Main news of August 18
// Aug. 18, 2008 - 18:12 GMT
Saakashvili says ready for talks with Russia once troops leave-2
President Mikheil Saakashvili said Monday Georgia was ready to settle all issues with Russia through dialogue “based on civilized relations” only after Russian troops withdraw from the ex-Soviet republic.
// Aug. 18, 2008 - 18:07 GMT
Russia says Georgian govt., church blocking humanitarian aid
A senior Russian cabinet minister accused Georgia's leadership and Orthodox Church on Monday of preventing Russian peacekeepers from delivering aid to Georgian regions caught up in last week's conflict.
// Aug. 18, 2008 - 17:50 GMT
U.S., U.K. hinder UN resolution on S. Ossetia - Russia
The United States and Britain are hindering work on a UN Security Council resolution on South Ossetia, whitewashing Georgia's role and ignoring the need for talks on the status of its breakaway republics, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Monday.
// Aug. 18, 2008 - 17:15 GMT
Russia ready to negotiate with Ukraine on Black Sea Fleet
Moscow is ready to negotiate with Ukraine on the use of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea, but will not let Kiev dictate terms, the Russian president said on Monday.
// Aug. 18, 2008 - 17:02 GMT
Ex-guerrilla leader Prachanda sworn in as Nepal's PM
Nepal's former Maoist militant leader Prachanda was sworn in as prime minister Monday, two years after ending his guerrilla struggle against the former monarchy.
// Aug. 18, 2008 - 16:31 GMT
Iran to orbit several satellites by 2010
Iran plans to send into orbit several domestic satellites by 2010, the head of the country's aerospace agency said on Monday.
// Aug. 18, 2008 - 14:24 GMT
Russia begins withdrawing troops from Georgia
Russia began pulling back troops from Georgia on Monday in accordance with a plan to resolve the South Ossetia conflict drawn up by the Russian and French presidents, a senior military official said.
// Aug. 18, 2008 - 13:16 GMT
Estonian PM gives personal donation of $500 to Georgian refugees
Estonia's prime minister has donated 5,000 krooni (around $500) toward aid efforts for Georgian refugees who were forced to flee the recent conflict in South Ossetia, the government press service said on Monday.
// Aug. 18, 2008 - 13:11 GMT