TODAY: Switzerland to represent Russia in Georgia? NATO wants to draw up defense plan for Russia’s neighbours. Storchak sentenced; political and cultural figures call for Politkovskaya justice. Russia strengthening ties with Belarus; Israel concerned over Russian weapons in the Middle East. Georgia’s Foreign Ministry says it has no objections to Switzerland representing Russia’s diplomatic interests in Georgia, which were severed following the war. Due to concerns stemming from the war, a NATO commander wants the authority to draw up detailed military plans to defend former Soviet bloc members, and has reportedly drawn up a military risk assessment for Estonia. Almost 2,000 South Ossetian applications complaining of illegal treatment by Georgia have been submitted to the European Court of Human Rights. Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak has been charged with attempted fraud and abuse of office, and if convicted, could face up to ten years in prison. His lawyer questions the validity of the case. Over 100 prominent figures of western culture and politics have called for Russia to bring justice to the case of Anna Politkovskaya.