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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 …
09/09/2005 - 19:02
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 …
Progress on Abkhazia Hangs in Balance, in Need of Informed External Support
Reposted from Central Asia – Caucasus Analyst In Summer 2005, the peace process in Abkhazia hung in the balance. Progress in economic projects and conciliatory remarks by both sides were offset by large-scale military maneuvers held in the breakaway Georgian province with an implicit nod from Russia. The window of opportunity for a settlement remains …
08/09/2005 - 19:26
Opposition Re-submits Mayor Referendum Request to CEC
Representatives from the opposition Republican Party, as well as from the public movement ?Forum for Welfare and Democracy,? re-submitted their request to the Central Election Commission (CEC) to appoint a referendum on whether city mayors and regional governors should be elected through direct elections. If the CEC accepts the request, the parties would launch a collection of at least …
Saakashvili Comments on Cabinet Reshuffle in Ukraine
President Mikheil Saakashvili said on September 8 that developments in Ukraine are of crucial importance for Georgia, as ?a strong Ukraine means strength for us as well.? Speaking with reporters in Batumi, Adjara Autonomous Republic, Saakashvili commented on a decision by Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko to sack the government led by Yulia Timoshenko on September 8. Yushchenko accused …
Gazprom, Georgia Discuss Gas Price, Debt Repayment
Starting in 2006, the Russian energy giant Gazprom will increase gas prices for Georgia, up from the current price of USD 62.5 per 1000 cubic meters to the western European level – approximately USD 110 per 1000 cubic meters – Gazprom said in a press release issued on September 7. Gazprom also demands that Georgia repay its USD 12 million debt, accumulated …
IAEA Mission Visits Abkhazia
A group of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived in Abkhazia on September 7 to inspect the safety and conditions of the facilities in which radioactive substances are stored in the breakaway region, the Abkhaz news agency Apsnypress reported. IAEA experts have already held talks with Vice-Premier of breakaway Abkhazia Leonid Lakerbaia and …
U.S. Indicts Grenade Suspect for Attempting to Assassinate Bush
A U.S. federal grand jury indicted Vladimir Arutunian on charges of trying to assassinate U.S. President George W. Bush and on possessing, using and carrying a firearm during a violent crime, Reuters reported on September 7. Vladimer Arutunian, a Georgian citizen, is suspected of tossing a hand-grenade during U.S. President Bush?s public speech in Tbilisi …
Ex-Audit Chief Jailed for 9 Years
Molashivli at the hearing in Tbilisi City Court. The Tbilisi City Court sentenced Sulkhan Molashvili, ex-chief of the State Audit Agency and an ally to Georgia’s ex-President Eduard Shevardnadze, to nine years of imprisonment on September 7. Molashvili, who was arrested on April 22, 2004, was found guilty of misappropriation of 3 million Lari (USD 1.6 …
07/09/2005 - 17:54
Opposition Parties Agree to Coordinate Policy in Parliament
Parliamentarians from the opposition New Rights, Conservative and Republican parties agreed on September 7 to a joint strategy for coordinating their activities in the Parliament. ?We [the opposition] want to coordinate our efforts during the new plenary sessions,? Zviad Dzidziguri, of the Conservatives party, told Civil Georgia on September 7. He said the opposition will …
Government Denies having Links to Attacks on Journalists
President Mikheil Saakashvili?s spokesman Gela Charkviani said on September 7 that the President instructed law enforcers to promptly investigate the recent cases of attacks against journalists in the country. Correspondent for the Tbilisi-based Akhali Versia newspaper in the Shida Kartli region Saba Chichikashvili was attacked by unknown men and beaten up in the town of Gori …
Saakashvili Calls to ‘End the Isolation’ of Javakheti
President Mikheil Saakashvili said on September 7, while visiting the southern Georgian region Samtskhe-Javakheti, which is predominately populated by ethnic Armenians, that the government?s current policy aims at ?putting an end to the isolation of this region.? ?This region was absolutely forgotten. But now, look how many things are happening? we are constructing a new road …
Russian, Georgian Diplomats Discuss Bases’ Withdrawal
A group of Russian diplomats arrived in Tbilisi on September 7 to negotiate the second stage of the withdrawal process of the Russian military bases from Georgia. Igor Savolsky, the Russian Foreign Ministry?s special envoy for CIS affairs and Russia?s chief negotiator in the talks over the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia, and Lev Mironov, …
S.Ossetia Rejects Talks Between Nogaideli, Kokoity
Special Affairs Minister of breakaway South Ossetia Boris Chochiev said on September 7 that South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity does not plan to meet with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli. Tbilisi proposed the talks between the two men by September 15. ?This is the Georgian side?s initiative. However, it is senseless to hold talks only for …
202 TV Occasional Anchor Beaten
Irakli Kakabadze, who serves as an occasional anchor for the 202 television station’s political talk-show ?Debates,? was attacked and beaten up by unknown assailants overnight on September 7. Kakabadze, a writer, was volunteering to anchor the talk-show at 202 TV after the co-founder of the television station and regular anchor of ?Debates? Shalva Ramishvili was arrested on August 27 on …
Journalist Attacked in Gori
Correspondent for the Tbilisi-based Akhali Versia newspaper in the Shida Kartli region Saba Tsitsikashvili was attacked by unknown men and beaten up in the town of Gori on September 6. The journalist ruled out that the incident was a robbery attempt, as his attackers took nothing, and alleged that the assault was retaliation for published articles that were critical …
Blast Reported at Kutaisi Court
Reportedly, a hand-grenade exploded outside the City Court in Kutaisi, in the western Georgian region of Imereti, on September 6, but caused no injuries. The grenade, which went off in the afternoon, shattered the windows of the court and slightly damaged nearby cars. No other details of the incident have been reported. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский …
PM Comments on Increase of Fuel Price
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said on September 6 that the government will not reduce the fuel excise tax, as proposed by a group of fuel importers. The Association of Oil Product Importers of Georgia said that a reduction or temporary abolishment of the fuel excise tax would stop the increase of fuel prices. Since the …
06/09/2005 - 19:41
Putin: Russia Has No Imperial Ambitions
Speaking during an informal, closed-door conversation with a group of international academics and political analysts on September 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia has no imperial ambitions and ruled out that any rifts in relations with the western states over the peaceful revolutions which took place in Georgia and Ukraine exist, the Russian media sources reported. …
Turkish Consortium to Reconstruct Tbilisi, Batumi Airports
Tbilisi Airport. Design of the new airport has not been unveiled yet. Two Turkish companies, TAV and Urban , will start reconstructing the Tbilisi International Airport starting in November, according to a contract signed by the Turkish companies and the Georgian authorities on September 6. This consortium will invest USD 62 million to reconstruct the Tbilisi airport. According to the agreement, …
Customs Terminal Stirs Debates on MPs’ Business Interests
Parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party have turned down the opposition’s proposal to set up a special commission to probe into the controversial case of MP Koba Bekauri, which is linked with TV executive Shalva Ramishvili’s detention scandal. The parliamentarians, however, did agree to discuss allegations against Vice-Speaker Mikheil Machavariani, who was accused by opposition MP …
Georgian Energy Minister Visits Moscow
Georgian Energy Minister Nika Gilauri and President of the Georgian International Gas Corporation Davit Ingorokva left for Moscow on September 6 to hold talks with Chairman of the Russian energy giant Gazprom, Alexei Miller. According to the Georgian Energy Ministry, the sides will basically discuss a long-term agreement between Georgia and Gazprom, which will be …
Burjanadze Visits U.S.
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze will leave for the United States on a three-day working visit on September 6 to participate in the Second World Conference of Parliament Speakers, to be held on September 7-9 in the United Nations Headquarters. According to the Parliamentary Chairperson?s press office, Nino Burjanadze will hold talks with her counterparts from Russia, …
Opposition Wants Probe into MP, Vice-Speaker’s Activities
Leader of the opposition New Rights party MP Davit Gamkrelidze proposed on September 5 setting up a special parliamentary commission which will probe into MP Koba Bekauri?s and Vice-Speaker Mikheil Machavariani?s alleged commercial wrongdoings related with the customs terminal Opiza, near Tbilisi. Both Bekauri and Machavariani are members of the ruling National Movement party. Allegations about MP Bekauri …
05/09/2005 - 20:43
Moscow Condemns Attack on Russian Journalists in Georgia
The Russian Embassy to Georgia issued a statement on September 5, in which it expressed protest regarding the attack against journalists from the Russian television station NTV in the eastern Georgian region of Kakheti, which occurred on September 3. A team from NTV was traveling in the Kakheti region in an attempt to interview local …
Georgian Security Chief Speaks of Russia’s Role in Conflicts
Secretary of Georgian National Security Council Gela Bezhuashvili said, in an interview with the Russian newspaper “Novie Izvestia” published on September 5, that Russia, which acts as a mediator in the Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflict resolution processes, is ?now interested to freeze the conflicts.? He also said that the mandate of Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in the …
Russian, Abkhaz Experts Conclude Assessment of Railway
A group of Russian and Abkhaz experts discussed the results of an assessment of the current condition of the railway in breakaway Abkhazia during talks with facto Vice-Premier of unrecognized republic Leonid Lakerbaia on September 3, the Abkhaz news agency Apsnypress reported. The joint group of experts prepared a document reflecting the results of the assessment of the nearly 200 kilometer-long railway in …
Saakashivli Urges Diplomatic Corps to Attract Investments
President Mikheil Saakashvili met with the Georgian Ambassadors to foreign countries in the resort town of Borjomi on September 4 and urged them to attract investments from those countries where they serve. ?Not a single Ambassador will retain his position for more than a year if he fails to attract investments, of course taking into …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Saakashvili Meets Parliamentary Majority Members
President Mikheil Saakashvili meets parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party, who make up a majority in the Georgia?s legislative body, in the resort town of Borjomi on September 4. This meeting between the parliamentary majority and the President comes amid controversy which has aroused in the party after the journalist detention scandal, which revealed …
04/09/2005 - 18:42
MoD Details Number of Armed Forces
In its newly launched web-site the Georgian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has published official data regarding the number of the country?s armed forces, which totals 21,468. The Armed Forces comprises of 3,747 officers, 10,860 NCOs and corporals, 6,113 conscripts and 748 civilian personnel. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
03/09/2005 - 18:16
Reports: TAM to Modernize Bulgaria’s SU-25 Jets
Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and Interfax reported on September 3 that Georgia will soon launch the modernization of about twenty Su-25 Frogfoot jets for the Bulgarian armed forces. The Russian news agencies quoted an unnamed source in the Georgian Defense Ministry, who says that the Su-25 jets will be modernized in the Tbilisi aircraft factory …
?elebi Quits Tbilisi Airport Deal
The Turkish ?elebi Group has pulled out from the deal with the Georgian government to reconstruct the Tbilisi International Airport after the company failed to provide financial guarantees by September 2, Georgian Economy Minister Irakli Chogovadze said on Saturday. Chogovadze said that two other Turkish companies ? TAV and Urban – have jointly expressed interest to reconstruct the Tbilisi …
Georgian Diplomatic Corps Discusses Foreign Policy Priorities
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili convened a two-day meeting of the Georgian Ambassadors in foreign countries in Batumi, Adjara Autonomous Republic on September 2. Minister Zourabichvili said that this meeting in Batumi on September 2-3 aims at exchanging information and discussion the country?s foreign policy priorities, including measures aimed at attraction foreign investments to Georgia, as …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Abkhaz Leader Visits Moscow
President of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh will leave for Moscow on September 3, the news agency Apsnypress reported. According to Apsnypress, the Abkhaz leader was invited by Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov to participate in the celebration of the Moscow City Day. Earlier in August, Bagapsh also met Yuri Luzhkov during his visit to the Russian …
Ramishvili Remanded in Custody
Tbilisi District Court upheld the lower level City Court’s ruling and remanded Shalva Ramishvili, co-founder of the 202 television and his partner Davit Kokhreidze, to three-month pre-trial custody on September 2. The District Court’s ruling is final and cannot be appealed.Like the lower level court, the District Court also stated that if freed on bail there could be no …
02/09/2005 - 19:53
Public TV Offers to Air Report Linked to Journalist Detention Scandal
General Director of the Public Television Tamar Kintsurashvili stated the company is ready to broadcast the investigative report regarding the activities of MP Koba Bekauri, prepared by the media studio “Reporter.” The report, incriminating Bekauri in illegal business activities became the reason for detaining co-owner and anchor of the TV 202, Shalva Ramishvili. Bekauri claims …
Georgian Activists Released in Belarus
Two activists of the Georgian youth movement Kmara ? Giorgi Kandelaki and Luka Tsuladze, who were detained in Belarus and sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment for hooliganism, were released on September 2, Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili said. Two Georgian citizens were reportedly released after the court in Minsk suspended ruling of a lower …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
U.S. Financial Assistance to Georgia Increased in 2005
The United States has allocated USD 138,9 million through all the U.S. Governmental agencies for the assistance programs in Georgia in the Fiscal Year 2005, as of the date of the fact sheet was released by the U.S. Department of State on July 29. This is USD 36,8 million more than in Fiscal Year 2004, when …
OSCE Assists Georgia in Police Reform
A team of OSCE police experts met the Georgian Interior Ministry officials on September 2 to discuss short-term measures for the ongoing police reform in the country, OSCE Mission to Georgia reported. The five-month Short Term Assistance Programme (STAP) for Georgian Police, supervised by the OSCE Mission to Georgia, will help in basic police training and …
Moscow Protests Seizing of Russian Peacekeepers’ Goods
The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed protest regarding the recent seizure of two vehicles of the Russian peacekeeping troops, stationed in the Abkhaz conflict zone, by Georgian police on August 31. Georgian police detained two vehicles and confiscated hundreds of packs of cigarettes claiming cargo were smuggled from breakaway Abkhazia into Georgian-controlled territory in Samegrelo region, …
New Details Emerge in Ramishvili’s Case
The Tbilisi District Court is expected to discuss, during the September 2 appeal of co-founder of 202 television Shalva Ramishvili’s defense lawyers, the suspension of the Tbilisi City Court’s ruling to sentence Ramishvili and his partner, Davit Kokhreidze, to three-month pre-trial detention.Meanwhile, new details emerged on September 1 regarding this case, in which Shalva Ramishvili is accused …
Lawyer Says Testimony Against Ramishvili is “False”
Davit Korkotashvili, defense lawyer of Shalva Ramishvili, co-founder of the Tbilisi-based private 202 television station, who is currently facing extortion charges, told reporters on September 1, after visiting Ramishvili in prison, that the testimony given by Irma Stepnadze against Ramishvili ?is absurd and false?. The name of Irma Stepnadze emerged in Ramishvili?s case on September …
01/09/2005 - 19:05
CIS Chief Executive Offers to Develop New Integration Policy
Executive Secretary of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Vladimir Rushailo told reporters on September 1 that the organization has to develop ?new model of integration,? RIA Novosti news agency reported. ?The model should be adequate to the common interests, as well as to the interests of each member state,? Rushailo said. He said that …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Georgia Seizes Russian Peacekeepers’ ‘Smuggled’ Goods
Georgian police detained on August 31 two vehicles of the Russian peacekeeping troops, stationed in the Abkhaz conflict zone, and confiscated hundreds of packs of cigarettes claiming cargo were smuggled from breakaway Abkhazia into Georgian-controlled territory in Samegrelo region, neighboring with the unrecognized republic. Spokespersons for the Russian peacekeeping troops in Abkhazia Maj. Levon Arzanov …
Swedish-Ukraine Investment Fund Buys into Bank of Georgia
The National Bank of Georgia reported that East Capital Bering Ukraine Fund bought 5.5% of shares of the Bank of Georgia for USD 2.6 million. East Capital Bering Ukraine was established on 30 July 2005 and is managed by East Capital Alternative Investments (Cayman) Ltd and will be listed on the Cayman Stock Exchange. East …
Amnesty International Condemns Arrest of Georgians in Belarus
Amnesty International issued a statement on August 31, in which it condemned recent arrest of two activists of the Georgian youth movement Kmara ? Giorgi Kandelaki and Luka Tsuladze ? in Minsk and demanded their immediate release. ?Amnesty International considers Luka Tsuladze and Giorgi Kandelaki to be prisoners of conscience. Amnesty International believes that the two …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)