"The International Red Cross is Barred from South Ossetia" (Moscow Times, 8/19/2008)
The International Red Cross said Monday that it was seeking urgent clarification from Russia after its president was unable to enter the breakaway province of South Ossetia on a humanitarian mission.
Russian troops control access to South Ossetia, where fighting there has left thousands homeless and many dead and injured.
The Red Cross "has not been able to get access to South Ossetia," Dominik Stillhart, the International Committee of the Red Cross's deputy director of operations, said by telephone interview from Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia. "Access to South Ossetia is a priority. We have lined up teams, logistics and assistance. ... We need to have discussions in Moscow to find out exactly what is the problem."
The Russians may also not want more international agencies to expose their lies. Already, though, the word is out that the Russians charges of "genocide" and "ethnic cleansing" were lies.
"Paper Reprimanded Over Georgia" (Moscow Times, 8/19/2008):
Novaya Gazeta's St. Petersburg edition has been accused by the federal media watchdog of inciting hatred toward Georgians and faces possible closure if the violation is repeated.
The newspaper's editor denied any wrongdoing, saying the outspoken opposition paper was under attack for its critical coverage of St. Petersburg authorities.
The local branch of the Federal Mass Media Inspection Service said Monday that the newspaper had violated media and extremism laws by quoting an ultranationalist group's appeal to isolate Georgians living in Russia.
"In the publication, there are blatant calls directed at inciting ethnic hatred toward Georgian nationals and at violating the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of an individual and a citizen depending on his national identity," the agency said in a statement.
I doubt this is the real reason for the threat to close Novaya Gazeta. Here's the front page story at Novaya Gazeta from 14 August:
«Это была не спонтанная, а спланированная война»
Сегодня мне совершенно очевидно, что российское вторжение в Грузию было заранее спланировано, причем окончательное политическое решение завершить подготовку и начать войну в августе было, похоже, принято еще в апреле.
"This was not a spontaneous, but a planned war"
Today it's completely obvious, that the Russian invasion of Georgia was planned in advance, moreover the final political decision to complete preparations and begin a war in August was, likewise, made in April.
I thought it was nervy of Novaya Gazeta to publish a story like that. Not surprising the paper is being harassed now. How can the Putin regime, telling lies to wage wars, tolerate a newspaper that tells the truth? I wonder how long the Moscow Times will last.
It's interesting, though, that there are still some papers in Russia that are fairly honest and independent. Those with large circulations are brought under control, but a few small-circulation papers-- and the Moscow Times, being in English and circulated mainly in the capital to foreigners-- are tolerated, so far. Propaganda for the masses; a tenuous openness for a small intelligentsia.
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