French President met with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev earlier on August 12.

Sarkozy also said that because of the Georgian side’s insistence to make some amendments, he had to get in touch with President Medvedev twice during the talks.

McCain says all Americans back Georgia in struggle

Republican presidential candidate John McCain phoned Georgia’s president Tuesday to tell him all Americans back his country’s efforts to thwart military attacks from Russia.

McCain told more than 2,000 voters in York, Pa., that he spoke Tuesday morning with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili to make sure he knows “that the thoughts, prayers and support of the American people are with that great little nation as it struggles today” for independence.

“I told him that I know I speak for every American when I said to him, today, we are all Georgians,” McCain said to loud applause. He said Saakashvili asked him to express his thanks to Americans.

US, allies weigh punishment for Russia

By MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Scrambling to find ways to punish Russia for its invasion of pro-Western Georgia, the United States and its allies are considering expelling Moscow from an exclusive club of wealthy nations and canceling an upcoming joint NATO-Russia military exercise, Bush administration officials said Tuesday.

But with little leverage in the face of an emboldened Moscow, Washington and its friends have been forced to face the uncomfortable reality that their options are limited to mainly symbolic measures, such as boycotting Russian-hosted meetings and events, that may have little or no long-term impact on Russia’s behavior, the officials said.

North Atlantic Council discusses situation

NATO Ambassadors met today in an extraordinary meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) to discuss the situation in Georgia. The NAC also held a session with the Georgian Ambassador to assess the current events in the partner country.

In those meetings, the Allies expressed their deep concern at the escalation of the situation in Georgia, as well as regret for the loss of life, civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. They also reaffirmed strong support for the efforts by the European Union and the Organisation for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to achieve an immediate end to the violence and reach a political solution to the conflict.

NATO Ambassadors deplored Russia’s disproportionate use of force. They stressed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and urged Russia to respect it.

Georgia confirms continued presence of massive Russian occupation force, bombings, ethnic cleansing & economic warfare

Contrary to some media reports and to the statement by Russian President Medvedev, Russian occupation forces are fully operational in Georgia with at least 12,000 troops throughout the country, many of them outside of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This is no way represents a “halt to military operations” or a “halt to war” as many media outlets are reporting.

Specifically, at this hour:

—Russian soldiers occupy the Georgian Black Sea Port of Poti, which they have destroyed and where they have killed nearly 100 civilians. The port is blockaded and their are tanks on the roads outside of Poti.

Georgia Files Ethnic Cleansing Case against Russian Federation at International Criminal Court

The Government of Georgia has today filed a complaint at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, against the Russian Federation for alleged acts of ethnic cleansing, conducted on Georgian sovereign territory between t1993 and 2008.

The case has been filed on Georgia’s behalf by its legal adviser, Payam Akhavan, Professor of International Law at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Mr Akhavan is a world renowned expert on the issue of war crimes and international law in relation to atrocities. He was the first Legal Adviser to the Prosecutor’s Office at the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and played a key role in developing its foundational jurisprudence.

Protest rally held against Russia aggression

Georgian citizens and political forces have held a grandiose protest rally against Russia aggression, in Tbilisi, today.

At the rally President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili has informed Georgian population about new decision made by Georgian government.

“We made decision to quit the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States)” – said the president.

According to government, the territory of Abkhazia and S. Ossetia will be declared as occupied by Russia and Russian military forces as occupants.

Georgia quits the CIS

President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili and Georgian government have made decision to quit the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).

President has addressed Georgian population at the protest rally.

In the Georgian capital of Tbilisi the Georgian citizens and political forces have held a grandiose protest rally against Russia aggression, today.

Moscow proposes Six-point plan of principles to Tbilisi

The Russian and French presidents announced a six-point plan of principles for settling the conflict in Georgia.

Moscow proposes Six-point plan of principles to Tbilisi.

“We have not achieved peace yet but we have achieved a provisional cease-fire of hostilities”, – French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.

The points include Russian agreements to conclude all military operations, return Russian armed forces to the line preceding the beginning of operations, and not use force again in Georgia.

Dozens of Russian vehicles head toward key gorge

ZUGDIDI, Georgia – An Associated Press reporter has seen 135 Russian military vehicles, including tanks, driving toward a key gorge held by Georgian forces.

The northern part of the Kodori Gorge is the only part of the separatist region of Abkhazia still held by Georgian forces, but they have come under attack.

Georgia says Russian troops are attacking, but Abkhazian officials say their own forces are carrying out the artillery attacks and that Russian forces are not involved.

Gori town has been bombed by Russian shells

The central square of Gori town has been bombed by Russian shells. Near the square is located regional administration building.

Bombing has left casualties. The Dutch operator died as a result of bombing and the Georgian driver of Greek journalists’ team was wounded.

A wounded journalist is carried in the centre of the town of Gori, after the bombing of the centre of the city some 80 km (50 miles) from Tbilisi, August 12, 2008. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered a halt to military operations in Georgia on Tuesday, after five days of fighting and just before French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to hold peace talks in Moscow.

Russian aircraft are bombing the villages of Kareli and Kaspi

Russian aircraft are bombing the villages of Kareli and Kaspi regions at the shida Kartli.

Supposedly, a shell has fallen on mini bus.

Nicolas Sarkozy met Dimitri Medvedev

President of France Nicolas Sarkozy has met Russian President Dimitri Medvedev in Kremlin, Moscow.

President of France welcomes the Russian President declaration about ending military activities against Georgia.

“The statement on the halt of the military action by Russia is the news we had expected. It’s good news”, -Sarkozy said.

According to President of France ceasefire must be fulfilled now.

He said, that Russia must respect the territorial integrity of Georgia.

Lithuania’s ForMin to announce response to Georgia’s request for military assistance

VILNIUS, Aug 12, BNS – Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry plans to announce its response to the note received from Georgia requesting military assistance. “We received Georgia’s note asking for military assistance, and our response will come tomorrow. We will make an announcement on this”, Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas told BNS Monday night.

Georgia addressed the international community Monday asking for military assistance by sending notes to allies and international organizations. [12:43:05 PM] Gio says: Lithuanian president flying to Tbilisi Tuesday 09:30, August 12, 2008

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced Tuesday that he has ordered an end to military operations against Georgia

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced Tuesday that he has ordered an end to military operations against Georgia.

 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called a halt to the advance of Russian troops in Georgia.

 1 of 3 more photos » more photos »  The announcement came minutes before French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to land in Moscow to meet with Medvedev to negotiate terms for a possible cease-fire.

“I have reached a decision to halt the operation to force the Georgian authorities to peace,” Medvedev said. “The aggressor has been punished and has incurred very significant losses. Its armed forces are disorganized.”

Timeline by 12th of August

10:15 Russian planes bombed Gori. The territory around administration building and city market have been bombed.

In the morning ours of 12 August Russian airplanes bombed the village of Tkviavi near Tskhinvali once again.

03:25 Russian envoy to the UN Churkin announced on the press conference that Russia will not support the resolution. Georgian envoy Alasania announced that suggested resolution is acceptable to Georgia.

Russian aviation bombing Gori

Several people suffered when the city of Gori bombing of a Russian plane in the morning of Tuesday, August 12, reports Reuters.

Previously, it was reported that fighting between Russian and Georgian troops were 20 kilometres from Tskhinvali. Gori is located about 30 kilometers south of Tskhinvali.

Georgian troops have left in Gori Monday, August 11. They have been delay for the protection of Tbilisi.

Humanitarian Damages Resulting form Russian Aggression Again Georgia

Damages of civil airports

August 11, 2008 05:00 Shiraki airfield in Dedoplistskaro District on the east of the country is bombed by Russian jets. Runways were destroyed.

August 9 14:00 Russian air force attack Upper Abkhazia (Kodori gorge) in several places, including the airdrome in the village of Omarishara. Runways were destroyed

August 9 10:00 Russian air force bomb Kopitnari airdrome in several kilometers from Kutaisi. Runways were destroyed

Damages of buildings and civilian infrastructure