Georgia declares war
Published: Saturday 09 August 2008 10:08 UTC
Last updated: Saturday 09 August 2008 10:08 UTC
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has made a formal declaration of war against Russia. He has also asked the Georgian parliament for permission to proclaim a state of siege. This would increase both his authority and that of the army leaders.
Russian fighter planes have bombed targets around the Georgian city of Gori. Although the attacks were directed at a military base in the area, at least one bomb landed in the city itself. Georgian sources say two people have been killed.
Russia has confirmed that two of its fighters have been shot down. Georgia says it has destroyed six Russian planes.
The two countries are fighting over the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which Russia has always supported in its bid for independence from Georgia. The Russian government is claiming that more than 1,500 people have died and that more than 30,000 South Ossetians have fled the fighting. Both sides say they have control of the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali.
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/int … clares-war
Published: Saturday 09 August 2008 10:08 UTC
Last updated: Saturday 09 August 2008 10:08 UTC
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has made a formal declaration of war against Russia. He has also asked the Georgian parliament for permission to proclaim a state of siege. This would increase both his authority and that of the army leaders.
Russian fighter planes have bombed targets around the Georgian city of Gori. Although the attacks were directed at a military base in the area, at least one bomb landed in the city itself. Georgian sources say two people have been killed.
Russia has confirmed that two of its fighters have been shot down. Georgia says it has destroyed six Russian planes.
The two countries are fighting over the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which Russia has always supported in its bid for independence from Georgia. The Russian government is claiming that more than 1,500 people have died and that more than 30,000 South Ossetians have fled the fighting. Both sides say they have control of the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali.
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/int … clares-war