Vehicles, coming from Russia, have problems in entering Georgia

Vehicles, coming from Russia, are unable to enter Georgia. The reason for it is bad weather, due to which the Kobi-Gudauri road is closed.

As IPN was told by the Ministry of Regional Development, movement of all types of vehicles is prohibited at the Kobi-Gudauri section due to bad weather.

As for the customs checkpoint Kazbegi, according to the Revenue Service, the checkpoint operates as usual.
The issue was covered by the Russian media too. About 100 cars are parked at the Russian border, says the Russian media.

In addition, on 19 January traffic was suspended on the Transcaucasia highway, which is the only connector between Russia and so-called South Ossetia.

Russia Broadens Ministry Apparatus of the Regions to Help Abkhazia and co called South Ossetia

Russian federation broadens apparatus of the regions to help Abkhazia and the so called South Ossetia.
Interfax informs that Russian federation vice primer Dmitry Kozak stated about it.
‘The ministry has significant task that appeared a while ago. It is already decided that additional workers will be received to the ministry to help Abkhazia and South Ossetia’, - Kozak stated while presenting new head of the ministry Viktor Basargin.

Sergey Lavrov – Georgian Government Tries to Flee from Implementing Frame-Agreement Charges

Georgian Government tries to flee implementing the frame-agreement charges, which considers arranging crisis in Caucasus, declared Sergey Lavrov at the Federation Council.
‘Georgian Government tries to flee from implementing the terms, which were accepted by Russian and French Presidents in Moscow’, declared Sergey Lavrov.
According to him, Georgian Government affirms that they won’t use forces against Abkhazia and South Ossetia and that those republics must be in the boundaries of Georgia.

Sergey Lavrov to Admit that ‘Exaggerated Actions’ have Taken Place by Russian Side

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov admitted that ‘exaggerated actions’ have taken place from Russian side.
‘I’m sure the exaggerated actions took place from the both sides. There was warfare and when you see that you are being shot at night you go to help Tskhinvali, your responsive shots mightn’t be defined not to injure some one innocent’, declared Sergey Lavrov after his visits to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
According to ‘Itar-Tass’, the representative of Foreign Department has declared that ‘Anti-Russian Virus’ has penetrated into Georgian people’s mind.
‘What Saakashvili does, helps anti-Russian virus to penetrate into Georgians. We wouldn’t like to see the same in Russian people’, mentioned Lavrov.
Lavrov called Saakashvili not to distort history, because it’s very dangerous.
‘Russia won’t commit speaking by slogans. No one will be able to assault Russia’, mentioned Lavrov and added that ‘mentioned dirty policy is dirty diplomacy’.

Telephone Conversation between Sergey Lavrov and Condoleezza Rice

By the initiative of American Side the telephone conversation was held between the Russian Federation Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary State Condoleezza Rice, on September 11.
According to the Russian Foreign department, Lavrov and Rice spoke about the current situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in context of the results of the Russian and French Presidents negotiations on September 8.
As Lavrov declared, Russia will do its best to stabilize situation in the region in future too, according to Medvedev-Sarkozy agreement.
As he says, by the terms of this agreement, the additional international forces will be deployed at the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, to avoid new aggression from Tbilisi.
‘What about the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, theis security is provided by Russian forces according to the agreement with Abkhazia and South Ossetia’, reports the web-site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

Mikhail Saakashvili NATO not to Protract Process of Georgian Integration in Euro-Atlantic Alliance

The agency Associated Press spreads an interview with the President Mikhail Saakashvili.
The speech referred mainly the process of Georgian integration in NATO. Saakashvili calls NATO not to protract this process, in another case Russian aggression will proceed to endless history. In the opinion of the President, NATO mustn’t show weakness.
‘In case, Georgia doesn’t become member of NATO, Russia will strengthen its control on Abkhazia and South Ossetia, what was the main target of Kremlin. In future, this will become the prescription of other similar intervention ‘, considers Mikhail Saakashvili.

UN to Discuss Possibility of Peace Mission in Abkhazia and

UN discusses the possibility of peace mission in south Ossetia and Abkhazia.
According to RIA Novosti, this was declared to the journalists by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
‘We learn the possibilities of using peace mission and other mechanisms for Abkhazia and South Ossetia. I have almost everyday contact with the world’s leaders regarding the issue of arranging Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian – Ossetian conflicts’, mentioned UN Secretary General.
As he says, ‘UN has intention to send special mission to Georgia and South Ossetia, which will learn the humanitarian situation after the war’.
The Secretary General hasn’t defined the terms but mentioned that the negotiations are under way about the mission’s format.

Sergey Lavrov to Visit Separatist Abkhazia and so Called South-Ossetia

Due to the issue of opening diplomatic representations in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russia’s first diplomat will visit these regions.
The information about this was spread by the radio ‘Mayak’.
The radio depends on the statement of the Minister that ‘wehave to see everything on just its place. Because of objective reasons, this will be much easier to do this in Abkhazia, but in Tskhinvali – we will see’.

Dmitry Rogozin Calling for NATO Council Members to Cancel Planned Visit to Georgia

Russian permanent representative to NATO Dmitry Rogozin called for NATO council members and alliance general secretary Yaap de Hoop Scheffer to cancel visit planned to be held in Georgia on September 15-16, - Agency ‘Ria Novoti’ informs.
‘This visit is not appropriate and we demand it to be cancelled. We percieve that the visit was planned lots times ago, but tragic events that took place in South Ossetia are sensible reasons to cancel it’, - Rogozin stated in Brussels.
He stressed that this visit was discussed by Georgian side as total political and military support to Georgia.
Rogozin called for NATO states, OSCE and EU to impose embargo on transporting military technique to Georgia.

Nicolas Sarkozy - EU Backs Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty of Georgia

The EU backs the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. The EU chairman Nicolas Sarkozy stated the following in the briefing held in the Presidential Residence in Avlabari.
As the President of France remarked in Moscow he together with the high representatives of the EU – Xavier Solana, Jose Manuel Baroso and Bernard Kushner, condemned the recognizing of the independence of south Ossetia and Abkhazia by the Russian Federation.
‘It is nobody’s matter to review the borders established by the UN.’ –Nicolas Sarkozy highlighted.

EU Suspended Talks on Russia Pact

European Union leaders have agreed to suspend talks on a new partnership agreement with Moscow until Russian troops have withdrawn from Georgia.
EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed the decision at the end of an emergency summit in Brussels.
They also condemned Russia's move to recognize the independence of Georgia's regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Bush Call on Russia not to Meet its Commitments and not to Recognize Separatist Regions

U.S. President George W. Bush has urged Russia not to recognize Georgia's two breakaway regions as independent, and has sent his deputy Dick Cheney to Georgia in a show of U.S. support. RIA Novosti reports.
Both houses of Russia's parliament voted unanimously on Monday in favor of a resolution asking President Dmitry Medvedev to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, following requests from the leaders of both breakaway republics.
Bush said in a statement from his ranch in Texas, ‘I call on Russia's leadership to meet its commitments and not recognize these separatist regions.’
‘Georgia's territorial integrity and borders must command the same respect as every other nation's, including Russia's,’ he said.
Bush said recognition of the regions would be ‘inconsistent with unanimously approved United Nations Security Resolutions that Russia has consistently voted for in the past.

Dmitry Medvedev Claims Russian Armies Are Leaving Georgian Inner Territories

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev claims that Russia is taking its troops from internal territories of Georgia.
As the press service of the Kremlin reports, Medvedev declared about this in a phone conversation with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy.
According to Dmitry Medvedev, after setting of check-points and dislocation places on August 22, part of peacekeepers will be taken to security temporal zone.
‘The contingent arrived to help peacekeepers, will leave for South Ossetia and Russian territories’, Medvedev stated.
A phone conversation between Medvedev and Sarkozy was held on the initiative of the French side on August 19.

Pope Expresses Hope that Effort of European Union Would Be Verified and Peace Would Rain in Georgia

Pope Benedict XVI has expressed hope that an effort of the European Union would be verified and peace would rain in Georgia. The Pope declared about that at his summer residence on August 17.
Expressing his "concern" over the situation in Georgia, which Benedict said he was following very carefully, the head of the Roman Catholic Church appealed to the "generosity" of the international community to help "refugees, especially women and children."
The Pope called for the "immediate opening" of humanitarian corridors between Georgia and the Moscow-backed separatist South Ossetia region to aid victims of the conflict.
"I would like the immediate opening of humanitarian corridors between South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia so that the dead can receive a dignified burial, the wounded can get access to care and those who want to rejoin their dear ones, can do so," he said during the Angelus blessing.

Medvedev Met with Baghapsh and Kokoity

Russia will back any decision regarding the status of Abkhazia and south Ossetia reached by the unrecognized republics.
The President of Russian Federation stated the following at the meeting with the leaders of separatists republics held in Kremlin today, August 14.
The leaders of separatists’ republic signed the 6 principles of the resolution of the Abkhazian- Georgian and Georgian -Ossetian conflicts. The principles are based on the truce worked out by Medvedev and Nicolas Sarkozy.
Dimitri Medvedev remarked that it is necessary to begin working on the cease-fire agreement where Russia, EU and ESCO will play a role of guarantors.
Baghapsh and Kokoity will hold a press conference in Moscow today.

Eduard Kokoity - U.S. Shares Responsibility with Georgia for Genocide of South Ossetia

Eduard Kokoity - U.S. Shares Responsibility with Georgia for Genocide of South Ossetia

The U.S. is at least as much responsible for the genocide of Ossetians as Georgia, said South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity. News agency - Interfax reports regarding this.
‘The U.S. bears responsibility equally with Georgia for the genocide of the people of South Ossetia,’ Kokoity told Interfax on Thursday.
‘The U.S.' latest steps and statements by the American leadership
only confirm this fact,’ – Eduard Kokoity remarked.

Georgia Leaves CIS, Commonwealth of Independent Countries

The President of Georgia reached a decision to leave CIS . Mikheil Saakashvili stated the following in the rally held today outside the Parliament of Georgia.
The President of Georgia called Ukraine and other CIS- member –countries to leave the organization.
‘Nobody can force Georgia to its knees. We reached several important decisions. We leave CIS and say farewell to Soviet Union. We call Ukraine and other CIS – member –countries to leave CIS.’- declared Mikheil Saakashvili.
As Mikheil Saakashvili stated, the Government of Georgia decided to declare south Ossetia and Abkhazia as occupied territory.
‘We decided to declare Russian army as occupation army, and south Ossetia and Abkhazia as - occupied.’ – The President of Georgia remarked.

Medvedev Met Sarkozy in Moscow

The Presidents of France and Russia held a meeting in Moscow. The President of France –Nicolas Sarkozy and the President of Russia – Dmitri Medvedev discussed the latest developments in Georgia.
As Medvedev stated Russia ends military actions since their mission has been fulfilled.
‘The operation that the reinforced Russian peace-keeping contingent carried out has been completed because the goal that we set ourselves has been achieved. The aggressor has been punished. The main task, which was to safeguard the interests of the Russian peacekeepers and of Russian citizens living in South Ossetia, has been accomplished.’ – declared Dmitri Medvedev.
Russia presented two conditions to Georgia: ‘The first is that all Georgian troops return to their original positions and the demilitarization of these military units. The second is the signing of a legally binding document on the non-use of force.’ – stated Dmitri Medvedev.
Nicolas Sarkozy considers that Russia should use its troops for peace.
‘The decision regarding cease-fire is the news which France and Europe has been expected. Europe reflects that Russia is a big country and the world needs peace in Russia.’ – Nicolas Sarkozy said.
The President of France handed the President of Russia a document apropos the ways of resolution of existed problems.
‘The target of Europe and France is peace. We would do everything for our target. We hope Russia would sign the document. ‘– remarked the President of France.

Sergey Lavrov – Russia never Conducts Negotiations with Saakashvili

Russia will never conduct negotiations with the government of Saakashvili. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia stated the following categorically.
‘Russia will neither conduct negotiations nor talk to Saakashvili.’ – stated Sergey Lavrov.
Sergey Lavrov remarked that Military tribunal is to investigate the military actions in South Ossetia committed on command of Saakashvili.

Russian president calls halt to Georgian war

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russia's president has ordered an end to military operations against Georgia, the official Russian news agency Interfax reported Tuesday.

"I have reached a decision to halt the operation to force the Georgian authorities to peace," President Dmitry Medvedev said, according to Interfax.

The report also quoted Medvedev as saying that the "aggressor in South Ossetia has been punished and has incurred very significant losses."

Shortly before the announcement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a press conference in Moscow Tuesday that it would only accept a cease-fire if Georgia withdrew from the disputed region of South Ossetia and agreed to renounce the use of force.

As Russian troops marched further into the country, capturing a strategic road and opening a second front in western Georgia after moving in from the breakaway region Abkhazia Tuesday, Lavrov said Moscow did not trust the country's leadership.

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