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Georgian PM to Address OSCE over Conflicts, Energy Security
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli will address a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on March 27. The Georgian Prime Minister will focus on energy security, democratic development and Georgia’s peace plans for the frozen conflicts during his address, the OSCE press office reported. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
22/03/2006 - 16:01
Tbilisi Tries to Revitalize Abkhaz Peace Process
The announcement of the launch of the development of a detailed roadmap over the Abkhaz conflict resolution and appointment of Irakli Alasania as the Georgian President’s aide for Abkhaz issues have signaled Tbilisi’s efforts to revitalize the Abkhazia peace process. President Saakashvili appointed Irakli Alasania, Chairman of the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile, as his assistant for Abkhazian conflict …
Kokoity Speaks of Unification with Russia
Following the talks with President of Russia’s North Ossetian Republic Teimuraz Mamsurov in Vladikavkaz on March 22, South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity said that he will soon request the Russian side to recognize South Ossetia as part of the Russian Federation. “The problem of unification of [North and South] Ossetia is, first of all, the problem …
EU Signals Plans to Engage More in Conflict Resolution
Peter Semneby, newly appointed EU’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus said on March 21 that conflict resolution issues are of EU’s high priority. Speaking at a news conference in Tbilisi the Swedish diplomat noted that his mandate as EU’s Special Representative is different from his predecessor Heikki Talvitie and it “has more focus on …
Opposition Questions Plans to Merge State Energy Companies
Opposition New Rights party questioned the Economy Ministry’s plans to merge three state-run companies – Georgian International Gas Corporation (GIGC), Georgian International Oil Corporation (GIOC) and Georgian state oil company SakNavtobi – and alleged that move aims at privatization of shares of this new conglomerate. “We think the only real reason behind this decision is …
Georgia Develops National Strategy on Abkhazia
Irakli Alasania, the President’s aide for Abkhaz issues, said at a news briefing on March 22 that the government launched development of the national strategy on Abkhaz conflict resolution. “Yesterday I held the meeting with State Minister [for Conflict Resolution Issues] Giorgi Khaindrava to discuss future plans. We launched the development of a national policy …
Belarus Deports Georgian Citizens
Three Georgian citizens – an Orthodox priest Basil Kobakhidze, Malkhaz Songulashvili, head of the Georgian Baptist-Evangelist Church and Lado Gogiashvili, who were detained by Belarus security service in Minsk on March 20, were deported to Ukraine late on March 21. Three citizens of Georgia were arrested in Minsk at the protest rally held by the …
Chief of Tbilisi-based Abkhaz Government Elected
Malkhaz Akishbaia was elected by exiled lawmakers from Abkhazia as new Chairman of the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz Government-in-exile on March 21, replacing Irakli Alasania. The latter was appointed as the President’s aide for Abkhaz issues on March 20. Malkhaz Akishbaia served as the Finance Minister of the Abkhaz government-in-exile. This post is also available in: ქართული …
21/03/2006 - 21:57
Adjara’s SEC Chief Elected
Adjara Autonomous Republic’s legislative body Supreme Council approved Archil Mikeladze as new Chairman of the autonomy’s Supreme Election Commission (SEC) on March 21. The opposition lawmakers of the autonomy voted against citing that Mikeladze held a position in Adjara’s ex-leader Aslan Abashidze’s administration. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Opposition MP Suspects Officials Behind Attack
Speaking via phone from Vilnius, Lithuania MP Valery Gelashvili of the opposition Republican Party told Imedi television on March 21 that he suspects MP from ruling National Movement party Bidzina Bregadze and Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava of masterminding an attack against him last July. “I suspect that Ugulava, who by-then was the chief of President’s …
Saakashvili Stresses Importance of Knowledge of Official Language
After congratulating local ethnic Azeri population of Marneuli district in Kvemo Kartli region on the Novruz Bayram holiday on March 21 in Azerbaijani language, President Mikheil Saakashvili stressed on importance of knowledge of official language. “You are one of the most hardworking citizens of our country… We have the best friendly relations… Your children should …
Russia Resumes Visas for Georgia
The Russian Embassy to Georgia has resumed issuing visas to the Georgian citizens, the Russian Embassy spokesman Mikhail Svirin told RIA Novosti news agency on March 21. “Starting from March 21 the Consular Department of the Embassy resumed issuing visas at full capacity,” Svirin said. On February 21 the Consular department of the Russian Embassy in …
Georgian, Russian MPs Meet in Moscow
Visiting Georgian parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party met with their counterparts from the Russian State Duma’s Committees for CIS Affairs, Foreign Relations and Defense and Security in Moscow on March 21. “During each meeting it was stressed that the issue of [Georgia’s] territorial integrity is not questioned by Russia. This country is even …
JCC to Meet in Vladikavkaz
A session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) over South Ossetian conflict will be held in Vladikavkaz, the capital of Russia’s North Ossetia, on March 27-28. According to the Office of the Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues, the date and venue of the JCC session has already been agreed among the sides. …
Putin Approves Military Transit Agreement with Georgia
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree on March 16 giving a go-ahead to signing of an agreement with Georgia on the transit of Russian military personnel and cargo to the 102nd Russian military base in Armenia via Georgia, the Russian President’s press office reported. The decree instructs the Russian Defense Ministry to negotiate with …
Ruling Party Steps up Pressure on Opposition MP
At a news conference on March 21 parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party Giga Bokeria and Rati Samkurashvili requested the General Prosecutor’s Office to probe into MP Valery Gelashvili’s as they put it “suspicious activities” which led to acquisition by MP Gelashvili of opposition Republican Party a building in the town of Khashuri. The ruling …
Georgians Arrested in Belarus
Belarus security service detained three Georgian citizens – an Orthodox priest Basil Kobakhidze, Malkhaz Songulashvili, head of the Georgian Baptist-Evangelist Church and Lado Gogiashvili, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Merab Antadze said on March 21. Three citizens of Georgia were arrested in Minsk at the protest rally held by the Belarus opposition on March 20. “The …
Crisis Group: EU Must Engage More in Resolving Conflicts
To guarantee its own security, the EU must become more engaged in resolving the conflicts in the South Caucasus lest they ignite into full-fledged wars in Europe’s neighbourhood, the Brussels-based think-tank International Crisis Group (ICG) said in a report issued on March 20. “Greater engagement is a challenge Brussels has only just begun to address. There …
President’s Spokesman Named as Ambassador to UK
President Saakashvili nominated his spokesman Gela Charkviani as Georgia’s Ambassador to the UK. Charkviani was appointed as the President’s spokesman in March, 2005. Charkviani will replace Amiran Kavadze, who is now nominated as Georgia’s Ambassador to Sweden and Finland. President Saakashvili also nominated Zurab Pololikashvili as Ambassador to Spain and Davit Kereselidze as Ambassador to …
Abkhazia Holds Military Excercises
Military exercises with the participation of 4000 troops and two motorized rifle brigades will take place in breakaway Abkhazia on March 21-24, the Russian and Abkhaz agencies reported. According to Chief of staff of Abkhaz army Anatoly Zaytsev scenario of maneuvers will include repelling of enemy’s attack. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) …
Tbilisi, Moscow to Negotiate Russia’s WTO Accession
Russian negotiators over accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) plan to hold talks with the Georgian officials this week to clarify Tbilisi’s position over Russia’s WTO accession, Maksim Medvedko, negotiator from the Russian Ministry of Economy told RIA Novosti on March 21. On February 21 Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Valeri Chechelashvili met with Ambassadors of …
Georgian Officials Visit U.S.
Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Mamuka Kudava, Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Manjgaladze and Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security Nika Rurua left for the United States on March 20 for a three-day visit. The Georgian delegation will discuss with the officials from the Department of Defense and Department of State bilateral military …
20/03/2006 - 22:56
U.S. Official Visits Georgia
Henrietta Fore, the U.S. Undersecretary of State for Management, met with Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili in Tbilisi on March 20, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported. During the meeting officials exchanged views about the structural reforms of the Georgian Foreign Ministry and retraining of the Georgian diplomats, according to the Foreign Ministry. This post is …
Authorities Attack Opposition with Anti-Oligarch Slogans
Authorities had to resort to anti-oligarchic slogans and smear campaign to repel enliven opposition’s attacks over multiple issues, the opposition leaders say. Some analysts suppose that the ‘anti-oligarch’ policy of the authorities might have even more far-reaching goals, rather than to just discredit certain opposition groups.The Parliamentary Bureau approved a request by lawmakers from the …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Opposition Demands to Charge Shevardnadze with Treason
Parliamentarians from the opposition Conservative Party said on March 20 that Georgia’s former President Eduard Shevardnadze should be arrested and charged with treason.At a news conference MP Koba Davitashvili, leader of the Conservative Party, unveiled a taped phone conversation between two men. MP Davitashvili said that they are Eduard Shevardnadze and Aslan Abashidze, ex-leader of Adjara …
Alasania Appointed as Presidential Aide on Abkhazia
President Saakashvili appointed Irakli Alasania, Chairman of the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile, as his assistant for the Abkhazian conflict issues, the President’s spokesman Gela Charkviani said on March 20. New appointment paves the way for Alasania to participate in official talks with the breakaway Abkhaz authorities. Despite good personal relationship between Alasania and some representatives of …
Parliament to Probe into Opposition MP’s Business
Parliamentary Committee for Procedural Issues will probe into the business activities of MP Valery Gelashvili of the opposition Republican Party. Decision was approved by the Parliamentary Bureau on March 20 after the request of parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party. Mayor of the capital city Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava said on March 18 that construction …
Explosives Found in Poti
Georgian law enforcement agencies found 35 kilogram of ammonal explosive, which was installed under the bridge in a western Georgian town of Poti, Chief of the Special Operations Department of the Interior Ministry Mamuka Toidze said on Monday. He alleged that the explosive was installed two years ago, supposedly by supporters Adjara’s ex-leader Aslan Abashidze, …
Georgian MPs Meet Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
Visiting Georgian parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin in Moscow on March 20. “After discussion of the current condition of Russian-Georgian relations, the sides agreed that at the moment level of these [relations] does not correspond to multi-century tradition of friendly and neighborly [relations] between Russia …
Pensions Increased by GEL 5
Minimal monthly pension increased from GEL 28 up to GEL 33 (USD 18,1) starting from March 20, Director General of the Pension Fund of Georgia Zaza Sopromadze said Monday. “For this purpose the state budget will allocate approximately 4 million Lari monthly to provide increased pensions for about 800 thousand pensioners,” Sopromadze said. Minimal monthly pension …
New EU Envoy Visits Georgia
Visiting Peter Semneby, newly appointed EU’s Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus, will meet with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli on March 20. It is expected that issues related with the South Ossetian conflict resolution will top the agenda of this meeting.The EU envoy, who arrived in Tbilisi on March 18, will also meet with the Georgian …
Georgian MPs Visit Moscow
A group of Georgian parliamentarians led by Vice Speaker Mikheil Machavariani left for Moscow on a two-day working visit on March 19. The Georgian MPs will hold talks with the Russian State Duma officials. The meetings with the officials from the Parliamentary Committees for CIS Affairs, Foreign Relations and Defense and Security are also planned. Reportedly, …
Saakashvili Comments on Belarus, Speaks of ‘Dark Forces’
President Saakashvili said on March 19 that “dark forces” try to oppress freedom in Belarus. He was speaking while meeting with a group of nine Georgian parliamentarians who were held by the Belarus special services on March 16 upon arrival in Minks to monitor March 19 presidential elections under the aegis of the OSCE observer …
19/03/2006 - 18:24
Tbilisi Mayor: ‘Oligarchs will be Wiped Out’
Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava reiterated on March 19 that opposition MP Valery Gelashvili’s construction firm Evra was behind fire which destroyed one of the schools in Tbilisi on March 18. MP Gelashvili, whom Ugulava described as “oligarch,” said he will sue the Tbilisi Mayor over libel. “He can sue me wherever he wants – either …
Belarus Deports Georgian MPs
A group of Georgian parliamentarian who were held by the Belarus special services for three days were deported to Georgia late on March 18. The Georgian MPs arrived in Minks to monitor March 19 presidential elections. “We were held by the Belarus special services immediately after our arrive [on March 16]. We were then taken …
Shevardnadze Says Georgia’s Late PM Zhvania was Murdered
In an interview with the Washington Post Georgia’s ex-President Eduard Shevardnadze said that he does not believe in an official government account of late Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania’s death. “He was murdered,” Shevardnadze said told the Washington Post, but adding that he does not know by whom. Zurab Zhvania was found dead on February 3. The …
18/03/2006 - 20:32
Interior Minister Comments Calls over his Resignation
Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said on March 18 that the only reason of the opposition’s calls for his resignation is intensive fight against organized crime. “I am very glad that the opposition is fighting against me. It shows that the opposition has noticed that by harming the police, they can harm the entire state. …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Opposition MP to Sue Tbilisi Mayor over Libel
MP from the opposition Republican Party Valerie Gelashvili said on March 18 that he will sue Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava for libel after Ugulava accused Gelashvili’s construction company Evra of masterminding deliberate fire in one of the Tbilisi’s schools. MP Gelashvili said he was expected “certain provocations” from the authorities, in particular from Interior …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Tbilisi Mayor Alleges Opposition MP Behind School Fire
Mayor of the capital city Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava said on March 18 that construction firm Evra, owned by MP Valeri Gelashvili of the opposition Republican Party, could have been behind fire, which destroyed one of the schools in the Avlabari district of Tbilisi on March 18. Ugulava, who described MP Gelashvili as “oligarch,” said in …
Moscow Submits 2006 Schedule of Military Bases’ Withdrawal
Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Mamuka Kudava said at a press conference on March 17 that the Russian side has submitted 2006 timetable and detail plan of withdrawal of military hardware and equipment from its two military bases in Georgia. He said that the process of pullout of Russian military bases from Georgia is still in progress, …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Russia Blames Georgia for Hampering Abkhaz Settlement
In a statement issued on March 17 the Russian Foreign Ministry accused Tbilisi of hampering peace process in the Abkhaz conflict by refusing “for unknown reasons” to finalize a joint Georgian-Abkhaz agreement on non-resumption of hostilities and on launching of registration of those internally displaced persons, who have already returned back to Gali district of …
MPs Instruct Government to Seek Compensation for Conflicts
The Georgian Parliament unanimously adopted on March 17 two draft resolutions prepared by the parliamentary commission on territorial integrity. One of the resolutions instructs the Georgian government to set up a state commission, which will study amount of damage the country inflicted as a result of armed conflicts and in a post-conflict period. Shota Malashkhia, …
Opposition Notes Government’s Weakness, as Officials Decline TV Debates
Inga Grigolia, an anchor of a weekly political talk show Reaction aired by the Imedi television, said that representatives from the authorities refused to participate in debates in her program on March 17 to discuss issues related with the Sandro Girgvliani murder case. She said during the live talk show that the officials declined to …
Tags: Girgvliani Case, Salome Zurabishvili
17/03/2006 - 22:43
Parliament Approves Two New Members of Justice Council
The Parliament approved on March 17 two lawmakers from the ruling National Movement party Nino Kalandadze and Irina Kurdadze as new members of the Justice Council, which oversees judicial system’s performance. MP Kalandadze is deputy chairperson of the parliamentary committee for legal issues and MP Kurdadze is head of the Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze’s administration. …
Opposition Blamed for Creating ‘Illusion of Instability’
Several hundred protesters gathered outside the President’s Office on March 17 to demand Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili’s resignation and an unbiased investigation of a high-profile murder scandal.Rally, which was organized by some human right groups, was joined by the opposition Republican, New Rights, Conservative, Labor and Freedom parties, as well as by those outdoor market …
Government Accuses Opposition of Stirring Tensions
Chief of the President’s Administration Giorgi Arveladze accused those opposition parties which have staged a series of protest rallies recently of an attempt “to stir up situation” in the country. “Those people who call themselves opposition use all means in an attempt to maximally stir up and aggravate situation in the country and to create …
Georgia Demands Immediate Release of MPs Held in Belarus
Georgian President’s spokesman Gela Charkviani said on March 17 that the Belarus authorities should follow their international commitment and let Georgian parliamentarians to monitor March 19 presidential polls. A group of at least seven Georgian parliamentarians who arrived in Minsk on March 16 to monitor March 19 presidential election under the aegis of the OSCE …
Cash Register Protesters Rally
Outdoor market vendors gathered again outside the Parliament on March 17 to protest against the regulation obliging them to use cash registers. The Parliament is expected to discuss on March 17 a proposal by the opposition Conservative Party envisaging postponement of enforcement of this regulation for outdoor market sellers. But the parliamentary majority will most …
Education Ministry Official Injured in Kutaisi Blast
Lado Pataridze, chief of the regional department of the Education Ministry, was badly injured after an explosive went off in his office late on March 16 in the country’s second largest city Kutaisi. Education Minister Kakha Lomaia said at a news conference on March 17 that the explosion was directed against the Education Ministry and …
Human Right Groups Protest Outside Interior Ministry
A group of civic campaigners hold a protest rally outside the Interior Ministry on March 17 against, as they put it, police violence. Later on the same day it is expected that these human right groups will join a protest rally of the opposition parties outside the President’s office to demand Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili’s …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)