rferl--2020-08-17--Roads To Kazakh Village Closed After Alleged Interethnic Clash Among Residents

Kazakh police have blocked all entrances to the village of Baydibek-biy after an alleged interethnic incident , local media reported , citing eyewitnesses and local residents .
Authorities are also urging villagers not to leave their homes following the clash on August 16 , the Vlast news website reported from Baydibek-biy , home to both ethnic Kazakhs and ethnic Chechens .
Local officials , however , denied reports of the incident in Baydibek-biy , where the two groups have previously clashed , most notably in 2007 when three people died in the violence .
“ There is no interethnic clash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are deployed there and the village remains open , ” the regional police office told local media .
Some 50 people were detained in the 2007 violence that began with an argument between two young men – an ethnic Chechen and a Kazakh -- in a local billiard hall .
The dispute quickly turned into a clash involving at least 180 people .
Baydibek-biy , previously known as Malovodnoye , is located some 70 kilometers northeast of Almaty , the former capital of Kazakhstan .
The Central Asian nation , which has more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rise in interethnic conflicts in recent years .
In February , clashes between ethnic Dungans and Kazakhs left 11 people dead near the town of Kordai in the southern Zhambyl Province .
Thousands of ethnic Dungans fled across the border to Kyrgyzstan during that conflict .
Previous ethnic tensions in Kazakhstan include a clash between ethnic Kazakhs and Tajiks in the Turkistan provincial village of Bostandyk in February 2015 .
Authorities often try to downplay the ethnic element in such conflicts and seek to attribute them to “ social issues .
”

Kazakh police have blocked all entrances to the village of Baydibek-biy after an alleged interethnic incident, local media reported, citing eyewitnesses and local residents.
Authorities are also urging villagers not to leave their homes following the clash on August 16, the Vlast news website reported from Baydibek-biy, home to both ethnic Kazakhs and ethnic Chechens.
Local officials, however, denied reports of the incident in Baydibek-biy, where the two groups have previously clashed, most notably in 2007 when three people died in the violence.
“There is no interethnic clash in [Baydibek-biy]. No police are deployed there and the village remains open,” the regional police office told local media.
Some 50 people were detained in the 2007 violence that began with an argument between two young men – an ethnic Chechen and a Kazakh -- in a local billiard hall. The dispute quickly turned into a clash involving at least 180 people.
Baydibek-biy, previously known as Malovodnoye, is located some 70 kilometers northeast of Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan.
The Central Asian nation, which has more than 100 ethnic groups, has seen a rise in interethnic conflicts in recent years.
In February, clashes between ethnic Dungans and Kazakhs left 11 people dead near the town of Kordai in the southern Zhambyl Province. Thousands of ethnic Dungans fled across the border to Kyrgyzstan during that conflict.
Previous ethnic tensions in Kazakhstan include a clash between ethnic Kazakhs and Tajiks in the Turkistan provincial village of Bostandyk in February 2015.
Authorities often try to downplay the ethnic element in such conflicts and seek to attribute them to “social issues.”


rferl--2020-08-17--Armenian Official Defends Pashinian’s 'Quick' Congratulatory Message To Lukashenka

A senior Armenian official says Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian ’ s congratulatory message to Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka on his disputed reelection was in line with the agenda of Armenia ’ s peaceful 2018 revolution .
Armen Grigorian , the secretary of Armenia ’ s Security Council , said in an interview with RFE/RL ’ s Armenian Service on August 16 that decisions like the one to congratulate Lukashenka are taken on the basis of a “ comprehensive risk assessment.
” Pashinian immediately came under criticism from his political opponents and human rights activists in Armenia for sending “ quick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hours after Belarus ’ s Central Election Commission published the preliminary results of the vote , triggering large-scale opposition protests against “ rigged elections.
” Only a handful of world leaders have congratulated Lukashenka on his disputed election win .
Among them are Russian President Vladimir Putin and China ’ s leader Xi Jinping .
The European Union has said it does not recognize the results , and the United States has expressed deep concern over the election results and the unrest .
“ Security-related and other major decisions have grounds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air , ” Grigorian said , speaking on the Sunday Analytical Show by RFE/RL 's Armenian Service .
“ In general , a complete risk assessment is made , and a decision is taken in the interests of the Republic of Armenia.
” Pashinian , who came to power as a result of widespread anti-government protests in May 2018 and earlier spent nearly two years in prison after being convicted of organizing mass disturbances during 2008 postelection protests , has refused to comment on criticism of his congratulations to Lukashenka , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was one of the leaders of the 2018 street protests that brought down the government , said that the protest movement ’ s leaders had announced that there would be no changes in Armenia ’ s foreign policy agenda .
“ In other words , [ Pashinian ’ s ] message is completely in line with the agenda of the revolution .
It ensures the continuity of the agenda of the revolution , ” he said .
Armenia is a member of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union and Collective Security Treaty Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenka ’ s main challenger , Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya , who left Belarus for neighboring Lithuania , refused to recognize Lukashenka ’ s victory , calling on her supporters to stage protests to seek an election rerun .
At least two people have been killed , hundreds have been injured , and thousands arrested in the government crackdown against protesters in Belarus .

A senior Armenian official says Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s congratulatory message to Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka on his disputed reelection was in line with the agenda of Armenia’s peaceful 2018 revolution.
Armen Grigorian, the secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, said in an interview with RFE/RL’s Armenian Service on August 16 that decisions like the one to congratulate Lukashenka are taken on the basis of a “comprehensive risk assessment.”
Pashinian immediately came under criticism from his political opponents and human rights activists in Armenia for sending “quick” congratulations to Lukashenka on August 10, hours after Belarus’s Central Election Commission published the preliminary results of the vote, triggering large-scale opposition protests against “rigged elections.”
Only a handful of world leaders have congratulated Lukashenka on his disputed election win. Among them are Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s leader Xi Jinping. The European Union has said it does not recognize the results, and the United States has expressed deep concern over the election results and the unrest.
“Security-related and other major decisions have grounds, they are not born out of thin air,” Grigorian said, speaking on the Sunday Analytical Show by RFE/RL's Armenian Service. “In general, a complete risk assessment is made, and a decision is taken in the interests of the Republic of Armenia.”
Pashinian, who came to power as a result of widespread anti-government protests in May 2018 and earlier spent nearly two years in prison after being convicted of organizing mass disturbances during 2008 postelection protests, has refused to comment on criticism of his congratulations to Lukashenka, who has ruled Belarus since 1994.
Grigorian, who was one of the leaders of the 2018 street protests that brought down the government, said that the protest movement’s leaders had announced that there would be no changes in Armenia’s foreign policy agenda.
“In other words, [Pashinian’s] message is completely in line with the agenda of the revolution. It ensures the continuity of the agenda of the revolution,” he said.
Armenia is a member of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union and Collective Security Treaty Organization, both of which include Belarus.
Lukashenka’s main challenger, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who left Belarus for neighboring Lithuania, refused to recognize Lukashenka’s victory, calling on her supporters to stage protests to seek an election rerun.
At least two people have been killed, hundreds have been injured, and thousands arrested in the government crackdown against protesters in Belarus.


rferl--2020-08-17--Lukashenka Heckled With Shouts Of 'Leave!' As Belarusian Opposition Politician Says She's Ready To L

Lukashenka Heckled With Shouts Of 'Leave!' As Belarusian Opposition Politician Says She's Ready To Lead

MINSK -- Thousands of factory workers across Belarus have gone on strike to protest `` rigged '' elections , with some heckling President Alyaksandr Lukashenka , who responded to mounting calls for a fresh vote by saying they 'd have to kill him first .
In response to exiled opposition politician Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya saying she is ready to lead the country , Lukashenka flatly rejected another vote , but did indicate that after ruling for 26 years he was willing to look at sharing power , though not under pressure from street protests .
`` You will not live to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure , ” Lukashenka told workers on August 17 during a visit to a tractor factory , adding that there will be no new election “ until you kill me.
” Many of the workers shouted `` Step down ! ''
and `` Leave ! ''
However , Lukashenka 's concession to look at constitutional changes to allow for some form of power-sharing was one of the starkest signs yet of how intense the pressure has become on the 65-year-old leader after results from an August 9 election gave him just over 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that immediately prompted accusations at home and abroad of rigged balloting .
Lukashenka 's speech to workers at the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant came just hours after Tsikhanouskaya called for a new vote , saying she was ready to `` act as a national leader . ''
In a video address posted on YouTube late on August 16 , Tsikhanouskaya , who left for neighboring Lithuania after the disputed election gave Lukashenka a sixth consecutive term in office a week earlier , called for the creation of a legal framework to ensure a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The 37-year-old political novice who ran after other potential candidates , including her husband , were jailed , also said that the past behavior of security and law enforcement officers would be forgiven if they switched sides from Lukashenka 's government .
`` I am ready to take responsibility and act as a national leader in order for the country to calm down and enter the normal rhythm , '' Tsikhanouskaya said in the video .
A week of mass protests and strikes has posed the biggest challenge to Lukashenka 's rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walkouts and some police , state media employees , and a sitting ambassador coming out in support of the protesters .
Lukashenka continued his battle to remain in power on August 17 , arriving at the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant by helicopter a day after speaking to supporters in Minsk at a rally to counter the much larger demonstrations held by the opposition .
Some 7,000 people have been detained by police across the country in a postelection crackdown , with hundreds injured and at least two killed .
Hundreds of people subsequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in detention .
The opposition called for a general strike on August 17 , three days after hundreds of workers at state-run factories downed tools in a sign that Lukashenka 's traditional support base was turning against him .
The call was heeded by workers at the BelAZ plant in the city of Zhodzina , near Minsk , who vowed to begin an indefinite strike unless their list of demands is drawn up by a trade union committee and submitted to management .
Among the demands that have been voiced are the resignation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Employees of the Naftan petrochemical complex and Belaruskali , one of the world 's largest producers of potash fertilizers , followed suit by walking out and making similar demands .
On August 16 , huge crowds gathered in Minsk in the biggest outpouring yet of opposition to Lukashenka 's rule .
Some reports said at least 100,000 protesters assembled near the city 's Victory Park .
RFE/RL was unable to independently verify the crowd size .
Protesters waved the red and white flag used by the opposition as they called for Lukashenka to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The rally competed with a large pro-Lukashenka demonstration that began two hours earlier about 2 kilometers away .
Lukashenka told that crowd , which the Interior Ministry estimated at 65,000 people , that NATO tanks and planes had been deployed 15 minutes from the Belarusian border .
A NATO spokesperson later denied any troop buildup in Eastern Europe .
The Belarusian president also said that `` one can not rig 80 percent '' of the vote .
He vowed to never give in to those demanding he step down and hold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone wants to surrender the country , I will not allow that , even when I am dead . ''
Lukashenka addressed the crowd after the Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told Lukashenka in a telephone call that Russia was ready to provide aid under the terms of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) if need be , and claimed Belarus was facing unspecified external pressure .
With three of its member countries bordering on Belarus , European Union leaders are set to discuss the crisis at an emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The people of Belarus have the right to decide on their future and freely elect their leader , '' European Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter .
`` Violence against protesters is unacceptable and can not be allowed . ''
Last week , EU foreign affairs ministers agreed to begin preparing sanctions against Belarusian officials responsible for election fraud and police violence .
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius on August 17 said that Russian military help in Belarus would constitute `` an invasion.
” '' There are no reasons for military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or other grounds for it .
It would constitute an invasion into the country and would destroy the last traces of its independence , '' he told reporters .
`` Military interference in other states is not acceptable at all and breaks all the rules we have set ourselves under international law , ” he said in an interview with the Bild newspaper .
Scholz , who is also Germany 's vice chancellor , also called Lukashenka a dictator who had lost the support of his people .
Poland said on August 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its border with Belarus , as the Belarusian Army plans to hold drills this week in the Grodno region bordering Poland and Lithuania .
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on August 17 that Lukashenka 's reelection was `` fraudulent '' and that the British government does n't accept the election results .
`` The world has watched with horror at the violence used by the Belarusian authorities to suppress the peaceful protests that followed this fraudulent presidential election , '' he said .
`` The U.K. does not accept the results .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Current Time , AFP , Interfax , Bild , and TASS

MINSK -- Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka says fresh presidential elections are possible if changes are made to the constitution, a sharp turn from his previous statements as thousands of workers went on strike and participated in mass protests over election results many have called "rigged."
In response to exiled opposition politician Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya saying she was ready to lead the country, Lukashenka on August 17 flatly rejected another vote, but later in the day indicated that after ruling for 26 years, he was willing to look at sharing power, though not under pressure from street protests.
In a sign of his growing vulnerability, the 65-year-old leader was heckled and jeered at during a speech to workers at a major state-run tractor factory that was once considered a shining example of his economic model and the bedrock of his base.
State television channel STV later reported that three people were arrested after Lukashenka left the plant, accused of "coordinating" the jeering.
"We need to adopt a new constitution. You must adopt it in a referendum, and under the new constitution, you could hold if you like both parliamentary elections and a presidential one, as well as elections of local authorities," Lukashenka said in comments, some of which were aired by the Belarus-24 television channel.
His concession to look at constitutional changes to allow for some form of power sharing was one of the starkest signs yet of how intense the pressure has become on Lukashenka after results from an August 9 election gave him just over 80 percent of the vote, a figure that immediately prompted accusations at home and abroad of rigged balloting.
Lukashenka's speech to workers at the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant came just hours after Tsikhanouskaya called for a new vote, saying she was ready to "act as a national leader."
In a video address posted on YouTube late on August 16, Tsikhanouskaya, who left for neighboring Lithuania after the disputed election gave Lukashenka a sixth consecutive term in office a week earlier, called for the creation of a legal framework to ensure a new fair election could be held:
The 37-year-old political novice who ran after other potential candidates, including her husband, were jailed, also said that the past behavior of security and law enforcement officers would be forgiven if they switched sides from Lukashenka's government.
"I am ready to take responsibility and act as a national leader in order for the country to calm down and enter the normal rhythm," Tsikhanouskaya said in the video.
A week of mass protests and strikes has posed the biggest challenge to Lukashenka's rule, with workers from state factories staging walkouts and some police, state media employees, and a sitting ambassador coming out in support of the protesters.
As sunset approached Minsk on August 17, thousands had once again gathered for a ninth day of demonstrations. Between 5,000 and 7,000 people came to a pretrial detention center on Volodarsky Street where many protesters are being detained, before moving to another detention center in Akrestsin Lane.
Some 7,000 people have been detained by police across the country in a postelection crackdown, with hundreds injured and at least two killed. Hundreds of people subsequently released spoke of brutal beatings they suffered in detention.
The opposition called for a general strike on August 17, three days after hundreds of workers at state-run factories downed tools in a sign that Lukashenka's traditional support base was turning against him.
The call was heeded by workers at the BelAZ plant in the city of Zhodzina, near Minsk, who vowed to begin an indefinite strike unless their list of demands is drawn up by a trade union committee and submitted to management. Among the demands that have been voiced are the resignation of Lukashenka and a new election.
Employees of the Naftan petrochemical complex and Belaruskali, one of the world's largest producers of potash fertilizers, followed suit by walking out and making similar demands.
On August 16, huge crowds gathered in Minsk in the biggest outpouring yet of opposition to Lukashenka's rule.
Some reports said at least 100,000 protesters assembled near the city's Victory Park. RFE/RL was unable to independently verify the crowd size.
Protesters waved the red-and-white flag used by the opposition as they called for Lukashenka to resign and the release of political prisoners.
The rally competed with a large pro-Lukashenka demonstration that began two hours earlier about 2 kilometers away.
Lukashenka told that crowd, which the Interior Ministry estimated at 65,000 people, that NATO tanks and planes had been deployed 15 minutes from the Belarusian border. A NATO spokesperson later denied any troop buildup in Eastern Europe.
The Belarusian president also said that "one cannot rig 80 percent" of the vote.
He vowed to never give in to those demanding he step down and hold a repeat election, saying, "If someone wants to surrender the country, I will not allow that, even when I am dead."
Lukashenka addressed the crowd after the Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told Lukashenka in a telephone call that Russia was ready to provide aid under the terms of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) if need be, and claimed Belarus was facing unspecified external pressure.
With three of its member countries bordering on Belarus, European Union leaders are set to discuss the crisis at an emergency meeting on August 19 in Brussels.
"The people of Belarus have the right to decide on their future and freely elect their leader," European Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter. "Violence against protesters is unacceptable and cannot be allowed."
Last week, EU foreign ministers agreed to begin preparing sanctions against Belarusian officials responsible for election fraud and police violence.
Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius on August 17 said that Russian military help in Belarus would constitute "an invasion.”
"There are no reasons for military support from Russia, and no legal or other grounds for it. It would constitute an invasion into the country and would destroy the last traces of its independence," he told reporters.
German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz warned against Russia becoming involved.
"Military interference in other states is not acceptable at all and breaks all the rules we have set ourselves under international law,” he said in an interview with the Bild newspaper.
The European Union said it will hold emergency talks on August 19 to discuss the crisis, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was closely watching the "terrible" situation as it evolves.
"It's terrible. That's a terrible situation, Belarus. We'll be following it very closely," Trump said on August 17.
With reporting by BelTA, Reuters, Current Time, AFP, Interfax, Bild, and TASS


rferl--2020-08-18--Ukraine Summons Belarus Ambassador, Saying Release Of Alleged Russian Mercenaries Undermined Trust

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Ukraine has summoned the Belarus ambassador for consultations on deteriorating relations between the two countries .
Ukrainian Ambassador to Belarus Igor Kizim will be summoned to Kyiv `` to assess the prospects of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations in the new reality , ” Kuleba said on August 17 .
Kuleba said Ukraine takes issue first and foremost with the release of 32 Russian citizens detained near Minsk last month who had been accused of being mercenaries plotting to “ destabilize ” the situation in Belarus around the August 9 presidential election .
The Russian Prosecutor-General ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the men had been released and returned to Russia and would not face criminal charges .
A 33rd man who was arrested with the others was not released because he also has Belarusian citizenship , in addition to his Russian passport .
Ukraine had sought the extradition of 28 of the men , saying they had fought on the side of Russia-backed separatist formations in parts of eastern Ukraine .
Kuleba said Minsk handed the men over to Russia despite the existence of “ legal and moral grounds ” to hand them over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust between our countries and dealt a heavy blow to our bilateral relations , ” Kuleba said , according to Current Time .
The men had been identified as employees of the Russia-based Vagner private security contractor .
Minsk claimed the men were in Belarus to conduct a “ color revolution ” as Belarusian President Aleyaksandr Lukashenka sought a sixth term as president .
Moscow claimed the men were traveling through Belarus on their way to Istanbul before flying to “ a third country.
” After the men were released Lukashenka accused Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kuleba , who also cited Russia ’ s statement on August 16 that it was ready to provide aid under the terms of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) as a source of contention .
This combination of facts and actions , as well as events in Belarus related to the August 9 presidential election , “ radically changes the situation in Belarusian-Ukrainian relations , ” Kuleba said .
It is the first time Ukraine has resorted to such a step in its relations with Belarus “ and we are doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Minsk , ” Kuleba said .

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Ukraine has summoned the Belarusian ambassador for consultations on deteriorating relations between the two countries.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Belarus Igor Kizim will be summoned to Kyiv "to assess the prospects of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations in the new reality,” Kuleba said on August 17.
Kuleba said Ukraine takes issue first and foremost with the release of 32 Russian citizens detained near Minsk last month who had been accused of being mercenaries plotting to “destabilize” the situation in Belarus around the August 9 presidential election.
The Russian Prosecutor-General’s Office said on August 14 that the men had been released and returned to Russia and would not face criminal charges.
A 33rd man who was arrested with the others was not released because he also has Belarusian citizenship, in addition to his Russian passport.
Ukraine had sought the extradition of 28 of the men, saying they had fought on the side of Russia-backed separatist formations in parts of eastern Ukraine.
Kuleba said Minsk handed the men over to Russia despite the existence of “legal and moral grounds” to hand them over to Ukraine.
“This step undermined trust between our countries and dealt a heavy blow to our bilateral relations,” Kuleba said, according to Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.
The men had been identified as employees of the Russia-based Vagner private security contractor. Minsk claimed the men were in Belarus to conduct a “color revolution” as Belarusian President Aleyaksandr Lukashenka sought a sixth term as president. Moscow claimed the men were traveling through Belarus on their way to Istanbul before flying to “a third country.”
After the men were released, Lukashenka accused Ukraine of unfriendly actions against Belarus, said Kuleba, who also cited Russia’s statement on August 16 that it was ready to provide aid under the terms of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) as a source of contention.
This combination of facts and actions, as well as events in Belarus related to the August 9 presidential election, “radically changes the situation in Belarusian-Ukrainian relations,” Kuleba said.
It is the first time Ukraine has resorted to such a step in its relations with Belarus, “and we are doing it exclusively because of the unacceptable actions of Minsk,” Kuleba said.
Current Time and pravda.com.ua


rferl--2020-08-17--Armenian Universities To Reopen Next Month, Minister Says

YEREVAN -- Armenian universities closed because of the coronavirus pandemic in March will reopen their doors to students next month , Education Minister Arayik Harutiunian has said .
Harutiunian made the announcement after a meeting on August 17 of senior government officials who are coordinating the response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Harutiunian added that university classes for freshman students will open on September 1 , while all others will start on September 15 .
`` Universities themselves will decide on how to organize courses , including a hybrid way that will allow online learning .
Universities will publish details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about their curricula , '' Harutiunian said in a Facebook post .
Last week , Harutiunian announced that classes in all secondary schools in Armenia as well as in vocational training colleges , music , and art schools will begin on September 15 .
He stressed that all educational establishments must comply with sanitary and hygienic rules set by the government .
The current state of emergency in Armenia ends on September 11 .
Armenia has recorded 41,701 coronavirus cases and 824 deaths since the start of the epidemic .
In recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s heath authorities have been reporting decreasing numbers of new COVID-19 cases and fatalities .

YEREVAN -- Armenian universities closed because of the coronavirus pandemic in March will reopen their doors to students next month, Education Minister Arayik Harutiunian has said.
Harutiunian made the announcement after a meeting on August 17 of senior government officials who are coordinating the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Harutiunian added that university classes for freshman students will open on September 1, while all others will start on September 15.
"Universities themselves will decide on how to organize courses, including a hybrid way that will allow online learning. Universities will publish details on their websites and will provide additional information about their curricula," Harutiunian said in a Facebook post.
Last week, Harutiunian announced that classes in all secondary schools in Armenia as well as in vocational training colleges, music, and art schools will begin on September 15.
He stressed that all educational establishments must comply with sanitary and hygienic rules set by the government.
The current state of emergency in Armenia ends on September 11.
Armenia has recorded 41,701 coronavirus cases and 824 deaths since the start of the epidemic.
In recent weeks, however, the country’s heath authorities have been reporting decreasing numbers of new COVID-19 cases and fatalities.


rferl--2020-08-17--Australia, France Object To Afghan Release Of Some Taliban Detainees

Afghan officials say the planned peace talks with the Taliban have hit a new impasse after some foreign governments called on Kabul not to free certain fighters in a prisoner-release deal .
The negotiations were expected to begin within days after a Loya Jirga -- a traditional consultative assembly -- met in Kabul earlier this month and approved the release of 400 Taliban prisoners , a major precondition to talks .
The officials did n't name the foreign governments who opposed to the release of the militants .
But Australia and France have urged the Afghan government not to free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and French nationals .
Fereydoon Khuzoon , a spokesman for the High Council for National Reconciliation , told reporters that the prisoner release process had been slowed down by the foreign partners ' objections .
Khuzoon said Afghan authorities were now trying to resolve the problem in such a way that both the peace opportunity and relationships with the foreign partners remained unharmed .
Azizullah Fazli , a government adviser on peace affairs , told RFE/RL that efforts were under way by the government in Kabul to remove obstacles to the start of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big problem , it will be resolved , '' Fazli said on August 17 .
France 's Foreign Ministry said on August 15 that Paris was `` firmly opposed to the liberation of individuals sentenced for crimes against French nationals , especially soldiers and humanitarian workers . ''
Bettina Goislard , a French employee of the UN refugee agency , was killed by two Taliban militants in 2003 .
In 2012 , a former Afghan soldier killed five French troops and injured 13 others in Kapisa Province .
Australian Prime Minister Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the release of a former Afghan National Army soldier -- identified as Hekmatullah -- who went rogue and killed three Australian soldiers .
Kabul has already released 4,600 Taliban inmates out of the 5,000 pledged in a landmark agreement signed by the United States and the Taliban in February .
But Afghan officials have described the remaining prisoners as dangerous .
About 200 of them are accused by the Afghan government of masterminding attacks on embassies , public squares , and government offices , killing thousands of civilians in recent years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 government prisoners it had pledged in the agreement with the United States .
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani himself has warned that the 400 militants were a `` danger to the world . ''
But the Taliban said in a statement that the militants did n't pose any threat to anyone and that they were imprisoned for fighting for their country .
The militant group has said it is willing to begin peace talks `` within a week '' after all 400 prisoners are released .
It the Afghan government for delaying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said repeatedly that he wants to end America 's longest war , which began after the September 11 , 2001 terrorist attacks .

The education of girls and women is universally accepted in more than 200 countries and territories, including nearly 50 Muslim-majority nations.
But Afghanistan’s hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers have banned teenage girls from attending school after the sixth grade since they returned to power two years ago. The ban was extended in December to women in universities.
Countless protests by Afghans inside the country, pressure from the international community, and lobbying by Muslim scholars and clerics have failed to convince the fundamentalist Taliban leaders to reopen schools.
Experts are divided over whether the ban is rooted in how the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam is shaped by conservative Pashtun tribal customs and cultural practices or if it is prompted by how senior Taliban ideologues interpret Islamic teachings.
Most Taliban leaders are ethnic Pashtun, Sunni Muslim clerics. Many were educated in Deobandi madrasahs in neighboring Pakistan. Deobandism emerged as a puritanical Islamic revivalist movement in 19-century British Colonial India. Based on the Sunni Hanafi school of jurisprudence, it is a prominent strain among Islamists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Tribal Influences
Sami Yousafzai, a veteran Afghan journalist and commentator, argues that the Taliban restrictions against women are linked to social customs and cultural practices in eastern and southern Afghanistan.
Most Taliban leaders come from various Pashtun rural tribal communities in these regions bordering Pakistan.
"They believe that a woman's place is either inside a house or in a grave," Yousafzai said of the basic Taliban belief influenced by the status of women in the families of clerics and religious leaders in these Pashtun regions.
“Women living in the households of the current Taliban policymakers were never educated and never left their homes,” said Yousafzai, who has tracked the Islamist group since it emerged as a ragtag militia in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar in late 1994. “These women never performed any government or nongovernmental jobs.”
Yousafzai says the Taliban backs policies shaped by this worldview by leaning on Islamic teachings supporting such ideas. He says Taliban leaders rely on sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad that discourage women from leaving their homes.
“Their primary belief is that pubescent girls should not leave home under any circumstance,” he said. “This is why they view women leaving home for education or work as engaging in moral corruption.”
In Afghanistan, a Muslim nation of some 40 million people, activists and rights advocates accuse the Taliban of implementing "gender apartheid" by denying women education, work, freedom of movement, and deciding how they can appear in public.
Most Muslims agree that Islam allows women to get an education. Yet the Taliban publicly says that it will allow girls access to education only after ensuring complete gender segregation and other unspecified conditions.
Almost all Afghan secondary schools were gender segregated and universities imposed a strict separation between men and women after the Taliban takeover.
Yousafzai says in conservative and traditional Muslim societies around the world, some clerics also favor restrictions on women's education, work, and their role in public life. But the governments in those countries usually oppose or limit such ideas.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia -- one of the most conservative Sunni Muslim nations -- has allowed women to drive and granted them freedom of movement without a male guardian. These steps are part of a reform and modernity drive by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
The Taliban ban on education has invited universal condemnation from Muslims globally.
“The Taliban's ban on women's education is not rooted in [the Islamic] Shari’a law but rather reflects cultural biases that contradict the teachings of Islam,” said Salam al-Marayati, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council in the United States.
He said that contrary to Taliban practices, “Islam emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and encourages all individuals, regardless of gender, to acquire an education.”
Historical Conflict
But Islamic scholars and those who have attempted to convince the Taliban about reopening girls schools offer a different explanation.
John Mohammad Butt, an Islamic scholar and former BBC broadcaster who is the only Westerner to graduate from India’s Darul Uloom Deoband, argues that the Taliban's policy on girls' education is not tribal but shaped by the century-old conflict over modern education.
“The problem is that girls' education in Afghanistan -- indeed, contemporary education in general -- has generally been introduced in Afghanistan in line with a secular agenda,” he said.
In the 1920s, a coalition of conservative clerics and tribal and community leaders deposed reformist King Amanullah Khan. He wanted to modernize Afghanistan along Turkish leader Kamal Ataturk's secular lines and championed modern education and rights for women.
This opposition to modernity and secularism continued, and conservative clerics opposed women's education and work. It became a key part of the Islamist opposition to the pro-Soviet Afghan communist governments after the April 1978 military coup that ended the Afghan monarchy. The mujahedin accused the communists of spreading immorality by promoting women’s education and empowerment.
“This has led to particular wariness on the part of conservative circles in Afghanistan with regard to girls' education,” Butt said.
'Deep Ideological Conviction'
Obaidullah Baheer, a political science lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan, became part of an effort to rescind the ban by talking to the Taliban last year.
But he says the effort failed because “the ban is a matter of deep ideological conviction” for the current supreme leader of the Taliban, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada.
Baheer says that the most prominent Taliban leaders have studied in Pakistani madrasahs and were thus disconnected from village and tribal life.
“They have been indoctrinated by the Deobandi school of thought so that they now enforce the strictest version of Islam on the Afghan population,” he said.
He argues that the ban on girls’ schools is a deliberate policy championed by Akhundzada, who he says has endorsed Taliban Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani's Arabic language book The Islamic Emirate And Its System. In this book, Haqqani supports a fringe Islamic opinion of preferring the choice of one of the Prophet Muhammad's wives, Sawdah Bint Zam'ah, who chose to stay at home until her death.
Baheer says Haqqani ignores his other wives and other female companions that played an active role in many sectors of society and how they served as students and teachers for men.
“This fringe opinion is not held by all Taliban leaders but is one that the current absolute sovereign, the Taliban emir, seems to be convinced of,” he said.
Butt says that even Haqqani has acknowledged the principle that if there is something that women need to act upon, then that is also something that women need to learn about.
“I hope the Taliban authorities will come to realize in the not-too-distant future that education for women will make Afghan women into better Muslims,” he says. “It will enable them to make a stronger contribution to the well-being of their country.”
Two years after grappling with the issue, Western diplomats appear to be encouraging Afghan conservative and clerical circles to find ways to end the ban.
Tom West, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, recently tweeted that Afghan women must be educated and contribute to the economy to help their country stand on its own two feet.
“If change to policies is made, it will be because Afghans have asked for it, not a result of foreign requests,” he wrote.


rferl--2020-08-17--Russian, U.S. Officials Meet In Vienna For New Arms-Control Talks As Treaty Nears End

Russian and U.S. officials have begun a third round of nuclear arms-control talks in the Austrian capital as the end of the 2010 New Strategic Arms Treaty ( New START ) looms .
The two-day meeting in Vienna is led by U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov .
`` The U.S. is prepared for a serious dialogue , '' Billingslea tweeted as he arrived .
The two powers are discussing their last remaining nuclear arms-control agreement , New START .
The bilateral treaty , which caps the number of deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , expires in February .
The first two rounds of talks between the United States and Russia took place in June and July with no apparent breakthrough on a possible extension of the New START treaty .
The United States has urged China to join the negotiations -- a proposal rejected by Beijing .
`` Open-minded professional dialogue is better than propagandistic rhetoric which prevailed in this area for a long time , '' Mikhail Ulyanov , the Russian ambassador to international organizations in Vienna , tweeted .
Based on reporting by dpa @ @

Russian and U.S. officials have begun a third round of nuclear arms-control talks in the Austrian capital as the end of the 2010 New Strategic Arms Treaty (New START) looms.
The two-day meeting in Vienna is led by U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
"The U.S. is prepared for a serious dialogue," Billingslea tweeted as he arrived.
The two powers are discussing their last remaining nuclear arms-control agreement, New START.
The bilateral treaty, which caps the number of deployed long-range nuclear warheads each country can have, expires in February.
The first two rounds of talks between the United States and Russia took place in June and July with no apparent breakthrough on a possible extension of the New START treaty.
The United States has urged China to join the negotiations -- a proposal rejected by Beijing.
"Open-minded professional dialogue is better than propagandistic rhetoric which prevailed in this area for a long time," Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, tweeted.
Based on reporting by dpa and TASS


rferl--2020-08-17--Heckled And Jeered, Lukashenka Says New Election Could Be Held After Constitutional Changes

MINSK -- Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka says fresh presidential elections are possible if changes are made to the constitution , a sharp turn from his previous statements as thousands of workers went on strike and participated in mass protests over election results many have called `` rigged . ''
In response to exiled opposition politician Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya saying she was ready to lead the country , Lukashenka on August 17 flatly rejected another vote , but later in the day indicated that after ruling for 26 years , he was willing to look at sharing power , though not under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign of his growing vulnerability , the 65-year-old leader was heckled and jeered at during a speech to workers at a major state-run tractor factory that was once considered a shining example of his economic model and the bedrock of his base .
State television channel STV later reported that three people were arrested after Lukashenka left the plant , accused of `` coordinating '' the jeering .
`` We need to adopt a new constitution .
You must adopt it in a referendum , and under the new constitution , you could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a presidential one , as well as elections of local authorities , '' Lukashenka said in comments , some of which were aired by the Belarus-24 television channel .
His concession to look at constitutional changes to allow for some form of power sharing was one of the starkest signs yet of how intense the pressure has become on Lukashenka after results from an August 9 election gave him just over 80 percent of the vote , a figure that immediately prompted accusations at home and abroad of rigged balloting .
Lukashenka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wheeled Tractor Plant came just hours after Tsikhanouskaya called for a new vote , saying she was ready to `` act as a national leader . ''
In a video address posted on YouTube late on August 16 , Tsikhanouskaya , who left for neighboring Lithuania after the disputed election gave Lukashenka a sixth consecutive term in office a week earlier , called for the creation of a legal framework to ensure a new fair election could be held : The 37-year-old political novice who ran after other potential candidates , including her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the past behavior of security and law enforcement officers would be forgiven if they switched sides from Lukashenka 's government .
`` I am ready to take responsibility and act as a national leader in order for the country to calm down and enter the normal rhythm , '' Tsikhanouskaya said in the video .
A week of mass protests and strikes has posed the biggest challenge to Lukashenka 's rule , with workers from state factories staging walkouts and some police , state media employees , and a sitting ambassador coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As sunset approached Minsk on August 17 , thousands had once again gathered for a ninth day of demonstrations .
Between 5,000 and 7,000 people came to a pretrial detention center on Volodarsky Street where many protesters are being detained , before moving to another detention center in Akrestsin Lane .
Some 7,000 people have been detained by police across the country in a postelection crackdown , with hundreds injured and at least two killed .
Hundreds of people subsequently released spoke of brutal beatings they suffered in detention .
The opposition called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , three days after hundreds of workers at state-run factories downed tools in a sign that Lukashenka 's traditional support base was turning against him .
The call was heeded by workers at the BelAZ plant in the city of Zhodzina , near Minsk , who vowed to begin an indefinite strike unless their list of demands is drawn up by a trade union committee and submitted to management .
Among the demands that have been voiced are the resignation of Lukashenka and a new election .
Employees of the Naftan petrochemical complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's largest producers of potash fertilizers , followed suit by walking out and making similar demands .
On August 16 , huge crowds gathered in Minsk in the biggest outpouring yet of opposition to Lukashenka 's rule .
Some reports said at least 100,000 protesters assembled near the city 's Victory Park .
RFE/RL was unable to independently verify the crowd size .
Protesters waved the red-and-white flag used by the opposition as they called for Lukashenka to resign and the release of political prisoners .
The rally competed with a large pro-Lukashenka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 kilometers away .
Lukashenka told that crowd , which the Interior Ministry estimated at 65,000 people , that NATO tanks and planes had been deployed 15 minutes from the Belarusian border .
A NATO spokesperson later denied any troop buildup in Eastern Europe .
The Belarusian president also said that `` one can not rig 80 percent '' of the vote .
He vowed to never give in to those demanding he step down and hold a repeat election , saying , `` If someone wants to surrender the country , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am dead . ''
Lukashenka addressed the crowd after the Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told Lukashenka in a telephone call that Russia was ready to provide aid under the terms of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) if need be , and claimed Belarus was facing unspecified external pressure .
With three of its member countries bordering on Belarus , European Union leaders are set to discuss the crisis at an emergency meeting on August 19 in Brussels .
`` The people of Belarus have the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elect their leader , '' European Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter .
`` Violence against protesters is unacceptable and can not be allowed . ''
Last week , EU foreign ministers agreed to begin preparing sanctions against Belarusian officials responsible for election fraud and police violence .
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius on August 17 said that Russian military help in Belarus would constitute `` an invasion.
” '' There are no reasons for military support from Russia , and no legal or other grounds for it .
It would constitute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroy the last traces of its independence , '' he told reporters .
`` Military interference in other states is not acceptable at all and breaks all the rules we have set ourselves under international law , ” he said in an interview with the Bild newspaper .
The European Union said it will hold emergency talks on August 19 to discuss the crisis , while U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was closely watching the `` terrible '' situation as it evolves .
`` It 's terrible .
That 's a terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following it very closely , '' Trump said on August 17 .
With reporting by BelTA , Reuters , Current Time , AFP , Interfax , Bild , and TASS


rferl--2020-08-18--Key Witness In Armenia Vote-Buying Case Denies Accusations

YEREVAN -- A key witness in the criminal case against the leader of Armenia ’ s main opposition party has rejected allegations of vote-buying in the 2017 general elections .
In June , Prosperous Armenia Party ( BHK ) leader Gagik Tsarukian , who is also a wealthy businessman , was stripped of his parliamentary immunity from prosecution and indicted on vote-buying charges he rejects as politically motivated .
The National Security Service ( NSS ) had earlier announced that it had found evidence incriminating Tsarukian following a search of the offices of a construction company as part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RFE/RL on August 17 , Vazgen Poghosian , the owner of the Yerevanshin construction company , acknowledged he had received a hefty amount of money from Tsarukian ahead of the 2017 vote .
However , he insisted that the 90 million drams ( about $ 185,000 ) mentioned by the NSS was intended to cover the costs of the BHK election campaign – not to buy votes .
“ All these expenses were [ connected to ] organizational work – to rent offices , pay people for two months , buy fuel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sewage , [ and ] pay for other costs , ” the 68-year-old businessman said .
Poghosian also rejected a claim by the NSS that he had provided information to law enforcement officials about the alleged vote-buying .
“ I have no problems with Tsarukian .
All this is a lie ... .
Tsarukian and I have known each other since 1990 .
I built his business premises , his casino .
I laid the foundations of the church he built .
I built all that , and I was paid very generously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused in a separate case of giving a bribe to a former chairman of the Urban Development Committee .
As a candidate for the bloc led by Tsarukian in the 2017 elections , Poghosian won a seat in the National Assembly , but he later gave up his parliamentary mandate .
A Yerevan court in June rejected a petition by investigators to arrest Tsarukian in the vote-buying case .
Prosecutors have appealed the decision .
Two former BHK lawmakers , Abraham Manukian and Vanik Asatrian , have been charged in the same case @ @ @ @ @ @ @

YEREVAN -- A key witness in the criminal case against the leader of Armenia’s main opposition party has rejected allegations of vote-buying in the 2017 general elections.
In June, Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) leader Gagik Tsarukian, who is also a wealthy businessman, was stripped of his parliamentary immunity from prosecution and indicted on vote-buying charges he rejects as politically motivated.
The National Security Service (NSS) had earlier announced that it had found evidence incriminating Tsarukian following a search of the offices of a construction company as part of a separate case.
In an interview with RFE/RL on August 17, Vazgen Poghosian, the owner of the Yerevanshin construction company, acknowledged he had received a hefty amount of money from Tsarukian ahead of the 2017 vote.
However, he insisted that the 90 million drams (about $185,000) mentioned by the NSS was intended to cover the costs of the BHK election campaign – not to buy votes.
“All these expenses were [connected to] organizational work – to rent offices, pay people for two months, buy fuel, pay for electricity, water, and sewage, [and] pay for other costs,” the 68-year-old businessman said.
Poghosian also rejected a claim by the NSS that he had provided information to law enforcement officials about the alleged vote-buying.
“I have no problems with Tsarukian. All this is a lie.... Tsarukian and I have known each other since 1990. I built his business premises, his casino. I laid the foundations of the church he built. I built all that, and I was paid very generously,” he said.
Poghosian is accused in a separate case of giving a bribe to a former chairman of the Urban Development Committee.
As a candidate for the bloc led by Tsarukian in the 2017 elections, Poghosian won a seat in the National Assembly, but he later gave up his parliamentary mandate.
A Yerevan court in June rejected a petition by investigators to arrest Tsarukian in the vote-buying case. Prosecutors have appealed the decision.
Two former BHK lawmakers, Abraham Manukian and Vanik Asatrian, have been charged in the same case. Only Asatrian is under arrest.


rferl--2020-08-18--Azerbaijani Activist Freed After Completing Prison Term On Charges He Denies

BAKU – An activist of Azerbaijan 's opposition Popular Front Party ( AXCP ) has been released from prison after completing a four-year sentence on charges he claimed were politically motivated .
Upon his release on the morning of August 18 , Fuad Ahmadli told RFE/RL that his arrest was part of ongoing attacks by the authorities on AXCP members .
Asked about his time behind bars , Ahmadli said , “ It wasn ’ t that difficult.
” He added that he “ felt proud ” for coming through it .
Ahmadli was arrested in August 2016 and charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the mobile operator Azerfon , where he worked at the time .
The following year , the Baku Court for Serious Crimes tried and found him guilty of giving to a third party illegally obtained personal data from a mobile operator 's clients .
`` By handing down this unfair and ordered-from-above verdict , you are adding yourselves to history 's dark pages , '' Ahmadli told the court after his verdict was announced on June 16 , 2017 .
Critics of Azerbaijan ’ s longtime President Ilham Aliyev 's government say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently seek to silence dissent by jailing opposition activists , journalists , and civil society advocates on trumped-up charges .
Dozens of activists from the AXCP were detained or arrested on administrative or criminal charges following a rally in Baku on July 14 .
Late in the protest , a group of people briefly stormed into the parliament building before they were removed by police .
After that incident , prosecutors launched a widening criminal investigation against some alleged participants .
Critics claim that the case is part of an effort by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

BAKU – An activist of Azerbaijan's opposition Popular Front Party (AXCP) has been released from prison after completing a four-year sentence on charges he claimed were politically motivated.
Upon his release on the morning of August 18, Fuad Ahmadli told RFE/RL that his arrest was part of ongoing attacks by the authorities on AXCP members.
Asked about his time behind bars, Ahmadli said, “It wasn’t that difficult.” He added that he “felt proud” for coming through it.
Ahmadli was arrested in August 2016 and charged with stealing the personal data of clients of the mobile operator Azerfon, where he worked at the time.
The following year, the Baku Court for Serious Crimes tried and found him guilty of giving to a third party illegally obtained personal data from a mobile operator's clients.
"By handing down this unfair and ordered-from-above verdict, you are adding yourselves to history's dark pages," Ahmadli told the court after his verdict was announced on June 16, 2017.
Critics of Azerbaijan’s longtime President Ilham Aliyev's government say authorities in the oil-rich Caspian Sea state frequently seek to silence dissent by jailing opposition activists, journalists, and civil society advocates on trumped-up charges.
Dozens of activists from the AXCP were detained or arrested on administrative or criminal charges following a rally in Baku on July 14.
Late in the protest, a group of people briefly stormed into the parliament building before they were removed by police.
After that incident, prosecutors launched a widening criminal investigation against some alleged participants.
Critics claim that the case is part of an effort by the authorities to eliminate political dissent in Azerbaijan.


rferl--2020-08-18--At Least 10 Wounded In Rocket Attacks As Afghanistan Marks Independence Anniversary

KABUL – Afghan officials say at least 10 people were wounded after a series of rockets hit residential and diplomatic areas in Kabul as the country celebrated the 101st anniversary of its independence .
The Interior Ministry said on August 18 that a total of 14 rockets were fired from two vehicles and that two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident .
Ministry spokesman Tareq Arian said those wounded in the attacks included four children and one woman .
One of the rockets landed in the presidential palace compound , wounding six members of President Ashraf Ghani 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as saying .
No group claimed responsibility for the attacks , which took place as the United States is withdrawing troops while trying to usher in peace talks between the Taliban and the Western-backed government in Kabul to end nearly 19 years of war .
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said he was n't aware of the attacks .
The Islamic State extremist group 's affiliate that operates in Afghanistan has interrupted national celebrations in the past with rocket fire .
Reports said the rockets were fired shortly after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani laid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Defense Ministry to mark the end of Afghanistan 's 1919 War of Independence , also known as the Third Anglo-Afghan War .
Fought between Afghan and British-Indian forces , the conflict reestablished full Afghan independence after decades of British control over Afghan foreign policy .
With reporting by dpa , Reuters , and AP


rferl--2020-08-18--Moscow Exchange To Begin Trading Apple Shares

The Moscow Exchange has announced that it will soon begin trading shares of the U.S. technology giant Apple .
Russia 's largest stock exchange made the announcement on August 17 , saying that trading would begin on September 7 .
Apple is one of the most dominant technology companies in the world and manufactures popular consumer electronics , develops software , and provides online services .
The company has recently faced hurdles in the lucrative Russian market .
In 2019 , Russia 's parliament passed the so-called `` law against Apple , '' which will require all smartphone devices sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apps approved by the Russian government .
The legislation was slated to come into effect in July but has been postponed until early 2021 .
In August , Russia 's competition watchdog ruled that Apple had abused its position in the mobile-apps market by requiring users to use the company 's App Store .
The Russian watchdog also said Apple was unlawfully blocking third-party apps from being sold on the App Store .
Apple posted record profits in its last quarter , with revenue of $ 59.7 billion .
Based on reporting by @ @ @ @ @ @

The Moscow Exchange has announced that it will soon begin trading shares of the U.S. technology giant Apple.
Russia's largest stock exchange made the announcement on August 17, saying that trading would begin on September 7.
Apple is one of the most dominant technology companies in the world and manufactures popular consumer electronics, develops software, and provides online services.
The company has recently faced hurdles in the lucrative Russian market.
In 2019, Russia's parliament passed the so-called "law against Apple," which will require all smartphone devices sold in the country to come preinstalled with apps approved by the Russian government.
The legislation was slated to come into effect in July but has been postponed until early 2021.
In August, Russia's competition watchdog ruled that Apple had abused its position in the mobile-apps market by requiring users to use the company's App Store. The Russian watchdog also said Apple was unlawfully blocking third-party apps from being sold on the App Store.
Apple posted record profits in its last quarter, with revenue of $59.7 billion.
Based on reporting by Apple, Reuters, and TASS


rferl--2020-08-18--Protesters Keep On Marching In Minsk After Lukashenka Heckled In Speech

MINSK – Protesters have taken to the streets of Minsk for a 10th day while workers at state-owned factories staged scattered walkouts as opponents to Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka sought to pressure him further to either step down or call new elections .
The demonstrations on August 18 came a day after Lukashenka suggested that new elections could be held if changes were made to the constitution .
He did not explain what those changes would entail , and it was unclear whether the concessions would meet opposition groups ’ demands .
The protests erupted August 9 after election officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election .
Oppositions groups , who endured a crackdown in the runup to the balloting , said the vote was falsified .
The unrest , which has seen two people die according to reports , has troubled many Western countries , who fear it may open the door for Moscow to prop up Lukashenka .
The European Union has called an emergency meeting on the situation for August 19 , while on August 18 , German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by phone with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to help resolve the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has faced in his 26 years in power .
According to her press service , Merkel told Putin that the Belarusian authorities should refrain from violence against peaceful demonstrators and release political prisoners .
She also said Lukashenka should hold talks with opposition groups .
“ The Russian side emphasized that any outside attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the country , which would lead to a further escalation of the crisis , were unacceptable , ” the Kremlin said in its readout of the call .
“ The hope for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed.
” Official results from an August 9 election gave Lukashenka just over 80 percent of the vote , a figure that immediately prompted calls from at home and abroad of rigged balloting .
In the days that followed , Belarusian law enforcement responded with force to protesters who flooded the streets of Minsk and other major Belarusian cities .
Over the weekend , the capital saw more than 100,000 people jamming parts of the city center , mourning the death of one man who allegedly was shot by riot police .
Thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been released since have complained of beatings and terrible conditions while in detention .
One doctor , Syarhey Boyko , said he spent several days in the detention center on Akrestsin Lane , where detainees slept on wooden floors .
`` In the first cell in which I spent the night , there were about 30 to 35 people , ” Boyko told Current Time .
“ The cell is designed for six people.
” On August 17 , protesters kept up the pressure hours after Lukashenka was heckled during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tractor factory that was considered a shining example of his economic model .
Lukashenka , who has previously refused opposition calls to hold a new election , for the first time suggested a new vote , but only after a referendum was held to vote on a new constitution .
`` We need to adopt a new constitution .
You must adopt it in a referendum , and under the new constitution , you could hold if you like both parliamentary elections and a presidential one , as well as elections of local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factory speech .
His concession , which the opposition has reacted to with skepticism , was one of the starkest signs yet of how intense the pressure has become .
In addition to protests , there have been strikes at several factories .
Workers at a major potash-mining facility , Belruskali , have gone on strike , and union leaders told RFE/RL ’ s Belarus Service that operations at six facilities had been halted .
Belarus supplies almost one-fifth of the world 's potash , a key fertilizer for farmers around the globe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Minsk headquarters of state television , where local media reported that 600 people joined the strike .
Exiled opposition politician Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a video posted online on August 16 that although she never planned to enter politics , she was prepared to temporarily take over leadership .
`` I am ready to take responsibility and act as a national leader in order for the country to calm down and enter the normal rhythm , '' Tsikhanouskaya said in the video : The 37-year-old political novice who ran after other potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jailed , also said that the past behavior of security and law enforcement officers would be forgiven if they switched sides from Lukashenka 's government .
Maria Kolesnikova , one of Tsikhanouskaya 's top aides , said that an opposition “ coordination council ” is to meet later on August 18 to represent the people and negotiate a transition of power , “ be it new elections or some other option.
” The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) has voiced concerns about the Belarusian election “ and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , widespread detentions , and alleged torture and mistreatment by the security forces . ''
The OSCE said in a statement that it had made `` a formal offer '' to the Belarus government to facilitate dialogue between both sides .
Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Ottawa joined the chorus of countries condemning the `` crackdown on peaceful protestors '' and rejecting the `` fraudulent '' vote while demanding `` free and fair elections . ''
In his statement , he also called `` for a thorough investigation to be conducted through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for the German government has denied that any phone call took place between Chancellor Angela Merkel and Lukashenka since the August 9 election , contradicting what Lukashenka had earlier said .
Lukashenka said he had received a phone call on August 16 from Merkel who wanted to `` talk '' amid the protests and strikes , the Interfax news agency reported on August 17 .
`` Merkel called me . '
I want to talk . '
These [ people like Lithuanian President Gitanas ] Nauseda , and others ... .
'We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to lean on me , no matter if you are from the West or from the East , '' Lukashenka told workers at the Minsk tractor plant on August 17 , where he was heckled and jeered .
`` Such a conversation between Merkel and Lukashenka has not taken place since the elections , '' the German government spokesman said .
With reporting by Reuters , Interfax , and AFP

The opposition in Belarus has launched a coordinating council to organize a transfer of power, a move embattled President Alyaksandr Lukashenka described as an attempt to seize power following a controversial election and brutal crackdown on his opponents.
The opposition council composed of civil society members met on August 18, saying it represents the people and is seeking to negotiate a peaceful transition of power "without political goals or a program."
"[The opposition] want to toss us aside and demand to hand over power, no less. Thus, we view this unambiguously: This is an attempt at a coup, with all ensuing consequences," Lukashenka said during his meeting with the Belarusian Security Council.
Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the opposition presidential candidate who claims to have won the August 9 election, said in an online video that she was prepared to temporarily take over the leadership.
"I am ready to take responsibility and act as a national leader in order for the country to calm down and enter the normal rhythm," Tsikhanouskaya said in the video.
The 37-year-old political novice, who ran after other potential candidates, including her husband, were jailed or exiled, also said security and law enforcement officers would be forgiven if they abandoned Lukashenka's government. She left Belarus for Lithuania after the election amid reports that she and her family were threatened by authorities.
Volha Kovalkova, Tsikhanouskaya's representative, said at a press conference establishing the coordinating council that she expected the exiled opposition figure would soon return to Minsk, to act as a guarantor in a negotiated transition of power.
"We are operating solely through legal means," Kovalkova said. "The situation is critical. The authorities have no choice but to come to dialogue. The situation will only get worse."
Official results from an August 9 election gave Lukashenka just over 80 percent of the vote, a figure that immediately prompted allegations of vote-rigging.
Tsikhanouskaya, who drew tens of thousands of people to her campaign rallies, claims to have actually received between 60 and 70 percent of the vote.
The scale of the domestic and international backlash appears to have caught Lukashenka off guard as he finds himself in the precarious position of facing international isolation and sustained street and industrial protests.
Nearly 7,000 people were detained, hundreds were injured, and at least two people died in a crackdown on protesters. Some of those who have been released since have complained of beatings and terrible conditions while in detention.
The repression only emboldened the opposition as employees at several state-controlled companies have left their factories to join thousands in the streets demanding Lukashenka step down.
Workers at a major potash mining facility, Belruskali, were the latest to go on strike, and union leaders told RFE/RL’s Belarus Service that operations at six facilities had been halted. Belarus supplies almost one-fifth of the world's potash, a key fertilizer for farmers around the globe.
The election rigging and brutal crackdown on protesters has led to small but significant fractures in the regime, with the Belarusian ambassadors to Spain and Slovakia coming out in support of protesters’ demands and employees from state media resigning. There have also been scattered reports of police and security officials resigning.
On the international stage, diplomacy is intensifying over the crisis.
Ahead of an EU emergency meeting on the situation on August 19, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke separately by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country has close economic and military ties with Belarus.
According to her press service, Merkel told Putin on August 18 that the Belarusian authorities should refrain from violence against peaceful demonstrators and release political prisoners. She also said Lukashenka should hold talks with opposition groups.
“The Russian side emphasized that any outside attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the country, which would lead to a further escalation of the crisis, was unacceptable,” the Kremlin said in its readout of the call. “The hope is for an early normalization of the situation was expressed.”
European Council President Charles Michel also held a phone call with Putin, during which he expressed concern about election irregularities and violence against protesters. The two discussed the best way to encourage intra-Belarusian dialogue for a peaceful end to the crisis, a European diplomat told RFE/RL.
In Lithuania, one of the EU members taking the lead as events unfold in its neighbor, the country’s parliament voted on August 18 to impose unspecified sanctions on Belarus and called for the international rejection of the legitimacy of Lukashenka.
The EU is already preparing a raft of sanctions on Belarus officials responsible for vote-rigging and violence.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would talk to Russia "at the appropriate time" in the wake of protests, adding that "It doesn't seem like it's too much democracy there in Belarus."


rferl--2020-08-18--Ukraine Summons Belarusian Ambassador, Saying Release Of Russian Mercenaries Undermined Trust

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Ukraine has summoned the Belarusian ambassador for consultations on deteriorating relations between the two countries .
Ukrainian Ambassador to Belarus Igor Kizim will be summoned to Kyiv `` to assess the prospects of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations in the new reality , ” Kuleba said on August 17 .
Kuleba said Ukraine takes issue first and foremost with the release of 32 Russian citizens detained near Minsk last month who had been accused of being mercenaries plotting to “ destabilize ” the situation in Belarus around the August 9 presidential election .
The Russian Prosecutor-General ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the men had been released and returned to Russia and would not face criminal charges .
A 33rd man who was arrested with the others was not released because he also has Belarusian citizenship , in addition to his Russian passport .
Ukraine had sought the extradition of 28 of the men , saying they had fought on the side of Russia-backed separatist formations in parts of eastern Ukraine .
Kuleba said Minsk handed the men over to Russia despite the existence of “ legal and moral grounds ” to hand them over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust between our countries and dealt a heavy blow to our bilateral relations , ” Kuleba said , according to Current Time , the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA .
The men had been identified as employees of the Russia-based Vagner private security contractor .
Minsk claimed the men were in Belarus to conduct a “ color revolution ” as Belarusian President Aleyaksandr Lukashenka sought a sixth term as president .
Moscow claimed the men were traveling through Belarus on their way to Istanbul before flying to “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released , Lukashenka accused Ukraine of unfriendly actions against Belarus , said Kuleba , who also cited Russia ’ s statement on August 16 that it was ready to provide aid under the terms of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) as a source of contention .
This combination of facts and actions , as well as events in Belarus related to the August 9 presidential election , “ radically changes the situation in Belarusian-Ukrainian relations , ” Kuleba said .
It is the first time Ukraine has resorted to such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ and we are doing it exclusively because of the unacceptable actions of Minsk , ” Kuleba said .


rferl--2020-08-18--Pakistan Approves Phase-3 Human Trials Of Experimental Chinese Coronavirus Vaccine

Pakistani regulators have approved final-phase testing of a Chinese-developed potential vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
The state-run National Institute of Health ( NIH ) said August 17 that the Phase-3 clinical trial would be the first of its kind in Pakistan .
It said the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan approved the advanced clinical trial of the vaccine produced by CanSinoBio , a China-based vaccine developer , and Beijing Institute of Biotechnology .
`` This will be the first ever Phase 3 clinical trial for any vaccine in Pakistan , '' the NIH said in a statement .
Pakistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humans would help it secure `` preferential vaccine supply and pricing , ” it added .
The trial will be conducted at several medical facilities across Pakistan .
The experimental vaccine is already undergoing Phase-3 trials in China , Russia , Chile , and Argentina .
Mexico and Saudi Arabia are also planning to join the clinical trials .
COVID-19 has claimed more than 6,000 lives in Pakistan and infected some 290,000 , according to official numbers .
More than 150 vaccines are being developed and tested around the world to stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical trials , according to the World Health Organization .
The race for a vaccine has set off a global competition among countries trying to ensure they gain timely , secure , and affordable access to any vaccine or treatment .
Based on reporting by AFP , dpa , AP , and Reuters

Pakistani regulators have approved final-phase testing of a Chinese-developed potential vaccine against the coronavirus.
The state-run National Institute of Health (NIH) said on August 17 that the Phase III clinical trial would be the first of its kind in Pakistan.
It said the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan approved the advanced clinical trial of the vaccine produced by CanSinoBio, a China-based vaccine developer, and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology.
"This will be the first ever Phase III clinical trial for any vaccine in Pakistan," the NIH said in a statement.
Pakistan's inclusion in the large-scale testing on humans would help it secure "preferential vaccine supply and pricing,” it added.
The trial will be conducted at several medical facilities across Pakistan.
The experimental vaccine is already undergoing Phase III trials in China, Russia, Chile, and Argentina. Mexico and Saudi Arabia are also planning to join the clinical trials.
COVID-19 has claimed more than 6,000 lives in Pakistan and infected some 290,000, according to official numbers.
More than 150 vaccines are being developed and tested around the world to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, with 25 in human clinical trials, according to the World Health Organization.
The race for a vaccine has set off a global competition among countries trying to ensure they gain timely, secure, and affordable access to any vaccine or treatment.
With reporting by AFP, dpa, AP, and Reuters


rferl--2020-08-18--North Macedonia's Pro-Western Parties Reach Coalition Deal

North Macedonia 's pro-EU Social Democrats have struck a coalition agreement with the Balkan country 's largest ethnic Albanian party nearly a month after elections .
Former Prime Minister Zoran Zaev ’ s Social Democratic Union of Macedonia ( SDSM ) won the most votes in July 15 parliamentary elections but did not secure enough seats for a majority in the 120-seat parliament to govern alone .
Zaev and Ali Ahmet , the head of the Democratic Union for Integration ( BDI ) , announced on August 18 their parties had reached a power-sharing deal .
Coalition talks were complicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethnic Albanian become prime minister , something SDSM and the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE that came in second in the vote had rejected before the election .
Under the agreement , Zaev will be prime minister but he will hand the prime minister 's office over to an ethnic Albanian proposed by BDI a hundred days before the next election .
In order to do that , the parliament will scrap a 2015 mechanism foreseeing a technocratic government to take over a hundred days ahead of parliamentary elections .
The deal was brokered by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a dangerous political crisis in 2015 .
`` The idea was for rapprochement , a message for Albanians to take responsibility for a common state .
I must thank Zaev for his courage and I welcome that there will be an Albanian prime minister in the last 100 days of this government , '' Ahmeti said .
The BDI has been in coalition governments for the past 18 years and became the junior coalition partner of the SDSM after the last elections in 2016 .
Ethnic Albanians make up about a quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new government will have a two-seat majority with the SDSM 's 46 seats , BDI 's 15 parliament members , and the single lawmaker from a smaller ethnic Albanian party .
Parliament is expected to approve the government in the coming days .
According to Zaev , the main priorities of the new government will be attracting foreign investment , fighting crime and corruption , reforming the judiciary , protecting the environment , and managing the coronavirus pandemic .
Another SDSM-BDI coalition is considered positive for North Macedonia 's Euro-Atlantic integration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the EU failed in the autumn to provide a start date for accession talks .
After months of delay due to opposition from France , the EU in March finally gave North Macedonia a green light to start formal talks to join the bloc .
As prime minister , Zaev also reached a landmark deal with neighboring Greece to add `` North '' to the country 's name in February 2019 , clearing the way for Athens to lift its veto over Skopje 's membership in NATO .
Events in North Macedonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU and United States seek to bring the country closer to slow moves by Russia and China to increase their influence in the Western Balkans .

North Macedonia's pro-EU Social Democrats have struck a coalition agreement with the Balkan country's largest ethnic Albanian party nearly a month after elections.
Former Prime Minister Zoran Zaev’s Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) won the most votes in July 15 parliamentary elections but did not secure enough seats for a majority in the 120-seat parliament to govern alone.
Zaev and Ali Ahmet, the head of the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI), announced on August 18 their parties had reached a power-sharing deal.
Coalition talks were complicated by the BDI's demand that an ethnic Albanian become prime minister, something SDSM and the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE that came in second in the vote had rejected before the election.
Under the agreement, Zaev will be prime minister but he will hand the prime minister's office over to an ethnic Albanian proposed by BDI a hundred days before the next election.
In order to do that, the parliament will scrap a 2015 mechanism foreseeing a technocratic government to take over a hundred days ahead of parliamentary elections. The deal was brokered by the European Union to pull the country out of a dangerous political crisis in 2015.
"The idea was for rapprochement, a message for Albanians to take responsibility for a common state. I must thank Zaev for his courage and I welcome that there will be an Albanian prime minister in the last 100 days of this government," Ahmeti said.
The BDI has been in coalition governments for the past 18 years and became the junior coalition partner of the SDSM after the last elections in 2016. Ethnic Albanians make up about a quarter of North Macedonia's 2.1 people.
The new government will have a two-seat majority with the SDSM's 46 seats, BDI's 15 parliament members, and the single lawmaker from a smaller ethnic Albanian party.
Parliament is expected to approve the government in the coming days.
According to Zaev, the main priorities of the new government will be attracting foreign investment, fighting crime and corruption, reforming the judiciary, protecting the environment, and managing the coronavirus pandemic.
Another SDSM-BDI coalition is considered positive for North Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration.
Zaev resigned as prime minister in January after the EU failed in the autumn to provide a start date for accession talks. After months of delay due to opposition from France, the EU in March finally gave North Macedonia a green light to start formal talks to join the bloc.
As prime minister, Zaev also reached a landmark deal with neighboring Greece to add "North" to the country's name in February 2019, clearing the way for Athens to lift its veto over Skopje's membership in NATO.
Events in North Macedonia carry broader geopolitical implications, as the EU and United States seek to bring the country closer to slow moves by Russia and China to increase their influence in the Western Balkans.


rferl--2020-08-18--U.S., Russia Remain At Odds Over Extension Of New START Treaty

The United States and Russia have concluded a third round of arms-control talks still at odds over several key issues , but the two sides showed a willingness to possibly extend the New START Treaty before it expires next year .
New START , which caps the number of deployed long-range nuclear warheads each country can have , expires in February unless the two sides agree to extend it for five years .
It is their last remaining bilateral nuclear-arms-control agreement .
The United States has urged China to join the negotiations -- a proposal rejected by Beijing .
Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then Britain and France should also be engaged in an even wider process .
`` There are some areas of convergence between Russia and the United States but we do remain far apart on a number of key issues , '' U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea told reporters on August 18 following two days of talks in Vienna .
`` We are willing to contemplate an extension of New START but such an extension will only occur if we can ... address significant concerns we have with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Billingslea said .
The United States wants any new nuclear-arms-control treaty to cover all types of warheads , stronger verification and transparency measures , and bring China on board .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov , who led the arms-control talks for Moscow , said the two countries ' `` priorities at this stage differ significantly . ''
`` Russia stands for an extension of the New START Treaty , but is not ready to pay any price for that , '' Ryabkov said , in comments shared by the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is ready to extend the New Start treaty without preconditions and warned there is not enough time to renegotiate a complicated new treaty .
The first two rounds of talks between the two countries took place in June and July with no breakthrough on a possible extension of the treaty .
With reporting by AP , dpa , and Reuters

The United States and Russia have concluded a third round of arms-control talks still at odds over several key issues, but the two sides showed a willingness to possibly extend the New START Treaty before it expires next year.
New START, which caps the number of deployed long-range nuclear warheads each country can have, expires in February unless the two sides agree to extend it for five years. It is their last remaining bilateral nuclear-arms-control agreement.
The United States has urged China to join the negotiations -- a proposal rejected by Beijing. Moscow believes that if China is to join, then Britain and France should also be engaged in an even wider process.
"There are some areas of convergence between Russia and the United States but we do remain far apart on a number of key issues," U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea told reporters on August 18 following two days of talks in Vienna.
"We are willing to contemplate an extension of New START but such an extension will only occur if we can...address significant concerns we have with the Russian build-up of its unconstrained capabilities," Billingslea said.
The United States wants any new nuclear-arms-control treaty to cover all types of warheads, stronger verification and transparency measures, and bring China on board.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who led the arms-control talks for Moscow, said the two countries' "priorities at this stage differ significantly."
"Russia stands for an extension of the New START Treaty, but is not ready to pay any price for that," Ryabkov said, in comments shared by the Russian mission in Vienna.
Russia has said it is ready to extend the New Start treaty without preconditions and warned there is not enough time to renegotiate a complicated new treaty.
The first two rounds of talks between the two countries took place in June and July with no breakthrough on a possible extension of the treaty.
With reporting by AP, dpa, and Reuters


rferl--2020-08-18--Senate Panel Releases 'Most Comprehensive' Report On Russia's 2016 Election Interference

The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee 's final report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election has concluded the Trump campaign chairman 's contacts with Kremlin-linked individuals posed a `` grave counterintelligence threat . ''
The report released on August 18 , the fifth and final one from the Republican-led committee , also found that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the hacking of the Democratic Party and the leak of information to damage Hillary Clinton and her presidential campaign against then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump .
The Senate panel called the 1,300-page report `` the most comprehensive description to date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they posed , '' describing Russia as engaged in an `` aggressive , multifaceted effort to influence , or attempt to influence , the outcome of the 2016 presidential election . ''
The bipartisan investigation lasted almost 3 1/2 years .
`` Moscow 's intent was to harm the Clinton campaign , tarnish an expected Clinton presidential administration , help the Trump campaign after Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee , and undermine the U.S. democratic process , '' the report states .
It also found that WikiLeaks played a key role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help Trump , and that the website `` very likely knew '' it was assisting a Russian influence effort , the committee ’ s report says .
While Russia 's GRU military intelligence and Wikileaks released hacked Democratic Party documents , the report found the Trump campaign sought to use the Wikileaks hacks to aid the campaign .
`` Staff on the Trump campaign sought advance notice about WikiLeaks releases , created messaging strategies to promote and share the materials in anticipation of and following their release , and encouraged further leaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump campaign publicly undermined the attribution of the hack-and-leak campaign to Russia and was indifferent to whether it and WikiLeaks were furthering a Russian election interference effort , '' according to the report .
The panel does not come to a final conclusion about whether there is enough evidence that Trump 's campaign coordinated or colluded with Russia , leaving that open to interpretation by Republicans and Democrats .
A group of Republicans on the panel submitted `` additional views '' to the report saying that it should state more explicitly that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
But Democrats on the panel submitted their own views , arguing that the report clearly shows such cooperation .
Former special counsel Robert Mueller concluded in a report issued in 2019 that Russia interfered in the election , but that investigation did not charge any Trump associates with conspiring with the Russians .
The Senate investigation also examined issues of interest to Trump that were not explored by Mueller .
Those include the FBI 's reliance on a dossier of opposition research compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele whose work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rubio ( Republican-Florida ) , the committee 's acting chairman , said in a statement that the committee was troubled that the FBI had been willing to use the dossier `` without verifying its methodology or sourcing '' as it applied for secret surveillance warrants .
The Senate panel lays out close contacts between Trump associates and the Russians , describing in particular how Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort had deep connections to Russia and Russian-aligned oligarchs in Ukraine .
The report notes how for years Manafort worked closely with Russian oligarch Oleg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom the FBI suspects has ties to Russian intelligence .
The panel unequivocally states that Kilimnik was a Russian intelligence officer and that Deripaska coordinated with the Russian government to conduct influence operations abroad .
Prior to joining the Trump campaign in March 2016 and continuing throughout his time on the campaign , the report said Manafort directly and indirectly communicated with Kilimnik , Deripaska , and the pro-Russian oligarchs in Ukraine .
In addition , the panel said Manafort `` on numerous occasions '' shared campaign information with Kilimnik and that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine that benefited Russia .
Even after the election , Manafort coordinated with Kilimnik and other individuals close to Deripaska , `` in an effort to undertake activities on their behalf , '' the panel said .
Among other things , Manafort worked with Kilimnik to undermine evidence that Russia interfered in the election , the report says , including spreading the unproven idea of Ukrainian election interference .
`` Taken as a whole , Manafort 's high-level access and willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with the Russian intelligence services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deripaska , represented a grave counterintelligence threat , '' the panel said .
With reporting by AP and Reuters

The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee's final report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election has concluded the Trump campaign chairman's contacts with Kremlin-linked individuals posed a "grave counterintelligence threat."
The report released on August 18, the fifth and final one from the Republican-led committee, also found that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the hacking of the Democratic Party and the leak of information to damage Hillary Clinton and her presidential campaign against then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The Senate panel called the 1,300-page report "the most comprehensive description to date of Russia's activities and the threat they posed," describing Russia as engaged in an "aggressive, multifaceted effort to influence, or attempt to influence, the outcome of the 2016 presidential election." The bipartisan investigation lasted almost 3 1/2 years.
"Moscow's intent was to harm the Clinton campaign, tarnish an expected Clinton presidential administration, help the Trump campaign after Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee, and undermine the U.S. democratic process," the report states.
It also found that WikiLeaks played a key role in Russia's effort to influence the election to help Trump, and that the website "very likely knew" it was assisting a Russian influence effort, the committee’s report says.
While Russia's GRU military intelligence and Wikileaks released hacked Democratic Party documents, the report found the Trump campaign sought to use the Wikileaks hacks to aid the campaign.
"Staff on the Trump campaign sought advance notice about WikiLeaks releases, created messaging strategies to promote and share the materials in anticipation of and following their release, and encouraged further leaks," the report says.
"The Trump campaign publicly undermined the attribution of the hack-and-leak campaign to Russia and was indifferent to whether it and WikiLeaks were furthering a Russian election interference effort," according to the report.
The panel does not come to a final conclusion about whether there is enough evidence that Trump's campaign coordinated or colluded with Russia, leaving that open to interpretation by Republicans and Democrats.
A group of Republicans on the panel submitted "additional views" to the report saying that it should state more explicitly that Trump's campaign did not coordinate with Russia. But Democrats on the panel submitted their own views, arguing that the report clearly shows such cooperation.
Former special counsel Robert Mueller concluded in a report issued in 2019 that Russia interfered in the election, but that investigation did not charge any Trump associates with conspiring with the Russians.
The Senate investigation also examined issues of interest to Trump that were not explored by Mueller. Those include the FBI's reliance on a dossier of opposition research compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele whose work was financed by Democrats.
Senator Marco Rubio (Republican-Florida), the committee's acting chairman, said in a statement that the committee was troubled that the FBI had been willing to use the dossier "without verifying its methodology or sourcing" as it applied for secret surveillance warrants.
The Senate panel lays out close contacts between Trump associates and the Russians, describing in particular how Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort had deep connections to Russia and Russian-aligned oligarchs in Ukraine.
The report notes how for years Manafort worked closely with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska and Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian whom the FBI suspects has ties to Russian intelligence. The panel unequivocally states that Kilimnik was a Russian intelligence officer and that Deripaska coordinated with the Russian government to conduct influence operations abroad.
Prior to joining the Trump campaign in March 2016 and continuing throughout his time on the campaign, the report said Manafort directly and indirectly communicated with Kilimnik, Deripaska, and the pro-Russian oligarchs in Ukraine.
In addition, the panel said Manafort "on numerous occasions" shared campaign information with Kilimnik and that he also discussed a peace plan for eastern Ukraine that benefited Russia.
Even after the election, Manafort coordinated with Kilimnik and other individuals close to Deripaska, "in an effort to undertake activities on their behalf," the panel said.
Among other things, Manafort worked with Kilimnik to undermine evidence that Russia interfered in the election, the report says, including spreading the unproven idea of Ukrainian election interference.
"Taken as a whole, Manafort's high-level access and willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with the Russian intelligence services, particularly Kilimnik and associates of Oleg Deripaska, represented a grave counterintelligence threat," the panel said.
With reporting by AP and Reuters