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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 …
13/01/2006 - 11:43
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 …
Authorities Accused of Trying to Take over Watchdog Group
Ana Dolidze, chairperson of the Georgian Young Lawyers? Association (GYLA), said that recent ?attacks? against the organization have been staged by the authorities in an attempt to take over the watchdog group in order to silence criticism voiced by the organization regarding the rule of law problems persisting in the country. ?It is clear that the authorities …
Tbilisi Condemns Crime Rise in Gali
The Georgian Foreign Ministry said on January 9 that a series of violent attacks, burglary and kidnapping cases that took place in the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia ?clearly indicate that the separatist government either cannot or does not control the situation in the Gali district.? According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, on January 6 six unknown …
Saakashvili Visits Kazakhstan
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will pay a two-day official visit to Kazakhstan on January 10-11 to attend the inauguration of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Reportedly, the Georgian President will hold bilateral talks with his Kazakh counterpart to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries. The delegations from 70 countries, as well as the top officials …
Russian Peacekeepers Accuse Tbilisi of Violating Rotation Terms
Russian peacekeeping troops deployed in the South Ossetian conflict zone accused the Georgian side of violating the terms of rotation of its peacekeeping contingent, news agency Interfax reported on January 10. ?On Monday [January 9] the Georgian side completed rotation of its peacekeeping forces in South Ossetia, during which the Georgian side violated the agreement, …
Defense Minster Speaks Out Against GYLA
Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili, who is a member of an influential human rights advocacy Georgian Young Lawyers? Association (GYLA), slammed the current leadership of the group and said that ?USD 12 million have been plundered? in recent years. One group of members of GYLA, which is a membership-based organization, demanded on January 9 reforms and …
09/01/2006 - 18:54
Russian Senior Peacekeeper Released After Paying Fine
Col. Aleksandr Kazantsev, commander of the Gali district headquarters of the Russian peacekeeping troops in the Abkhaz conflict zone was released after paying fine on January 9. Russian officer was taken to the police station in Zugdidi, town in Samegrelo region at the administrative border with breakaway Abkhazia, after Georgian police stopped his vehicle, which …
Influential Watchdog Organization Faces Inner-Party Struggle
An influential human rights advocacy non-governmental organization Georgian Young Lawyers? Association (GYLA) faces inner party struggle after some members of the group announced on January 9 that they demand reforms and resignation of current chairperson Ana Dolidze. Gia Getsadze, who is a former governor of Imereti region and who also served as deputy interior minister …
U.S. Interests Matter for Georgia in Gas Pipeline Privatization
Georgian Economy Minister Irakli Chogovadze said on January 9 that Georgia will take into consideration the U.S. interests in respect of possible privatization of the country?s gas pipeline system. ?We follow the principle: never say ?never.? But no decision has been taken yet. This issue is related to the interests of our strategic ally and Georgia …
Economy Minister: Gas Price Hike to Hit Economic Growth
Georgia?s economic growth is expected to slow down by 1,1% in 2006 as a result of Russia?s increase of gas price from previous USD 63 to USD 110 per 1000 cubic meters, Economy Minister Irakli Chogovadze said at a news conference on Monday. President Saakashvili said in December that Russia?s decision to increase gas price …
National Bank Notes ‘Low Inflation’
For the first time in last three years inflation rate has not exceeded 7% and dropped to 6,2% in 2005, the Georgian National Bank reported on January 9. “Suspension of increasing inflation level was made possible through reasonable fiscal policy and stable exchange rate of GEL,” Davit Amaglobeli, Vice-President of National Bank, said. In recent …
Saakashvili Slams Russia’s Energy Policy
Manipulation of energy prices and supplies is a critical tool of those in Russia who believe that gas is the best mean of political influence, President Saakashvili says in his article published by the Washington Post on January 9.Saakashvili said that a momentary crisis involving halting of gas supply to Ukraine “should have wide-ranging ramifications for …
Officials Deny Bird Flu in Georgia
Dozen of domestic poultry that died in western Georgian district of Zestaponi on Saturday were victims of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) not bird flu, Georgian Agriculture Minister Mikheil Svimonishvili said on January 8. ?Laboratory tests, which we have received at 4 am [local time] today, were negative for bird flu. I can assure that currently …
08/01/2006 - 13:23
S.Ossetian Interior Minister Threatens to Arrest Georgian Top Officials
Interior Minister of breakaway South Ossetia Mikhail Mindzaev said on January 6 that the South Ossetian law enforcers will arrest Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili and Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili in case they enter Ossetian-controlled territory. ?We will be arresting people on our wanted list,? Mindzaev told reporters referring to the list of Georgian officials …
07/01/2006 - 11:38
Georgia Steps up Measures to Prevent Bird Flu
Authorities in Georgia are stepping up measures to prevent spread of bird flu following three lethal cases reported in eastern Turkey caused by suspected H5N1 form of bird flu. Officials say that extra supplies of Tamiflu ? only drug known to be effective against bird flu ? will be purchased. Security measures have also been …
06/01/2006 - 18:43
S.Ossetia Rejects JCC Session in Tbilisi, Citing Security Concerns
Deputy Chairman of the breakaway South Ossetian government Boris Chochiev, who is South Ossetian chief negotiator, rejected the Georgian side?s proposal to hold next session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) in Tbilisi on January 18-20/ In a letter sent to Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava on January 5, Boris …
Georgia Formally Increases Number of Troops
Maximum number of the Georgian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Border Guard Department (BGD) forces should not exceed 31,868, according to the law signed by President Saakashvili on January 5. In a previous law maximum number of servicemen of both MoD and BGD was set at 29,703. According to the new law, the number of …
U.S. Donates USD 450,000 Aid to State Guard Service
The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi donated equipment worth of USD 450,000 to the Georgian Special State Protective Service (SSPS). Aid, which is designed to help increase the SSPS capabilities, includes vehicle equipment, medical and fire-fighting equipment. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
05/01/2006 - 22:43
In Search of a Gas Price
Ukraine’s gas price deal with Russia, which has been described by the western media as a “face-saving” deal, giving both Kiev and Moscow the ability to claim a commercial victory, gave rise to speculations in Georgia that Tbilisi could have negotiated better gas price conditions with Moscow during recent talks. Under the deal agreed upon …
South Ossetian Chief Negotiator Appointed as Deputy PM
Boris Chochiev, former Special Affairs Minister of breakaway South Ossetia, was appointed as unrecognized republic?s Deputy Chairman of Government, the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported on January 5. Boris Chochiev acts as the South Ossetian chief negotiator for the conflict resolution and is a co-chairman from the South Ossetian side of the quadripartite …
Defense Minister Speaks Out Against Russian Peacekeepers
Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili told Rustavi 2 TV on January 4 that Russian peacekeepers stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone fail to perform their duties. ?When time for the parliamentary hearing comes, we are ready to submit to the Parliament all evidence which speak that the Russian peacekeepers do not deserve prolongation of …
Vatican Nuncio Visits Abkhazia
Foreign Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Shamba met with Vatican Papal Nuncio to Georgia Claudio Gugerotti on January 4, Abkhaz news agency Apsnypress reported. The issues of rendering possible humanitarian aid to breakaway Abkhazia were discussed during the talks, according to this report. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Rustavi 2 Broadcaster Buys into Mze TV
Rustavi 2 broadcasting company has bought shares of another Tbilisi-based TV station Mze (the Sun) ? as a result a new Georgian media holding has been set up, the Rustavi 2 reported on January 4. Amount of the deal has not been disclosed. According to this report Kibar Khalvashi, 100% shareholder of Rustavi 2 has bought 78% …
04/01/2006 - 21:18
Economic Freedom Index Ranks Georgia as ‘Mostly Free’
According to the annual publication by the Heritage Foundation/Wall Street Journal – Index of Economic Freedom-2006, Georgia’s overall score has improved by 0.31 point this year, causing Georgia to be moved from “mostly unfree” into “mostly free” category. The 2006 Index of Economic Freedom, which measures 161 countries, ranks Georgia as 68th with 2,98 points. …
Sides Note Positive Momentum in S.Ossetia Talks Despite Disagreements
Although the Georgian side admitted that South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity’s proposal over conflict resolution has added positive momentum to the peace process, officials in Tbilisi say that the Russian side continues to try to misuse these proposals to drag-out the negotiating process.Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava offered on January 3 to …
03/01/2006 - 17:57
Georgian Official: No Need to Speed up Signing of Framework Agreement
Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Merab Antadze expressed concern over the statement of his Russian counterpart Grigory Karasin, who said that officials in Tbilisi continue ?anti-Russian campaign.? ?What the Georgian side?s all the recent statements illustrate in fact is its desire to normalize bilateral relations,? Merab Antadze said. In the interview with Russian news agency RIA …
Tbilisi Calls for JCC Session
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava proposed to hold the session of the Joint Control Commission over South Ossetian conflict resolution in Tbilisi on January 18-20. Khaindrava told Rustavi 2 television that despite certain disagreements a positive momentum has been observed in the negotiating process by the end of 2005 and it …
Russian Diplomat Comments on Russo-Georgian Framework Agreement
Comprehensive framework agreement between Russia and Georgia can be signed only after relations between the two countries are improved, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said in the interview with news agency RIA Novosti on January 3. He said that officials in Tbilisi continue ?anti-Russian campaign.? ?This does not promote any progress in working over …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)