RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Sept 16, 2008
TODAY: Nato demands that Russian troops leave Georgia; Russia building embassies, demanding observers in breakaway states; WTO membership no longer under question; Sevastopol navy base under scrutiny; Aeroflot to rebuild image. Nato is demanding that Russia withdraw fully from Georgia and remaining firm in its condemnation of the invasion, but continues to evade any solid promises on Georgian membership. The war of words over who started the war continues as Georgia releases new evidence. President Dmitry Medvedev is threatening the West over potential Caucasus conflict-related sanctions. The IMF has approved a Georgia’s $750 million loan. Russia is building embassies in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and wants OSCE and European Union observers to be deployed there as soon as possible, as it is worried about terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, its army is apparently putting on a display of war trophies captured during the conflict.