Aug 2008
"The Soviet Story" premiering at the Boston Film Festival September 13.
2008/08/28 Filed in: History
We are pleased to
announce that “The Soviet Story” will have its
North American premiere at the 2008 Boston Film
Festival which runs September 12-18.
The Festival informs me that the film will be shown on Saturday September 13. Actual screening times will be released by the Festival on its website later this week. www.bostonfilmfestival.org
The film’s director Mr. Edvins Snore will attend the premiere in Boston. Following this, Mr. Snore plans to visit Washington D.C. and New York.
This is a unique opportunity for us to promote this excellent film against the backdrop of the current geo-political environment.
After its premiere screenings in Boston, the film will begin to be shown elsewhere to the public in North America and Europe. A screening week is already being planned for New York for mid-October. Details to follow.
The Festival informs me that the film will be shown on Saturday September 13. Actual screening times will be released by the Festival on its website later this week. www.bostonfilmfestival.org
The film’s director Mr. Edvins Snore will attend the premiere in Boston. Following this, Mr. Snore plans to visit Washington D.C. and New York.
This is a unique opportunity for us to promote this excellent film against the backdrop of the current geo-political environment.
After its premiere screenings in Boston, the film will begin to be shown elsewhere to the public in North America and Europe. A screening week is already being planned for New York for mid-October. Details to follow.
Serious and sustained waves
2008/08/26 Filed in: Imperialism
Carl Bildt - August
26, 2008
The surge after today's Russian decision to demolish the old borders in the Caucasus has been high during the day - and will continue to be so over a significant period of time.
I have had conversations with a number of colleagues and will continue to have it tomorrow.
On Thursday, I meet with French Foreign Minister Kouchner and the Czech Republic ditto Schwarzenberg in Paris for discussions, among other things, before Monday's European summit in Brussels.
And have also had interviews for both Swedish and international media.
The fact that Russia will be relatively isolated in this policy, I do not think there need be no more doubt about that. In Europe, it would possibly be Belarus that chooses to follow the Russian line - I find it very hard to see that someone else would do it.
And also not either on the wider international level, there will be so many that will follow the Russian line. Major countries such as China, India, South Africa or Brazil will not do it.
Possibly can one find one or more allies. Cuba and Venezuela could well be the most obvious candidates.
It remains to be seen how Russia could push the various Central Asian States. Real genuine support for the Russian decision, there is certainly not - but possibly a fear of the consequences of failure to comply with a dictate from Moscow.
It can not be ruled out that it discreetly can threaten some of them even to start to play with their territorial integrity.
Russia will now draw up agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance to these two areas. In practice, they are becoming Russian satellites - to imagine that South Ossetia in any respect could act as an independent state is the closest to challenging ridicule.
To all the troublesome aspects of this decision include the question of the rights of refugees to return.
Of the population of South Ossetia about a third was Georgians, but significant parts of them have now fled or been displaced. Will they be denied the opportunity to return?
Of the approximately 500 000 people who lived Abkhazia before the war in the early 1990s over 20% were ethnic abkasians, while the Georgians was the numerically largest national group. Most of them were forced to flee and only a small part has been able to return to the so-called Gali district in connection to the border with the rest of Georgia.
And now, some 10 000 or so Georgians and others were forced to flee from this and other areas of Abkazia. The likelihood that Russia will respect the decision of the United Nations and others to give them the right of return is, unfortunately, very small.
The surge after today's Russian decision to demolish the old borders in the Caucasus has been high during the day - and will continue to be so over a significant period of time.
I have had conversations with a number of colleagues and will continue to have it tomorrow.
On Thursday, I meet with French Foreign Minister Kouchner and the Czech Republic ditto Schwarzenberg in Paris for discussions, among other things, before Monday's European summit in Brussels.
And have also had interviews for both Swedish and international media.
The fact that Russia will be relatively isolated in this policy, I do not think there need be no more doubt about that. In Europe, it would possibly be Belarus that chooses to follow the Russian line - I find it very hard to see that someone else would do it.
And also not either on the wider international level, there will be so many that will follow the Russian line. Major countries such as China, India, South Africa or Brazil will not do it.
Possibly can one find one or more allies. Cuba and Venezuela could well be the most obvious candidates.
It remains to be seen how Russia could push the various Central Asian States. Real genuine support for the Russian decision, there is certainly not - but possibly a fear of the consequences of failure to comply with a dictate from Moscow.
It can not be ruled out that it discreetly can threaten some of them even to start to play with their territorial integrity.
Russia will now draw up agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance to these two areas. In practice, they are becoming Russian satellites - to imagine that South Ossetia in any respect could act as an independent state is the closest to challenging ridicule.
To all the troublesome aspects of this decision include the question of the rights of refugees to return.
Of the population of South Ossetia about a third was Georgians, but significant parts of them have now fled or been displaced. Will they be denied the opportunity to return?
Of the approximately 500 000 people who lived Abkhazia before the war in the early 1990s over 20% were ethnic abkasians, while the Georgians was the numerically largest national group. Most of them were forced to flee and only a small part has been able to return to the so-called Gali district in connection to the border with the rest of Georgia.
And now, some 10 000 or so Georgians and others were forced to flee from this and other areas of Abkazia. The likelihood that Russia will respect the decision of the United Nations and others to give them the right of return is, unfortunately, very small.
Through the Red Gate
2008/08/22 Filed in: History
Now available online. The true story of an
escape from Stalins Hell
Imperialists from the anticivilization in Moscow
2008/08/17 Filed in: Imperialism
Canada PM blasts Russia's 'Soviet' mentality
2008/08/14 Filed in: NEWS
OTTAWA (AFP) -
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Thursday
denounced Russia for its military action in
Georgia, saying Moscow was trying to control
nations outside its borders and showing a "Soviet"
mentality.
"I must tell you that I am deeply troubled by a notion I see developing in Russia and that is a notion that Russia somehow has a say or some control over countries outside of its borders," Harper told reporters.
"In my judgement, this is a very worrisome development. It really indicates a Soviet-era mentality," he added.
"And I think it is something that all democratic countries should speak out strongly against and I hope Russia will reconsider its actions."
Harper reiterated his call for a halt to the fighting as he condemned Russia's incursions into Georgian territory, including the breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
"Obviously we've called on both sides to cease the fighting and I gather a ceasefire now appears to be taking hold, but we do call on Russia to respect the territorial integrity of Georgia."
Canada announced on Tuesday it would send about one million dollars in aid to the people affected by the conflict which has displaced around 100,000 people.
"I must tell you that I am deeply troubled by a notion I see developing in Russia and that is a notion that Russia somehow has a say or some control over countries outside of its borders," Harper told reporters.
"In my judgement, this is a very worrisome development. It really indicates a Soviet-era mentality," he added.
"And I think it is something that all democratic countries should speak out strongly against and I hope Russia will reconsider its actions."
Harper reiterated his call for a halt to the fighting as he condemned Russia's incursions into Georgian territory, including the breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
"Obviously we've called on both sides to cease the fighting and I gather a ceasefire now appears to be taking hold, but we do call on Russia to respect the territorial integrity of Georgia."
Canada announced on Tuesday it would send about one million dollars in aid to the people affected by the conflict which has displaced around 100,000 people.
Russian imperialism and bloody empire building
2008/08/14 Filed in: Imperialism
Baltic American Freedom League Strongly Condemns Russian Attack on Georgia
2008/08/13 Filed in: NEWS
August 11, 2008
The Baltic American Freedom League (BAFL) believes that the Russian attack on Georgia is an aggressive attempt of Russian imperialist expansionism and that Georgia deserves the support of the United States of America and NATO. Georgia has bravely struggled to establish itself as a sovereign and independent country since 1990, when it declared independence from the Soviet Union. Moreover, Georgia has been a staunch ally of the U.S., is a large contributor of coalition troops in Iraq, and seeks to join NATO.
A Russian occupation of South Ossetia would be an enormous setback for Georgia and would be threatening to the other former ex-captive nations. We are very concerned that the occupation of South Ossetia by Russia may encourage further acts of aggression by Russia on Georgia in Abkhazia. The Baltics and other neighboring countries who have Russian citizens living in their midst are further threatened as Russia attempts to not only expand its sphere of influence in the region, but actively seeks to occupy new territories.
We urge the U.S. to support Georgia and immediately issue sanctions against Russia, boycott Russian goods, and issue a warning for U. S. citizens not to travel to Russia during this turbulent time.
The Baltic American Freedom League (BAFL) believes that the Russian attack on Georgia is an aggressive attempt of Russian imperialist expansionism and that Georgia deserves the support of the United States of America and NATO. Georgia has bravely struggled to establish itself as a sovereign and independent country since 1990, when it declared independence from the Soviet Union. Moreover, Georgia has been a staunch ally of the U.S., is a large contributor of coalition troops in Iraq, and seeks to join NATO.
A Russian occupation of South Ossetia would be an enormous setback for Georgia and would be threatening to the other former ex-captive nations. We are very concerned that the occupation of South Ossetia by Russia may encourage further acts of aggression by Russia on Georgia in Abkhazia. The Baltics and other neighboring countries who have Russian citizens living in their midst are further threatened as Russia attempts to not only expand its sphere of influence in the region, but actively seeks to occupy new territories.
We urge the U.S. to support Georgia and immediately issue sanctions against Russia, boycott Russian goods, and issue a warning for U. S. citizens not to travel to Russia during this turbulent time.
STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER HARPER ON CONFLICT IN GEORGIA
2008/08/11 Filed in: NEWS
STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER HARPER ON CONFLICT IN
GEORGIA
August 11, 2008 - Ottawa, Ontario
In a statement released today, Prime Minister Harper condemned Russia’s incursions into Georgian territory far beyond South Ossetia, including into already tense Abkhazia.
"Russian and Georgian forces must immediately cease hostilities throughout Georgia and return to their August 6 positions,” he said. "Furthermore, in escalating the conflict through its attacks on Georgian towns and cities outside South Ossetia, Russia has ceased to act as a peacekeeper. It is imperative that Russia respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia."
Prime Minister Harper added that “Military force will not resolve this dispute. The only viable long-term solution is international mediation and peacekeeping."
Prime Minister Harper added that Canada is working with its international partners to bring this conflict to a close as quickly as possible. He also stated that Canada stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict. The first priority for all sides must be to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, and facilitate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to assist those in need.
August 11, 2008 - Ottawa, Ontario
In a statement released today, Prime Minister Harper condemned Russia’s incursions into Georgian territory far beyond South Ossetia, including into already tense Abkhazia.
"Russian and Georgian forces must immediately cease hostilities throughout Georgia and return to their August 6 positions,” he said. "Furthermore, in escalating the conflict through its attacks on Georgian towns and cities outside South Ossetia, Russia has ceased to act as a peacekeeper. It is imperative that Russia respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia."
Prime Minister Harper added that “Military force will not resolve this dispute. The only viable long-term solution is international mediation and peacekeeping."
Prime Minister Harper added that Canada is working with its international partners to bring this conflict to a close as quickly as possible. He also stated that Canada stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict. The first priority for all sides must be to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, and facilitate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to assist those in need.
RFE/RL Increasing Georgian Broadcasts
2008/08/11 Filed in: War crimes
(TBILISI, Georgia -
August 11, 2008) Until further notice, Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty's Georgia Service will be
adding a fourth hour of primetime news coverage to
its listeners in Georgia and surrounding areas.
Since the fighting broke out, RFE/RL's Tbilisi
bureau has deployed correspondents throughout the
country, reporting from the front lines of the
battle zones. [see exclusive photos of a town under
attack]
"With the Russian and Georgian media providing, at times, wildly different accounts of what is actually happening on the ground, our listeners depend on us for accurate, objective information," says David Kakabadze, RFE/RL Georgia Service Director. "Our journalists are sorting through the ethnic and nationalist passions stirred up by this conflict in order to let people on both sides of the war know what is really taking place in the region."
[Visit RFE/RL Online's South Ossetia Crisis Page, a comprehensive site with the latest news, analysis, photos and more] If you are a member of the news media and would like to interview an RFE/RL expert, contact Ari Goldberg, Press Officer, at (mobile) 202-494-0388 or goldberga@rferl.org. RFE/RL's Georgian Service began broadcasting in March 1953 as part of Radio Liberty broadcasting to the Soviet Union. Over the years, it has established a tradition for high professional standards for its news reporting and is widely regarded as the only objective and unbiased source of information in Georgia. Since 1997, RFE/RL has maintained a bureau in Tbilisi.
"With the Russian and Georgian media providing, at times, wildly different accounts of what is actually happening on the ground, our listeners depend on us for accurate, objective information," says David Kakabadze, RFE/RL Georgia Service Director. "Our journalists are sorting through the ethnic and nationalist passions stirred up by this conflict in order to let people on both sides of the war know what is really taking place in the region."
[Visit RFE/RL Online's South Ossetia Crisis Page, a comprehensive site with the latest news, analysis, photos and more] If you are a member of the news media and would like to interview an RFE/RL expert, contact Ari Goldberg, Press Officer, at (mobile) 202-494-0388 or goldberga@rferl.org. RFE/RL's Georgian Service began broadcasting in March 1953 as part of Radio Liberty broadcasting to the Soviet Union. Over the years, it has established a tradition for high professional standards for its news reporting and is widely regarded as the only objective and unbiased source of information in Georgia. Since 1997, RFE/RL has maintained a bureau in Tbilisi.
Old Russian Imperialism shows its ugly face
2008/08/10 Filed in: War crimes
Moscows imperialists rape Georgia Read
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