August, 2008

• 18 August

  Georgians wait to see back of Russian tanks

  Russian forces begin pulling out of Georgia today. That is the promise, and the Georgians want international monitors to keep an eye on things. No firm deadline for an end to military operations has been given, and the international community has been reminding Moscow that it is watching, led by …

  Read More »
• 18 August

  Aid arrives in stricken Georgian town

  Aid is finally starting to get through to Gori, now that Russian troops look to be loosening their grip on the Georgian town. The Red Cross and Red Crescent are delivering much-needed supplies to the war-shattered area.. And a UN aid convoy has managed to enter Gori for the first …

  Read More »
• 18 August

  Russia promises Georgia pullout

  Russia’s president has said its forces will begin pulling out of Georgia from Monday afternoon, local time. Dmitri Medvedev made that promise in a phone call with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country currently holds the presidency of the European Union. Sarkozy said that if Russia failed to withdraw …

  Read More »
• 18 August

  Georgia on path to NATO membership, says Merkel

  In the latest round of shuttle diplomacy on the crisis in the Caucasus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel travelled to Tbilisi. After talks with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, she said the Russians were not withdrawing from his country as quickly as hoped. The German leader, who met President Medvedev on Friday, …

  Read More »
• 17 August

  Iran’s Non-Oil Exports Up by 145% in 2 Years

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Commerce Minister Masoud Mirkazemi said export of non oil commodities, excluding gas condensates, increased by 145% during March 2004 to March 2006.

  Read More »
• 17 August

  Iran Sends First Satellite into Orbit

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran successfully orbited its first home-made satellite Sunday morning.

  Read More »
• 17 August

  Afghan Officials: Two Iranian Businessmen Believed Kidnapped in Afghanistan

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Two Iranian nationals missing in western Afghanistan for several days are believed to have been kidnapped, Afghan officials said Saturday.

  Read More »
• 17 August

  Turkey: More Time Needed for Gas Deal with Iran

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran and Turkey need more time to finalize a major natural gas deal, President Abdullah Gul said Saturday, playing down reports that US pressure on Turkey to abandon the project is behind the delay.

  Read More »
• 17 August

  Iran Strengthens Diplomatic Stance in N. Standoff with West

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s just-ended visit to Turkey, a NATO ally that is also aspiring to the membership in the European Union (EU), yielded fruits in countering US efforts to set a diplomatic blockade over Tehran, analysts said.

  Read More »
• 17 August

  Georgia claims loss of villages to Abkhaz forces

  While a partial pullout of Russian forces may be underway in Georgia, there was still plenty of military activity to keep observers busy. Georgia has accused the Russians of setting forest fires near Tbilisi, digging into positions near the capital, and occupying key villages and a power station.

  Read More »