http://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news and broadcast organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries http://www.rferl.org/img/rssLogo.gif http://www.rferl.org en-US Copyright 2009 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:41:24 +0000 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL BISHKEK --The main Kyrgyz opposition parties have held their joint gathering in Bishkek under the title People's Grand Congress.   The one-day congress, bringing together more than 1,200 delegates, was organized by opposition parties including the Akyikat Uchun (For Justice) Movement, Ata Meken (Fatherland) Socialist Party, and the Ak Shumkar (White Falcon) Party.   On the eve of the convention, Alikbek Jekshenkulov, the leader of the For Justice movement and a former ... http://www.rferl.org/content/Main_Kyrgyz_Opposition_Parties_Hold_Congress_In_Bishkek/1354432.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Main_Kyrgyz_Opposition_Parties_Hold_Congress_In_Bishkek/1354432.html Sat, 29 Nov 2008 12:00:10 +0000 News International negotiations in Geneva designed to build confidence between Russia and Georgia have broken down over Moscow's demand that representatives from the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia be allowed to participate fully. http://www.rferl.org/content/Talks_Between_Moscow_And_Tbilisi_Break_Down/1330183.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Talks_Between_Moscow_And_Tbilisi_Break_Down/1330183.html Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:21:47 +0000 News Friends, relatives, and supporters of slain Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya are marking the second anniversary of her assassination with ceremonies and gatherings in Russia and the West. http://www.rferl.org/content/Supporters_Mark_Second_Anniversary_Of_Politkovskaya_Slaying/1294689.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Supporters_Mark_Second_Anniversary_Of_Politkovskaya_Slaying/1294689.html Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:31:44 +0000 News German and Russian leaders met on October 2 in St. Petersburg, with Russia seeking to demonstrate that business is back to usual in the wake of its war with Georgia. http://www.rferl.org/content/Merkel_Criticizes_Russia_Over_War_In_Georgia/1293544.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Merkel_Criticizes_Russia_Over_War_In_Georgia/1293544.html Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:58:17 +0000 News U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte has called on the government of Azerbaijan to demonstrate its commitment to democracy during the presidential election scheduled for October 15. http://www.rferl.org/content/US_Diplomat_Sees_Azerbaijan_Elections_As_Democratic_Test/1293526.html http://www.rferl.org/content/US_Diplomat_Sees_Azerbaijan_Elections_As_Democratic_Test/1293526.html Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:27:12 +0000 News Iran could face a new round of sanctions from the United Nations now that Russia and the United States have agreed a draft resolution on its nuclear activities. http://www.rferl.org/content/Powers_Agree_New_Draft_On_Iran_Nuclear_Program/1291924.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Powers_Agree_New_Draft_On_Iran_Nuclear_Program/1291924.html Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:59:01 +0000 News Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez is continuing his Russia visit with talks with President Dmitry Medvedev. Chavez's visit, which will see new agreements on a range of bilateral energy and military projects, is sure to irritate Washington, whose relations with Moscow and Caracas are far from favorable. http://www.rferl.org/content/Chavez_Secures_Nuclear_Arms_Promises_During_Russia_Visit/1291778.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Chavez_Secures_Nuclear_Arms_Promises_During_Russia_Visit/1291778.html Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:37:34 +0000 News While Western criticism of Russia continues to mount in the wake of the Georgia conflict, recent polls suggest that such scolding from the outside world has little impact on public satisfaction within Russia. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Pride_Continues_To_Grow/1290973.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Pride_Continues_To_Grow/1290973.html Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:45 +0000 Features http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Pride_Continues_To_Grow/1290973.html#relatedInfoContainer After months of squabbling, Ukraine's governing coalition collapses, sending the country into another political crisis. http://www.rferl.org/content/BREAKING_Ukraines_Orange_Coalition_Dissolved/1200299.html http://www.rferl.org/content/BREAKING_Ukraines_Orange_Coalition_Dissolved/1200299.html Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:53 +0000 News Europe and its Western allies gather in Brussels and Tbilisi to counter Moscow's moves in Georgia, where they accuse Russia of failing to abide by its international commitments. http://www.rferl.org/content/EU_NATO_Try_To_Keep_Up_In_Georgia/1200084.html http://www.rferl.org/content/EU_NATO_Try_To_Keep_Up_In_Georgia/1200084.html Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:45 +0000 News An Aeroflot commercial jet with 88 people on board has crashed in Russia with no survivors. The Boeing 737 went down as it was getting ready to land in the Urals city of Perm, some 1,200 kilometers east of Moscow. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Airplane_Crashes_In_Siberia_Killing_All_Aboard/1199838.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Airplane_Crashes_In_Siberia_Killing_All_Aboard/1199838.html Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:09:48 +0000 News A deadly shoot-out reportedly took place overnight in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat between members of an unidentified group and security forces. The U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat has confirmed a shoot-out in the city occurred, but no further details are immediately available. http://www.rferl.org/content/Shootout_Reported_In_Turkmen_Capital/1199774.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Shootout_Reported_In_Turkmen_Capital/1199774.html Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:41:01 +0000 News Russian forces have evacuated five posts in western Georgia, which Moscow had promised to dismantle. Among the closures were military camps in Nabada and Patara Poti, outside the strategic Georgian port of Poti, as well as in Teklati and Pirveli Maisi, near the town of Senaki. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Military_Leave_Georgian_Port_Of_Poti/1199722.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Military_Leave_Georgian_Port_Of_Poti/1199722.html Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:04:52 +0000 News "It hurts the Yankees," said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in summing up the news that two Russian long-range strategic bombers have arrived for joint training exercises. Chavez, an outspoken critic of the United States, says the drills are aimed at countering U.S. influence. But some in the region are concerned that rising tensions between the former Cold War rivals could be destabilizing for Latin America. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Strategic_Bombers_Land_In_Venezuela/1199213.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Strategic_Bombers_Land_In_Venezuela/1199213.html Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:14:27 +0000 News The UN's highest court has heard claims lodged by Tbilisi that ethnic Georgians have long been subjected to ethnic discrimination at the hands of Russia. http://www.rferl.org/content/UN_Court_Hears_Georgian_Claims_Of_Russian_Rights_Violations/1197354.html http://www.rferl.org/content/UN_Court_Hears_Georgian_Claims_Of_Russian_Rights_Violations/1197354.html Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:59:08 +0000 News In an interview with RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that Turkey is "making a move" in the Caucasus and that his recent trip to Yerevan will "serve stability in the region." http://www.rferl.org/content/Turkish_President_Says_Ankara_Making_A_Move_In_Caucasus_/1197344.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Turkish_President_Says_Ankara_Making_A_Move_In_Caucasus_/1197344.html Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:24:40 +0000 News French President Nicolas Sarkozy is in Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev. Sarkozy, whose country currently holds the rotating European Union presidency, will try to persuade Russia to fully implement an accord to end its conflict with Georgia and remove its forces from the country's territory. http://www.rferl.org/content/Sarkozy_Arrives_In_Moscow_To_Discuss_Georgian_CeaseFire/1197152.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Sarkozy_Arrives_In_Moscow_To_Discuss_Georgian_CeaseFire/1197152.html Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:13:49 +0000 News In town for football, Abdullah Gul has become the first Turkish head of state to set foot in independent Armenia. The leaders of both countries call it a unique opportunity to open new doors. http://www.rferl.org/content/Turkish_President_Arrives_Armenia/1196840.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Turkish_President_Arrives_Armenia/1196840.html Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:05:03 +0000 News The case of a former Uzbek spy who fled to Britain this week after accusing President Islam Karimov of personally ordering massacres has sparked heated reactions across Central Asia, with the intelligence agencies of both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan offering contradictory assessments of his allegations and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan also weighing in. http://www.rferl.org/content/Former_Uzbek_Spy_Case_Sparks_Heated_Reactions/1196714.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Former_Uzbek_Spy_Case_Sparks_Heated_Reactions/1196714.html Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:35:25 +0000 Features Foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have backed Russia in its recent war with Georgia. Russia hopes the grouping's heads of states, who are to meet on September 5 in Moscow, will go one step further and support its recognition of Georgia's rebel regions. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Seeks_Backing_Over_Georgia_At_CSTO_Summit/1196550.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Seeks_Backing_Over_Georgia_At_CSTO_Summit/1196550.html Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:26:01 +0000 News Pakistan summons the U.S. ambassador to protest against a raid on a Pakistani border village in which officials said at least 15 people, including women and children were killed. http://www.rferl.org/content/Pakistan_US_Border_Raid/1196279.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Pakistan_US_Border_Raid/1196279.html Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:16:34 +0000 News U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney is in Tbilisi to express support for Georgia's government following last month's war with Russia. Cheney's visit comes after the U.S. announced a $1 billion aid package to help the country rebuild. http://www.rferl.org/content/Cheney_In_Georgia_To_Show_US_Support/1196264.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Cheney_In_Georgia_To_Show_US_Support/1196264.html Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:28:23 +0000 News On a visit to RFE/RL, Moldovan Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii has stated that the crisis surrounding Georgia's breakaway regions will not lead to instability in Moldova, which is embroiled in its own frozen conflict with its Transdniester region. http://www.rferl.org/content/Moldovan_PM_Says_Transdniester_Resolution_Will_Be_Peaceful/1196105.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Moldovan_PM_Says_Transdniester_Resolution_Will_Be_Peaceful/1196105.html Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:56:12 +0000 News Viktor Yushchenko threatens to call a snap election, accusing his prime minister of effectively wrecking the coalition government by joining forces with his rivals. http://www.rferl.org/content/Ukraine_President_Snap_Poll/1195995.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Ukraine_President_Snap_Poll/1195995.html Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:14:04 +0000 News Pakistani Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar says aircraft belonging to foreign forces in Afghanistan carried out overnight attacks on three houses in Pakistani territory. http://www.rferl.org/content/Foreign_Forces_Reportedly_Attack_Pakistani_Village/1195982.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Foreign_Forces_Reportedly_Attack_Pakistani_Village/1195982.html Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:54:53 +0000 News Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has reportedly escaped unharmed after a gunman opened fire on his motorcade near Islamabad. http://www.rferl.org/content/Pakistan_PM_Assassination_Bid/1195977.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Pakistan_PM_Assassination_Bid/1195977.html Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:42:17 +0000 News Visiting Vice President Dick Cheney has pledged the United States' "deep and abiding interest" in the security and welfare of Azerbaijan and its neighbors during the first leg of a tour to highlight support for several former Soviet states. http://www.rferl.org/content/Cheney_Begins_Regional_Tour_In_Azerbaijan/1195954.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Cheney_Begins_Regional_Tour_In_Azerbaijan/1195954.html Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:35:30 +0000 News The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed regret over the EU's decision to freeze negotiations on a new partnership agreement, while also saying the move reflected a "responsible approach" to maintaining cooperation between Moscow and Brussels in the face of the Georgian crisis. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Regrets_EU_Decision_On_Partnership_Talks_/1195696.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Regrets_EU_Decision_On_Partnership_Talks_/1195696.html Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:32:00 +0000 News As the EU prepared to review its relationship with Russia over its recent conflict with Georgia, the country's toughest leader softened his image by rescuing a Russian television crew from an endangered Siberian tiger. http://www.rferl.org/content/Putin_Saves_Russian_TV_Crew_From_Siberian_Tiger/1195394.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Putin_Saves_Russian_TV_Crew_From_Siberian_Tiger/1195394.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:53:48 +0000 News EU leaders are meeting in Brussels in an emergency attempt to find a consensus position regarding Russia in the wake of the Georgia crisis. But in the run-up to the summit, many of the participants have indicated there is very little that they agree upon. That means the summit will almost certainly have to take a lowest-common-denominator approach, that is, one that doesn't rile any of the member states too much. http://www.rferl.org/content/EU_Summit_To_Reevaluate_Relations_With_Russia/1195361.html http://www.rferl.org/content/EU_Summit_To_Reevaluate_Relations_With_Russia/1195361.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:32:57 +0000 News Burial services are being held in the North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia for the opposition website owner Magomed Yevloyev, who died of a bullet wound to the head sustained while in police custody. Supporters are gathering in the Ingushetian capital Nazran to protest what is seen as the local government's role in Yevloyev's death. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Prosecutors_Investigate_Death_Of_Opposition_Website_Owner/1195307.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Prosecutors_Investigate_Death_Of_Opposition_Website_Owner/1195307.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:21:29 +0000 News British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the West will not be held to ransom by Moscow and vowed a "root and branch" review of relations between the European Union and Russia. http://www.rferl.org/content/British_PM_Says_West_Wont_Be_Held_Ransom_To_Russia/1195188.html http://www.rferl.org/content/British_PM_Says_West_Wont_Be_Held_Ransom_To_Russia/1195188.html Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:57:36 +0000 News The charity Oxfam says 5 million people in Afghanistan face serious food shortages this coming winter. http://www.rferl.org/content/Oxfam_Says_Five_Million_Afghans_Need_Food_Aid/1195091.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Oxfam_Says_Five_Million_Afghans_Need_Food_Aid/1195091.html Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:55:27 +0000 News The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have expressed grave concern over tensions in Georgia, but failed to give Moscow clear support in its standoff with the West. http://www.rferl.org/content/SCO_Fails_To_Back_Russia_Over_Georgia/1194578.html http://www.rferl.org/content/SCO_Fails_To_Back_Russia_Over_Georgia/1194578.html Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:15:42 +0000 News http://www.rferl.org/content/SCO_Fails_To_Back_Russia_Over_Georgia/1194578.html#relatedInfoContainer The diplomatic battle between the West and Moscow over Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is continuing to grow, as France ratcheted up the diplomatic pressure by saying the EU states are considering sanctions on Russia. http://www.rferl.org/content/West_Criticizes_Russia_On_Georgia/1194542.html http://www.rferl.org/content/West_Criticizes_Russia_On_Georgia/1194542.html Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:42:55 +0000 News Rahmat Wali, a 28-year-old former member of Afghanistan's national cricket team, reportedly was killed overnight during a raid on his home by coalition troops. http://www.rferl.org/content/Afghan_Cricket_Star_Reportedly_Killed_/1194358.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Afghan_Cricket_Star_Reportedly_Killed_/1194358.html Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:17:12 +0000 News A new era of East-West confrontation, a big chill, a Cold War-style face-off. Whatever epithet you choose, Russia has signaled by its actions in Georgia that shared interests with the West take second place to competitive interests. Edward Lucas, author of "The New Cold War: How the Kremlin Menaces Both Russia and the West," spoke to RFE/RL about how the confrontation is taking shape. http://www.rferl.org/content/Interview_New_Cold_War/1194282.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Interview_New_Cold_War/1194282.html Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:20:02 +0000 Features The diplomatic standoff over Moscow's conflict with Georgia has moved to two other capitals. Britain's foreign secretary is visiting Kyiv to try and build a coalition to counter Russia's "aggression." Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, meanwhile, is in Dushanbe to meet his Chinese counterpart. The visits come amid Western condemnation of Russia's recognition of Georgia's two rebel regions. http://www.rferl.org/content/Diplomatic_Standoff_Over_Georgia_Heads_To_Kyiv_Dushanbe/1194230.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Diplomatic_Standoff_Over_Georgia_Heads_To_Kyiv_Dushanbe/1194230.html Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:25:54 +0000 News Western powers have condemned Russia's recognition of the Georgian separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent countries. http://www.rferl.org/content/West_Condemns_Russian_Recognition_Of_Rebel_Regions/1194155.html http://www.rferl.org/content/West_Condemns_Russian_Recognition_Of_Rebel_Regions/1194155.html Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:51:45 +0000 News Russia's president has said he will recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, prompting a furious response from the West. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Recognizes_Abkhazia_South_Ossetia/1193932.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Recognizes_Abkhazia_South_Ossetia/1193932.html Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:22:36 +0000 News Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has pulled his party out of Pakistan's governing coalition. http://www.rferl.org/content/Former_Premier_Sharif_Quits_Pakistans_Ruling_Coalition/1193720.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Former_Premier_Sharif_Quits_Pakistans_Ruling_Coalition/1193720.html Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:46:30 +0000 News Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev has declared a national day of mourning on August 26 in memory of the 65 people who died in the crash of a Kyrgyz airliner. http://www.rferl.org/content/At_Least_65_Killed_In_Crash_Of_Kyrgyz_Jet/1193586.html http://www.rferl.org/content/At_Least_65_Killed_In_Crash_Of_Kyrgyz_Jet/1193586.html Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:35:14 +0000 News Both houses of the Russian parliament have asked the president to recognize the independence of Georgia's separatist provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Upper_House_Calls_For_Recognition_Of_Georgias_Breakaway_Regions/1193553.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Upper_House_Calls_For_Recognition_Of_Georgias_Breakaway_Regions/1193553.html Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:17:30 +0000 News At least 65 people are dead after a Kyrgyz airliner bound for Iran crashed soon after takeoff from Bishkek's Manas airport. http://www.rferl.org/content/Plane_Crashes_Close_To_Kyrgyz_Capital_/1193480.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Plane_Crashes_Close_To_Kyrgyz_Capital_/1193480.html Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:33:37 +0000 News The "USS McFaul" has arrived in Batumi with humanitarian supplies for displaced Georgians. Russian troops, meanwhile, ignoring Western demands to fully withdraw, are in control of the key port of Poti and manning checkpoints near Gori. http://www.rferl.org/content/US_Warship_Delivers_Humanitarian_Aid_to_Georgia/1193390.html http://www.rferl.org/content/US_Warship_Delivers_Humanitarian_Aid_to_Georgia/1193390.html Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:38:07 +0000 News Moscow has withdrawn tanks, artillery, and troops from many positions deep inside Georgia, but its forces continue to hold the western port of Poti and checkpoints near Gori. Georgians, U.S., and French say Russia has not fulfilled terms of cease-fire. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Digs_In_Compliance_Claim_Dismissed/1193261.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Digs_In_Compliance_Claim_Dismissed/1193261.html Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:50:20 +0000 Features A political storm is looming in Pakistan as the country's two main political parties try to resolve differences that threaten their governing coalition. Coalition talks in Islamabad come amid growing social and economic problems, as well as a wave of militant violence that has destabilized the country. http://www.rferl.org/content/Political_Storm_Looms_In_Pakistan/1193129.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Political_Storm_Looms_In_Pakistan/1193129.html Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:46:26 +0000 News Russian troops are leaving the key Georgian city of Gori, as confusion reigns about Moscow's insistence that it plans to keep hundreds of its troops in a buffer zone inside Georgian territory. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Withdrawal_From_Gori_Begins/1193066.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Withdrawal_From_Gori_Begins/1193066.html Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:58:10 +0000 News Reports from Baghdad say Iraq and the United States have reached a tentative deal that sets a goal of withdrawing U.S. combat troops from the country’s cities and towns by the end of June 2009 and from the country as a whole by the end of 2011. http://www.rferl.org/content/US_Iraq_Reportedly_Agree_On_Provisional_Troop_Withdrawal_Date/1193062.html http://www.rferl.org/content/US_Iraq_Reportedly_Agree_On_Provisional_Troop_Withdrawal_Date/1193062.html Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:51:19 +0000 News On the anniversary of the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, parallels have been made between that event and the current Russia-Georgia conflict. Czech President Vaclav Klaus has stirred debate within the Czech political scene by discounting such comparisons and blaming Georgia and its president for triggering the violence. Oksana Pelenska of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service speaks with the Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek for his views on the subject. http://www.rferl.org/content/Czech_PM_Says_Georgian_Conflict_Worse_Than_68_Soviet_Invasion/1192858.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Czech_PM_Says_Georgian_Conflict_Worse_Than_68_Soviet_Invasion/1192858.html Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:15:18 +0000 Features