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Labor Party Wants its Leader to Run for Presidency
The Labor Party has announced its intention to nominate its leader, Shalva Natelashvili, to run in the January 5 snap presidential elections. ?The Labor Party?s political council [the party?s decision-making body] has decided to nominate Shalva Natelashvili as a candidate for the upcoming presidential elections,? Soso Shatberashvili of the Labor Party said at a news conference …
12/11/2007 - 13:12
Opposition Denies Plans to Back Patarkatsishvili in Polls
A ten-party opposition coalition said business tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili would not be its candidate for the January 5 presidential election. “The national council of the united public movement, which unites ten opposition parties, will certainly nominate a candidate and naturally, this will not be Badri Patarkatsishvili,” Davit Zurabishvili of the opposition Republican Party told the Georgian …
EU Envoy Comments on State of Emergency in Georgia
The state of emergency imposed in Georgia ?seem to be quite far-reaching? in contrast to the challenges posed by the November 7 unrest in Tbilisi, Peter Semneby, the EU special envoy, said at a news conference in Tbilisi. The Georgian leadership has claimed that the country was facing a threat to constitutional order, which compelled it …
11/11/2007 - 21:10
Officials Counter Claims of Destroyed Imedi TV Equipment
In an apparent attempt to counter widespread allegations that police had destroyed equipment at Imedi TV a few days ago, the Georgian Interior Ministry issued on November 11 video footage of three European diplomats visiting the TV studios accompanied by ministry officials. The footage, shot by the Interior Ministry press service and aired by the Georgian Public Broadcaster ? …
‘Foreign Investors Positive on Georgia’ – Business Executive
The Georgian government’s measures to stabilize the situation following the November 7 unrest – when riot police broke up a demonstration – have allayed foreign investors’ fears about Georgia, some senior Georgian business executives have said. “Bank of Georgia shares on the London Stock Exchange declined in October by 15% and it was a clear indicator of …
‘I Maintained Courage, Gained Experience’ – Saakashvili
President Saakashvili said that he had gained more experience in recent years, and at the same time maintained his courage. “I, as President, am more experienced than I was four years ago and I would make fewer mistakes if I had the chance to return to the past,” Saakashvili said while meeting leading businesspeople in Georgia on November 10. “But …
OSCE Chairman Sends Envoy to Georgia
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, said on November 10 he was sending a special envoy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, to Georgia to call for the lifting of the state of emergency. “I welcome President Mikheil Saakashvili’s decision to call an early presidential election. This should help to reduce tensions,” Minister Moratinos said. “I have asked my …
Opposition, Government Hail Launch of Talks
Both opposition and ruling party leaders welcomed on Monday the resumption of dialogue and pledged to continue it in an attempt to address concrete issues. ?At this meeting we laid out a list of problems which need to be immediately addressed,? Davit Usupashvili, the leader of the Republican Party, said. ?Although no concrete results have been reached at …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
10/11/2007 - 23:14
Authorities Soften Stance on Labor Party Leader
Shalva Natelashvili, leader of the opposition Labor Party, will not be arrested and he can ?freely run for the presidency? in January’s election, President Saakashvili said on November 10. The General Prosecutor?s Office said on November 9 that Natelashvili would face charges for espionage and conspiracy to overthrow the government. The General Prosecutor?s Office, however, said …
Test for Georgia’s Statehood Passed – Saakashvili
President Saakashvili said at a meeting with leading Georgian businesspeople on November 10 that the country had passed a vital test for statehood with the successful handling of the November 7 unrest. He pledged that Georgia would remain a liberal democracy and despite “certain losses” inflicted as a result of recent developments, Georgia would regain lost ground after …
Saakashvili Dismisses Calls for Immediate Lift of Emergency Rule
President Saakashvili brushed off western pressure and said he would lift the state of emergency only when he considers it appropriate to do so and not upon ?instruction from foreign friends.?Speaking at a meeting with a group of business people on November 10, Saakashvili, however, also stressed that it would happen ?in a few days.? ?I …
Georgia’s Reputation Damaged – PACE Monitors
Recent events have damaged Georgia’s reputation as “a champion of democratic reforms in the region,” Matyas Eorsi, a rapporteur from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), said on November 10 in Tbilisi. Eorsi, a Hungarian lawmaker, and his PACE colleague, Kastriot Islami, a lawmaker from Albania, arrived in Georgia on November 9, …
In Quotes: Opposition Leaders on Patarkatsishvili’s Presidential Bid
Below are some of the comments of leaders from five opposition parties to business tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili’s announcement to run in the early presidential polls in January. Davit Usupashvili, leader of Republican Party:Mr. Patarkatsishvili can run for the presidency. He is a citizen of this country. As far as the opposition parties’ nomination is concerned, I …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Patarkatsishvili Says he will Run for Presidency
Badri Patarkatsishvili said he would run in the January 5 snap presidential elections under the slogan ?Georgia without Saakashvili is Georgia without Terror,? Reuters and AFP reported on November 10. “I have decided to participate in the presidential election,” Patarkatsishvili said in an e-mailed statement. On November 9, Patarkatsishvili told Reuters in a written reply from …
Opposition, Government Agree on Talks
The leaders of five opposition parties and the government have agreed to start talks later today.The agreement was reached at a preliminary meeting on November 10 held in the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church and chaired by the patriarch, Ilia II. Davit Usupashvili, leader of the Republican Party; Kakha Kukava, leader of the Conservative Party; Salome …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Opposition Meets Burjanadze
Opposition politicians met with parliamentary speaker Nino Burjanadze and her deputy Mikheil Machavariani in the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church on November 10 and agreed to continue talks later today in the Parliament. Davit Usupashvili, leader of Republican Party; Kakha Kukava, leader of Conservative Party; Salome Zourabichvili, leader of Georgia?s Way Party; Davit Gamkrelidze, …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Industrialist Party May Support MP Gamkrelidze’s Presidential Bid
MP Zurab Tkemaladze of the Industrialist Party said his party would probably support leader of New Rights Party MP Davit Gamkrelidze’s bid for presidency. “At this point, Mr. [Gogi] Topadze [beer magnate and founder of the Industrialist Party] has proposed to support Mr. Gamkrelidze’s candidacy,” MP Tkemaladze said in an interview with the Georgian daily …
PACE Monitors Meet Shut Down TV Executives
Two rapporteurs from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) met with Bidzina Baratashvili, the Imedi TV managing director and Nino Jangirashvili chief of Kavkasia TV news programs. The both television station have been shut down by the authorities on November 7. Imedi TV?s equipment was destroyed in a police raid on the …
Georgia Needs to Lift Emergency Rule Immediately ? U.S. Diplomat
Matthew Bryza, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, is expected to arrive in Tbilisi on November 10 to meet with the country?s leadership and the opposition. ?I plan to tell the government that it needs to lift the state of emergency immediately,? he told the New York Times on …
Moscow Says Ties with Georgia in ‘Sharp Crisis’
Georgia’s attempts to blame Russia for its internal problems have “transformed bilateral relations into phase of sharp crisis,” Grigory Karasin, the Russian deputy foreign minister, told his Georgian counterpart, Nikoloz Vashakidze at a meeting in Moscow on November 9.The Georgian authorities have accused some of the opposition politicians of cooperating with the Russian intelligence in an …
Patarkatsishvili ‘Seriously Thinking’ of Running for President
Badri Patarkatsishvili, a business tycoon whom the Georgian authorities accused of coup plotting, said he was “seriously thinking” about running in the Georgia’s early presidential polls. “As to me personally, this is the most serious responsibility and I am seriously thinking about it,” Patarkatsishvili told Reuters in written answers from Tel Aviv, Israel on November …
09/11/2007 - 23:10
Imedi TV may Stay Off Air ‘for at Least Three Months’
News Corporation said a police raid on Imedi TV station in Tbilisi had caused sever damage to the station’s equipment that would keep the television off the air for at least three months, The Associated Press reported.Imedi TV’s shut down ahead of snap presidential elections, which President Saakashvili has proposed to hold on January 5, …
Okruashvili Comments on Early Polls
Speaking in an interview with Reuters on November 9 in Berlin, ex-defense minister Irakli Okruashvili said he did not think that there would be fair president elections in Georgia. President Saakashvili calls early presidential polls for January 5. ?Probably there will be enough time to find a leader [for the opposition] but there won’t be …
Georgia Vows to Lift Emergency Rule ‘Soon’
State of emergency is expected to be lifted much sooner than after two weeks as envisaged by the presidential decree, Eka Sharashidze, chief of the Georgian President’s administration said on November 9. The statement was made shortly after the parliament backed the presidential decree on the state of emergency. “Situation has stabilized as a result …
Germany Concerned with State of Emergency in Georgia
Gela Bezhuashvili, the Georgian Foreign Minister, held a phone conversation with his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to discuss the recent developments in Georgia on November 9, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said. On November 8 the German Foreign Minister said in a statement: ?I am concerned about the escalation of the situation in Georgia, most particularly …
Opposition Condemns Emergency Rule
Parliament has backed the presidential decree imposing a state of emergency and restrictions on the media throughout the country. The move means emergency rule will remain in force until late on November 22. Eka Sharashidze, chief of the President’s administration, said in the evening on November 9 that the situation was stabilizing and the state of emergency would probably be …
Parliament Backs Emergency Rule
Parliament has backed the presidential decree imposing a state of emergency and media restrictions throughout the country. It means the measures will remain in force until late on November 22. Not a single opposition lawmaker attended the parliamentary session in protest at the imposition of emergency rule. ?Although the situation has stabilized in Tbilisi and in the rest of Georgia, the …
UK, France Concerned over Georgia Developments
The UK Foreign Office said it regretted that a state of emergency had been declared in Georgia, particularly the restrictions on the media. ?We hope that these will be lifted as soon as possible,? it said in a statement. ?We encourage all parties to behave in a peaceful, democratic manner and to immediately engage in …
Patarkatsishvili Suspected in Coup Plot – Prosecutor’s Office
Business tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili is suspected of conspiring to overthrow the government, Nika Gvaramia, the deputy chief prosecutor, said on November 9. ?All the necessary legal proceedings will be undertaken to summon Patarkatsishvili for interrogation as a suspect,? Gvaramia told the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB). Gvaramia said the decision to officially declare Patarkatsishvili as a suspect was made on November …
Lifting of Emergency Precondition for Dialogue ? Opposition
Opposition leaders have refused to engage in direct talks with the authorities unless emergency rule is lifted and two TV stations are allowed back on air.?We do not see any reason to start discussions on the election code in light of the continuing political terror in the country,? Tina Khidasheli of the opposition Republican Party said on November …
TV Anchor Speaks Out Against Burjanadze’s Silence
Inga Grigolia, a popular anchor of an Imedi TV political talk-show, said she was “astonished” by Parliamentary Speaker Nino Burjanadze’s silence on a police raid and closure of Imedi TV. In an interview with the Georgian daily Rezonansi, published on November 9, Grigolia said that Burjanadze had requested a meeting with her last summer, during which Burjanadze condemned the policy of …
Vice-Speaker: Parliament Likely to Approve Emergency Rule
Parliament will probably approve the presidential decree on the state of emergency, Mikheil Machavariani, the Vice-Speaker of Parliament, told the Georgian Public Broadcaster, on November 9. ?It seems that we will approve this decision and the state of emergency will remain in force for another 15 days,? Machavariani said. The state of emergency was imposed at …
Patriarch of Georgian Orthodox Church Meets Burjanadze
Patriarch of Georgian Orthodox Church Ilia II met with Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze on November 9. Ilia II will hold a separate meeting with opposition leaders as well. The Georgian Orthodox Church said earlier it was ready to mediate between the opposition and the authorities to facilitate dialogue between both sides. ?I hope today we …
Crisis Recedes as Election Season Begins to Unfold
The political crisis in Georgia has shown the first signs of receding as opposition figures have overwhelmingly welcomed President Saakashvili’s decision to call snap presidential elections for January 5.There was a celebratary mood late on November 8 at the Republican Party headquarters, which hosted a session of the Coordinating Council – an ad-hoc body set up more than a …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
U.S. Calls on Georgia to Lift State of Emergency
The U.S. State Department said in a statement on November 8 that it welcomed the Georgian authorities? decision to hold early presidential elections and a referendum on the timing of parliamentary elections. ?At the same time, we continue to urge the Government of Georgia to lift the state of emergency and restore all media broadcasts. …
08/11/2007 - 23:28
Opposition Welcomes Snap Presidential Polls
The ten-party opposition bloc has welcomed President Saakashvili?s proposal to hold snap presidential elections on January 5. There was a celebratary mood at the Republican Party headquarters, which hosted a session of the Coordinating Council ? an ad-hoc body set up more than a month ago by the ten opposition parties to coordinate the push for parliamentary elections …
Full Text: Saakashvili’s Address on Snap Presidential Elections
November 8Dear friends! I decided to inform you about important information, as well as to assess the ongoing developments. What happened yesterday was not our choice. It was the one-time and adequate response to that conspiracy which took place against Georgia, Georgian democracy – I stress – an attempt of overthrowing constitutional order, the steps …
Labor Party Leader Wanted for ‘Coup Plotting’ and ‘Espionage’
Shalva Natelashvili, the leader of the opposition Labor Party, has been charged with espionage and conspiracy to overthrow the government, Nika Gvaramia, deputy chief prosecutor, said on November 8. Charges have been brought, he said, based on evidence obtained through surveillance on employees of the Russian embassy in Tbilisi, whom the Georgian side has described …
Saakashvili Calls Snap Presidential Polls, Plebiscite
President Saakashvili said he was planning snap presidential elections for January 5 in an attempt to gain the people’s “unequivocal mandate” in his drive “to tackle foreign threats.” President Saakashvili, in accordance with the constitution, have to resign 45 days ahead of polling day. Parliament Chairperson, Nino Burjanadze, will become an acting president after Saakashvili steps …
Presidential Elections on January 5, 2008 – Saakashvili
Saakashvili said in a televised address to the nation: • I propose holding presidential elections on January 5, 2008.• I am giving the opposition the chance to become the people’s choice;• Yesterday’s events were in response to a conspiracy against Georgian democracy;• Yesterday we protected not the government, but rather Georgian democracy and the Georgian people;• I want to hold a plebiscite in parallel with the …
Police May Question Some Opposition Leaders – MP
Opposition leaders may be questioned by police ?as witnesses? to their alleged links to the Russian intelligence services. On November 7 the Interior Ministry released taped audio and video material purporting to show MP Levan Berdzenishvili of Republican Party, Giorgi Khaindrava of opposition group Equality Institute, Konstantine Gamsakhurdia, the leader of Freedom Party and Shalva Natelashvili, the leader of …
Russia to Expel Three Georgian Diplomats
Moscow will expel three Georgian diplomats in response to a similar move by Tbilisi, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on November 8. The Georgian Foreign Ministry said on November 7 that it was planning to expel the envoy extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Russian embassy to Georgia, Ivan Volinkin, as well as Councilor Pavel Solomatin and …
Closure of Media Outlets Not in Line with NATO Values ? Scheffer
?The imposition of Emergency Rule, and the closure of media outlets in Georgia, a Partner with which the Alliance has an Intensified Dialogue, are of particular concern and not in line with Euro-Atlantic values,? Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the NATO Secretary General, said in a statement on November 8. ?NATO is following closely and with …
Q&A with Republican Party Leader
Davit Usupashvili, leader of opposition Republican Party, said in a brief interview with Civil.Ge on November 8, that he had no information about the whereabouts of two other opposition leaders ? Shalva Natelashvili of the Labor Party and Konstantine Gamsakhurdia of Freedom Party. Q.: What are the most recent developments? A.: We are receiving information about …
Georgia’s Way Party Denies Talks with Burjanadze
Salome Zourabichvili, ex-foreign minister and leader of opposition Georgia’s Way Party, has denied receiving a ruling party invitation to engage in talks with Parliamentary Speaker Nino Burjanadze. MP Nino Kalandadze of the ruling party said earlier on November 8 that MP Davit Gamkrelidze, leader of the New Rights Party; MP Zurab Tkemaladze, the leader of Industrialist Party and …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
PACE Monitors to Visit Georgia
Two rapporteurs from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will arrive in Tbilisi on November 9 in the midst of presidential-imposed nation-wide emergency rule. Matyas Eorsi and Kastriot Islami, co-rapporteurs from the PACE monitoring committee, plan talks with the Georgian leadership and opposition leaders. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Moscow Says Human Rights Violated in Georgia
Russia is deeply concerned about the violation of human rights in Georgia, Mikhail Kaminin, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a news conference in Moscow on November 8. ?The use of excessive force against protesters, the arrest of opposition figures and human rights activists, the banning of free media sources, the beating of foreign reporters cannot be …
21 People Arrested ? Police
Police arrested 21 people during the November 7 unrest in Tbilisi, the Interior Ministry said on November 8. It also said that 23 law enforcement officers were injured during the unrest. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Ruling Party Prepares for Talks with Some Opposition Leaders
Lawmakers from the ruling party said that they were planning to hold talks with some opposition leaders. ?Nino Burjanadze was provided with the exact list of people who are to attend the meeting. Dialogue will be held by all means,? MP Nino Kalandadze of the ruling party said. ?The list includes MP Davit Gamkrelidze [leader of the New …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
‘I was Kidnapped and Beaten’ – Opposition Politician
Koba Davitashvili, leader of the opposition People’s Party, said he was kidnapped and brutally beaten by seven men in civilian clothing on November 7. Davitashvili appeared at a news conference in his party headquarters in Tbilisi with a bruised face on November 8. He said that he was attacked and beaten early on November 7 at an outdoor market …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)