Georgia: Russia Halts Attack
The BBC reports that Russia has called a halt to its military offensive inside Georgia proper. However, the news item states, there is no sign of imminent talks.
Before the announcement, there were fresh reports of Russian warplanes bombing the Georgian town of Gori.
Witnesses told the BBC that several people were killed when a bomb hit a hospital in the town, which is 10 miles (15km) from the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali.
CNN, however, says that military operations continued after Medvedev’s statement.
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.
Both reports also state that a Dutch cameraman was killed this morning by a Russian air raid on Gori, something which was also conveyed to me by fellow blogger, The Armenian Odar, on Facebook.
According to Dutch media, a Dutch cameraman working for one of the major TV-channels in NL was killed today in Gori and the reporter he worked with was wounded. This happened while a temporary mediacenter set up at the local radio- and tv-building in Gori was hit during a Russian bombardment. Four others were apparently also killed (don’t know if they were media people as well or where they were, inside the building or not). I don’t know if the mediacenter and/or the building were targeted or if this was an “accidental” hit. Dutch media are not reporting much more right now.
The BBC’s Matthew Collin also told me earlier today that patriotic rallies in support of the government are being held in Tbilisi, but that it is unlikely the terms of a deal with Russia will be acceptable.
It is not inconceivable that Saakashvili might have to resign although that sounds a little out of character for him. Indeed, one journalist friend in Tbilisi instead sent me this via email:
[…] no way in hell a voluntary Saakashvili resignation. He looked fierce as a tiger when he said no surrender and no plan for a surrender. And Bryza today made it categorically clear that that will not be allowed. Population critical of the stupidity that caused this mess, but, when it comes to a choice between Russians and Misha, everyone will take Misha. As one journalist said, “I don’t like Misha, but no way Russia is going to dictate who my president is.”
In related news, Regional Reporters says that the president has announced the formal withdrawal of Georgia from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Грузия выходит из СНГ. Об этом на манифестации перед парламентом Грузии 12 августа заявил президент страны Михаил Саакашвили.
“После консультаций с председателем парламента мы приняли решение о выходе Грузии из СНГ. Мы окончательно прощаемся с Советским Союзом и призываем Украину и другие страны оставить объединение, которое возглавляет Россия. Мы решили, помимо денонсации миротворческой миссии в Абхазии, объявить российские войска оккупационными, а Абхазию и Южную Осетию оккупированными территориями. Пока последний оккупант будет на территории Грузии, ни один грузин не успокоится”, - заявил президент.
Probably this will be the last post on the crisis in Georgia until tomorrow when I hope to arrive in Tbilisi. I hope to make regular updates, including posting photos.
If any publications or organizations are interested in materials from Georgia please contact me via email.
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