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Chief of Public TV Calls on MPs to Stop Meddling in Staff Policy
General Director of the Georgian Public Broadcaster Tamar Kintsurashvili accused some parliamentarians of interfering in the television’s staff policy. “Parliamentarians should take into consideration that the Public Broadcasting station is an independent entity and they have no right to interfere in the television’s staff policy,” Kintsurashvili said at a news conference on March 2. Recently, the …
02/03/2006 - 16:56
State Energy Companies to Merge
The Georgian Economy Ministry has announced plans to unite three state-run companies – Georgian International Gas Corporation (GIGC), Georgian International Oil Corporation (GIOC) and Georgian state oil company SakNavtobi – into one corporation, the Georgian media reported. The Economy Ministry cited the need to increase the efficiency of these companies as the reason behind this merger. The …
Georgia Offers to Hold JCC Session in Tbilisi
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava offered the South Ossetian and Russian sides to hold a meeting of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) in Tbilisi. “I sent a letter [to the co-chairman of the JCC] with this proposal on February 22. There was no response. Then I sent one more letter on …
Opposition Leader Slams Police High-Handed Tactic
In her article published by the daily 24 Hours on March 2 Tina Khidasheli, one of the leaders of the opposition Republican Party, says that high-handed tactics employed by the police have resulted in the killing of 19 men during police operations in recent months. She says that this is a dangerous trend which is inspired by President Saakashvili, …
Russia Considers Military Transit, Base Pullout Treaties with Tbilisi
The Russian government is expected to discuss at a session on March 2 an agreement with Georgia on the transit of military personnel and cargo to the 102nd Russian military base in Armenia via Georgia, RIA Novosti news agency reported. The five–year agreement, which has already been agreed upon with the Georgian side, obliges Russia to not transfer any armament …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Georgia’s ‘New Group of Friends’ Meet in Tbilisi
Officials from the Foreign Ministries of an informal group known as the “New Friends of Georgia,” which unites Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania met in Tbilisi on March 1. Georgia’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, as well as conflict resolution issues and energy security were discussed during the meeting, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported. …
01/03/2006 - 21:10
Gali-Zugdidi Bus Traffic Launched
Free movement of bus traffic was launched on March 1 between the western Georgian town of Zugdidi, which is at the administrative border of the breakaway region, and the Gali district of Abkhazia, which is predominately populated by ethnic Georgians.The UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) Trust Fund is financing the project for the initial period. The …
President Labels Opposition Leaders ‘Market Politicians’
President Saakashvili criticized some opposition politicians for using a protest rally being conducted by a group of outdoor market sellers for their own political interests and said that these opposition leaders are “market politicians.” “Of course I am on the side of the market sellers… But when the politicians launch [the plan] to build their political career in the market, these …
Saakashvili Hails Interior Minister
President Saakashvili hailed Vano Merabishvili on March 1 as a “good” Interior Minister. Saakashvili’s comment comes after the opposition called for Merabishvili’s resignation, following the latter’s testimony to the Parliament on February 28 over the investigation into the Sandro Girgvliani murder case. “Merabishvili is an especially good Minister. We should understand that this is a Ministry and a team, which has investigated difficult terrorist …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Cash Register Protests Resume
Policemen form cordon around protesters outside the Parliament to prevent a possible blocking of the Rustaveli avenue. Up to a thousand people gathered outside the Parliament on March 1 to protest against a law requiring merchants to equip their stores in outdoor markets with cash registers. A similar protest rally was held on February 28 as …
Opposition Calls for Campaign to Sack Interior Minister
Considerations are underway among parliamentarians from the opposition parties on how to force Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili to resign. The opposition is accusing Merabishvili of “covering up” for those high-ranking officials from the Interior Ministry who could have links to the Sandro Girgvliani murder case. MP Davit Zurabishvili, the Chairman of the Democratic Front parliamentary …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Watchdog: South Caucasus Important Drug Transit Area
The South Caucasus is emerging as an important transit area for drug trafficking, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), an independent body established by the UN to implement its international drug conventions, said in its annual report on March 1. The report also notes “a significant increase in drug abuse” in the region. “In Georgia, …
Georgian PM Visits U.S.
Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli left for the United States to participate in the forum ‘Invest in Georgia’ in New York on March 2. Nogaideli also plans to meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on March 3 to discuss the situation in breakaway Abkhazia, the PM’s press office reported. The Georgian PM will be accompanied …
Russian Military Official: Visa Row May Hinder Withdrawal of Bases
Georgia’s current visa policy towards the Russian servicemen stationed in the country will hinder the withdrawal process of the Russian military bases in Georgia, Commander of the Headquarters of the Russian Troops in the Trans Caucasus (GRVZ) Andrey Papov said in an interview with RIA Novosti news agency on February 28. He said that the Georgian side’s statement …
28/02/2006 - 23:06
Interior Ministry Gripped by Murder Scandal
Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili was grilled by opposition lawmakers at a parliamentary session over the investigation into the murder case of Sandro Girgvliani. The Minister’s testimony on February 28 seemed so unconvincing for the opposition MPs that they walked out of the Parliament’s chamber without even listening to Merabishvili’s speech to the end and demanded that the Minister …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Chief of Public Broadcaster Slammed for ‘Mismanagement’
A group of employees from the public television station, including from the legal department, filed for resignation and accused Director-General of the television Tamar Kintsurashvili of, as they put it, “mismanagement and nepotism.” MP Elene Tevdoradze, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights demanded on February 28 to convene the board of the Public Broadcaster to …
Opposition Walks Out in Protest of Interior Minister
Parliamentarians from the New Rights and Democratic Front opposition factions walked out of a parliamentary session on February 28, while Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili was briefing the Parliament about the investigation of the murder case of Sandro Girgvliani. “I will not be able to answer most of the question which have been asked by you [parliamentarians], as I …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Interior Minister Briefs MPs on High-Profile Murder Case
Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said, while addressing the Parliament on February 28, that the murder case of Sandro Girgvliani “will be solved in the nearest future.” Merabishvili was convened to the Parliament at the request of the opposition parliamentarians to brief the lawmakers about the Interior Minister about the investigation into this murder case, which several top Interior Ministry officials may allegedly be …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
PM Denies Cabinet Reshuffle Speculations
On February 28 Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli denied media reports about a possible cabinet reshuffle and said that “no changes are planned” in the cabinet. According to media speculations, a cabinet reshuffle was planned, involving the Interior and Defense Ministers, as well as Chairman of the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile is anticipated. This post is also available in: …
Lithuania’s Statement on Georgia Angers Moscow
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Lithuanian Ambassador to Russia Rimantas Sidlauskas on February 27 to express protest regarding a recent statement by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry about Russian-Georgian relations. The Russian Foreign Ministry described this statement by Lithuania as “inadmissible interference” in Russo-Georgian relations. In the statement, issued on February 22, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry supported Georgia’s initiative to internationalize …
Protesters Against Cash Registers
Several hundred of people gathered outside the Parliament on February 28 to protest against the law obligating sellers to equip their stores in outdoor markets with cash registers. The protest rally is organized by the opposition Labor Party. The law adopted by the Parliament in December, 2005 envisages GEL 500 (USD 278) fine for those …
State of Emergency Enforced, as Government Boasts of Anti-Bird Flu Measures
Parliament approved on February 28 with 138 to 2 votes the President’s decree on state of emergency in the Khelvachauri district of Adjara Autonomous Republic – an area affected by the H5N1 virus.The President’s decree on a state of emergency envisages confiscation of live poultry, as well as poultry products in the Khelvachauri district. The …
PM: Government Managed to Contain Bird Flu
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said at the government’s session on February 28 that “at this stage the government has managed to prevent the spread of the H5N1 virus in domestic poultry.” He said this was made possible due to effective measures carried out in the village of Adlia, in the Adjara Autonomous Republic, where the …
State of Emergency Enforced in Bird Flu Affected District in Adjara
On February 28 Parliament approved with a 138 – 2 vote the President?s decree on a state of emergency in the Khelvachauri district of Adjara Autonomous Republic ? an area affected by the H5N1 virus.The President?s decree on a state of emergency envisages confiscation of live poultry, as well as poultry products in the Khelvachauri district. The decree also …
European Parliamentarians Visit Tbilisi
A group of European parliamentarians, led by Graham Watson, the Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South West England and Gibraltar, arrived in Tbilisi on February 28. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Tbilisi will host this delegation of the European Parliament. The European parliamentarians will hold talks with Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze, …
Media Speculates on Cabinet Reshuffle
Georgian media sources reported on February 28 that a cabinet reshuffle involving the Interior and Defense Ministers, as well as Chairman of the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile is anticipated. According to the daily Rezonansi, Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili will become Interior Minister, replacing Vano Merabishvili. The latter, according to this report, is expected to become Secretary …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Georgian, Russian Deputy Foreign Ministers Meet in Moscow
Deputy Georgian Foreign Minister Merab Antadze will meet with his counterpart from the Russian Foreign Ministry on February 28 in Moscow to discuss “steps towards improving cooperation between Georgia and Russia,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported. The decision to hold these talks between the Deputy Foreign Ministers was made during a phone conversation between the Georgian and Russian …
Chief of Staff Visits France
A delegation from the Georgian Defense Ministry led by Chief of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Levan Nikoleishvili left for France on February 27 to discuss military cooperation issues. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, during the visit the Georgian delegation will hold talks with the representatives of General Staffs of the French …
Georgian Railway Chief Visits Abkhazia
Chief of the Georgian state-run Railway Company Irakli Ezugbaia visited breakaway Abkhazia on February 24-25 to discuss technical issues related to the resumption of railway traffic between Russia and Georgia via the unrecognized republic. “From the technical point of view both sides are ready to launch a reconstruction of the railway as soon as there is the political will to …
27/02/2006 - 19:47
Georgian, Russian Foreign Ministers Discuss Conflicts
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone conversation on February 27 with his Georgian counterpart Gela Bezhuashvili and discussed issues related with resolution of the conflicts in Georgia, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. Other “problematic issues of bilateral relations” were also discussed, according to this report. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) …
Parliamentary Hearings on High-Profile Murder Case Delayed
Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili requested on February 27 that opposition parliamentarians delay his hearings over the investigation into the Sandro Girgvliani murder case until February 28. Merabishvili was expected to appear in the Parliament on February 27 after the two opposition parliamentary factions the New Rights and Democratic Front requested that he brief them about this murder …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Bagapsh Speaks of Conflicts
In an interview published by the Russian newspaper Vremya Novostey on February 27 President of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh said that if Kosovo receives international recognition, “Abkhazia will also be recognized as independent three days later.” “As for Georgia, it has not ruled out that some day it will become so attractive that even Switzerland will express a willingness …
Georgia Sets Visa Deadline for Russian Peacekeepers
In a letter sent to the command of the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the Abkhaz conflict zone, the Georgian Military Police have warned that the peacekeepers must obtain Georgian visas before March 10, Chief of the Military Police Aleksandre Sukhitashvili told Civil Georgia on Monday. Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili called on the Russian side on …
Saakashvili Comments on NATO, U.S. Bases
President Saakashvili said in an interview with Kommersant on February 27 that although Georgia plans to join NATO, Tbilisi will not deploy military bases from this alliance on its territory. He also labelled reports that the U.S. is probing into the possible use of Georgia’s military bases in the event of a military conflict with Iran as merely “speculations.” …
Saakashvili Speaks of S.Ossetia
In an interview with the Russian daily Kommersant published on February 27 Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili reiterated that his government is committed to solving the South Ossetian conflict solely through peaceful means. He said that this will be a long process, but the most effective way. “Any human life is a precious one and especially here …
NSC Chief Hospitalized after Heart Attack
Secretary of the National Security Council (NSC) of Georgia Kote Kemularia was hospitalized late on February 26 after suffering a heart attack. Doctors said Kemularia’s “condition is stable” but he will have to stay in the hospital for at least a week, until he has fully recovered. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Bird Flu Triggers State of Emergency in Affected Area
Georgian authorities have further stepped up measures to prevent spread of bird flu, as President Saakashvili requested the Parliament on February 26 to impose a state of emergency in the area affected by the H5N1 virus in the Khelvachauri district of the Adjara Autonomous Republic.The Parliament is expected to approve this proposal at a session …
Georgian PM to Visit U.S.
Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli will leave for the United States on March 2 to participate in the forum ‘Invest in Georgia’ in New York. Nogaideli also plans to meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on March 3 to discuss the situation in breakaway Abkhazia, the PM’s press office reported. The Georgian PM will be accompanied …
Interior Minister to Brief MPs on High-Profile Murder
Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili and General Prosecutor Zurab Adeishvili are expected to brief opposition lawmakers from the New Rights and Democratic Front parliamentary factions on February 27 regarding the investigation into the Sandro Girgvliani murder case. The opposition parliamentarians convened the Interior Minister and General Prosecutor on February 22 after allegations emerged that top level Interior Ministry …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
State of Emergency in Bird Flu Affected Area
On February 26 President Saakashvili requested that the Parliament impose a state of emergency in the area affected by the bird flu in the Khelvachauri district of the Adjara Autonomous Republic. The Parliament is expected to approve this proposal at a session on February 28. The Georgian government ordered culling of all domestic poultry kept at …
9 Georgians Die in Moscow Roof Collapse
Nine Georgians died and one was injured in a collapse of a market roof in Moscow on February 23. The corpses were transported to Georgia on Sunday. A total of 66 people died as a result of this incident. The Moscow municipality has already announced that it will pay 100,000 Rubles (about USD 3,500) to …
26/02/2006 - 18:04
Saakashvili Reiterates Stance to Solve S.Ossetian Conflict Peacefully
President Saakashvili told the Russian Echo Moskvy radio stationed on February 25 that Tbilisi will try to solve the South Ossetian conflict solely through “dialogue and consultations.” Saakashvili said he will not order military operations in the region. “I do not want people to die,” the Georgian President said. This post is also available in: …
Georgia, Bulgaria Agree on Military Cooperation
Visiting Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili and his Bulgarian counterpart Veselin Bliznakov signed a bilateral agreement on military cooperation for 2006 in Sofia on February 24, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported, without specifying any details of this agreement. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, during a two-day official visit the delegations of the two countries discussed …
25/02/2006 - 14:57
Bush: Recent Peaceful Revolutions Only the Beginning
In a speech to the American Legion in Washington on February 24 U.S. President George W. Bush said that recent peaceful revolutions, including the ones in Georgia and Ukraine, are “just only the beginnings.” “In our time, we’ve witnessed revolutions of Rose and Orange and Purple and Tulip and Cedar, and these are just only the beginnings. …
Interior Minister Comments on High-Profile Murder Case
Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili hinted on February 24 that he is not yet ready to sack those officials from the Interior Ministry who are allegedly linked to the murder case of Sandro Girgvliani. “I am personally controlling the investigation process of this case… You know that many of our colleagues were sacked or arrested for wrongdoings in …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Government Orders Slaughter of Domestic Poultry in Adjara
The Georgian government has ordered that all domestic poultry kept at homes in a 3-kilometer radius of the site of an outbreak of bird flu in the Adjara Autonomous Republic be slaughtered. Although at the moment there is no evidence of the H5N1 virus in domestic poultry, the government ordered this slaughter after a second case …
National Security Council Discusses Bird Flu Threat
President Saakashvili convened a session of the National Security Council on February 24 to discuss the threat of bird flu in Georgia According to initial tests one wild bird found dead in the Adjara Autonomous Republic at the Turkish border has been confirmed to have the H5N1 strain of bird flu on February 24. President …
24/02/2006 - 20:54
Government Against Opposition-Proposed Draft Law on Lustration
The Georgian government’s parliamentary secretary Giorgi Khuroshvili criticized on February 23 a draft law on lustration proposed by the opposition Democratic Front parliamentary faction.The draft law is aimed at excluding former Communist Party functionaries and officers of and/or collaborators with the ex-Soviet secret services from serving in the state structures of Georgia. The MPs discussed the draft …
Ombudsman Says MIA Spokesman Should Resign
Georgian Public Defender Sozar Subari requested on February 24 that Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili sack spokesman of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) Guram Donadze over Donadze’s wrongdoings related with the investigation into the murder case of Sandro Girgvliani. According to the Public Defender, Guram Donadze, who was interrogated over this case, misinformed the investigators by saying that this murder …
Tags: Girgvliani Case
Survey Reveals Russians’ Stance on S.Ossetian Conflict
A public opinion survey published by the Russian Public Opinion Foundation (POF) on February 23 says that 57% of Russian citizens surveyed think Russia should take a neutral position while dealing with the South Ossetian conflict. 21% of respondents think Moscow should support South Ossetia, while 3% think Russia should support Georgia. The POF carried out …
Page 539 of 763
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)