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S.Ossetia Wants Assessment of Reasons of Conflict between ‘Brotherly People’
Saakashvili: I call on each peaceable force to agree on a dialogue. While Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was calling on the authorities of breakaway South Ossetia for dialogue, leader of the unrecognized republic Eduard Kokoity was speaking of a necessity to assess those reasons which triggered the armed conflict between, as Kokoity put it, “brotherly people” …
04/05/2005 - 01:50
Soldiers Go AWOL in Akhaltsikhe
News broke on May 3 that 12 servicemen abandoned their military unit in Akhaltsikhe and went AWOL, claiming they were subjected to human rights abuses and intimidation from officers and other servicemen in the military unit. All of these servicemen are residents of Akhalkalaki, a town in the southern Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, which is predominately …
Kokoity Insists on Assessment of S.Ossetian Conflict Reasons
In an interview with the Tbilisi-based Rustavi 2 television broadcasted on May 3 President of breakaway South Ossetian Eduard Kokoity rejected Tbilisi”s peace plan but offered to discuss existing problems during TV debates with President Saakashvili. He also called on the Georgian side to condemn those “acts which led to a confrontation between [the] brotherly people” of …
03/05/2005 - 23:58
Saakashvili: Democracy will Win in Belarus
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said, during a meeting with Georgian students on May 3, that he is ?sure that democracy will gain a victory in Belarus and democracy will win everywhere.? On April 20 the Georgian Parliament unanimously adopted a statement which condemns human rights abuses being carried out by the Belarus authorities. This post is also …
Saakashvili Comments on Russian Bases
President Saakashvili said in his address to the nation on May 3 that Georgia has ?a historic chance? to settle the problem of the pullout of Russian military bases, adding that Russia should close down these bases before the end of his presidential term. ?We are ready to discuss two or three years, however the …
Saakashvili: U.S. President’s Visit is Historic
President Saakashvili reiterated the importance of the forthcoming visit of U.S. President George W. Bush to Tbilisi, scheduled for May 9-10, and described it as “an historic event,” but added that there should be no illusion that this visit will “solve all of Georgia’s problems.” “The leader of the greatest democratic county arrives in Georgia. This confirms that …
Tbilisi Calls S.Ossetia for Dialogue
In an address to the Georgian nation on May 3 President Saakashvili called on the South Ossetian side to agree on a dialogue with Tbilisi. He said that an international conference will be held in Tbilisi in June to discuss this conflict. ?We have closed down a training camp for reserve forces in the village …
Weather Prevents Aid Delivery to Flood-Hit Svaneti
Officials say access to a number of flood-stricken villages in the high mountainous region of Svaneti in western Georgia is still cut off due to bad weather conditions, which makes delivery of humanitarian aid to these villages impossible. Meanwhile, delivery of international humanitarian aid continues in Tbilisi for flood relief. After receiving aid from Italy, Georgia expects …
Russian Energy Giant Eyes Power Grid in Adjara
Russia’s state-owned energy giant Unified Energy System (UES) intends to offer a privatization bid for an electricity distribution company in Adjara Autonomous Republic, RIA Novosti news agency reported on May 3. But Georgian Deputy Energy Minister Aleko Khetaguri told Civil Georgia on May 3 that the electricity distribution company in Adjara has not yet been put …
Energy Minister Visits U.S.
Georgian Energy Minister Nika Gilauri left for the United States on May 3 for a working visit. The Energy Ministry reported that Gilauri will hold talks with representatives from the General Electric and Pratt & Whitney companies over the possible purchase of gas turbine electricity generators.The Georgian government plans to allocate USD 140 million for purchasing three gas turbine …
Saakashvili to Address Nation on Bush’s Upcoming Visit
President Saakashvili will make a televised address to the nation later on May 3, as the President’s press office reports, to talk about “the great importance” of the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush to Georgia, scheduled for May 9-10. The address, which will be made from the Tbilisi Mayor’s Office, will be followed by …
Georgia Launches Privatization of Energy Facilities
Deputy Energy Minister Aleko Khetaguri said on May 2 that the government has begun accepting privatization bids for the state-owned energy distributing company and five hydro power plants. These five hydro power plants include: Lajanuri, Rioni, Gumati, Shaori and Dzirula. All of them are located in western Georgia. The United Distribution Company (UDC), which is currently managed …
Annan: Abkhazia Peace Talks ‘Encouraging’
In his latest report issued on April 25 UN Secretary General Kofi Annan noted that there have been encouraging signals from both the Georgian and Abkhaz sides of their interest in settling their conflict by peaceful means only, the UN press centre reported on May 2. “The willingness of the Georgian and Abkhaz sides to resume, …
Experts, Officials Discuss Anti-Money Laundering Measures
International crime-fighting experts will work with Georgian officials to develop measures to combat money laundering at a one day OSCE-organized workshop in Tbilisi on May 3, the OSCE Mission to Tbilisi reported. At the National Workshop to Combat Money Laundering, participants will consider practical ways to tighten Georgia?s existing initiatives, including the effective analysis of …
Government to Cut Number of Licenses
Georgian State Minister for Economic Reforms Kakha Bendukidze told reporters on May 2 that the government will submit a draft law, envisaging the simplification of the process for issuing licenses and permits for launching a business, to the Parliament for consideration this week. He said that according to the proposal, the number of licenses will be …
02/05/2005 - 21:22
Georgia Prepares for Bush’s Visit
Tbilisites have not seen renovation works of this scale for many years. When workers and construction firms started large-scale renovation work on façades and roads, from the Tbilisi airport to the downtown of the capital city, Tbilisi, authorities set May 9 as the deadline for finishing these works, as U.S. President George W. Bush is scheduled to come to Georgia that …
Georgia Receives International Aid for Flood Relief
Georgia started receiving humanitarian aid, following an appeal by the authorities for international assistance for flood relief. The U.S. Embassy to Georgia has already sent aid worth USD 50,000. An additional 15 tons of humanitarian aid have already been delivered to Tbilisi from Norway. Officials say that the Azerbaijani government has also pledged USD 100,000 in assistance. Georgian Foreign Minister …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Iran to Spend EUR 20 mln on Boosting Trade with Georgia
The Iranian government will allocate 20 million euros in projects aimed at boosting economic and trade ties with Georgia, IRNA news agency reported on May 1. No details of future projects have been reported, but, according to IRNA news agency, these funds will be withdrawn form the Iranian Foreign Exchange Reserve Fund. In a separate report, …
Georgians Celebrate Easter
Georgians pray during an Easter service in Tbilisi.Civil Georgia photo by Anano Asatiani Churches were packed overnight on May 1 in Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi, as most Georgians celebrated Orthodox Easter. The newly built Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi was the main site for Easter services in Georgia, where the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Ilia II, …
01/05/2005 - 20:06
President Visits Flood-Hit Svaneti
President Saakashvili visited on April 30 the Svaneti region in western Georgia, which suffered largely due to recent floods which hit most of the regions of Georgia last week. In the Lentekhi district of Svaneti region he pledged to the locals that the government will pay compensation for those 120 local families whose houses were completely …
Report: Developments in Georgia were Challenging for OSCE
An annual Report 2004 issued by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says that the political changes in Georgia made ?OSCE activities in the country particularly challenging and also demanding increased attention from the Organization’s Chairmanship.? In particular, the report emphasizes two ?extraordinary? elections, held in Georgia on January 4 and March 28 ? the presidential …
Defense Minister: Georgia Gains Momentum towards NATO
Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili said on April 30 that ?the Georgian army is strengthening and gaining momentum gradually, step-by-step, in order to get closer to NATO standards.? Okruashvili was speaking at a reception organized by the Defense Ministry to mark 14th anniversary of the Georgian Armed Forces.?In a very short period of time we …
30/04/2005 - 20:46
PM Visits Flood-Stricken Svaneti
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli is visiting the Mestia district of high mountain region of Svaneti in north-eastern Georgia, where number of villages still remain isolated as a result of flooding. The Svaneti region has suffered greatest damage as a result of floods. The Prime Minister has already met with the local population and pledged …
Joint Commission to Study Armenian-Georgian Church Row
Armenian and Georgian sides have agreed to set up a joint commission to study historic background of those churches in Georgia, which are disputed by the Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches. An agreement was reached during the meeting of visiting Armenian Parliamentary Chairman Artur Bagdasarian with Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church Ilia II …
Belarus Opposition Leader Seeks Meeting with Bush in Tbilisi
Tbilisi-based Rustavi 2 television reported on April 29 that leader of Belarus opposition Anatoly Lebedko, who chairs the United Civil Party, plans to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush during the latter?s visit to Georgia on May 10. In an interview with the Rustavi 2 television Vice-Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Mikheil Machavariani confirmed …
Bush to Address Georgians from Freedom Square
During his visit to Georgia the U.S. President George W. Bush will address the Georgian citizens from Freedom Square outside the Tbilisi Municipality on May 10, at 10 am Georgian time (GMT + 3:00), Georgian officials say. Georgian authorities installed number of banners and billboards in capital city, as well as in some other towns, …
Adjarian Finance Minister Resigns
Finance and Economy Minister of the Adjara Autonomous Republic Aleksandre Bezhanidze filed resignation on April 29. The former Finance Minister did not explain reasons behind of the decision, but rejected speculations that his resignation was triggered by disagreements with Chairman of Adjarian Government Levan Varshalomidze. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
29/04/2005 - 17:41
Tbilisi Hints it may Soften Stance over Abkhaz Railway
The Georgian daily Rezonansi (Resonance) quotes Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze as saying after talks with her Armenian counterpart Artur Bagdasarian, which was held on April 28, that Tbilisi ?has changed its position over restoration of a railway link via Abkhazia and is ready to discuss this issue if a concrete progress is made in …
Saakashvili: Georgia Ready to Lift Visa Regime with Russia
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told reporters on April 29 that Georgia is ready to lift visa requirements for the Russian citizens, adding that it should become an issue of negotiations between the two countries. ?We have already unilaterally simplified visa requirements with Russia [in July 2004]. Now, we are ready to move to non-visa regime. …
Saakashvili Hails Armed Forces
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on April 29 that Georgia has no plans ?to resort to arms? but ?enemies should know that Georgia is now ready for any kind of situation.? The President was speaking at the closing ceremony of month-long military exercises for the Georgian artillery battalions, which was held at Orpolo training ground …
Georgia Launches Privatization of Gold Mining Companies
The Ministry of Economic Development announced on April 29 it launches accepting of privatization bids for Madneuli gold mining company in southern Georgia and 50% of shares of Quartzite LTD, which is processing secondary quartzite containing concentrations of gold. Deadline for submitting privatization bids expires on May 31, 2005. According to the Economy Ministry, the initial …
Sokhumi Says No to UN Police Deployment in Gali
Foreign Ministry of breakaway Abkhazia denied on April 28 Russian media reports that Sokhumi intends to permit deployment of UN police component in predominately Georgian-populated Gali district of unrecognized republic at administrative border with Georgia, Apsnipress news agency reported. ?The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry reiterates that currently the issue of deployment of UN police component in …
Zourabichvili Comments on U.S. Terrorism Country Report on Georgia
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili said at a news conference on April 28, while commenting on the part of the U.S. Country Report on Terrorism for 2004 which refers to Georgia, that the report is ?acceptable? for Tbilisi and that assessments on Georgia in the report ?have improved significantly.? The U.S. Department of State?s Country …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Foreign Minister Briefed Foreign Diplomats over Flood-Hit Regions
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili met with foreign diplomats accredited to Georgia on April 28 and informed them regarding the damage caused by flood. She said at a news conference that the Georgian side handed over the foreign diplomats the list of those needs, which are urgently required for relief activities in flood-stricken regions of …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
28/04/2005 - 19:47
Saakashvili Pledges Jobs to Locals in Akhalkalaki after Base Pullout
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on April 28 while meeting with visiting Chairman of the Armenian Parliament Artur Bagdasarian that Tbilisi plans to implement new social rehabilitation program for those ethnic Armenians, who face unemployment after the pullout of Russian military base from Akhalkalaki, a town in Georgia?s south-western region of Samtskhe-Javakheti. ?We do not …
Tskhinvali Accuses Tbilisi of Attempting to ‘Discredit’ S.Ossetia
The Press and Information Committee of breakaway South Ossetia reported on April 28, that the Georgian authorities are intending to organize a protest rally which will involve ethnic Georgians who live in the Georgian villages of South Ossetia, on the eve of U.S. President George W. Bush’s arrival to Georgia. According to the breakaway region?s authorities, …
S.Ossetia Rejects Tbilisi’s Offer to Help in Flood Relief
Authorities in South Ossetia refused to accept Tbilisi assistance for those regions of unrecognized republic, which suffered by floods, the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported on April 28.Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who visited the flood-stricken Shida Kartli region on April 27, said that the Georgian authorities are ready to render assistance to the …
Economy Minister Visits Turkey
Georgian Economy Minister Lexo Alexishvili left for Turkey on April 28 to participate in an international conference on Transportation in the Caspian and Black Sea Region. Delegates from Iran, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan will also attend the conference. The Economy Ministry reported on April 28 that the issue of construction of a railway link …
Burjanadze Comments on U.S. Terrorism Country Report on Georgia
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said on April 28, while commenting on the part of the U.S. Country Report on Terrorism for 2004 which refers to Georgia, that she does not consider the report ?alarming.? ?I got acquainted with the report. There is nothing alarming in it. The fact that it is possible to find …
Bagapsh Concerned over Crime in Gali District
President of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh criticized local law enforcement agencies for failing to tackle crime in the predominately Georgian-populated Gali district of unrecognized republic, Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported on April 27. Sergey Bagapsh said, while meeting with the Interior Ministry officials that some law enforcers are engaged in ?criminal economic activities? in the Gali district. He …
U.S. Country Report on Terrorism over Georgia
The U.S. Department of State?s Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism issued a Country Report on Terrorism for 2004, which says that the Georgian government remained deeply committed to combating international and domestic terrorism during 2004. ?However, Georgia is still used to a limited degree as a terrorist transit state, although much less so since the …
Armenian Parliamentary Chairman Visits Georgia
Chairman of the Armenian Parliament Artur Bagdasarian will arrive in Tbilisi on April 28 for an official visit. Artur Bagdasarian is planning talks with Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze, as well as with the President and Prime Minister. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Putin Says Democracy not for Export
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on April 27 that democracy should not become ?a subject of export from one country to another,? RIA Novosti news agency reported. The Russian President was speaking at a news conference after holding talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt. ?As soon as it becomes a subject of export, …
27/04/2005 - 22:53
Saakashvili Offers Support to Flood-Stricken S.Ossetian Regions
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who visited the flood-stricken Shida Kartli region on April 27, said that the Georgian authorities are ready to render assistance to the South Ossetian population, since ?they have also suffered from floods.? ?The Java and Kvaisa regions [in breakaway South Ossetia] are completed isolated [due to flooding]; our Ossetian compatriots are …
Authorities Prepare Relief Efforts for Regions Hit by Flood
The Georgian authorities are preparing to undertake relief measures for the flood-stricken regions of Georgia, mainly in the western part of the country and pledged to allocate 20 million Lari for rehabilitation works. Georgia has also called on international community for emergency assistance. No casualties have been reported; however the floods, caused by week-long heavy …
The Liberty Institute presents its new book on Freedom of Expression
A two-volume new book titled Freedom of Expression was published by the Liberty Institute. Levan Ramishvili, Tamar Kintsurashvili, Maia Okruashvili and other members of the institute are the authors of this book. Prospective and working journalists, judges and lawyers are the main audience for this book. The publication covers rulings and their analysis made by …
S.Ossetian Protests Unauthorized Flights over Conflict Zone
Special Affairs Minister of breakaway South Ossetia Boris Chochiev raised concern over, as he put it, ?frequent violations of the air space over the South Ossetian conflict zone by unidentified planes [flying] at low altitude,? the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported on April 26. In this regard Boris Chochiev sent a letter to …
Zourabichvili Speaks of Factors Helping Progress in Talks over Military Bases
In an interview with Russian daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta, published on April 27, Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili spoke of the possible reasons behind the progress that was made in talks over withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia. “Much has changed, including the fact that Georgia has now very strong Foreign Minister… But seriously speaking, we, on the …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
German Justice Minister Visits Georgia
German Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries is expected to visit Georgia on April 27-29 to discuss bilateral cooperation with the Georgian leadership. Georgian Justice Minister Kote Kemularia and his German counterpart are expected to sign a two-year cooperation plan on April 27. Brigitte Zypries also plans talks with the Georgian President, Foreign Minister, Chairman of Supreme Court and General …
Russian MFA Comments on Saakashvili’s Uncertainty over Moscow Visit
Alexander Yakovenko, the spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said on April 26 that linking Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s visit to Moscow, on May 8-9, with the finalisation of a Russo-Georgian agreement over Russian military bases station in Georgia “is inappropriate,” the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili said that President Saakashvili will visit Moscow only in the event that a …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
26/04/2005 - 19:32
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)