Archive
Search results
Page 562 of 763
Georgian Leader Says UN Must Change, Focus on Conflict Resolution
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on September 15 that the UN “must change” and help Georgia put an end to the “annexation of the territory of Abkhazia” by, as he put it, a “neighboring country.”President Saakashvili was speaking while addressing a high-level plenary meeting of the 60th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. In his speech, …
15/09/2005 - 21:46
Saakashvili: UN Must Change, Focus on Conflict Resolution
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on September 15 that the UN ?must change? and the issue of conflict resolution must become a higher priority for the United Nations. President Saakashvili was speaking while addressing a high-level plenary meeting of the 60th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday. ?Today, 60 years …
Lawmakers to Probe into Ruling Party MP’s Business
A parliamentary commission will be set up to probe into allegations voiced by an investigative report over commercial activities undertaken by Koba Bekauri, a lawmaker from the ruling National Movement party. However, key figures in the ruling party have already backed Bekauri, saying that the investigative film, which is also linked with a journalist’s detention …
Moscow Donates Aid to Abkhazia
Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh attended in Moscow on September 15 a ceremony for the handing over of humanitarian aid donated by the Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov to Abkhazia. The donation included 10 trolley buses. Sergey Bagapsh told reporters that he would stay in Moscow until September 18 to discuss ?various issues? with Russian officials. The Abkhaz leader also added that …
Opposition New Rights Want Early Elections
Leader of the opposition New Rights party MP Davit Gamkrelidze requested the President to dissolve the Parliament and to call early elections in order to prevent plunging the country into a political crisis. In a statement made at a news conference MP Gamkrelidze said that the current Parliament, elected against the background of the revolutionary euphoria, ?has …
Saakashvili to Meet Iranian Leader
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will meet his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in New York on the sideline of the UN summit on September 15, Tbilisi-based Rustavi 2 television reported. According to this, report Saakashvili will discuss Iran?s investment opportunities in Georgia with Iranian President Ahmadinejad. The meeting will take place after President Saakashvili?s address to the …
Abkhaz Foreign Minister Hails UN’s Role
Foreign Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Shamba hailed the UN’s role in Georgian-Abkhaz conflict resolution process and noted that negotiations between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides have “turned into a constructive discussion of the problems,” Apsnipress news agency reported on September 14. “The UN spares no effort towards the creation of [favorable] conditions in the process …
Georgia Condemns Russian MFA Statement on Arms Deal
On September 15 the Georgian Foreign Ministry condemned a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry of September 13 regarding Georgia”s arms deals with the NATO member countries, calling this statement “groundless and irresponsible”. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern in a statement on September 13 that a delivery of ammunition from NATO member states, including from the Czech Republic, …
State Minister to Visit Tskhinvali
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava will visit breakaway the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali on September 15 to negotiate with the South Ossetian chief negotiator Boris Chochiev about the details of the upcoming talks between South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity and Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli. The Georgian State Minister told reporters on …
Gazprom Almost Doubles Gas Price for Georgia
Russian energy giant Gazprom plans to increase the price of gas supplied to Georgia from the current rate of USD 62 up to USD 110 per 1000 cubic meters, starting from 2006, Davit Morchiladze, representative of Gazprom?s subsidiary company in Tbilisi -Gazexport – said on September 14. Morchiladze said that the increase in gas price will be reflected in the …
Tbilisi City Council Names Street after U.S. President Bush
The Tbilisi City Council voted on September 14 to rename one of the streets in the Isani-Samgori district of the capital city in honor of U.S. President George W. Bush. The initiative, which was put forth by Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava, gained a majority despite opposition lawmakers voting against the decision. This post is also available in: …
Tbilisi Calls Moscow not to Meddle in its Arm Deals
Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili said on September 14 that sources of arms supply for the Georgian army ?is not Russia?s business.? Okruashvili, who was speaking with reporters after a government session, was commenting about a statement issued on September 13 by the Russian Foreign Ministry which said that a delivery of arms from NATO member states, …
14/09/2005 - 19:08
Parliament’s Commission to Probe into MP’s Business Interests
Senior parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party backed MP Koba Bekauri, but agreed to set up a special parliamentary commission to probe into those allegations against MP Bekauri which were aired in an investigative report broadcasted by the 202 TV on September 13. This decision to establish a commission was made at during a session of the ruling …
MCC Compact Bans Georgia from Privatizing Gas Pipeline
According to the Millennium Challenge Compact signed between Georgia and the United States, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation on September 12, the Georgian government undertakes a commitment not to sell its major gas pipeline network until the expiration of the agreement’s term – 2010. The Georgian government also has no right to sell or transfer controlling shares in …
Georgia Opens New Police Station in South Ossetian Conflict Zone
Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili attended on September 14 an opening ceremony for a new police station in the Georgian village of Kurta, north of the breakaway South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali. ?This will be a place where Georgian policemen will be located to ensure the security of the local population,? Vano Merabishvili told reporters. Speaking at the opening …
Opposition Activists Attacked in Adjara
Three activists from the opposition Conservative Party were reportedly attacked and beaten up by a group of unknown men on September 13 in Batumi, Adjara Autonomous Republic. The attack occurred while the activists were hanging posters of Jumber Tavartkiladze, who plans to run for MP in Batumi’s single-mandate constituency. MP Koba Davitashvili, the leader of …
Major U.S. Aid to Boost Georgia’s Infrastructure
Georgia and the United States signed a USD 295.3 million, five-year aid deal in frames of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) on September 12, which is designed to help develop Georgia’s infrastructure and reduce poverty in the country. An estimated half-million Georgians are expected to directly benefit from this program. The signing ceremony of Millennium Challenge Compact was held …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Turkey Wants to Boost Trade with Georgia
Speaking at the Turkish-Georgina Economic Cooperation Forum in Tbilisi on September 13, Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said that Turkey wants to increase its bilateral trade with Georgia – up to USD 2 billion in the next three years, Turkish and Georgian news agencies reported. He also said that Turkey and Georgia should focus on cooperation which …
Ivanov: Russia will Revise Policy with Georgia if it Joins NATO
Speaking at a news conference in Berlin on September 13 Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov said that Russia will revise its policy towards Ukraine and Georgia if these countries join NATO, Interfax and RIA Novosti news agencies reported. ?Joining or not joining NATO is, of course, the right of each sovereign state, whether it is Ukraine …
13/09/2005 - 23:16
202 TV Airs Investigative Report over MP Bekauri
Tbilisi-based private television station 202 broadcasted on September 13 an investigative report which incriminates Koba Bekauri, a parliamentarian from the ruling National Movement party, for illegal business activities. The report is a major element in a scandal involving the detention of co-founder and anchor of the 202 TV, Shalva Ramishvili. Bekauri claims Ramishvili was extorting …
S.Ossetia Protests Appointment of Georgia’s New Chief Peacekeeper
Authorities in breakaway South Ossetia are concerned with the Georgian side?s decision to appoint Paata Bedianishvili as the commander of the Georgian peacekeeping troops stationed in the conflict zone, Boris Chochiev, South Ossetian Special Affairs Minister said in a letter, sent on September 12 to the Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava. …
Saakashvili, Rice Discuss Conflict Resolution
Visiting Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili held a brief meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on September 13 and discussed a peaceful resolution of the South Ossetian and Abkhaz conflicts, Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili told Rustavi 2 television. She said that ?more active involvement? by the United States in the conflict resolution process was discussed during …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Moscow Concerned, as NATO States Deliver Arms to Georgia
In a statement issued on September 13, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that a delivery of arms from the NATO member states to Georgia can ?increase Tbilisi?s temptation? to forcefully solve conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetian. Below is an unofficial translation of the Russian Foreign Ministry?s statement: ?As far as we know, in late …
MPs Vote Down Commission to Probe into Journalist Arrest
The Georgian Parliament voted against an initiative put forth by the opposition New Rights faction regarding the setting-up of a special parliamentary commission to probe into the case involving the detention of co-founder of 202 TV Shalva Ramishvili and MP Koba Bekauri?s alleged wrongdoings related with the Opiza customs terminal. Shalva Ramishvili was arrested on August 27 on extortion charges and is …
Burjanadze Speaks of Parliament’s Priorities
At the opening sitting of the Georgian Parliament’s autumn session on September 13 Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze spoke about the legislative body’s priorities, called on the MPs to be more actively engaged in legislative activities and urged the opposition to be “constructive” while criticizing the authorities.She outlined local self-governance reforms, an increase of the judiciary system’s …
Public TV, 202 TV to Air Report Linked to Journalist’s Detention
Tbilisi-based private television station 202 will broadcast an investigative report on MP Koba Bekauri?s activities on September 13 at 9:30 pm local time. The report will also be aired by the Public Television on September 14 at 10 pm local time. The report, which incriminates Koba Bekauri, a parliamentarian from the ruling National Movement party, for illegal …
OSCE Holds Human Rights Training for Law Enforcers
Twenty law enforcement officials in Samtskhe-Javakheti started a three-day OSCE course on international standards for human rights protection, including the rights of ethnic minorities, the OSCE Mission to Georgia reported on September 12. The training course aims at improving the capacity of judges, prosecutors, lawyers and police officers in the region, which is mainly populated …
Georgian, Turkish Economic Forum Opens in Tbilisi
The Georgian-Turkish Intergovernmental Economic Forum was opened in Tbilisi on September 13 and will include discussions on the issues of economic cooperation between the two countries. The delegation of Turkish businessmen, led by State Minister Kurshad Tuzmen, arrived in Georgia on September 12. Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli opened today?s Economic Forum and called it an important …
WB Ranks Georgia Among Top Global Reformers
According to a new report, “Doing Business in 2006: CIS Economies Pick up the Pace of Reform,” issued by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation on September 12, the economies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are increasing the pace of reforms to help small and medium businesses generate more jobs?with Georgia among …
US, Georgia Sign $295 Million Aid Deal
The United States, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), signed a five-year $295.3 million Compact with Georgia, the MCC reported on September 12. The Millennium Challenge Compact aims at reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth in the regions outside of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. ?MCC is proud to be Georgia’s partner in its efforts to reduce …
Abkhaz Officials Comment on Saakashvili, Okruashvili’s Statements
Foreign Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Shamba said in an interview with the Georgian news agency InterPressNews on September 12 that “an accord” between Georgians and Abkhazians will be “less possible” if Georgia refuses to recognize the mistakes it made that led to an armed conflict in the early 90s. Abkhaz Foreign Minister Shamba also commented on a statement made by Georgian …
12/09/2005 - 17:39
South Ossetia Accuses Tbilisi of Provocation Attempts
President of breakaway South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity convened a session of the law enforcement agencies? top officials on September 12 to discuss the current development in the conflict zone, which is marked ?by an attempt by the Georgian side to destabilize the situation,? Irina Gagloeva, a spokesperson for the South Ossetian government, told Interfax news agency. …
Vice-Speaker Wants Probe into Legislators’ Conflict of Interests
Vice-Speaker of the Parliament Mikheil Machavariani, from the ruling National Movement party, said on September 12 that parliamentarians will be given the opportunity to establish a special commission which will investigate potential conflicts of interest of legislators, both from the ruling and opposition parties. “My proposal is to set-up an investigative commission to probe into conflicts of interests of …
Saakashvili Visits U.S.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili left for the United States on September 12 to attend the 60th United Nations General Assembly in New York, which will be held on September 14-16. President Saakashvili is accompanied by Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili. Georgian President?s administration reported that Saakashvili will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, as …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Georgian Leadership Dances to Patriotic Tune
President Mikheil Saakashvili and Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili talked tough on Abkhazia and vowed, in flamboyant and emotional speeches on September 11, to unite Georgia “soon.” The President and the Defense Minister both slammed their opponents for, as they put it, “planting seeds of hopelessness” among the people. Saakashvili and Okruashvili were speaking at a forum …
11/09/2005 - 19:14
Khaindrava: Georgian PM to Meet with South Ossetian Leader
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava, who is currently visiting Moscow, said in the interview with news agency RIA Novosti on September 9 that the issues of holding talks between South Ossetia leader Eduard Kokoity and Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli has been agreed. ?I held talks with Eduard Kokoity on Friday …
Saakashvili: Pressure on Media is an Attack on Presidency
At the briefing on September 9, President Mikhei Saakashvili stressed that free media is a necessary condition for success in ongoing reforms. ?If somebody dared to put pressure on media I would be his worst enemy. It is an attack on my own prerogatives, ideals and authority,? Saakashvili is quoted by his press-service. A statement …
10/09/2005 - 19:13
Georgia Rotates Troops in Iraq
558 servicemen from the 21st Battalion of the Kutaisi Second Brigade left for Iraq on September 10 to become a part of the coalition forces stationed there. The Georgian servicemen will rotate the 13th Infantry Battalion of the Georgian Defense Ministry and stay in Iraq for next six months. Currently there are more than 850 …
Cato Institute Rates Georgia Well on Economic Freedom
The report “Economic Freedom in the World” rates Georgia 66th out of 127 surveyed countries. The report is copublished by the Cato Institute, the Fraser Institute in Canada and more than 50 think tanks around the world. The report ranks nations for 2003, the latest year for which the data was available. Georgia is ahead …
Multinational PfP Military Exercise Starts in Georgia
The multinational military exercise “RESCUER/MEDCEUR- 05” was launched in Georgia on September 10 as part of the NATO Partnership for Peace Program (PfP) and with the support of the United States. Over 1000 representatives from 14 countries participating in the PfP Program participate in the exercises. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, “RESCUER/MEDCEUR- 05” includes …
Two Civilians Released after Brief Abduction in South Ossetia
Unknown armed men kidnapped two civilians in the South Ossetian conflict zone after a convoy accompanying by the Russian peacekeepers was ambushed in Didi Liakhvi gorge in north of breakaway South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali on September 9. Commander of the Georgian peacekeeping battalion in the conflict zone Mamuka Kurashvili told reporters in the evening on …
Saakashvili Focuses on Development Agenda
President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a news conference on September 9 that the government follows an action for development since the very first day it took office. He saida three-stage plan envisageas reform of public sector, development of infrastructure and boosting economy.?We are following a plan. In the first period of my presidency reform of …
09/09/2005 - 21:35
Saakashvili Accuses Russia of Militarizing Breakaway Regions
President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a news conference on September 9, that Russia support militarization of the breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia. ?We are watching the conflict zones closely. Militarization is underway with the Russian assistance. We should find new approach with Russia… This [conflict in South Ossetia] is not a problem between Ossetians and …
Senior MP Rules Out ‘Political Repressions’ Against Opponents
Influential parliamentarian from the ruling National Movement party Giga Bokeria strongly denied at a news conference on September 9 opponents? allegations about an attempt from the government ?to silence and repress? dissenting opinion in the country. Such allegations are often heard from the opposition parties? leaders, especially after the arrest of co-founder of private 202 …
Turkish Company, Georgia at Odds over Tbilisi Airport Deal
Turkish Companies compete to reconstruct Tbilisi International Airport. The Turkish Çelebi Holding said on September 9 that the Georgian authorities have violated a contract with the company concerning a deal over the reconstruction of the Tbilisi International Airport and warned that it may “resort to international legal action” to protect its rights. Çelebi Holding was …
Interior Minister Visits Ukraine
Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili left for Ukraine on September 9, the Georgian Interior Ministry reported. No details about the purpose of the visit have been reported. The Interior Ministry said that Merabishvili will remain in Ukraine for at least two days. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
?elebi Accuses Georgia of Violating Tbilisi Airport Deal
The Turkish ?elebi Holding said on September 9 that the Georgian authorities have violated a contract with the company concerning a deal over the reconstruction of the Tbilisi International Airport and warned that it may ?resort to international legal action? to protect its rights.?elebi Holding was part of an international consortium that also included the Luxembourg-based Gestion en …
France Warns Georgia over Illegal Immigration
France and its European partners from the G5 (the UK, Spain, France, Germany and Italy) will reduce the number of visas issued to be issued to citizens from Georgia, Mauritania, Pakistan, Egypt and Cameroon if these countries fail to cooperate with the European states over the return of their illegal immigrants, AFP reported on September 5 …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Moscow, Tbilisi Agree on Military Transit via Georgia
The Russian and Georgian sides agreed text of an agreement over transit of Russian military freight and personnel via Georgia during the talks in Tbilisi on September 8, the Russian and Georgian Foreign Ministries reported. According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry the agreement, which still needs to be agreed with the top leadership in the …
State Minister Visits Moscow
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava left for Moscow on September 9 to hold talks with officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry and Security Council. Giorgi Khaindrava told reporters before his departure that ?the complicated situation? in the South Ossetian and Abkhaz conflict zones would be discussed in the Russian capital. ?We will also …
Page 562 of 763
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)