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Georgia Detains Two Russian Peacekeepers
Two servicemen of the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the Abkhaz conflict zone were arrested by the Georgian law enforcers on September 30 in Georgia?s Zugdidi district, at the administrative border with breakaway Abkhazia. According to the Constitutional Security Department of the Georgian Interior Ministry, the two Russian peacekeepers were arrested for alleged illegal selling of …
30/09/2005 - 12:21
Russia Strongly Backs Current Peace Format for South Ossetia
Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Loshchinin met with U.S. Ambassador in Moscow William Burns on September 19 and discussed developments in the South Ossetian conflict zone, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. An information note issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry after this meeting says that the situation regarding the tensions in the conflict zone should be …
Breakaway Abkhazia Celebrates ‘Independence’
Breakaway Abkhazia celebrates on September 30 its ‘independence day,’ marking the 12th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Georgian troops from the territory of Abkhazia. Celebrations will mainly involve outdoor concerts and a rally at the Memorial of Honor in the capital Sokhumi, Apsnipress news agency reported. No military parade is planned in Abkhazia. This post is …
Georgian Security Chief Speaks of Moscow Talks
Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Gela Bezhuashvili said that during five-hour talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov in Moscow on September 28 the two sides discussed a broad range of issues regarding their bilateral relations, and focused on a resolution of the Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflicts. ?We were discussing Russia?s role in the resolution of these …
29/09/2005 - 21:40
Parliament Talks Tough with Russian Peacekeepers
Peacekeepers’ checkpoint in South Ossetia. The Georgian Parliament plans to setperformance deadline for Russian peacekeeping troops. The Georgian Parliament has developed a draft resolution instructing the government to take measures to prepare a withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from the country if the peacekeeping forces’ performance does not improve before February, 2006 and July, 2006 in …
CEC Refuses to Bar Ruling Party’s MP Candidate from Race
The Central Election Commission (CEC) turned down on September 29 an appeal by the Society of Legal Development demanding to bar Koba Khabazi, of the ruling National Movement party, from running in MP by-elections in Kobuleti single-mandate constituency on October 1. Opponents, including the opposition Conservative and New Rights parties accused Koba Khabazi of bribing voters …
Parliament to Set Performance Deadline to Russian Peacekeepers
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said on September 29 that lawmakers in the country have developed a draft resolution instructing the Georgian government to take measures to prepare a withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from the South Ossetian and Abkhazian conflict zone if the peacekeeping forces? performance does not improve before February, 2006 and July, 2006 …
Georgia Scraps the Peacekeeping Format
South Ossetia Peace Process Hangs in Balance Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava said in Moscow that Georgia will soon say ‘no’ to the current, Russian-led peace format for South Ossetian conflict resolution, describing it as “unfair.” Khaindrava was speaking at a news conference held at the Interfax news agency’s office on September 29 …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Georgia Says No to JCC Format in South Ossetia
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava said in Moscow that the current peace format in frames of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) is ineffective and Georgia will seek a new format for peace talks, as well as a new arrangement for the peacekeeping operation in the South Ossetian conflict zone. Khaindrava was speaking …
CIS Interior Ministers Meet in Yerevan
Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili is participating in the session of the Council of Interior Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in the Armenian capital Yerevan on September 29. The issues of combating corruption and illegal migration top the agenda of the session, that brought together the ministers from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, …
Georgian PM Visits Armenia
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli will pay a two-day working visit to Armenia on September 29-30 to discuss the issues of bilateral and regional cooperation. The Georgian Prime Minister will hold talks with his Armenian counterpart Andranik Margarian and President Robert Kocharyan. Zurab Nogaideli will also attend a session of the joint Georgian-Armenian intergovernmental commission …
South Ossetia Insists on Increase of ‘JCC Status’
South Ossetian Special Affairs Minister Boris Chochiev said on September 28 that the status of the Joint Control Commission should be increased in order to give the commission more authority. “We have temporarily suspended the process of negotiations. If Georgia wants to continue talks, we will demand an increase of status of the negotiation process, …
28/09/2005 - 20:40
Georgian Foreign Minister Criticizes OSCE over S.Ossetia
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili said at a news conference on September 28 that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has failed to become a meaningful vehicle to help solve the South Ossetian conflict. ?Last August we demanded demilitarization and monitoring [in South Ossetian conflict zone] there [in the OSCE headquarters in …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Alasania Speaks of Abkhaz Conflict Settlement
The Georgian President?s representative for Abkhaz conflict issues Irakli Alasania, who also chairs the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile, said the prospects are promising regarding upcoming peace talks between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides in frames of the UN-led Geneva process, which are scheduled for early October. Alasania also said in an interview, which was published by the …
Saakashvili Calls on EU to Play ‘Decisive’ Role in Peace Process
President Saakashvili accused Russia, on September 28, of backing the secessionist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and called on Moscow for intensive negotiations in an attempt to find a mutually acceptable mechanism for cooperation which will prevent problems in bilateral relations. Saakashvili also called on the European Union for more active involvement in the process of peacefully resolving the …
MP Attack Suspect Arrested
Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili announced on September 27 that the police arrested a person who is suspected of attacking parliamentarian Tamaz Kacheishvili and stealing his car. Merabishvili said that the police failed to recover the stolen car because it is currently in Tskhinvali, the capital of breakaway South Ossetia. Tamaz Kacheishvili, a parliamentarian from the opposition New …
Georgian Security Chief, State Minister Visit Moscow
Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Gela Bezhuashvili, accompanied by State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava, left for Moscow on September 28 to discuss the recent developments in the South Ossetian conflict zone with Russian officials. ?We will find out Russia?s position [over South Ossetia]. Authorities in South Ossetia never make decisions independently …
Finnish President Visits Georgia
Finnish President Tarja Halonen arrived in Georgia on September 28 for a two day official visit. This is the Finish President?s first-ever visit to Georgia. Tarja Halonen will meet with her Georgian counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili, Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze and Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli on September 28. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) …
Kokoity Wants to Boost JCC Status
South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity said that the ?status? of the Joint Control Commission (JCC) should be increased in an attempt to transform the body into a more meaningful vehicle for conflict resolution. ?We think that the status of the Joint Control Commission should be increased. People with more authority should be involved in the JCC. We are …
27/09/2005 - 19:45
S.Ossetia Blames Georgian Chief Peacekeeper for Shelling
South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity alleged that Paata Bedianashvili, Commander of the Georgian peacekeeping battalion stationed in the conflict zone, was behind the shelling of the breakaway region’s capital Tskhinvali, which occurred on September 27. Kokoity made this statement during a meeting with Ambassador Roy Reeve, Head of the OSCE Mission to Georgia, the South Ossetian Press …
Saakashvili Speaks of Reconciliation with Abkhazia
President Mikheil Saakashvili called on Abkhazia for reconciliation and hailed the Abkhaz side?s decision not to mark September 27 with the military parade in Sokhumi. The Abkhaz side marks September 27 as the day of Liberation of Sokhumi, as Georgian troops were forced out of the city on this day in 1993. ?Both Georgians and …
Georgian Officials Call for Reconciliation with Abkhazia
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze and State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava called for reconciliation and peaceful resolution of the Abkhaz conflict on September 27. Both of them were speaking at the memorial of the Georgian fallen soldiers in Tbilisi to mark the Day of Memory and Hope ? commemorating the fall of …
GUAM Border Guard Chiefs Meet in Baku
Commander of the Georgian Border Guard Department Badri Bitsadze will participate in a meeting of the border guard chiefs from GUAM member states – Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova – in Azerbaijan?s capital Baku on September 27-29. According to the Georgian Border Guard Department, cooperation in combating terrorism, illegal migration, illegal drugs and arms trafficking will be …
Abkhazians, Georgians Mark September 27
Georgian officials will lay wreaths at the memorial of Georgia’s fallen soldiers in Tbilisi on september 27 to commemorate those who died in the Abkhaz conflict, marking the Day of Memory and Hope ? commemorating the fall of the Abkhaz capital Sokhumi on September 27, 1993, when the Georgian troops were forced out of the city. Three days later, …
S.Ossetian Minister: Tskhinvali Takes Break, Defines Strategy
South Ossetian chief negotiator Boris Chochiev reiterated in an interview with RIA Novosti news agency on September 26 that South Ossetia will not take part in the session of the Joint Control Commission (JCC). ?The reason behind this decision is that the Georgian side has not yet recognized its involvement in the Tskhinvali shelling [on …
26/09/2005 - 21:27
MPs Consider Setting Performance Deadline to Russian Peacekeepers
Georgian lawmakers are considering setting a deadline for the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Abkhazia and South Ossetia to either stabilize the situation or leave the two conflict zones. The lawmakers have not yet agreed what the deadline should be. ?This should be a reasonable deadline? Naturally, a term of one week or one month will not be …
Groups in Samtskhe-Javakheti Advocate Autonomy
A group of non-governmental organizations based in Georgia?s southern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, which is predominately populated by ethnic Armenians, held a conference on September 23-24 and discussed current problems in the region. In a resolution adopted at the conference, the Council of Armenian non-governmental organizations in Samtskhe-Javakheti called on the Georgian leadership to consider granting autonomy to …
Tskhinvali Urges U.S. to Warn Tbilisi Against Use of Force
In a letter sent to the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi the Foreign Ministry of breakaway South Ossetia urged the United States ?to warn the Georgian authorities against provocations and any form of military pressure? on South Ossetia, the Press and Information Committee of unrecognized republic reported on September 26. ?Actions undertaken by the Georgian side …
MPs to Pass ‘Tough’ Resolution on Russian Peacekeepers
Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said on September 26 that lawmakers are in the process of working over a resolution criticizing the Russian peacekeeping forces’ role in the Abkhazian and South Ossetian conflict zones. “A decree by the Parliament over the peacekeepers will be very tough,” she told reporters. Burjanadze said that the peacekeeping forces “demonstrated helplessness” …
Analyst Challenges MoD’s Claims on Faulty APCs
Military analyst Irakli Aladashvili suggested in his article published by Kviris Palitra weekly on September 26 that 38 infantry combat vehicles – BMP-2 – of the Georgian Armed Forces are out of order as a result of improper use. This suggestion conflicts with the official version of the Defense Ministry, that vehicles were faulty at …
President Says Education Reform to Boost Social Justice
President Saakashvili said, while addressing a forum of first-year students on September 25, that through the most recent round of education reforms the country moved closer towards establishing social justice. Saakashvili was addressing thousands of students who have enrolled in universities this year after passing the first-ever standardized national tests. This was made possible after education reforms which helped root out …
25/09/2005 - 18:35
Saakashvili Comments on Tskhinvali Shelling Investigation
President Saakashvili said on September 24 that ?interesting details? are emerging as a result of an investigation to find out who opened mortar fire on the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali on September 20, an act which resulted in the injury of ten people. ?We have been cooperating with the OSCE very effectively in recent days in the investigation process [into the Tskhinvali …
MIA Purges Police, Removes Checkpoints in Shida Kartli
Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said on September 24 that all the police checkpoints in the Shida Kartli region will be dismantled, except those in the immediate vicinity of the territory under the control of the authorities in breakaway South Ossetia. He also said that the special purpose units of the Interior Ministry, which are deployed in the Shida …
24/09/2005 - 16:12
Tskhinvali, Tbilisi Communicate through Russian Mediator
Russian diplomat Valery Kenyaikin, who carries out shuttle diplomacy between Tbilisi and Tskhinvali, said on September 23 that the prospects for peace in the region is promising. But it remains unclear when the Georgian and South Ossetian sides will resume talks to defuse tensions, which escalated after a mortar attack on Tskhinvali on September 20. Meanwhile, President Saakashvili announced …
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, UN Envoy Discuss Abkhazia
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Loshchinin met with UN Secretary General?s Special Representative to Georgia Heidi Tagliavini in Moscow on September 23, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. Resolution of the Abkhaz conflict ?through the existing mechanism of negotiations? was discussed during the meeting, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. This post is also available in: …
Georgia Sets up Council to Coordinate South Ossetian Policy
President Saakashvili said on September 23 that a Coordination Council, chaired by Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli, will be set up to coordinate the Georgian side?s policy for a peacefully solution to the South Ossetian conflict. He also hailed the statement issued by the U.S. Department of State and expressed hope that the United States will play a more …
23/09/2005 - 20:41
President Convenes Security Council over South Ossetia
President Saakashvili convened a session of the National Security Council in the evening on September 23 to discuss the recent escalation of tensions in the South Ossetian conflict zone. Meanwhile the Russian Foreign Ministry?s special envoy Valery Kenyaikin, who was dispatched by Moscow to Georgia on September 22, met with Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues …
Moscow Delivers Aid to Abkhazia
Railway carriages loaded with humanitarian aid dispatched by the Moscow Mayor?s Office arrived in the Abkhaz capital Sokhumi on September 23, Apsnypress news agency reported. The aid includes 10 trolleybuses, two trucks and high-voltage power lines, according to Apsnypress. The aid was dispatched to Abkhazia on September 15, when Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh was visiting Moscow. …
Bank Austria Creditanstalt Buys into Bank of Georgia
The Bank Austria Creditanstalt has bought 9.9% of shares of the Bank of Georgia, the latter announced on September 20. The amount of the deal has not been reported. Early in September the Georgian National Bank announced that East Capital Bering Ukraine Fund bought 5.5% of shares of the Bank of Georgia for USD 2.6 million. …
Abkhaz Parliament Adopts Discriminating Law on Citizenship
The Parliament of breakaway Abkhazia adopted, on their first hearing, draft amendments to the law regarding citizenship of the Republic of Abkhazia on September 22, Apsnypress news agency reported. The draft law was developed by a special commission, led by de facto Vice-President Raul Khajimba. According to the draft law, the citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia are: – ethnic …
Tbilisi in Search for Favorable Peace Process Format for South Ossetia
The Georgian authorities have intensified their calls for a change in the current format of peace talks revolving around the situation in South Ossetia, as well as the mandate of the peacekeeping operation in the South Ossetian conflict zone, describing this mandate as “ineffective” and a cause for the deadlock of the peace process. But Russia claims that the existing four-party …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Kokoity Asks for Security Guarantees, Plays on Russian Fears
Leader of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity asked for “solid security guarantees” from Georgia, while meeting the Russian special envoy Valery Keinyakin on September 23, Regnum reports. Kokoity condemned the shelling of the outskirts of Tskinvali on September 20 and said Georgia “should acknowledge the fact [that they target] the peaceful population.” He said South Ossetia “recognizes the …
Ex-Defense Officials Arrested for Purchasing ‘Faulty’ Equipment
The military police arrested on September 22 three ex-officials from the Defense Ministry’s logistics department and charged them with misuse of office. The case involves the purchase of 40 infantry combat vehicles – the BMP-2 variety. According to the Defense Ministry, 38 out of the 40 BMP-2s were faulty at the time of purchase. Ex-chief of …
CoE Calls for Restraint in South Ossetia
Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) Terry Davis called on the conflicting sides to show restraint in the South Ossetian conflict zone and ?to lay down the arms and talk.? In a statement issued on September 23 Terry Davis said that he talked with President Saakashvili over the phone on Friday. ?I am …
U.S. Condemns Tskhinvali Shelling
The U.S. Department of State condemned the September 20 mortar attack in Tskhinvali that wounded ten people including women and children. The United States has also called on Russia to stop supporting unrecognized South Ossetian leadership.“We urge the Georgian Government to take immediate steps to demonstrate its commitment to a peaceful settlement of the South Ossetia …
Opposition Says Government Spends Budgetary Funds Illegally
The leaders of the opposition Republican party raised concerns over a draft amendment to the 2005 state budget, envisaging an increase of expenditures by 26 million Lari (USD 14.4 million). At a news briefing on September 22, the Republicans claimed that the government has already spent funds, basically from the President?s and the government?s funds, illegally …
22/09/2005 - 18:51
Georgian MFA Slams Russia for ‘Supporting Separatists’
The Georgian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on September 22, in which it expressed protest against a military parade which took place in breakaway South Ossetia’s capital, Tskhinvali, on September 20, marking the unrecognized republic?s independence day. The Georgian Foreign Ministry blamed Russia for obvious support to the South Ossetian de facto authorities and for an attempt to …
Russian Chief Negotiator on South Ossetia Visits Georgia
Special envoy Valerie Kenyaikin, Russia?s chief negotiator on South Ossetian issues, is expected to arrive in Georgia on September 22. Kenyaking will hold talks with the Georgian and Ossetian sides following the recent escalation of tensions in the conflict zone. After talks with Giorgi Khaindrava, the Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues, the Russian envoy is …
Burjanadze, Russian Ambassador Discuss South Ossetia
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze met with the Russian Ambassador to Georgia Vladimir Chkhikvishvili in the Parliament on September 22 and discussed recent developments in the South Ossetian conflict zone. Vladimir Chkhikvishvili told reporters after the meeting that the situation remains tense and criminal actions are also frequent in the conflict zone. He also said that the …
PM Hopeful over Talks with Kokoity
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said on September 22 that his meeting with South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity will be held “in the future,” however he did not specify an exact time. The talks between the Georgian Prime Minister and the South Ossetian de facto President were planned for late September. However, following the incident involving mortar …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)