The latest: Russia May Speed Up Military Bases Withdrawal From Georgia

06.10.2006
Russia May Speed Up Military Bases Withdrawal From Georgia
The two Russian military bases currently in Georgia do not contribute effectively to Russia’s security and their withdrawal ahead of schedule is justified, chairman of the Federation Council’s Committee on Defense and Security Viktor Ozerov said.

06.10.2006
West Has Failed to Learn From 9/11 — Russian Pundit
Despite isolated tactical victories in fight against terrorism, the West has failed to learn the lessons of September 11, Russian pundit Sergei Karaganov is convinced.

06.10.2006
Russia, China Reject Use of Force Against Iran
Russia and China reject the use or threat of force against Iran over its nuclear program and believe any attempts to pressure Tehran with ultimatums are counterproductive, a top Russian diplomat said Friday.

06.10.2006
Russia’s Lavrov, Poland’s Fotyga Discuss Prospects of U.S. Missile Defense Site
Russia’s foreign minister insisted that Poland’s decision about whether to host a U.S. missile defense site must be “transparent and understandable,” he said after a meeting with his Polish counterpart Thursday.

06.10.2006
Man Sued for Distributing Ex-Wife’s Private Photos in Russian Far East
A resident of Russia’s far-eastern Sakhalin province faces court proceedings for distributing his ex-wife’s intimate photos in his home village.

06.10.2006
Russia Starts Deporting Illegal Immigrants From Georgia
Russia deported on Friday a planeload of Georgians accused of illegal immigration in its latest blow against its southern neighbor, officials said.

06.10.2006
Putin Sacks Top Security Officials in Northern Russia After Ethnic Riots
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday sacked top ranking law enforcement officials in a northern Russian region where a deadly fight last month led to riots and mob violence against immigrants from the Caucasus region.

06.10.2006
U.S. Hopes for Democratic Reforms in Uzbekistan
Despite recent disappointments in its relationship with Uzbekistan, the United States remains deeply committed to Central Asia and to building a stronger and mutually beneficial relationship with the Uzbek people, a senior State Department official has said.

06.10.2006
Belarus Denies Entry to Catholic Priests and Nuns From Poland
Just a week after a Catholic priest was hauled before a court in Belarus, authorities in the former Soviet state have refused to renew work visas for a dozen priests and nuns working in the country.

06.10.2006
U.S. Says Will Not Meddle in Ukraine Power Games
The United States said the decision by the political party of Ukraine’s pro-Western president Viktor Yushchenko to go into opposition was an “internal” matter.

06.10.2006
Pro-Moscow Chechen Strongman Old Enough to Run for Presidency
Ramzan Kadyrov, the strongman whose personal militia runs Russia’s Chechnya on the Kremlin’s behalf, turned 30 on Thursday making him eligible to run for the region’s presidency.

06.10.2006
Israel Braces for Tough Test in Games Vs. Hiddink’s Russia
Israel faces its first major hurdle in the Euro 2008 qualification race this weekend, as it takes on Guus Hiddink’s Russia in Moscow.

06.10.2006
Russian Leader Orders Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants, Markets Controlled by Non-Russians
President Vladimir Putin ordered his ministers to protect Russia’s “native population” by cracking down on illegal immigrants and markets where many traders are non-Russians.

06.10.2006
Russian Capital to Host Champions League Final
Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium will stage next season’s European Champions League final, UEFA’s executive committee said this week.