Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - January 3, 2009, Winnipeg, Manitoba C m y k Page a16 a 16 Winnipeg free press saturday january 3, 2009 world Winnipeg repress. Com Mon Fri 10am 9pm sat 10am 6pm Sun 12pm 6pm 1580 Regent ave w Winnipeg my 204.669.4466 1000 st James st Winnipeg my 204.783.6400 boxing obo boxing Check out All the ways to save this Holiday season at Ashley. Plus save up to 70 % of f clearance items % 50 off � see store for details. Some pieces and fabric prints May vary by Region. Selection May vary by store. Although every precaution is taken errors in Price and or specification May occur in print. We Reserve the right to Correct any such errors. Prices valid for a limited time Only. Participation times May vary. Home stores Are independently owned and operated. Previous purchases excluded. Picture May not represent item exactly As shown advertised items May not be on display at All locations. � 2008 Ashley Home stores Ltd. Expires 1/ 06/ 09. The sofa when you Purchase the Loveseat 50 % off Drapella � Olive sofa regular Price $ 582 $ 291 Loveseat $ 552 1/ 2 Price final weekend Moscow Ukraine sought support Friday in european capitals a Day after Russia Cut off natural Gas supplies and hardened its stance on prices. Russians foreign ministry issued a statement saying that it too was ready to explain its position in the dispute to Europe asking for a special session of the european commission to address the question. But there were no face to face talks Between Ukraine and Russia As of late afternoon Friday a Day after russians state controlled Energy giant Gaz prom Cut off Gas shipments to Ukraine saying it had failed to pay an outstanding Bill of us 2.1 billion. A ukrainian delegation headed by Energy minister Yuriy Prodan and including the Deputy chief of Gas company naft Ogaz Volodymyr Chuprun visited Prague the czech Republic and Bratislava Slovakia on its Way to Brussels for meetings with eur officials. Our aim is to explain our position to our european partners on the situation which arose in the Gas sphere Bohdan Sokolovsky Energy adviser to ukrainian president Viktor Sushchenko told the associated press in a Telephone interview from Bratislava. Sokolovsky said Ukraine was trying to reassure its Neighbours it would not interrupt Gas shipments to them. We told them that Ukraine is fulfilling All of its transit obligations and they have no doubts about that he said. Russian Deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko said Friday Russia was ready to go to Brussels As Well to make its Case to the european Union. Many in the West viewed a 2006 russian cutoff of Gas to Ukraine As an Effort to punish ukrainets political leaders for their pro Western policies. That cutoff which temporarily affected supplies to Europe also led to accusations Russia was an unreliable source of Energy and led to Calls for greater Energy Independence from Moscow. This year Russia has taken pains to paint the conflict As a purely commercial matter and both countries have pledged they would keep Gas flowing through ukrainets pipeline system to the rest of Europe. As of late Friday afternoon there were no reports of interruptions in shipments beyond Ukraine. Despite the apparent absence of talks there seemed to be Little sense of urgency. Experts say both Ukraine and Europe have significant stockpiles of Gas. German yes e. On Ruhr Gas Utility said it had seen no disruption to russian Gas deliveries As of Friday although it said any effects would not be noticeable until the beginning next week because of the distance the Gas travels. The cutoff came after Ukraine made a $ 1.5 billion overdue payment but Russia demands another $ 600 million including $ 450 million in penalties for the late payment for Gas shipped in november and december. The two sides also have not agreed on prices for 2009. The associated press Ukraine seeks support after Russia cuts Gas supplies by Douglas Birch e rez crossing Israel Israel allowed several Hundred palestinians with foreign passports to flee Gaza on Friday even As its warplanes bombed a mosque it said was used to store weapons and destroyed Homes of More than a dozen Hamas officials. The evacuees told of crippling shortages of water electricity and Medicine echoing a in warning of a deepening humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza strip in the seven Day old israeli Campaign. The United nations estimates at least a Quarter of the 400 palestinians killed by israeli air strikes on Hamas militants have been civilians. Jawaher Hajji a 14 year old u. S. Citizen who was allowed to Cross into Israel said her Uncle was one of them killed while trying to pick up some Medicine for her cancer stricken father. She said her father later died of his illness. They Are supposed to destroy just the Hamas but people in their Homes Are dying too Hajji who has relatives in Virginia said at the Erez Border crossing Between Gaza and Israel. Secretary of state condole Ezza Rice accused Hamas leaders of holding the people of Gaza hostage and said an end to violence would Only be possible once Hamas stopped firing rockets into Israel. She said the United states continues to seek a durable and sustainable ceasefire. International Calls for a ceasefire have been growing and French president Nicolas Sarkozy is expected in the Region next week. Rice said she had no plans to go to the Region. Israel has targeted Hamas leaders in the past but halted the practice during a six month truce that expired last month. Most of Hamas leaders went into hiding at the Start of the israeli offensive on dec. 27. Israeli troops in bases in Southern Israel Are awaiting orders to invade Gaza. But Israel also appears to be open to the intense diplomatic efforts by Arab and european leaders saying it would consider stopping its punishing Aerial assaults if International monitors were brought in to track compliance with any truce with Hamas. Israel began its Campaign to try to halt weeks of intensifying palestinian rocket fire from Gaza. The offensive has dealt a heavy blow to Hamas but has not stopped the rockets which continue to strike deeper and deeper into Israel. Three israeli civilians and one Soldier have been killed in the rocket attacks. More than 30 rockets were fired into Southern Israel on Friday slightly injuring four people. Sirens warning israelis to take cover when military radar picks up an incoming rocket have helped reduce casualties in recent Days. After destroying Hamas Security compounds Early in the operation Israel has turned its attention to the groups leadership. Israeli warplanes on Friday hit about 20 houses believed to belong to Hamas militants and members of other armed groups palestinians said. Israel also bombed a mosque it said was used to store weapons. The mosque was known As a Hamas stronghold and was identified with Nizar Rayan the Hamas militant Leader killed thursday when Israel dropped a 900 kilogram bomb on his Home. Rayan 49, was ranked among Hamas top five decision makers. The explosion killed 20 people including All four of a yanks wives and 11 of his children. Israelis military said the bombing of a yanks House triggered secondary explosions from the weapons stockpile there. The associated press palestinians permitted to flee Gaza evacuees Tell of crippling shortage of water electricity and Medicine by Aron Heller and Ibrahim Barzak Hatem Moussa / the associated press a palestinian woman is helped from her House following an israeli air strike in Gaza City Friday. A _ 16_ Jan 03 09. Ind a16 1 / 2/ 09 5 59 08 pm ;