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Tskhinvali Offers Meeting of Georgian, Ossetian Interior Ministers
At a session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC), scheduled for March 16-17 in Moscow, the South Ossetian side will propose the holding of talks between the Interior Ministers of Georgia and the unrecognized republic of South Ossetia. Boris Chochiev, the Special Affairs Minister of breakaway South Ossetia told the RIA Novosti news agency …
16/03/2005 - 10:40
Beware of Traps in Georgia-Russia Troop Withdrawal Agreement
Re-posted from the Jamestown Foundation web-siteThe Georgian Parliament passed a resolution on March 10 that requires Russia unconditionally to withdraw its forces from Georgia no later than January 1, 2006 — unless Moscow reaches agreement with Tbilisi before May 15, 2005, on a “reasonable timeframe” for the troop withdrawal. Georgia will be safer if the …
15/03/2005 - 19:45
Lavrov, Rice Discuss Georgia
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the situation in Georgia during a phone conversation on March 15, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry ?important regional issues, including the situation in Syria, Lebanon and Georgia? were discussed during the conversation. No other details were reported. This …
Moscow Hopes to Launch Talks over Military Bases in March
In late March, Russia hopes to hold consultations with the Georgian side over the Russian military bases stationed in Georgia, said Alexander Yakovenko, the Russian Foreign Ministry?s spokesman, on March 15.?An agreement to resume Russo-Georgian negotiations over the problems related to the Russian military bases in Georgia was reached during the visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Tbilisi …
Saakashvili Meets Moldovan Opposition Leader
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili met with visiting leader of the Moldovan opposition Christian Democratic Popular Party (CDPP) Iurie Rosca on March 14 in Tbilisi. President Saakashvili said after talks that the Georgian leadership is ready ?to cooperate with every person who pursues democratic principles and has European orientation [in mind].? ?Therefore, both Christian-Democrats and the government …
JCC to Meet in Moscow
A session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC), involving representatives from the Georgian, Russian, South Ossetian and Russia?s North Ossetian sides, will be held in Moscow on March 16-17. ?Demilitarization of the South Ossetian conflict zone will be discussed during the meeting,? Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava, who represents the …
Potential Medical Students Resume Protest
Several hundred would-be medical students resumed a protest rally outside the Parliament on March 15. Their rally was broken up by police on March 14 after protesters tried to set up tents outside the Parliament. The protesters are students of the State Medical College who argue that according to an agreement with the State Medical University …
Bagapsh Articulates Sokhumi’s Position in Moscow
President of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh announced, in Moscow on March 15, that economic issues should be a priority during talks between Sokhumi and Tbilisi, while political issues can be discussed only after solving economic problems, involving cooperation in the energy sector and the restoration of the railway connection via Abkhazia.Sergey Bagapsh, who has been visiting Moscow since March 11, articulated …
Bagapsh Offers to Transform Gudauta Base into Russo-Georgian Anti-Terrorist Center
Russian Interfax news agency reported quoting Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh as saying: ?Georgia and Russia are negotiating over the setting up of a joint anti-terrorist center. I think that the [military] base in Gudauta could become this [anti-terrorist center] ? there are all preconditions for this.? Visiting Sergey Bagapsh was speaking at a news conference, organized by …
Separatist Leaders Plan Summit
Leaders from four secessionist regions ? Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transdnestria and Nagorno-Karabakh – are planning to hold summit in an attempt to coordinate policies, Sergey Bagapsh, the President of Georgia?s breakaway Abkhazia, said at a news conference in Moscow on March 15. ?Tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, we will decide when to hold this meeting. …
Moscow Mayor Meets Abkhaz Leader
Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov met with visiting President of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh in the Russian capital, Moscow, on March 14, RIA Novosti news agency reported. No details of the meeting were reported. Bagapsh left for Moscow on March 11 and was accompanied by Vice-President Raul Khajimba. RIA Novosti also reported quoting Bagapsh on March 15 as saying …
Police Break up Protest Rally Outside Parliament
Late on March 14 Police dispersed several hundred potential students who have been protesting against new rules of enrolment in the university outside of the Georgian Parliament builiding, in downtown Tbilisi, for the past couple of weeks. Several protesters were reportedly slightly injured.The protesters are students of the State Medical College who argue that according to an agreement with …
Interior Minister Denies Controversy with Defense Minister
Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili denied media speculations on March 14 over alleged disagreements between him and Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili. ?Irakli [Okruashvili] is my friend and there is no disagreement between us,? Vano Merabishvili told Rustavi 2 television on March 14, adding that ?we are members of a unified government.? This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
14/03/2005 - 19:17
Newspapers Speculate on Reasons Behind Police Reshuffle in Shida Kartli
Some Georgian newspapers see possible disagreements between Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili and Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili over the police leadership reshuffle currently taking place in the Shida Kartli region, for alleged links of top police officials with smuggling in the region. Following the arrest of Beso Giorgashivli, the chief of police of Kareli, a town in Shida …
Union 21st Century Holds Conference on Consumer Rights
On March 14, 2005 the non-governmental organization Union 21st Century arranged a conference on consumer rights at the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel. NGO Union 21st Century with the support of Eurasia Foundation has implemented a one-year project aimed at monitoring consumer market as well as inspecting market conditions and production quality. “The results of the inspection …
Parliament’s Resolution Against Russian Bases
Resolution of the Parliament of Georgia on the Military Bases of the Russian Federation Located on the Territory of Georgia Withdrawal of the military bases of the Russian Federation from the territory of Georgia represents a firm determination of the citizens of Georgia and Georgian authorities. On the basis of the joint statement made at the …
Saakashvili Hails IPAP Implementation
President Mikheil Saakashvili said, on March 14, that the implementation of Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) of Georgia with NATO is developing successfully. The IPAP, which sets political and military reform targets, is designed to bring Georgia closer to NATO standards. ?Thanks personally to Defense Minister [Irakli Okruashvili], the process of implementation of the program with NATO is developing …
Saakashvili Pledges Jobs for Akhalkalaki Residents after Russian Base Withdrawal
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on March 14 that those local residents of Akhalkalaki who are currently employed at the Russian military bases stationed there will not remain unemployed after Russia pulls out its troops from Georgia. ?After the pullout of the Russian military bases from Georgia, we will help all the employees, including local residents …
Deputy Economy Minister Becomes Deputy Chief of NSC
Natia Turnava, who until now served as the Deputy Economy Minister, was appointed as Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council (NSC) of Georgia. ?It was the President?s [Mikheil Saakashvili] decision,? she told Civil Georgia on March 14. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Shida Kartli Governor Comments on Smuggling
In an interview with the Georgian daily 24 Hours published on March 14, Governor of the Shida Kartli region, which borders breakaway South Ossetia, Mikheil Kareli spoke about the vaious problems related to smuggling via South Ossetia. He said that after the closure of the major black market of smuggled goods in Ergneti, smuggling and distributing contraband in the …
New Chief of Police Appointed in Shida Kartli
On March 13 Vladimer Jugeli was appointed new chief of police of the Shida Kartli region, shortly after the dismissal of Aleksandre Sukhitashvili on the same day. This reshuffle comes after President Saakashvili accused the police officials in Shida Kartli of partaking in smuggling on Sunday. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
13/03/2005 - 20:17
Government Intensifies Anti-Smuggling Measures in Shida Kartli
The main smuggling routes in Shida Kartli have allegedly been restored since the Ergnetiblack market was closed last June. One police official was arrested and several others dismissed on March 13 in the Shida Kartli region, which borders breakaway South Ossetia, after allegations flew regarding involvement in smuggling goods from Russia via South Ossetia. Following the arrest of Beso Giorgashivli, the …
Saakashvili Comments on Police Reshuffle in Shida Kartli
At an emergency meeting of the Georgian National Security Council President Saakashvili said that police officials in the Shida Kartli region, which borders breakaway South Ossetia, are cooperating with Ossetian “separatists [who] are engaged in trafficking smuggled goods” in the region. “I think the situation with the contraband is alarming in [Shida] Kartli… the chiefs of the police departments …
Top Police Officials Sacked in Shida Kartli
Aleksandre Sukhitashvili, the Chief of Police of the Shida Kartli region, which borders breakaway South Ossetia, and his deputies, as well as the chiefs of the police departments of all the districts located in the Shida Kartli region, were sacked on March 13. At an emergency meeting of the National Security Council on March 13, President Saakashvili instructed …
Police Chief Arrested for Alleged Smuggling Charges
Beso Giorgashvili, the Chief of police of Kareli, a town in the Shida Kartli region, which borders breakaway South Ossetia, was arrested for alleged links with smuggling in the region. Interior Ministry officials say that Giorgashvili is suspected of patronizing smuggling. These accusations were denied by the lawyers of Giorgashvili. The arrest follows a statement by President …
Akhalkalaki Residents Rally Against Pullout of Russian Base
On March 13, hundreds of local residents in Akhalkalaki, a town in Georgia”s south-western region of Samtskhe-Javakheti which is predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians, rallied in protest of the withdrawal of the Russian military base stationed in this town. The rally was organized by the newly set up public movement United Javakhk, which was established on March 10 after several …
Tbilisi Delays Issuing Visa for Russian Military Commander
In an information note issued on March 12 the Russian Foreign Ministry protested against Georgia?s delays in issuing an entry visa for Alexander Bespalov, who is the new Commander of the Russian Troops in the South Caucasus and whose headquarters are in Tbilisi. ?We are confident, that settlement of Bespalov?s problem? will create favorable conditions for launching talks [between Moscow and Tbilisi over …
12/03/2005 - 19:52
Former Russian Navy Chief: Pullout of the Russian Troops Feasible in Months not Years
Former Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Admiral (Ret.) Eduard Baltin told Interfax that withdrawal of the Russian troops and equipment from Georgia is feasible in few months. Baltin, who commanded the Black Sea Fleet during the conflict in Abkhazia, said the navy pulled out some 44 thousand civilians, Russian troops and tens of the …
Saakashvili Comments on Russian Bases
President Mikheil Saakashvili, who described Georgian Parliament?s resolution against Russian military bases as ?sharp? said on March 11, that in case the special bilateral commission over pullout of these bases makes progress in two months it will be ?a joint victory of diplomacy? of Russia and Georgia.?We have a firm position regarding the military bases. …
Russia, Georgia Spar at OSCE over Borderguard Training
Following the suspension of the OSCE Border Monitoring Operation (BMO) at the Russo-Georgian border, the terms and modalities of a planned training program for the Georgian border guards, also under the aegis of OSCE, has triggered a new wave of confrontation between Tbilisi and Moscow.Discussion in the OSCE over launching the “Border Management Training Assistance Programme for Georgian …
U.S. Official: ‘Anti-Monopoly’ is Caspian Energy Policy Priority
U.S. Senior Advisor for Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy Ambassador Steven Mann said on March 10 that “core” of U.S. Caspian energy policy is “anti-monopoly” and called on the Georgian government for “great caution” while considering plans over selling the country’s trunk gas pipelines to the Russian energy giant Gazprom. Steven Mann was speaking at public …
Russia Calls on Georgia for Repatriation of Meskhetians
In a statement issued on March 11 the Russian Foreign Ministry accused the Georgian government of defying its commitment over repatriation of Meskhetian Turks undertaken by Georgia upon its accession to the Council of Europe (CoE) in 1999. ?Tbilisi does not even try to demonstrate that it wishes to solve this issue. Numerous reminders by the …
11/03/2005 - 21:28
Georgian Deputy Minister Speaks Russia’s ‘Unconstructive’ Position at OSCE
In an interview with the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Georgian service, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Gomiashvili spoke about the Russia’s “unconstructive” position over planned OSCE-led training of the Georgian border guards. “Training program of the Georgian border guard in frames of OSCE may be thwarted, because of the reasons similar to those, which …
Russian MPs Reject Proposal on Accession of Breakaway Regions
Russia?s lower house of Parliament ? State Duma rejected on March 11 the draft law envisaging simplification of procedures of joining the Russian Federation for those breakaway regions on the former Soviet space, which aspire membership in the Russian Federation. Only 91 Russian parliamentarians supported the document, proposed by Rodina faction, while 300 votes were …
Abkhaz Leader Visits Moscow
President of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh left for Moscow on March 11 to hold talks with Russian officials and business circles, Russian news agencies reported. Sergey Bagapsh will be accompanied during his visit by Vice President Raul Khajimba. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Parliament Discusses Proposal to Reduce Pre-Trial Custody
The Georgian Parliament discussed the first hearing of draft amendments to the Criminal Procedural Code of Georgia, which envisage the reduction of the pre-trial custody period from the current nine to four months. Voting on the amendments will be held later today. According to the draft amendments, the initial pre-trial detention timeframe is limited to two …
Russian Senator Comments on Georgian Vote on Bases
Russian Senator Mikhail Margelov, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Russian Federal Council, the upper house of the Parliament, said ?if Georgia wants an immediate pullout of Russian bases, then Moscow finds neither sense nor desire to oppose it.? However, he added that the Russian side should insist on firm guarantees that no …
Russia Ready for Talks, Downplays Parliament’s Vote on Bases
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is ready to continue talks with Tbilisi over the “functioning” of the two remaining Russian military bases in Georgia, RIA Novosti and Itar-Tass news agencies reported on March 11. “Our plans remain totally unchanged, and we will discuss [with the Georgian side] the issues concerning the functioning of our …
Government Proposes Controversial Amendments to Law on Grants
On March 11 Parliament discussed President-proposed amendments to the law on grants, paving the way for the government to receive grants from foreign legal persons. According to the current law the government can receive grants only from foreign international donor organizations or foreign governments. The initial versions of the draft amendments envisaged that the government could also …
Burjanadze Against Privatizing of Gas Pipeline System to Russia
Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said she is against the selling of Georgia?s gas pipeline system to a Russian company, adding that ?there is no argument that will make me change my position over this issue.??In general, I am not against Russian capital, but there are certain facilities, including the gas pipelines, which I think should not be in the …
Georgian PM Visits Armenia
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli will leave for the Republic of Armenia for a two-day official visit on March 11. He will hold talks with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan and other officials. Issues of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere, will be discussed during the talks. The Georgian Prime Minister …
Vatican Hints on Revitalizing Talks over Failed Treaty with Georgia
In a message to the Georgian government, Pope John Paul II stressed the need for a “constructive dialogue” between the Catholic Church and the government of the predominantly Orthodox Georgia, the Catholic World News reported on March 9. The message from Pope John Paul II was handed over to Georgia?s new Ambassador to the Holy See …
10/03/2005 - 23:14
Russia Says Georgian Parliament’s Resolution Against Bases ‘Counterproductive’
Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesman Viacheslav Sedov said on March 10 that the resolution against Russian military bases, recently approved by the Georgian Parliament, is “counterproductive” in solving the problem of withdrawal of the Russian bases from Georgia. “Ultimatums can not solve this problem. This should be done at the negotiating table,” RIA Novosti news agency quoted Sedov …
Parliament Sets Deadline for Pullout of Russian Military Bases
The Georgian Parliament approved, with a 158 to 0 vote, a resolution instructing the executive government to take measures against the Russian military bases currently stationed in Georgia if an agreement over a “reasonable” timeframe for their withdrawal is not reached with Russia before May 15, 2005. Earlier on the same day, a top-Russian official announced …
Parliament Approves Resolution Against Russian Bases
With a 158-0 vote, the Georgian Parliament approved a resolution instructing the executive government to take measures against the Russian military bases stationed in Georgia if an agreement over a timeframe for their withdrawal is not reached with Russia before May 15, 2005. These measures include halting of issuing entry visas to Russian military servicemen and …
Senior MP Denies Disagreements over Resolution on Russian Bases
Leading parliamentarian from the ruling National Movement party Giga Bokeria denied speculations that a disagreement still persists between a group of parliamentarians and Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze over the draft resolution that outlaws Russian military bases stationed in Georgia. ?I want to clearly state that the government and the Parliament is united on this issue like never …
Parliament Discusses Resolution on Outlawing Russian Bases
On March 10 the Parliament of Georgia launched 10 discussion of a draft resolution envisaging declaring Russian military bases stationed in Georgia illegal. Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security presented an amended version of the draft at the parliamentary session. The document sets January 1, 2006 as the deadline for the Russian bases’ withdrawal. This …
Zourabichvili: Russo-Georgian Relations at ‘Turning Point’
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili said on March 10 that relations between Georgia and Russia are at “a very important turning point,” AFP reported.Salome Zourabichvili was speaking with journalists in Ankara after talks with her Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul.She said that Georgia’s efforts to solve bilateral problems with Russia, including the withdrawal of Russian military …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Georgian Foreign Minister Visits Turkey
Visiting Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili met with her Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in Ankara on March 10 and discussed bilateral cooperation between Georgia and Turkey. “For Georgia, Turkey is not only a neighbor, it’s a friend and a strategic partner,” AFP reporters quoting Salome Zourabichvili as saying after talks with Abdullah Gul. Salome Zourabichvili …
Georgia Claims Russia Obstructs OSCE Training Program for Border Guards
In a statement issued on March 10 the Georgian Foreign Ministry said: ?because of the unconstructive position of the Russian side, which has already been expressed by termination of the [OSCE] Border Monitoring Operation (BMO), the same threat is now being posed to the training program for the Georgian border guards in frames of this organization [OSCE].? …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)