Российский президент: Россия в полной мере выполняет шесть принципов Медведева - Саркози
President Dmitry Medvedev explained Russia's motives for recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown in a phone conversation. The conversation took place at the initiative of Britain, reports an IA Regnum correspondent at the President's press office.
As was noted, when Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili unleashed aggressions against the people of South Ossetia, he fundamentally changed the situation of the last 17 years. That is, he ended the ongoing attempts to settle relations between South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Georgia. It soon became clear that in order to guarantee the safety and security of the South Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples, especially in light of attempts by Saakashvili's regime to remilitarize and his vengeful declarations, immediate intervention was necessary.
At the same time, Dmitry Medvedev emphasized that Russia is fully abiding by the 6 points of the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan. Russia not only supports the presence of OSCE observers, but even supports increasing their numbers. And in the interest of international monitoring of the current Georgian administration, Russia looks forward to maintaining constructive dialogue with the EU, other international organizations, as well as individual countries. During the conversation, the issue of international cooperation was raised. Medvedev confirmed that Russia entirely supports the efforts of the international community in achieving the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) and is eager to participate in sessions of the UN General Assembly on fulfilling MDG.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Saakashvili offers 'Patriot Act'
The following is from civil.ge:
Saakashvili said late on August 29: President Saakashvili said on August 29 Georgia needed, what he called, “a patriot act” to deter possible attempts of government overthrow through foreign intervention. Speaking with the local authorities in the port town of Poti late on August 29, where the Russian forces maintain two outposts, Saakashvili said that Russia’s major goal in Georgia was to overthrow his government. “It obvious that their goal was not taking over Tskhinvali, which is Georgia’s provincial town - only few people in Russia may know where it is located,” Saakashvili said at the meeting, which was televised live by the Rustavi 2 TV. “Their [Russia’s] goal was to take over Tbilisi and to overthrow the government.” He said that Russians made it clear even publicly few days ago – apparently referring to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s August 26 statement in which it said “the Saakashvili regime does not at all meet the high standards set by the world community” and added it was sure that “sooner or later” the Georgian people would have “worthy leaders.” Saakashvili said that he planned to propose the parliament to develop “the patriot act” and added that this new legislature – details of which he did not elaborate – would no way infringe the civil liberties. “This will be carried out under the condition of maintaining democracy; freedom and liberties,” he added and repeated it for coupe of more times. He said that the act was needed to prevent “external attempts to destabilize the country.” The first time when the ruling party politicians started talking about the need for, what they called, “a U.S. Patriot Act-style” legislature, was in the summer, 2006, shortly after the Kodori events. When some opposition politicians condemned the Georgian forces crack down on rebel warlord Emzar Kvitsiani’s militia groups in the upper Kodori Gorge in July, 2006, they were immediately labeled by the ruling party politicians as traitors. Nika Gvaramia, who is now the Justice Minister, and at that time was a lawmaker, said on July 29, 2006 that the Parliament had to develop “a legislature similar to the one which is in the United States, I mean the Patriot Act… which will be directed against treacherous statements against the motherland.” The issue, however, was shelved shortly after that and no one has ever raised the matter again up to now. Also on August 29, President Saakashvili said that the authorities should revise decision on suspending funding of several parties from the state budget. “We should finance the political parties and impose strict control to prevent any funding coming from the foreign countries – I mean from one particular country,” he said obviously referring to Russia. In a highly controversial move in July the Parliament passed an amendment to the law that denied six opposition parties, which boycotted the new Parliament, state funding. The move was mainly perceived as a punishment for those opposition parties, which refused to enter into the new Parliament, citing that the May 21 parliamentary elections were rigged. President Saakashvili said on August 29, that there have been “certain disagreements” over the party funding issue, but these disagreements, he said, should now be removed. He also said that despite of “some exceptions,” the opposition political groups in general acted in a very appropriate manner at the time of the Russian invasion. |
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tskhinvali water supply to be repaired over next two weeks
Водоснабжение Цхинвала будет налажено в течении двух недель
The water supply of the capital of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali, will be fully restored over the next two weeks, stated Tskhinvali mayor Robert Guliyev at a a press conference at the international press-center "Tskhinvali - 2008." As an IA Regnum correspondent reports, the mayor said that water lines which supply water to Tskhinvali have not yet been repaired.
"There was a small accident which we quickly discovered and it will be taken care of by the end of the day. Besides this, during the bombardment of the city, one of our so-called small tanks, holding around 1500 cubic meters, was damaged. Presently, the North Caucasian brigade is working to restore it and we hope to have it operating again in the near future. Soon, water volume will increase, water pressure will rise, and within two weeks the entire city will be provided with potable water," said Guliyev. According to him, city authorities have signed a contract with Pyatigorsky giving them permission to begin drilling artesian wells in the southern part of the city. "Wells are very important as they are Tskhinvali's water reserves. In the near future, the restoration of other city works will also be addressed," noted the mayor.
The water supply of the capital of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali, will be fully restored over the next two weeks, stated Tskhinvali mayor Robert Guliyev at a a press conference at the international press-center "Tskhinvali - 2008." As an IA Regnum correspondent reports, the mayor said that water lines which supply water to Tskhinvali have not yet been repaired.
"There was a small accident which we quickly discovered and it will be taken care of by the end of the day. Besides this, during the bombardment of the city, one of our so-called small tanks, holding around 1500 cubic meters, was damaged. Presently, the North Caucasian brigade is working to restore it and we hope to have it operating again in the near future. Soon, water volume will increase, water pressure will rise, and within two weeks the entire city will be provided with potable water," said Guliyev. According to him, city authorities have signed a contract with Pyatigorsky giving them permission to begin drilling artesian wells in the southern part of the city. "Wells are very important as they are Tskhinvali's water reserves. In the near future, the restoration of other city works will also be addressed," noted the mayor.
CSAMR "SOCIUM" Opinon poll: Russia and West tore Georgia to pieces
Россия и Запад разорвали Грузию на куски: экспертный опрос ЦСиМИ "SOCIUM"
The Center for Sociological and Marketing Research (CSAMR) "SOCIUM" conducted a research study between August 27-29 of 34 experts from scientific research institutes and faculty of institutes of higher education in Tbilisi.
The [Georgian] experts were asked the following questions: "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Georgian government 'Clean Fields' in South Ossetia?", "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Russian army in Georgia 'Compulsion to Peace?'" and "Do you or do you not support the decision by the Russian Federation to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?"
CSAMR "SOCIUM" received the following responses:
Responses to the question: "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Georgian government 'Clean Fields' in South Ossetia?"
19 respondents support - 56%
5 do not support - 15%
10 no answer - 29%
Responses to the question: "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Russian army in Georgia 'Compulsion to Peace?'"
4 respondents support - 12%
23 do not support - 68%
7 no answer - 20%
Responses to the question: "Do you or do you not support the decision by the Russian Federation to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?"
2 respondents support - 6%
26 do not support - 77%
6 no answer - 17%
Comments from the respondents:
-Russia clearly overstepped its bounds
-Georgia has been broken into pieces by the West and Russia
-Georgia has fallen victim to the Russian-American standoff
-Yes, Georgia truly aspires to NATO membership so that this organization might defend Georgia's sovereignty, and what can Russia do to stop it?
-Russia, unlike many other countries, had enormous leverage on reintegration in Georgia. But for some reason, investments came in from Turkey and America, and not from Russia.
-In Georgia, many of us waited for a reasonable decision from Russia, even in the conditions of extremely confused policy from Saakashvili.
-Georgia does not bear enmity towards the Russian people, but there are a few crude politicians among the ruling elite, first and foremost those who do not understand the situation in the Caucasus.
-Georgia will never come to terms with the annexation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This is Georgian soil.
-The conflict between Georgia and Russia can only be decided by our Patriarch; politicians can't do anything.
-Instead of an Orthodox Russia helping an Orthodox Georgia to improve economically, to draw more closely culturally, Russia turns to aggression. We don't take delight in America, but no one will protect us any longer. And we ourselves are in no condition to do it.
-We need Stalin to reconcile the people.
-Russia more than anyone is guilty of the breakup of the Soviet Union, where there were no such large-scale inter-ethnic conflicts. The same Russia is trying to extinguish the fires in the fragments of the late great country like a "bear in a china shop." [a play on words--Medvedev means "son of a bear"]
-Russia could have bought Georgia's economy by means of investments. But this was done by Turkey, America, just not the Russians. But the Russians sent us armies.
-It's clear that the interests of America, NATO, and Russia crossed--and Georgia was held hostage.
-The Georgian leadership handed over its people to the Americans. And it should bear full responsibility for the breakup of Georgia.
-If Saakashvili and his band were adequately eliminated by the Russians, then there wouldn't have been aggressions against South Ossetia.
-It's necessary to remove the Americans, and then everything will fall into place.
-Georgia is not being occupied by the Russians, as Saakashvili is saying everywhere, but rather by NATO led by the US. And even it [NATO] receives funding from them.
The Center for Sociological and Marketing Research (CSAMR) "SOCIUM" conducted a research study between August 27-29 of 34 experts from scientific research institutes and faculty of institutes of higher education in Tbilisi.
The [Georgian] experts were asked the following questions: "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Georgian government 'Clean Fields' in South Ossetia?", "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Russian army in Georgia 'Compulsion to Peace?'" and "Do you or do you not support the decision by the Russian Federation to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?"
CSAMR "SOCIUM" received the following responses:
Responses to the question: "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Georgian government 'Clean Fields' in South Ossetia?"
19 respondents support - 56%
5 do not support - 15%
10 no answer - 29%
Responses to the question: "Do you or do you not support the military operation of the Russian army in Georgia 'Compulsion to Peace?'"
4 respondents support - 12%
23 do not support - 68%
7 no answer - 20%
Responses to the question: "Do you or do you not support the decision by the Russian Federation to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?"
2 respondents support - 6%
26 do not support - 77%
6 no answer - 17%
Comments from the respondents:
-Russia clearly overstepped its bounds
-Georgia has been broken into pieces by the West and Russia
-Georgia has fallen victim to the Russian-American standoff
-Yes, Georgia truly aspires to NATO membership so that this organization might defend Georgia's sovereignty, and what can Russia do to stop it?
-Russia, unlike many other countries, had enormous leverage on reintegration in Georgia. But for some reason, investments came in from Turkey and America, and not from Russia.
-In Georgia, many of us waited for a reasonable decision from Russia, even in the conditions of extremely confused policy from Saakashvili.
-Georgia does not bear enmity towards the Russian people, but there are a few crude politicians among the ruling elite, first and foremost those who do not understand the situation in the Caucasus.
-Georgia will never come to terms with the annexation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This is Georgian soil.
-The conflict between Georgia and Russia can only be decided by our Patriarch; politicians can't do anything.
-Instead of an Orthodox Russia helping an Orthodox Georgia to improve economically, to draw more closely culturally, Russia turns to aggression. We don't take delight in America, but no one will protect us any longer. And we ourselves are in no condition to do it.
-We need Stalin to reconcile the people.
-Russia more than anyone is guilty of the breakup of the Soviet Union, where there were no such large-scale inter-ethnic conflicts. The same Russia is trying to extinguish the fires in the fragments of the late great country like a "bear in a china shop." [a play on words--Medvedev means "son of a bear"]
-Russia could have bought Georgia's economy by means of investments. But this was done by Turkey, America, just not the Russians. But the Russians sent us armies.
-It's clear that the interests of America, NATO, and Russia crossed--and Georgia was held hostage.
-The Georgian leadership handed over its people to the Americans. And it should bear full responsibility for the breakup of Georgia.
-If Saakashvili and his band were adequately eliminated by the Russians, then there wouldn't have been aggressions against South Ossetia.
-It's necessary to remove the Americans, and then everything will fall into place.
-Georgia is not being occupied by the Russians, as Saakashvili is saying everywhere, but rather by NATO led by the US. And even it [NATO] receives funding from them.
Supreme Mufti of Russia calls on the Islamic world to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia
Верховный муфтий России призвал исламский мир признать независимость Южной Осетии и Абхазии
Chairman of Russia’s Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate Talgat Tajuddin [Tadzhuddin] has called on regional spiritual leaders to render the much needed aid and support to the people of South Ossetia and to all who have suffered in this humanitarian catastrophe on the territory of this republic, says the press committee of the Directorate.
The Supreme Mufti of Russia also called on everyone in the Islamic world to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "Russian Muslims, just like our compatriots, support Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which was done for the peoples of these republics, and we call on the international community and the Islamic world to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the name of peace and stability in the Caucasus," stated Tajuddin.
"From the very beginning, the Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate (MSD) of Russia has condemned the perfidious aggressions against South Ossetia by the Georgian leadership, who unleashed full-scale war on a distressed Ossetian people," said Tajuddin, "The blood of Russian peacekeepers, of hundreds and thousands of civilians, women, children, and the defenseless elderly was spilled here. In the ruins of Tskhinvali and in the peaceful settlements, the genocide of an entire people was truly carried out."
Chairman of Russia’s Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate Talgat Tajuddin [Tadzhuddin] has called on regional spiritual leaders to render the much needed aid and support to the people of South Ossetia and to all who have suffered in this humanitarian catastrophe on the territory of this republic, says the press committee of the Directorate.
The Supreme Mufti of Russia also called on everyone in the Islamic world to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "Russian Muslims, just like our compatriots, support Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which was done for the peoples of these republics, and we call on the international community and the Islamic world to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the name of peace and stability in the Caucasus," stated Tajuddin.
"From the very beginning, the Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate (MSD) of Russia has condemned the perfidious aggressions against South Ossetia by the Georgian leadership, who unleashed full-scale war on a distressed Ossetian people," said Tajuddin, "The blood of Russian peacekeepers, of hundreds and thousands of civilians, women, children, and the defenseless elderly was spilled here. In the ruins of Tskhinvali and in the peaceful settlements, the genocide of an entire people was truly carried out."
"No one can remain indifferent to the suffering of these people," believes the Chief Mufti, "Every community is praying for the dead and for the restoration of peace and calm in this tragic land. The CMSD of Russia and its regional MSDs are directing material aid to inhabitants of South Ossetia."
"We, like all just peoples in the world, cannot accept double standards regarding these events, when a few transoceanic figures try to make our country look like the aggressors and raise tensions," believes Tajuddin, "Russia was and is a guarantor of peace and stability in the Caucasus. Russian peacekeepers were shot in the back while carrying out their virtuous duty."
"We, like all just peoples in the world, cannot accept double standards regarding these events, when a few transoceanic figures try to make our country look like the aggressors and raise tensions," believes Tajuddin, "Russia was and is a guarantor of peace and stability in the Caucasus. Russian peacekeepers were shot in the back while carrying out their virtuous duty."
80% of buildings damaged in Tskhinvali
В Цхинвале повреждено 80% зданий
80% of all structures in the capital of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali, suffered damage as a result of the Georgian attack on South Ossetia, stated mayor of Tskhinvali Robert Guliyev at a press conference at the international press center "Tskhinvali - 2008." As an IA Regnum correspondent reports, Guliyev noted that "currently, we are working hard to survey all homes." "You know that the city suffered bombardment from "Grad" rocket artillery systems, in addition to mortars and artillery fire. As a result of this, 80% of all available housing in the city suffered damage to roofs; as for the premises themselves, a minimum of 60% were damaged.Virtually all residences in the southern suburbs of the city and virtually all private neighborhoods suffered significant damage," said Guliyev. He said that everything was being done to provide victims with the basic need of temporary housing.
80% of all structures in the capital of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali, suffered damage as a result of the Georgian attack on South Ossetia, stated mayor of Tskhinvali Robert Guliyev at a press conference at the international press center "Tskhinvali - 2008." As an IA Regnum correspondent reports, Guliyev noted that "currently, we are working hard to survey all homes." "You know that the city suffered bombardment from "Grad" rocket artillery systems, in addition to mortars and artillery fire. As a result of this, 80% of all available housing in the city suffered damage to roofs; as for the premises themselves, a minimum of 60% were damaged.Virtually all residences in the southern suburbs of the city and virtually all private neighborhoods suffered significant damage," said Guliyev. He said that everything was being done to provide victims with the basic need of temporary housing.
Kokoity to decide how many Russian military bases to be in South Ossetia
Кокойты решает, сколько российских военных баз будет в Южной Осетии
On September 2, Russia and South Ossetia will sign a treaty of friendship and cooperation between the two states, according to which a Russian military base will be established on South Ossetian territory, reports the speaker of South Ossetia's parliament Znaur Gassiyev. According to Gassiyev, questions of the number and duration of stay of these bases on South Ossetian territory, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia (RSO), will be left to President Eduard Kokoity.
On September 2, Russia and South Ossetia will sign a treaty of friendship and cooperation between the two states, according to which a Russian military base will be established on South Ossetian territory, reports the speaker of South Ossetia's parliament Znaur Gassiyev. According to Gassiyev, questions of the number and duration of stay of these bases on South Ossetian territory, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia (RSO), will be left to President Eduard Kokoity.
China understands Russia's motives in recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia
Китай выразил понимание мотивов России, признавшей Южную Осетию и Абхазию
China has been informed of the political motives behind Russia's decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Deputy foreign minister Alexei Borodavkin made the comment regarding the outcome of a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang, reports the Chinese newspaper "People's Daily."
The two parties discussed Abkhazia and South Ossetia's situation after Russia's recognition of their independence. The Chinese have been informed in detail of the political and legal motives for Russia's decision, and they express their understanding.
China has been informed of the political motives behind Russia's decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Deputy foreign minister Alexei Borodavkin made the comment regarding the outcome of a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang, reports the Chinese newspaper "People's Daily."
The two parties discussed Abkhazia and South Ossetia's situation after Russia's recognition of their independence. The Chinese have been informed in detail of the political and legal motives for Russia's decision, and they express their understanding.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
