Russia Continues Charity Mission in the Caucasus

Iosif Kobzon (1937- ), Honoured Artist of Russia, popular baritone vocalist and RF Gosduma deputy

The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Interior Forces and Iosif Kobzon, a popular singer and RF Gosduma deputy, are giving charity concerts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Earlier, Russia officially recognised independence of the two republics. Today, on 17 September, concerts will take place in the Abkhazian capital of Sukhumi and later in the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali.

The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Interior Forces performs not just before the ordinary public at concert halls, but, also for troops stationed at army bases situated in “hot spots”. Not long ago, this term was used in reference to South Ossetia, the scene of a recent Georgian invasion, and also to Abkhazia, where Russian efforts helped prevent a new bloody conflict.

Maestro Valery Gergiev (1953- ), Honoured Artist of Russia, conducting the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre of St Petersburg in a special memorial concert in Tskhinvali

“The ensemble responded with great enthusiasm to Iosif Kobzon’s idea of musical congratulations to Abkhazia and South Ossetia”, one of the organisers of today’s concert in Tskhinvali, Colonel Vasili Panchenkov, an Interior Forces officer, said in an exclusive interview with VOR. “Recently, we had a chance to witness and to feel the enthusiastic welcome Maestro Valery Gergiev and his orchestra were given in South Ossetia. I am glad that the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Interior Forces is continuing this tradition of charity concerts we need so much now. A contact with art will enable people who went through a terrible ordeal to take a new look at the world. We want the people of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to feel that Russia supports them, to know that we won’t leave our neighbours in the lurch”.

The charity concerts began just days after military operations in South Ossetia came to a halt. The Orchestra of the St Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre directed by the renowned conductor Valery Gergiev was the first to come to war-torn Tskhinvali. Other cultural ambassadors from Russia followed their example. Today, Tskhinvali is greeting new participants in a Russian charity marathon in support of peace in the Caucasus.

17 September 2008

Olga Bugrova

Tatiana Karpekina

Voice of Russia World Service

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=rus&q=83650&cid=22&p=17.09.2008

Ukrainian Prime Minister Timoshenko Blames President Yushchenko Personally for Poor Relations with Russia

Yuliya Timoshenko (1961- ), Ukrainian prime minister, opponent of the Bush puppet Yushchenko

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Timoshenko sharply criticised pro-Western President Yushchenko on Wednesday for damaging the country’s relations with Russia. The premier’s scathing comments on her former ally, Viktor Yushchenko, came a day after the ruling coalition officially split amid political infighting and disagreements over Ukraine’s stance on the recent Russia-Georgia conflict. “Viktor Yushchenko is personally responsible for all negative trends in relations between Russia and the Ukraine”, Ms Timoshenko told a news conference in Kiev. Her statement effectively ended any hopes that the coalition will reunite.

The continuing dispute has seen the presidential Our Ukraine party’s popularity plummet, whilst the Timoshenko Bloc and the pro-Russian opposition Party of Regions gained ground. However, Ms Timoshenko spoke against the idea of early parliamentary elections, saying they would be devastating for the country in light of the current global financial crisis. Parliamentary Speaker Arseny Yatsenyuk announced collapse of the ruling pro-Western coalition on Tuesday, paving the way for possible early parliamentary polls.

Mr Yushchenko and Ms Timoshenko were allies in the 2004 “Orange Revolution”, but, have since drifted apart on a host of issues, including over a recent parliamentary vote to slash the president’s powers, and the premier’s refusal to back the president’s condemnation of the Russian military operation in Georgia. The legislature now has 30 days to form a new coalition or face an early parliamentary election, the third since Mr Yushchenko came to power. The president has already confirmed his determination to dissolve parliament if the current crisis is not resolved by the deadline. Ms Timoshenko is widely expected to run against Mr Yushchenko in presidential elections to be held in 2009 or 2010.

17 September 2008

RIA-Novosti

http://en.rian.ru/world/20080917/116900843.html