Top Stories:
Obama Russia
Iran
Facebook
Home
About RFE/RL
News
Features
Commentary
Blogs
Multimedia
Listen
Press Room
Monday, July 06, 2009
Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Balkans
Belarus
Georgia
Iran
Iraq
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Moldova
North Caucasus
Russia
Tajikistan
Tatar-Bashkir
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Our Affiliates
RFE/RL Radio
In 28 Languages
RFE/RL Iran Coverage Cited Around the World
RFE/RL's coverage of the post-election crisis in Iran has been cited by a variety of media outlets around the world.
More
More Articles
Behind The Poti Lines
The President Comes To Poti
August 29, 2008
11 p.m. local time (7 p.m. GMT)
For the first time in weeks, there are people on the streets, and some of them even look happy. It's all because President Mikheil Saakashvili has paid a visit to Poti, and the town suddenly feels it hasn't been forgotten.
The announcement of the president's visit came on short notice and created a buzz among journalists and the local administration. His first destination was the seventh pier of the Poti port -- the first spot that was hit by Russian bombs when the conflict began three weeks ago. Saakashvili's comments there were brief, but very direct in condemning Russian aggression.
At City Hall, Saakashvili was greeted by a crowd waving flags and chanting "Misha!" Speaking to leaders from Poti and elsewhere in the region, he expressed his gratitude to security officials who have tried to keep the peace, and to local people for keeping calm and not escalating the conflict. The president tried to assuage residents' fears that the Russians will remain in the town, despite their purported plans to leave as early as this evening. Saakashvili even offered a vision of Poti's bright economic future: Where there are now Russian troops, he said, there will one day be skyscrapers built with foreign investment.
For now, though, the Russians troops are entrenched, and apparently getting hungry.
In the second such incident
, troops entered a meat processing plant and helped themselves to supplies. One can't help but wonder if they're stocking up for an extended stay.
Would you like to post to this forum?
Name
*
Location
E-mail
Comment
*
Disclaimer
Reader comments in no way reflect the views or opinions of RFE/RL correspondents, contributors, or staff.
Before you post a comment, please read
the forum rules
Are you human? Please enter the numbers below:
Send
Comments 0 (of 0)
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one
Share:
About sharing
TEXT SIZE
Print
Email
Comment
RFE/RL's Georgian Service correspondent Tea Absaridze was blogging from the key Black Sea port of Poti until Russian troops finally withdrew from their checkpoints outside that western Georgian city on September 13. Her posts reflect a city on edge, with foreign forces digging in even as the leadership in Moscow vowed it was on the way out. Photos were provided by Absaridze and Lasha Zarginava. Write to Tea at
webteam@rferl.org
Regions Of Contention
Crisis In Georgia
For RFE/RL's full coverage of the conflict that began in Georgia's breakway region of South Ossetia,
click here
.
Most Recent Posts
No records found for this widget:519
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Iran's Ultraconservatives May See Chance To Revive 'Wilting' Revolution
Iran Pursuing Doctor Who Helped Neda, But Interpol Denies Knowledge
Obama's Kremlin Gambit
How Could Iran's Hard-Liners Choose The Next Supreme Leader?
Ahead Of Visit, Obama Calls On Russia To Break From The Past
Most E-mailed
Iran's Ultraconservatives May See Chance To Revive 'Wilting' Revolution
Iran Pursuing Doctor Who Helped Neda, But Interpol Denies Knowledge
Ethnic Violence In Ukrainian City Turns Deadly
How Could Iran's Hard-Liners Choose The Next Supreme Leader?
Iran Clerical Group Calls Vote Result 'Invalid'
Products and services:
RSS
Mail Subscription
Mobile