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Tbilisi Slams Chief Russian Peacekeeper in South Ossetia
Statements made by Maj. Gen. Marat Kulakhmetov, Commander of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPKF) stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone, that the Georgian side is not ready for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, triggered the Georgian Foreign Ministry to respond with a strong-worded statement on January 16. ?This statement by the Commander of the Joint …
17/01/2006 - 12:19
Tbilisi Warns of ‘Irreversible Consequences’ in Gali
The Georgian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that growing tensions in breakaway Abkhazia?s Gali district, involving kidnappings and violent attacks against locals, ?may lead to irreversible consequences.? ?These facts [of crime in the Gali district] clearly indicate that the situation in the Gali [is worsening] and is not under the control of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, which systematically violates the local …
16/01/2006 - 22:01
Georgian Negotiator Comments on Thwarted JCC Session
A session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission, which was scheduled for January 18-20, will not be held, Georgian State Minister Giorgi Khaindrava said in an interview with RIA Novosti news agency on January 16. The South Ossetian side rejected the Georgian side?s proposal to hold the session in the Georgian capital Tbilisi – citing security reasons …
Reports: Anti-Aircraft Gun Confiscated from S.Ossetia
A self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system, model ZU 23-3, and a mobile radio station belonging to the Defense Ministry forces of breakaway South Ossetia was confiscated by the Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPKF), the unrecognized republic’s official agency Press and Information Committee reported on January 16. According to this report, the anti-aircraft system was installed in the village of Dmenisi …
Sokhumi Blames Tbilisi for Crime in Gali
Abkhazian leader Sergey Bagapsh expressed concern regarding the deteriorating security conditions in the predominantly Georgian-populated Gali district of Abkhazia and accused the Georgian side of trying to destabilize the situation there, Apsnipress news agency reported on January 16. Bagapsh was speaking during a meeting with deputy representative of the UN Secretary General to Georgia Ivo Petrov in …
Parliament Adheres to Resolution on Russian Peacekeepers
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said on January 16 that the government will brief parliamentarians about the Russian peacekeepers? performance in the South Ossetian conflict zone in February. ?If there is progress [in the performance by the Russian peacekeepers] we will only welcome it, but if, unfortunately, there is no progress, the Georgian Parliament will strictly …
Company Rehabilitating Enguri Power Plan Concerned over Security
The joint German-Austrian venture Voith Siemens Hydro, which is carrying out rehabilitation works of generator number 3 of the Enguri Hydro Power Plant in the Abkhaz conflict zone, is concerned over security after a plant employee was shot dead in the Gali district of the breakaway region on January 13, Georgian media sources reported. The EUR 5 million …
Tbilisi-Backed TV Resumes Broadcasting in Tskhinvali
The Alania TV station, which was silenced last week in the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali, resumed broadcasting on January 15 after shifting to a new frequency. The television broadcasted an interview by Jemal Karkusov, former Interior Minister and ex-Secretary of the National Security Council of the unrecognized republic on January 15. Karkusov, who escaped from a Tskhinvali jail …
Kokoity: No ‘Revolution’ Anticipated in South Ossetia
South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity said on January 14 that presidential elections, scheduled for November, 2006 in the unrecognized republic, will not turn into a ?rose? or ?orange? revolution. ?There are certain forces which are anticipating an ‘orange’ or ‘rose’ revolution in South Ossetia. But I want to disappoint them: this kind of scenario will fail here. But …
Opposition MPs Visit Lithuania
A group of parliamentarians from the opposition Democratic Front faction, which unites MPs from the Republican and Conservative parties, left for Lithuania on January 15 to discuss Lithuania?s experience in social security legislation with their Lithuanian counterparts. The group, which includes the leader of the Republican Party Davit Usupashvili, is also interested in Lithuania?s experience after their …
S.Ossetia Wants Interior Minister to Apologize
Deputy chairman of the breakaway South Ossetian government and chief negotiator Boris Chochiev said that South Ossetian negotiators will visit Tbilisi only after Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili apologizes for his statements made against the South Ossetian officials, the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported on January 15. Tskhinvali has rejected the Georgian side?s proposal …
Russian Peacekeeper Dies of Gunshot Wound in Abkhazia
A Russian peacekeeper was mortally wounded by another Russian peacekeeper in the Abkhaz conflict zone on January 15. Roman Lyubentsev was shot by Sergey Zinchenko in the Abkhaz conflict and later died from a gunshot would to his head, Regnum news agency reported. The incident is under investigation but preliminary reports say that it was an accident. This post is …
Foreign Minister Visits Armenia
Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili left for Armenia on a two-day working visit on January 16 to discuss issues related with cooperation in the energy sector and delimitation of borders. According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, Bezhuashvili will meet the Armenian President, Prime Minister and the Foreign and Defense Ministers. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский …
Reports: Man Kidnapped in Gali
Valeri Gabisonia, a resident of the village of Nabakevi in the breakaway Abkhazia?s Gali district, was kidnapped by a group of unknown armed man, Georgian media sources reported on January 15. Reports say that the kidnappers have already demanded a USD 50,000 ransom. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
15/01/2006 - 13:06
Saakashvili Hails Bird Flu Preventive Measures
President Saakashvili hailed measures undertaken by the authorities to prevent the arrival of the bird flu to Georgia during a meeting with Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli and Healthcare Minister Lado Chipashvili on January 14. The two ministers briefed the Georgian President about the preventive measures being taken and said that additional special equipment is expected to arrive in …
S.Ossetia Calls on Tbilisi to Stop ‘Information War’
The South Ossetian authorities announced on January 14 that a ?dirty information campaign? carried out by the Georgian special services ?to discredit South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity? proves the unwillingness of the Georgian side ?to hold a constructive dialogue on peaceful resolution of the conflict? and accused the Georgian side of an attempt ?to destabilize the …
14/01/2006 - 17:49
PM: Privatization of Energy Facilities Top Priority
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said that the authorities plan to complete the privatization process of the country?s energy facilities in 2006. ?Except for high-voltage power transmission lines, the sector will be completely transferred to private ownership. The Enguri hydro power plant will also remain state-owned, due to its vital importance,? Prime Minister Nogaideli said during a meeting …
Civil Groups Call on Officials for Restraint over GYLA
A group of civil society organizations have called on governmental officials for restraint while making public statements about the situation surrounding the influential human rights advocacy group The Georgian Young Lawyers? Association (GYLA). On January 9, one group of members of GYLA, mostly representatives of the present authorities, demanded reforms and the resignation of chairperson Ana …
One Killed in Abkhaz Conflict Zone
Genadi Parulava, an ethnic Georgian, was killed after an attack by unknown gunmen in the village of Saberio in the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia on January 13, Georgian media sources reported. The motives behind this incident remain unclear. Parulava, 32, was an employee of the Enguri hydro power plant in the conflict zone. This post …
13/01/2006 - 19:47
Russian Diplomat Speaks of Upcoming JCC Session
Russian chief negotiator for the South Ossetian conflict Valery Kenyaikin said on Friday there is no threat that a session of the Joint Control Commission, scheduled for January 18-20, will be thwarted, despite the fact that there are some controversies about the venue of the talks. ?Now we are trying to solve an issue about a venue …
Saakashvili Boasts about Georgian Ski Resorts
President Saakashvili said that the Georgian ski resorts in Bakuriani and Gudauri have no competitors in the region. ?This means that now we have the chance to attract hundreds of thousands of tourists here, which means additional income,? Saakashvili said. Saakashvili was speaking in Bakuriani, where he attended a ceremony of the opening of a new ski run and a …
Georgian PM Comments on Possible Privatization of Gas Pipes
The United States opposes the idea of Georgia selling its major gas pipeline system, but Tbilisi will act according to its own interests, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said on January 13. He said that no decision has been made yet about the selling of pipelines to the Russian energy giant Gazprom. ?We proposed the setting up of a …
PM: Security Guaranteed to S.Ossetian Negotiators in Tbilisi
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said on January 13 that a visit to Tbilisi ?poses no threat? to South Ossetian negotiators. South Ossetian chief negotiator Boris Chochiev, who is deputy chairman of the breakaway region?s government, declined the Georgian side?s proposal to hold a session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) in Tbilisi on January …
Controversial Journalist on Trial
Shalva Ramishvili at his pre-trial hearing in a Tbilisi City Court on August 29. Co-founder of Tbilisi-based 202 television station Shalva Ramishvili goes on trial on January 13 over suspected extortion charges.Shalva Ramishvili was arrested on August 27 and charged with extortion of USD 100,000 from Koba Bekauri, a parliamentarian from the ruling National Movement …
GYLA Chairperson: Authorities ‘Attack’ Civil Society Sector
Chairperson of the influential human rights advocacy Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) Ana Dolidze further stepped up her criticism of the authorities on January 13 by saying that measures undertaken by officials against GYLA is “an attack against the entire civil society sector.” One group of members of GYLA, which is a membership-based organization, demanded reforms and the resignation …
Armenian Community in Abkhazia Concerned over ‘Anti-Armenian’ Trends
Leaders of the Armenian community residing in breakaway Abkhazia met with the President and top leadership of the unrecognized republic on January 12 to express protest regarding “some negative cases which have been observed recently in respect of the Armenian population in the republic,” Apsnipress news agency reported. An explosive went off outside the Armenian school …
PACE Draft Resolution “Encouraging” for Georgian Authorities
At a session on January 24, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will discuss a draft resolution regarding the honoring of obligations undertaken by Georgia. The document, which was published in December, says that “the post-revolutionary euphoria has given way to more pragmatism” in Georgia and although long-term reforms have been set “on the right track,” …
Bird Flu ‘Panic’ Hits Poultry Farms
The Georgian daily 24 Saati (24 Hours) reported on January 13 that the “bird flu panic” in Georgia was a blow for Georgian poultry farms, which say that poultry sales “have actually stopped since New Years.” Poultry production firms are on the verge of bankruptcy, but the situation will further deteriorate if there is a need to …
Abkhazia Reports Record High Export of Citrus Fruits
Abkhazia has exported over 31,000 tons of citrus fruit – mainly tangerines and oranges – during the 2005-2006 season, Apsnipress news agency reported. This is the highest volume of export since the end of the conflict in the region in 1993. The export of tangerines and oranges represents the foundation of the current Abkhaz economy and …
12/01/2006 - 21:31
Russia Stops Issuing Pensions for Non-Russian Citizens in Abkhazia
Russia has stopped issuing pensions starting from January for those residents of Abkhazia who have not yet obtained Russian passports, Apsnipress news agency reported on January 12, quoting Labor and Social Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Olga Koltukova. The number of those Abkhaz pensioners who have not obtained Russian passports was not indicated in this report, …
OSCE Chairman: Conflicts Among Top Priorities in 2006
Addressing the OSCE Permanent Council on January 12 the new OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, said solving conflicts in former Soviet states and tackling organized crime will be among the main priorities of the organization in the year ahead. Minister De Gucht said he hopes 2006 will be a year of “new opportunities” in …
MP Speaks Tough on Bendukidze for Stance on Gas Pipeline
In an interview with the daily 24 Saati (24 Hours), published on January 12, MP Levan Berdzenishvili, one of the leaders of the opposition Republican Party, said that State Minister in charge of economic reforms Kakha Bendukidze is a key lobbyist in the government who is desperately trying to make the privatization of the country?s trunk …
S.Ossetian Official Comments on Georgian Peacekeepers’ Rotation
South Ossetian chief negotiator Boris Chochiev, who is deputy chairman of the breakaway region’s government, spoke out against the frequent rotation of the Georgian peacekeeping forces in the conflict zone and said that it is a violation of agreements, which envisage a rotation only once in six months. According to the Russian peacekeepers, the Georgian side …
U.S. Official Calls for Cautioun in Gas Pipeline Privatization
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza and President Saakashvili discussed energy security issues during a meeting which took place in Astana on the sideline of the Kazakh President?s inauguration on January 11. In an interview with the Rustavi 2 television, Matthew Bryza said that Georgia?s dependence on Russian gas will increase further in the event that the gas trunk …
U.S. Embassy Hails Sentencing of Bush Grenade Attacker
The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi welcomed the news that Vladimir Arutunian, whom the court found guilty of trying to kill U.S. President George W. Bush during the latter?s public speech in Tbilisi on May 10, 2005, has been convicted ?after a fair and balanced trial.? A court in Tbilisi sentenced Arutunian to life imprisonment on …
PM Downplays Proposal on Constitutional Changes
Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said he does not think that a proposal to give the PM the right to hold a seat in the parliament as well will be discussed by the Parliament. ?This is a personal initiative by MP [Alexandre] Shalamberidze and I do not think that any serious development will follow,? PM Nogaideli said on …
Bush Grenade Attacker Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
A court in Tbilisi found Vladimer Arutunian guilty of trying to kill U.S. President George W. Bush during the latter?s public speech in Tbilisi on May 10, 2005 and sentenced him to life imprisonment on January 11. Arutunian was also found guilty of killing a security officer during a fatal clash before Arutunian?s arrest in …
11/01/2006 - 21:45
Kazakh Bank to Invest in Georgia’s New Oil Refinery
A Kazakh BankTuranAlem (BTA) top executive said on January 11 that the Bank is considering investing in the construction of a new oil refinery plant in Georgia. ?A business-plan will be prepared within a month? This will be an international consortium with the participation of Georgia and Kazakhstan. Now participation of other investors is also being …
Kazakh Bank to Invest in Adjara’s Resorts
President Saakashvili said in the Kazakh capital Astana on January 11 that the Adjara Autonomous Republic will become “one of the most fashionable” resorts on the Black Sea coast thanks to investment projects the Kazakh BankTuranAlem (BTA) plans to carry out in the region. President Saakashvili met with BTA representatives in Astana and, according to the Georgian media …
Saakashvili Says there is No Crisis in Ukraine
President Saakashvili said on January 11 that he does not think there is a governmental crisis in Ukraine, following the Ukrainian Parliament?s decision to sack the government over a gas price deal with Russia. ?We all are waiting with a interest for the March [parliamentary] elections [in Ukraine]. I can say that [Ukrainian] President Yushchenko and his …
UN Says Bird Flu in Turkey a Serious Risk to Neighbors
An outbreak of bird flu could become endemic in Turkey and “poses a serious risk to neighboring countries,” the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on January 11.FAO has called on neighboring countries, including Georgia, to be on high alert, to apply surveillance and control measures and to ensure that the public is fully …
Court Verdict on Bush Grenade Suspect Expected
The court in Tbilisi is expected to issue its verdict against Vladimer Arutunian, who is accused of tossing a hand-grenade during U.S. President Bush?s public speech in Tbilisi last May, on January 11. Prosecutors want life imprisonment for Arutunian, who faces terrorism and murder charges for the May 10 incident in Tbilisi and the killing …
Bird Flu Preventive Measures Top Government’s Session
Georgian cabinet members discussed at the session on January 11 measures that are underway to prevent the arrival of the avian flu to Georgia. “The Ministries of Agriculture and Health Care are fully mobilized, special teams have been set up in the regions; measures on the border with Turkey have been strengthened. The authorities have taken every measure …
Competition Announced for CEC Chairman’s Position
An open competition has been announced for the position of the Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC). This position has been vacant since former Chairman Gia Kavtaradze was appointed Justice Minister on December 22. Candidates for this position can submit their applications starting from January 16 and the application process will be open for two weeks. At …
MFA Summons Vatican’s Envoy over Visit to Abkhazia
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) summoned Vatican Papal Nuncio to Georgia Claudio Gugerotti on January 10 and expressed protest regarding his recent visit to breakaway Abkhazia, which, according to the Foreign Ministry, was not agreed on with the Georgian side in advance. The Vatican’s envoy visited the Abkhaz capital Sokhumi on January 4 and met …
10/01/2006 - 22:15
Saakashvili, Yushchenko Meet in Astana
Presidents of Georgia and Ukraine, Mikheil Saakashvili and Victor Yushchenko, respectiviely, held talks in the Kazakh capital Astana on January 10. The two Presidents visited Kazakhstan in order to participate in the inauguration of President Nursultan Nazarbayev on January 11. ?Economic cooperation? cooperation in trade and, of course, issues related to GUAM [Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova] …
Tbilisi Demands Deployment of UN Police in Gali
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava said that the Abkhaz side continues to fail to curb lawlessness and crime in the predominately Georgian-populated Gali district of the breakaway region. Khaindrava sent a letter on January 10 to UN Secretary General?s Special Representative to Georgia Heidi Tagliavini and Maj.-Gen. Sergey Chaban, commander of …
Saakashvili: Kazakhstan a Reliable Economic Partner
Kazakhstan is a reliable economic partner, which depends less on ?political caprices? said President Saakashvili after talks with his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana on January 10. The Georgian President, accompanied by Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili and other officials, arrived in Astana on Tuesday to participate in the inauguration of President Nazarbayev. ?Unfortunately we, as …
Village Head Kidnapped in Gali
Head of the village of Nabakevi, in the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia, Zaira Ekhvaia was kidnapped after a group of unknown armed men raided her house in the village late on January 9, Georgian media sources reported. According to Georgian officials kidnappers have already demanded a USD 100,000 ransom for Ekhvaia?s release. The Georgian Ministry of Foreign …
Abkhaz Official Comments on Gali, IDPs
Georgians living in the Gali district of Abkhazia will face no problems, even if they refuse to accept Abkhaz passports, Foreign Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Shamba said in an interview with Russian news agency Regnum on January 10. ?They will simply be deprived the right to vote if they refuse to take Abkhaz passports, as it …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)