Georgia’s refugees

ITN’s Neil Connery visits battered Georgian towns, from which residents are fleeing.

Czech Republic to send aid of 150 million crowns to Georgia

Prague- The Czech Republic will send aid of 150 million crowns to Georgia and it will organise an international donor conference to to support this country, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said after a cabinet meeting.

The Czech government also condemned the Russian military actions in Georgia.

“The continuing Russian military invasion of Georgia that violates international law is unacceptable,” Topolanek said.

He said the Czech Republic supports Georgia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, including South Ossetia and Abkhasia.

Russian troops fortify positions in Poti

The Russian occupants have opened another illegal checkpoint at the entrance of Poti, western Georgia. Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the information.

The Russian, so-called “Scorpions” Special Forces have begun digging trenches since this afternoon in this vicinity.

Similar ditches are located across Poti entrance. Russian troops opened checkpoints in Pirveli Maisi village of Khobi region as well.

Statement By G-7 Finance Ministers on Georgia

G-7 Finance Ministers today issued the following statement on Georgia:

“G-7 Finance Ministers welcome the international mediation efforts to end the hostilities and to bring about a political solution to the conflict in Georgia. The loss of life, humanitarian suffering and wider destruction over recent days is considerable, and we welcome commitments to assist with the urgent humanitarian needs.

“We, the G-7, stand ready to support Georgia in order to promote the continued health of the Georgian economy, maintain confidence in Georgia’s financial system and support economic reconstruction.

“In this regard we welcome the commitment by Georgia and the International Monetary Fund to work together to reinforce the soundness of Georgia’s economic reform program. We also call on the Georgian authorities, other countries, the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank, and European Commission to promptly identify and support reconstruction needs and the restoration of services that will build a base for future economic growth.

“Georgia has solid economic fundamentals as a result of economic reforms and sound policies, and we are committed to helping Georgia continue on this path.”

Russian occupants stationed at Sachkhere entrance

Russian occupants remain fortified at the entrance of Sachkhere town of Georgia’s Imereti region. The Russian army was stationed there on August 19.

According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, Russian militants want to reach the Sackhere Mountainous Military Base, built by the French side, and destroy it.

The process of pulling out of Russian troops from Georgia’s territory had to start as of noon on August 18. The pullback was called for under a cease-fire agreement with Georgia. However, Russia violated the terms of the agreement.

Russian troops leave 4 checkpoints in Gori

The Russian troops have left 4 checkpoints in Georgia’s Gori town. Lado Vardzelashvili, Presidential Envoy to Shida Kartli region confirmed the information. He said General Borisov pledged to return all civilian prisoners to their homes in a couple of days.

Also, Russian occupants promised that they would have left Georgia’s territory by August 22. However, the Russian army did not allow humanitarian relief to enter the town earlier today.

The process of pulling out of Russian troops from Georgia’s territory had to start as of noon on August 18. The pullback was called for under a cease-fire agreement with Georgia. However, Russia violated the terms of the agreement.

Eorsi, Islam visited Town of Tents for IDPs

Representatives of the Council of Europe, Castrio Islam and Matyas Eorsi went to the ‘Town of Tents’ outside Tbilisi where thousands of IDPs have been given shelter for some period before they return home.

The CoE envoys talked with the IDPs personally and listened to the stories how the women and the children flee their homes and villages as Cossacks and Ossetian gunmen chased and fired them.

Russia rejects UN Georgia resolution

Russia has rejected a draft UN Security Council resolution on Georgia, saying it contradicted the terms of last week’s ceasefire deal.

The draft text called on Russia to pull back its forces to the positions held before the current conflict.

But Russia says the truce allows its troops to stay in a buffer zone on the Georgia side of South Ossetia’s border.

Moscow earlier dismissed a Nato warning that normal relations were impossible while its troops remained in Georgia.

Russian occupants fortified at Sachkhere entrance

Russian occupants remain fortified at the entrance of Sachkhere town of Georgia’s Imereti region. The Russian army was stationed there on August 19.

According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, Russian militants want to reach the Sackhere Mountainous Military Base, built by the French side, and destroy it.

The process of pulling out of Russian troops from Georgia’s territory had to start as of noon on August 18. The pullback was called for under a cease-fire agreement with Georgia. However, Russia violated the terms of the agreement.

Russian troops don’t head out

IGOETI, Georgia – A convoy of badly needed food aid for beleaguered Georgians rumbled through a Russian checkpoint Wednesday, waved through by soldiers who themselves showed no signs of fulfilling their president’s promise of a pullback within two days.

The Igoeti checkpoint about 30 miles west of the capital, Tbilisi, is one of the deepest Russian penetrations into Georgia since fighting broke out in a Russian-backed separatist region of the country nearly two weeks ago.