Diplomatic moves as Georgians sieze control of South Ossetia and refugees flee

Someone is doing a splendid job of keeping up to date on news reports on Wikipedia on a page called 2008 War in South Ossetia. Also (in Russian)

“The entire city of Tskhinvali is currently controlled by units of South Ossetia’s defence forces”, Irina Gagloyeva, a spokeswoman for the South Ossetian authorities, was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.

But shortly before that statement came, in a televised address, Georgian president ( said that his forces controlled almost all of the territory.

“Georgian forces are controlling the entire territory of South Ossetia except Java … We are fully in control of Tskhinvali”, he said.

Georgian positions around the city had been destroyed by Russian tank and artillery units, a spokesman for Vladimir Boldyrev, Russia’s army chief, was quoted as saying.

“The positions from which Georgian troops were firing… have been destroyed by fire from artillery and tank units of the 58th army”, Igor Konashenkov, the spokesman, said.

In the fighting, 1 400 South Ossetians had been killed, Eduard Kokoity, is quoted by Russia’s Interfax news agency. (this seems an extravagant claim) more

In other developments : (2.00 am BST)
The UN Security Council was holding its 2nd emergency meeting on Friday in a bid to end the crisis, after failing to agree earlier on the wording of a Russian-drafted statement

The European security organisation, the OSCE, warned that the fighting in South Ossetia could escalate into a full-scale war (NYT)

The US and the EU were reported to be sending a joint delegation to the region to seek a ceasefire and Nato said it was seriously concerned.

Wall Street Journal Morning Brief - By JOSEPH SCHUMAN Moscow, Washington And South Ossetia

According to Italian agency AGI spokesman Dmitry Peskov for Vladimir Putin, said that Putin said to President George Bush at the Olympic opening ceremony in Peking ..."in South Ossetia, a real war has broken out" Bush, according to the same source replied: "no one wants war".The White House, have not reported any details on the meeting. Putin explained to Bush that "in Russia many volunteers intend to go there (in South Ossetia to fight) and undoubtedly, it is very difficult to maintain peace in the region".

Good Yahoo news report here.

The London Daily Mirror report that Katie Melua 24, - Nine Million Bicycles singer , who is on tour in Germany, telephoned her mother Tamari in Tblisi who she is due to visit in 2 weeks. Her uncle may be conscripted into the Georgian army men over the age of 18 are to go to Ossetia, but her kid bro. Zurab, 16, is too young to fight.

Katie lived in Georgia until she was eight and is now based in Croydon, South London

Katie said today she hoped the conflict ended soon.

"Whoever settled anything with war? At the moment it seems to be a lot of posturing and the two 'sides' showing each other how big their 'guns' are," she said.

"But I hope that the violence can end before any more people are killed."

Katie Melua - Nine Million Bicycles

There are nine million bicycles in Beijing

That's a fact,

It's a thing we can't deny

Like the fact that I will love you till I die.



We are twelve billion light years from the edge,

That's a guess,

No-one can ever say it's true

But I know that I will always be with you.



I'm warmed by the fire of your love everyday

So don't call me a liar,

Just believe everything that I say



There are six BILLION people in the world

More or less

and it makes me feel quite small

But you're the one I love the most of all



[INTERLUDE]

We're high on the wire

With the world in our sight

And I'll never tire,

Of the love that you give me every night



There are nine million bicycles in Beijing

That's a Fact,

it's a thing we can't deny

Like the fact that I will love you till I die



And there are nine million bicycles in Beijing

And you know that I will love you till I die!