CIVIL SOCIETY
Human rights, environmental, and cultural issues

Humanitarian Needs Loom as Georgia's Next Crisis
BY NINA AKHMETELI
Diana Khidasheli and her four children spent the night before the August 8 outbreak of war with Russia in their house basement, hoping for an end to the intensive shelling of their village, Kemerti, in the Georgian-controlled South Ossetia conflict zone. Now Khidasheli thinks the decision to hide was a mistake. The next day, she had no time to pack.

Georgia: President Says Georgian Troops Control South Ossetia
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, addressing the nation via television August 8, indicated that Georgia had won the opening battle for control of the separatist territory of South Ossetia. The outcome of the war, however, remains very much in doubt.

Georgia: All-Out War Looms in South Ossetia
BY ELIZABETH OWEN
Georgia and Russia stood at the brink of an all-out conflict August 8, after Georgian Interior Ministry units opened a campaign to retake the separatist territory of South Ossetia. Civilians were scrambling to escape the conflict zone, amid reports that Russian armor and aircraft had entered the conflict.

Georgia: Tbilisi Declares Cease-Fire in South Ossetia
BY ELIZABETH OWEN
Trying to prevent developments from spiraling out of control, Georgia has declared a cease-fire following an outburst of heavy fighting with separatist forces in the breakaway region of South Ossetia on August 7. Georgia is blaming Russia for the escalation of violence.