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.