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Okruashvili Speaks Out
Irakli Okruashvili, the ex-defense minister, said while speaking in a live interview with the Imedi TV from Munich late on November 5: This is for the first time I am anxious during the televised interview; I am sorry for not being with thousands of people on the Rustaveli Avenue; I want to say sorry to …
05/11/2007 - 23:49
Protest Rallies in Pictures
Click on image to view photos . This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Senior MP: Talks on Elections Date Ruled Out
Giga Bokeria, an influential lawmaker from the ruling party, said it was ruled out even to discuss the opposition?s demand related with holding of elections in spring, instead of late 2008. ?I think it has become very clear after the President?s statement that the issue is closed for any further discussions,? MP Bokeria told reporters on …
Ruling Party MPs Consult, Downplay Protests
Senior lawmakers from the ruling National Movement party gathered on November 5 to discuss issues related with, as they put it, ?scheduled, ongoing working process? of the Parliament and the ongoing demonstrations in Tbilisi was not the focus of discussions. The Parliament plans a plenary session on November 6 ? the first one since November …
Full Text: Transcript of Saakashvili’s Televised Interview
Transcript of President Saakashvili’s interview conducted by Georgian Public Broadcaster’s anchor Davit Aprasidze on November 4 and broadcasted by all the Georgian leading television stations later on the same day.Q.: Mr. President, processes develop rather dynamically this November in terms of both domestic and foreign policy. But since the domestic policy is more sensitive issue …
Human Chain Protest Surrounds Parliament
Thousands of protesters have formed a human chain down the length of the Parliament building, as protests entered its fourth day on November 5. ?We should bring what we have started to its end. For this reason it is of vital important to be well-organized and to have a plan and to keep unity,? Davit …
Opposition Activists, MP Go on Hunger Strike
Four opposition activists have announced on November 5 that they had launched a hunger strike in a protest to what they called the authorities? ignorance of the opposition demand to hold parliamentary elections in spring instead of late 2008. ?I go on hunger strike and I will continue protest unless our demands are not met,? …
New Rights Party Calls for Referendum on Elections Date
New Rights opposition party called on November 5 a referendum to decide when to hold parliamentary elections. ?Unfortunately, confrontation grows,? Davit Gamkrelidze, the New Right leader, said at a news conference. ?As far as I know the authorities are ready for certain compromise on elections code, but the major issue ? date of elections ? …
Opposition: Saakashvili’s Statement ‘Utter Nonsense’
Below are remarks of some opposition leaders made immediately after the President Saakashvili’s statements about the ongoing protest rallies in Tbilisi. Levan Berdzenishvili, a lawmaker from the Republican party, said the President’s statement was “totally inappropriate, not serious and utter nonsense.” “President Saakashvili has insulted the Georgian people today,” Tina Khidasheli of the Republican Party said. …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Confrontation Deepens as Saakashvili Rejects Early Polls
President Saakashvili made it clear he did not plan to compromise on major demands pushed forth by the ten-party opposition coalition. Opposition responded by saying that Saakashvili was “totally inappropriate” and his long-awaited statement was “utter nonsense.”Saakashvili was speaking in a televised interview broadcasted late on November 4 by all the major Georgian television stations, …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Saakashvili Breaks Silence
President Saakashvili said in a recorded televised interview on November 4: Protest rallies are part of democracy and this is normal; I listen to everything what the people are saying. I am the president of the country and of each individual person; Political technologies of some political parties are very clear: a factory of lies; …
04/11/2007 - 22:52
Georgia Says Three Russian Aircrafts Violated Airspace
Three Russian aircrafts, SU-24 (Fencer), violated Georgia?s airspace on November 2, Irakli Gogava, Georgia?s chief of staff of the armed forces, told Rustavi 2 TV. He said the Russian aircrafts flew into the Georgian airspace over Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi) district in the northern mountainous region. Russian air force spokesman, Alexander Drobishevsky, however, told RIA Novosti …
Ruling Party MP: No Compromise on Elections Date
Decision to hold elections in late 2008, instead of April was related with the country?s national interests and it can not be changed, Irina Kurdadze, a lawmaker from the ruling party, told reporters on November 4. MP Kurdadze heads parliamentary speaker Nino Burjanadze?s administration and she usually speaks on behalf of the speaker. She then …
Secessionist Leaders Meet in Sokhumi
Leaders of breakaway Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnestria, Sergey Bagapsh, Eduard Kokoity and Igor Smirnov, respectively, are meeting the Abkhaz capital, Sokhumi, on November 4, the Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported. A day earlier a meeting of foreign ministers from the three breakaway regions was held in Sokhumi. The summit will take place in frames …
Parliamentary Majority MP Calls for Compromise on Elections Date
A demand by thousands of protesters to hold parliamentary elections in April, instead of late 2008, as it was originally scheduled for the controversial constitutional amendments is ?legally and morally justified? and should be met, Guguli Magradze, a lawmaker from the parliamentary majority, said on November 4. She said that she has launched collecting signatures of …
Opposition Gears Up for Third Day of Protests as Saakashvili Keeps Silence
Some opposition politicians have indicated that despite calls for Mikheil Saakashvili’s resignation, the President still has a chance, what they called it, “to survive” if he sidelines “some of notorious politicians” from his inner circle.Ten-party opposition coalition, which has so far campaigned under the so called “four-demand moderate banner,” gave a new twist to their …
Republican Leader: Saakashvili Should Make a Right Decision
President Saakashvili still has a chance to make a right choice in favor of the people, Davit Usupashvili, the leader of Republican Party, said on November 3. “He has to choose between his people and his inner circle,” Usupashvili told the Imedi TV. He also pointed out that there were, as he put it, “reasonable …
03/11/2007 - 23:23
Minister: Opposition’s Blackmail Unacceptable
There is a room for dialogue and compromises with the opposition, but it becomes impossible because of the opposition’s “attempts to blackmail the authorities,” Alexander Lomaia, the minister of education, said on November 3. Speaking in a live interview with the Rustavi 2 TV, Lomaia, an influential member of the cabinet, said: “Our opponents should …
Opposition Demands Saakashvili’s Resignation
Imedi TV provides live coverage of the protest rally. Ten-party opposition coalition has demanded resignation of President Saakashvili adding a new twist to the second day of protest rally outside the Parliament.“We have added a historic demand to already existing ones,” an independent lawmaker, Levan Gachechiladze, told thousands of protesters. “We should say goodbye to Mikheil …
Opposition Consults on Further Moves
Opposition leaders from ten parties are holding consultations on how to respond the authorities? rejection to meet their four demands. Shalva Natelashvili, the leader of Labor Party, said opposition?s plans are expected to be announced at 5 pm local time. First signs of differences have emerged among various groups within the ten-party opposition coalition, campaigning …
Tbilisi Braces for Second Day of Protests
Imedi TV provides live coverage of the protest rally. Several thousand of people are back outside the Parliament on November 3 for a second day of protests. Turnout, however, was larger on November 2.Some opposition leaders have become more radical in their demands, with protesters more often chanting “Go away, Go away” and “Resign, Resign” …
November 2 Protest Rally in Pictures
Click on image to view other photos of November 2protest rallyTens of thousands of people gathered outside the Parliament on November 2 at the largest protest rally for recent years. Opposition vows to keep protesting unless the President Saakashvili meets their four demands. Officials said 25,000 people were gathered on November 2. Opposition leaders have …
Elections Date Demand not for Trade-Off ? Opposition
There are signs that the authorities may compromise on some, out of four, of the opposition?s demands, MP Kakha Kukava of opposition Conservative Party said. ?But it is not enough,? he told the Imedi TV late on November 2. ?We want all of our four demands to be met.? MP Kukava, who was among a group …
02/11/2007 - 22:56
Opposition’s Four Demands
Ten-party opposition coalition outlined its four major demands on October 17 and sent them to the President Saakashvili and Parliamentary Chairperson, Nino Burjanadze. • Holding of parliamentary elections in spring 2008, instead of late 2008 Presidential and parliamentary elections, in line with last December’s constitutional amendment, will be held simultaneously sometime between October and December …
Senior MP Downplays Protest Rally
Givi Targamadze, a lawmaker from the ruling party who chairs parliamentary committee for defense and security, said there was no reason to pay much attention to ongoing protest rally outside the parliament. When asked by a Rustavi 2 TV reporter what should be a solution to the current standoff, MP Targamadze responded: ?There is not …
No Signs of Compromise as Opposition Vows to Keep Protesting
Elections should be held in autumn, 2008 and not in spring as demanded by the opposition – this is the position of President Saakashvili, parliamentary speaker, Nino Burjanadze, said after talks with the opposition leaders. “Our position about the elections date is very clear,” she said. “It will be right to hold elections in autumn …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Senior MP: Patarkatsishvili has Political Ambitions
Business tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili?s decision to address the protest rally shows his desire to come into power, Maia Nadiradze, the parliamentary majority leader, said on November 2. ?It is obvious that he [Patarkatsishvili] is already a political figure, who states that the government should be changed, which in turn means that he wants to come …
Burjanadze Meets Opposition
Talks between Nino Burjanadze, the Parliamentary Chairperson, and six opposition leaders have started in the Parliament, amid protest rally outside the legislative body. MP Kakha Kukava of the Conservative Party; Salome Zourabichvili, the leader of Georgia?s Way party; Tina Khidasheli and MP Davit Berdzenishvili, both from the Republican Party; MP Koka Guntsadze of the Movement …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Patarkatsishvili Addresses Protest Rally
Badri Patarkatsishvili, a business tycoon who has pledged to finance the opposition?s campaign, made a surprise appearance on the ongoing demonstration outside the parliament on November 2. ?I salute you Georgia. I have arrived today [from London] specifically for the purpose to tell the Lord from this very place that I am grateful for being …
Opposition Demands Immediate Talks with Burjanadze
Opposition leaders said they wanted to meet with Parliamentary Chairperson, Nino Burjanadze, to discuss their demands. Opposition said they would wait for the Burjanadze?s response till 6 pm local time. They, however, did not specify what will be the next step if no meeting takes place by that time.Meanwhile, Nino Burjanadze meets senior lawmakers from …
Opposition Vows to Keep Protesting
Many thousands of people gathered outside the Parliament on November 2 at the largest protest rally for recent years. Imedi TV airs a live broadcast of the protest rally. In their address to the protesters the opposition leaders have again reiterated that they would keep protesting unless the President Saakashvili fulfils their four major demands. …
‘We will Confront Authorities Politically’ – Patarkatsishvili
The authorities should be confronted solely through political means, through elections, business tycoon, Badri Patarkatsishvili, told Imedi TV on November 2 upon his arrival back to Tbilisi from London. “What I want is that everything to be peaceful,” he said. “I am absolutely ready to do my best to ensure that the protest rally does …
Government Launches ‘Georgia will not Step Back’ TV Spots
The Georgian television stations have started airing a short spot, made in a style of TV promotional material, about the October 30 incident in Ganmukhuri. The TV spot, made up of documentary footage, shows Russian peacekeepers detaining and beating five Georgian policemen; then, President Saakashvili, who arrived on the incident site, speaking angrily with the …
Protesters from Provinces Arrive in Tbilisi
Protesters outside the Parliament late on November 1.Photo: Civil.Ge/Davit Machavariani Protesters, who arrived from the country’s provincial regions, started gathering outside the Parliament late on November 1. Meanwhile, the Imedi TV was airing late night a live footage showing a long convoy of cars and minibuses with protesters arriving from the western provinces of Georgia – …
01/11/2007 - 23:37
U.S. Rejects Mediator’s Role in Georgia’s Political Standoff
The United States does not see its role as a mediator in the current political standoff between the authorities and opposition in Georgia, Daniel Fried, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, said on November 1. Daniel Fried, who is visiting Georgian to participate in a high-profile conference, met both the …
Russian MFA: Tbilisi Stirs up Tensions for Internal Consumption
Incident in Ganmukhuri was a provocation by the Georgian authorities aimed at internal consumption amid wave of anti-governmental protest rallies, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on November 1. ?There is no doubt that actions of the Georgian leadership and in particular of President Saakashvili, including in that particular incident [in Ganmukhuri] are mainly determined …
Ex-Ambassador to Ukraine Becomes Deputy Foreign Minister
Grigol Katamadze, former Georgian ambassador to Ukraine, was appointed as the deputy foreign minister. He replaced Merab Antadze, who started to perform the duties of Georgian ambassador to Ukraine starting from November 1. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Okruashvili Abroad for Medical Treatment ? Prosecutors Say
Ex-defense minister, Irakli Okruashvili, has left Georgia for medical treatment after taking permission from the prosecutors, the General Prosecutor?s Office said in a statement on November 1. The statement specified neither to which country Okruashvili has left for, nor the type of medical treatment. Earlier on November 1, opposition leaders announced that the authorities forced …
‘Provocations will not Derail Georgia’s Progress’ – Saakashvili
Despite permanent “attacks and provocations” Georgia will continue on its path of progress and development, President Saakashvili said on November 1. “These provocations and attacks aim at only one goal – to derail us and put an end to Georgia. Whatever obstacles are created, we should reach our final destination. Not a single rebuilding project …
Officials, Opposition Comment on Planned Protest Rally
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze urged those planning to attend the November 2 protest rally outside the Parliament not to undertake any actions that may favor ?those forces interested in destabilizations? in Georgia. ?This is the most important for us,? she told reporters on November 1. ?I want to tell each person, who plans to …
Okruashvili was Forced to Leave Georgia ? Opposition
The authorities forced ex-defense minister, Irakli Okruashvili, to leave the country to prevent him from attending the November 2 protest rally, opposition leaders said on November 1. Eka Beselia, an activist from the Movement for United Georgia ? the party set up by Okruashvili before he was arrested ? said that the ex-defense minister was …
Movement of Protesters from Provinces Curbed ? Opposition
A convoy of cars and minibuses with protesters traveling from Adjara Autonomous Republic to Tbilisi to participate in the November 2 protest rally was stopped and attacked by unknown group of young men, reports said on November 1. A video footage aired by Imedi TV showed couple of vehicles blocking a convoy of protesters? cars, …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Opposition Meets Senior U.S., OSCE Officials
Opposition leaders held separate meetings with visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Daniel Fried, and OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut in Tbilisi on November 1. Both officials are visiting Tbilisi to participate in a government-organized international conference, which coincides with the planned opposition-organized protest rally in Tbilisi on …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Sokhumi Warns of War in Case of Peacekeepers’ Withdrawal
The withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping troops from the Abkhaz conflict zone will lead to a new large-scale war in the South Caucasus, Sergey Shamba, the Abkhaz foreign minister said. Senior lawmakers from the ruling National Movement Party demanded from the executive branch to execute the last year’s resolution of the Parliament on withdrawal of Russian …
List of Tbilisi Summit Participants Unveiled
Tbilisi Summit 2007: Building Europe?s East will open in the evening on November 1 in the Tbilisi History Museum (Caravanserai) in the old part of the capital city. List of participants include over 100 foreign guest with Carl Bildt, the Swedish Foreign Minister; Daniel Fried, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs; Yaroslav …
MPs Push for Peacekeepers’ Pullout – Georgia’s UN Envoy
There is “a political pressure” from the Georgian Parliament on the government to execute a resolution on withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping troops from the Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflict zones, Irakli Alasania, the Georgia’s ambassador to the UN, said. In a resolution, passed last July, the Parliament has already instructed the government to “to launch …
31/10/2007 - 23:26
Moscow Tells its Peacekeepers to Show Restraint
Grigory Karasin, the Russian deputy foreign minister, told chief Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia and South Ossetia ?to show restraint and keep calm,? in the light of ?continuing provocations by the Georgian side.? The Russian Foreign Ministry reported on October 31 that Karasin held separate telephone conversations with commanders of Russian peacekeeping forces in Abkhazia and …
News Corp. Takes Management of Patarkatsishvili’s Imedi Shares
Badri Patarkatsishvili has handed over management rights of his shares into Imedi media holding to Rupert Murdoch’s media giant News Corporation for a one-year term, Martin Pompadur, executive vice-president of News Corp. said on October 31. Speaking at a news conference in Tbilisi, he said that “technically” Badri Patarkatsishvili would still be an owner of …
‘No Compromise on Elections Date’
An influential lawmaker from the ruling National Movement Party, Giga Bokeria, said in an interview with Civil.Ge on October 30, three days before the opposition’s planned large-scale protest rally in Tbilisi, that there would be no compromise over elections date.“Protest rallies will be held and these rallies will pass like many others previously. Our society …
Labor Party Leader Warns of Permanent Protest Rallies
Protest rallies will continue unless President Saakashvili appoints parliamentary elections in April, Shalva Natelashvili, leader of opposition Labor Party, said on October 31. ?The rally on November 2 will be extremely peaceful, non-violent, but will yield concrete results and the protesters will not disperse, unless the President announces the date of new elections,? he said …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)