Georgia move fails to halt raids

Georgia insists that all its forces are now outside South Ossetia Russia has continued air raids deep inside Georgia, after it rejected Tbilisi's announcement that it had called a ceasefire and wanted talks. Jets bombed targets near Tbilisi, including the airport, and Russia said its warships had sunk a Georgian boat that approached and tried to attack. Russia earlier took control of the breakaway region of South Ossetia, forcing Georgian troops to withdraw. The US has accused Russia of seeking "regime change" in Georgia. *-- E SF * Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili told the BBC his forces had observed a ceasefire since 0500 on Sunday morning, but had still been bombed by Russian planes. He said his government had been trying "all day" to contact Russia to discuss a ceasefire. Peace mission Russian jets were still carrying out bombing raids late on Sunday. Witnesses said jets had hit Tbilisi International Airport, as well as a military airfield close to the Georgian capital.   The airport was hit only a few hours before French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb arrived on a peace mission.   See a map of the region A Georgian official said earlier that Russian planes had bombed the western town of Zugdidi and Georgian-controlled territory inside Abkhazia. The claims could not be independently verified. Later Russia's navy said it had sunk what it called a Georgian missile boat that had approached at high speed and tried to attack Russian warships in the Black Sea. The conflict has caused civilian casualties and more are at risk Antonio Guterres UN High Commissioner for Refugees Challenging situation for Moscow Crisis day-by-day Q&A: Violence in South Ossetia Meanwhile, there the US clashed with Russia at the United Nations Security Council, accusing it of seeking "regime change" in Georgia. The US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, quoted Russia's foreign minister saying Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili "must go". He asked his Russian counterpart, Vitaly Churkin: "Is the goal of the Russian Federation to change the leadership of Georgia?" Mr Churkin did not directly answer the question, but said there were leaders who had "become an obstacle". The council has met for four days running, but has failed to agree on the wording of a statement calling for a ceasefire. But the US said it was preparing a draft resolution condemning Russia. Analysts said although Russia would veto such a statement, the US wanted to build backing for the motion to demonstrate international opinion. Clashes in South Ossetia itself were reported to be less intense on Sunday, as Russian forces took control and Georgian troops drew back.   Mikhail Saakashvili claims Russia has not respected the ceasefire Local residents fleeing the area on Sunday morning told the BBC that Tskhinvali was relatively quiet. Later, however, the BBC's Richard Galpin described a sense of panic on Sunday night in the Georgian town of Gori, near South Ossetia, amid fears that Russian troops were about to march on the town. He had been warned by the interior ministry to leave Gori, only to find that the road to Tbilisi was crammed with cars full of fleeing civilians. 'Disproportionate force' Georgia's announcement of its ceasefire came in a statement from the foreign ministry, stating that Georgia "today stopped firing in the South Ossetian conflict zone and is ready to begin talks with Russia on a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities". It said a note had been passed to the Russian embassy in Georgia to that effect. ARMED FORCES COMPARED GEORGIA Total personnel: 26,900 Main battle tanks (T-72): 82 Armoured personnel carriers: 139 Combat aircraft (Su-25): Seven Heavy artillery pieces (including Grad rocket launchers): 95 RUSSIA Total personnel: 641,000 Main battle tanks (various): 6,717 Armoured personnel carriers: 6,388 Combat aircraft (various): 1,206 Heavy artillery pieces (various): 7,550 Source: Jane's Sentinel Country Risk Assessments But a Russian foreign ministry official was quoted by Interfax saying "our information does not confirm the Georgian statement". "There are indications that exchanges of fire are continuing and the Georgian forces have not been fully withdrawn from the conflict zone," he said. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) called on the parties to the conflict to grant safe passage for thousands of civilians trying to escape the war zone.   The UNHCR estimates that between 10,000 and 20,000 people have been displaced within Georgia, including South Ossetia, while Russia has said that a further 30,000 people have fled north into the Russian province of North Ossetia.     "The conflict has caused civilian casualties and more are at risk," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said. "It is essential that humanitarian agencies be able to reach the affected and the displaced." Meanwhile tensions were rising in Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia. The leader of the separatist government there, Sergei Bagapsh, said he had ordered a military operation to clear Georgian forces out of Abkhazia's Kodori Gorge, and gave them a deadline to leave. Georgia has accused Russia of landing 4,000 more troops in Abkhazia via the Black Sea. The separatists said Georgia had deployed a similar number of soldiers south of the Abkhaz border.     http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7552908.stm

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 11/08/2008 1:31:36

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 11/08/2008 2:11:51

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 11/08/2008 2:51:18

 



 



 




 




 

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 11/08/2008 3:07:57

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 11/08/2008 17:26:55

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 11/08/2008 17:54:27

מלחמה בגאורגיה: היהודים עולים לישראל

כ-50 יהודים אזרחי גאורגיה הגישו בקשה לעלות לישראל. שליחי משרד החוץ והסוכנות כבר פועלים במקום. כמאה ישראלים 'תקועים' בגאורגיה. נתונים לא רשמיים: 15,000 הרוגים עד כה • וידאו

o [בילד – נישט אפגעהיט] עולים לישראל. הפצצות בעיירה גורי בגרוזיה   http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=6390&cat_id=1

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 11/08/2008 18:21:19

Russians advance in west Georgia

Russian TV broadcast images of troops in Abkhazia Russian troops have entered Georgia from the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as the conflict between the two neighbours appears to be broadening. Moscow said it had launched a raid on the town of Senaki to stop Georgia from attacking Russian forces in South Ossetia, another breakaway region. And Georgian officials say Russian troops have captured the town of Gori, in central Georgia. As the fighting continued, foreign envoys were pressing for a ceasefire. Violence erupted in South Ossetia late last week when Georgia launched an overnight assault on the territory. The Georgian president runs for cover as he visits a bomb site Russia, which supports the province's bid for separation, then bombed targets throughout Georgia and moved troops into the region and into Abkhazia. Russia confirmed for the first time on Monday it had advanced beyond the borders of Abkhazia, saying it had launched an operation in the town of Senaki. A Defence official told the Interfax news agency the move was intended to prevent Georgian troops from shelling South Ossetia, and to stop them from regrouping. Georgian officials also accused Russian troops of moving into the town of Zugdidi. The Russians issued an ultimatum to Georgian forces to disarm or face attack, and proceeded to occupy government buildings there, the Georgians said. And the South Ossetia conflict also appeared to have widened, with Georgia accusing Russia of capturing the town of Gori in central Georgia. Georgian defence officials said their troops were pulling back to defend Tbilisi. Local officials in South Ossetia's secessionist government accused Georgia of bombing targets in the capital, Tskhinvali, by helicopter. On Monday EU envoys were attempting to broker an agreement between Tbilisi and Moscow. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signed an EU-backed ceasefire, but the document was rejected by Moscow. Leaders from both countries carried on a war of words, with Russia accusing Georgia of genocide, and President Saakashvili hitting back with claims of ethnic cleansing.   http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7554507.stm

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 11/08/2008 19:24:13

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 11/08/2008 20:26:55

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 12/08/2008 0:19:40

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 12/08/2008 15:42:38

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday that he had ordered an end to military operations against Georgia, but Tbilisi reported more attacks after the statement was made.

Medvedev's announcement came minutes before French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to land in Moscow 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."

"The statement on the halt of the military action by Russia is the news we had expected. It's good news," Sarkozy said later, according to an Interfax report.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was also involved the talks.

Medvedev's decision would end five days of fighting that began in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia. Watch Georgia's reaction to halt in fighting »

The Georgian government claimed that despite Medvedev's announcement, Russian warplanes struck two villages and military forces bombed an ambulance outside the breakaway province of South Ossetia.

In the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, thousands of citizens engaged in a pro-Georgian rally in front of the parliament building.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who addressed the rally, has accused Russia of provoking the war to justify a full-scale invasion of the former Soviet state. The Russians say Saakashvili attacked first in an attempt to gain control of South Ossetia.

Earlier Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said it wanted a demilitarized zone to be created in Georgian territory before a cease-fire could take effect. Watch Lavrov speak about Georgia »

The zone had to be big enough to prevent Georgia's military from again attacking the breakaway province, Lavrov said.

Russian troops who were already in the breakaway province on peacekeeping duty should remain, Lavrov explained, but Georgian troops who were part of that force should not return.

He said it would be best if Saakashvili stepped down as Georgia's leader -- something the president has vowed not to do -- but that Russia was not demanding his resignation.

"We have no plans to throw down any leadership," Lavrov said. "It is not part of our culture. It is not what we do."

However, Lavrov said Moscow did not trust the country's leadership. Watch more on the fighting in South Ossetia »

He said Saakashvili's "barbaric and brutal action" had undermined trust in Georgia.

Meanwhile, the Russian military advanced further into Georgia overnight, heading toward cities outside South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

From the flashpoint South Ossetia, the Russian military moved south toward the central Georgia city of Gori, Georgia said. Russia said its troops were on the outskirts of the city. Watch a report from Gori as Georgian troops pull out »

Russian troops were also in Senaki, in western Georgia, having advanced from the breakaway area of Abkhazia, Russian and Georgian officials said.

Georgia's security chief Alexander Lomaia said Tuesday that Russian troops had left Senaki but remained on the outskirts of Zugdidi and around Gori, The Associated Press reported. Interactive map: See how far the Russians have advanced »

Lomaia said Russian aircraft bombed Gori on Tuesday morning, targeting administrative buildings and a street market in the center, AP reported.

A Dutch cameraman was killed on Tuesday morning in an incident in Gori, the Dutch Foreign Ministry confirmed. He was identified as Stan Storimans, of RTL TV. The correspondent who accompanied him was also injured. There were no immediate details about the incident. Watch more on Georgia's defense »

An Georgian Interior Ministry official added that Russian bombs hit one of the three pipelines carrying oil to the Black Sea port of Poti. There was no oil in the pipeline at the time, the ministry official said.

UK-based engery giant BP later said it had shut down two oil pipelines in the region as a "precautionary measure" linked to the security situation.

Georgia, a pro-Western ally of the U.S., is intent on asserting its authority over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both of which have strong Russian-backed separatist movements.

The situation in South Ossetia escalated rapidly from Thursday night, when Georgia said it launched an operation into the region after artillery fire from separatists killed 10 people. It accused Russia of backing the separatists.


http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/12/georgia.russia.war/index.html

תוקן על ידי לאנדסמאן ב- 12/08/2008 16:04:17

Georgia - Rabbi Shteinman Gives 'Brocha' To War-Stricken Country


Georgia - Georgian Premier Vladimir ''Lado'' Gurgenidze asked of Lithuanian Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman to bless Georgia, and the rabbi did indeed deliver. On Tuesday he voiced the blessing, intended for the war-stricken country's Jewish residents ''and all who live in that place.''

 

It all started last winter when a delegation of rabbis from the Vaad L'Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel met with the premier in his office in Tbilisi, where they bestowed upon him a special letter from Rabbi Shteinman, who is considered one of the greatest rabbis currently leading the ultra-Orthodox public. In the letter, Shteinman blesses Georgia, which he dubs ''a kingdom of grace'', and its people. Gurgenidze hung the letter respectfully on his wall.

On Tuesday, during Morning Prayer, the Vaad's chairman Rabbi Shimon Brook received a phone call from none other than the Georgian prime minister. ''You brought a letter from an old rabbi. Is he still alive?'' the premier asked. When he received a positive answer he made his request. ''I hear he is a holy man, and I ask that he pray for our country.''

The Vaad has been active in the countries of the former Soviet Union for over 30 years, and in Tbilisi its programs include schools, a yeshiva, and temples. The activities are led by organization representatives that grew up in Georgia, left in order to receive an American education, and returned in order to educate the Jewish community in the country.

In light of the recent battles plaguing the countries, the Georgian Jewish leaders have been in constant contact with the Vaad in order to receive orders on how to act in this dangerous situation

Thus, following the premier's request for a blessing and the Jewish leaders' requests for orders, Rabbi Brook went to visit Rabbi Shteinman in Bnei Brak on Tuesday. The latter, despite being ill, agreed to see the guest and even granted Gurgenidze's appeal, blessing the war-torn state. He also answered questions directed at him by the Jewish leaders in Georgia.

Brook also asked Shteinman if the Vaad should send a delegation to help strengthen the Jewish community in Georgia, but to this the great rabbi answered, ''Don't go there – there is fire there.''

Other rabbis were convinced Shteinman had an auspicious effect on the battles in the region. ''You can't ignore the fact that during the precise moments in which the meeting took place at Rabbi Shteinman's house, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced a ceasefire,'' the Vaad's public relations representative, Betzalel Kahan, told Ynet.

ב"ה גענדיגט מיט גוטן.