Vladimir Putin, president of the Russian Federation stated about that speaking on the final day of large-scale military exercises “Peace Mission 2007” involving Russia, China, and four Central Asian countries in the south Urals.
“I made a decision to restore flights of Russian strategic bombers on a permanent basis, and at 00:00 a.m. on August 17, 14 strategic bombers, support aircraft and aerial tankers were deployed. Combat duty has begun, involving 20 aircraft,” Putin stated.
According to him, on the first day of patrol flights, bomber planes would spend about 20 hours in the air, with midair refueling, and would interact with naval forces.
Putin Expressed hope that Russia’s partners would treat with understanding the resumption of strategic air flights. Russian pilots have been grounded for too long. There is strategic aviation, but there are no flights.
Special Representative Of OSCE Arrived In Georgia
The report of the International Group of Experts (IGE) investigating the incident of August 6, confirms that the Georgian airspace was violated by the aircraft that entered from the territory of the Russian Federation. The IGE consisted of experts from Sweden, The USA, Lithuania and Latvia. Group of Russian military experts, who arrived in Georgia to investigate the incident, denied involvement of Russian jets in the incident, and doubted radar recordings presented to them by the Georgian side.
De Facto Government Of Abkhazia Holds Large-scale Military Trainings
According to Zakan Nanba, De facto Deputy Minister of Defense of Abkhazia, the trainings will be organized at Ochamchire and Tsebelda polygons. The air forces will also participate in the trainings.
“The trainings have no connection with the problems of Kodori Gorge and the organization of trainings on the above-mentioned territories is preconditioned with the fact that military polygon of Tsebelda is located near Kodori Gorege,” stated Nanba.
According to him, 6 000 militaries will take part in the trainings. “Only reservist will participate in shootings. These are people, who received military education, but they still need to undergo training,”
According To “Labourists” “Georgian Railway” Was Purchased By President’s Family
Giorgi Gugava, one of the leaders of the “Labour” Party of Georgia, they have irrefutable information about the fact. According to him, the company, wvich bought the “Georgian Railway” has no experience in railway management system.
British Company “Parkfield Investments” will manage “Georgian Railway” for 89 years.
Giorgi Arveladze, Minister of Economic Development of Georgia, told journalists that the company would invest USD 1 billion in ten years and the major part of money will be spent in the first 3-4 year.
According to him, the company is obliged to maintain cargo transportation and passenger service fees intact till 2009 and agree all further changes in tariffs with the government for five years after 2009.
Salome Zurabishvili Protests Against Privatization of “Georgian Railway”
Zurabishvili stated at the briefing on Monday that there are a lot of questions regarding privatization of the “Georgian Railway”. It is interesting why the right of management was given to a company with law capital.
British Company “Parkfield Investments” will manage “Georgian Railway” for 89 years.
Giorgi Arveladze, Minister of Economic Development of Georgia, told journalists that the company would invest USD 1 billion in ten years and the major part of money will be spent in the first 3-4 year.
According to him, the company is obliged to maintain cargo transportation and passenger service fees intact till 2009 and agree all further changes in tariffs with the government for five years after 2009.