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Four Russians Detained for Illegal Border Crossing


Georgian police detained four citizens of Russia on January 7 in the village of Tkviavi, in the South Ossetian conflict zone. Officials say that the Russian citizens entered Georgia illegally. One local Georgian policeman was also arrested on the same day. He is suspected of taking bribes in exchange for helping facilitate illegal entry into Georgia. This post is …

07/01/2005 - 20:44


Saakashvili Signs Anti-Trafficking Action Plan


Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili signed a decree on anti-trafficking action plan for 2005-2006 years. The decree envisages setting up an anti-trafficking interim commission, which will be chaired by Secretary of the National Security Council Gela Bezhuashvili. The OSCE mission to Georgia helped the government to develop anti-trafficking action plan. NGOs and civil society representatives have also participated in …


Russia Protests Release of Chechen Prisoners in Georgia


The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed protest against the release of ethnic Chechen prisoners in Tbilisi, who were arrested by the Georgian border guards for suspected illegal crossing the border and possession of arms in August, 2002.  ?The Russian side has numerously requested Tbilisi to extradite the members of a criminal group, who were detained for …


Saakashvili Slammed Ministers for Sparring Publicly


President Mikheil Saakashvili convened Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili and State Minister Giorgi Baramidze on January 6 and warned them that he will not tolerate disagreements within the cabinet. ?I am not going to tolerate sparring between the members of government. Both of you are my friends, but if you want to deal with each other …


Bush, Saakashvili Held Phone Talks


Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili held a telephone conversation with his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush upon his arrival from Ukraine on January 6.  Bilateral cooperation and recent developments in Georgia were discussed during the talks, the Georgian President?s press office reported. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)

06/01/2005 - 18:36


Allegations over Misuse of Funds in the Army Triggers Cabinet Row


State Minister Baramidze said he sees “a clear threat of cabinet split.” The Georgian government is now facing its first serious internal crisis, as Defense Minister and State Minister sparred publicly over the alleged cases of misuse of power and misappropriation of funds in the army.“I see a clear threat of a split in the government, which …


Members of Italian NGO Arrive in Georgia


Fifteen members of the Italian non-governmental organization “Terra del Foucco” had been waiting for three days at the Larsi checkpoint (Georgian-Russian border) for the permission to enter Georgia. Russian border officials did not allow them to cross the border and leave the territory of the Russian Federation.  As a result, the delegation returned to Russia …


New Georgian Peacekeeper Commander in South Ossetia


Col. Koba Lachkebiani has been appointed Commander of the Georgian peacekeeping battalion, which is part of the joint Russian-Georgian-Ossetian peacekeeping forces stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone. Chief of the General Staff Vakhtang Kapanadze said, on January 6, that commander of the Georgian peacekeepers Petre Goguadze resigned because of health problems.  Col. Koba Lachkebiani formerly served …


State Minister Slams Defense Minister, Speaks of Threat of Cabinet Split


Georgian State Minister in charge of Euro-Atlantic integration issues Giorgi Baramidze, who previously held the Defense Minister?s position, convened a press conference and dismissed current Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili?s statements that some defense officials ?pushed the army into a worse situation than it was before the revolution.? Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili said at a news briefing …


Saakashvili Returns from Ukraine


President Mikheil Saakashvili returned from Ukraine on January 6; however, it was reported earlier that the President intended to welcome Orthodox Christmas on January 7 with Ukrainian President-elect Victor Yushchenko. Saakashvili left for Ukraine on December 31 after an invitation by Victor Yushchenko. During the visit Saakashvili also met with outgoing Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma. This post is …


Four Principles for Tbilisi’s Abkhaz Policy


While the Georgian authorities are developing a peace plan for the settelment of the Abkhazia conflict, a group of Georgian experts recommended that the government recognize four principles – involving the abandonment of military rhetoric, objective assessment of the 1992-93 Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, equal treatment of the Abkhaz side and lifting economic sanctions from Abkhazia – as cornerstones of Tbilisi’s Abkhazian policy.Sixteen representatives from those civil …


Russian MPs to Monitor Abkhazia Presidential Polls


Abkhazia presidential candidate Sergey Bagapsh said, on January 6, that Russian MPs will monitor the presidential elections in the breakaway republic, which are scheduled for January 12.  ?The relationship with the Russian Federation is most important for Abkhazia,? news agency Itar-Tass quotes Sergey Bagapsh as saying.   ?Today, thanks to the Russian Federation, we manage to maintain …


Georgian NGOs Outline Preconditions for Abkhazia Talks


Representatives from those civil society organizations which have been actively engaged in so called public diplomacy with their Abkhaz counterparts over the past decade sent an open letter to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on January 6, outlining what they see as necessary preconditions for launching “constructive talks” with the Abkhaz side. The open letter lists four principles which should be recognized …


Abkhaz PM Criticizes Media Coverage of Upcoming Polls


Prime Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Nodar Khashba blamed local media sources for triggering speculations that ?certain forces want to disrupt? the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for January 12, Regnum news agency reported on January 5. He urged the media sources to ?work more responsibly? and at the same time rejected the media speculations that the government pressures …


Security Council Chair Admits Financial Fraud in the Army


Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Gela Bezhuashvili, who served as the Defense Minister from February-June 2004, admitted on January 5 that financial fraud ?existed, persists and will remain? in the army. Gela Bezhuashvili was commenting on a statement by Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili, who accused several top officials of the Ministry of alleged misappropriation of …


Saakashvili, Yushchenko Sign Joint Declaration


Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and Ukrainian President-elect Victor Yushchenko signed, on January 5, a joint declaration reiterating their two nation?s European aspirations and further democratic development, Interfax news agency reported. The declaration, which was signed in the western Ukrainian ski resort of Tisovets, reads that the Georgian and Ukrainian people ?have demonstrated to the world that …

05/01/2005 - 19:23


Released Chechen Fears ‘Secret Extradition’


Aslan Khanchukaev, an ethnic Chechen, was released on January 5, after serving his sentence in a Tbilisi prison. Khanchukaev was in a group of 13 Chechens who were arrested by the Georgian border guards for illegal crossing the border and possession of arms in August, 2002. In July, 2003 the Tbilisi District Court acquitted four of these …


MP Quits Ruling Party


On January 5 MP Bezhan Gunava announced that he is quitting the ruling National Movement party, citing ?intimidation by the Financial Police.? Gunava told Rustavi 2 television that several weeks ago he expressed concern over, as he put it, the ?illegal activity of the Financial Police,? which according to Gunava was extorting money from a group of …


Non-governmental Organizations Discuss Abkhazia Status


On January 5, 2005 the representatives of non-governmental organizations, political and legal experts held a discussion dedicated to the status of Abkhazia. The participants focused on the concept, which foresees the linking of Tbilisi and Sokhumi within a common federal state. According to the concept, defense and foreign policy, border defense, customs system and the …


Prosecutor’s Office Probes into Financial Fraud in the Army


The Prosecutor General’s Office and the Chamber of Control, the main state audit agency, are probing into cases of misappropriation of funds at the Defense Ministry, following a request by the Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili. “The process of this inspection will last for 20 days and an investigation will officially be launched after this process, followed by an interrogation of all persons allegedly linked with …


Paper: Worsening of Crisis Anticipated in Abkhazia


The Georgian daily 24 Hours speculates, in an article published on January 5, that supporters of Raul Khajimba will try to disrupt the upcoming presidential elections in breakaway Abkhazia. In December the once former presidential rivals Sergey Bagapsh and Raul Khajimba agreed to share power and participate in new elections on one team ? Bagapsh is running for …


Minister Accuses Defense Officials of Abuse of Office, Misappropriation of Funds


Newly appointed Defense Minister is talking tough, demanding the arrest of those who “pushed the Georgian army into a worse situation than it was before the [Rose] Revolution.” Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili said at a news briefing on January 4 that the situation involving a misappropriation of funds in the Defense Ministry is “alarming” and requested the …

04/01/2005 - 19:17


Abkhaz Defense Minister Speaks of Priorities


In an interview with Interfax news agency, Abkhaz Defense Minister Viacheslav Eshba outlined priorities of the Abkhaz army for 2005, saying that combat readiness of the Abkhaz troops ?to repel possible foreign aggression? will be the number one priority this year. ?We have already launched an inspection of our combat readiness in all the military units in Abkhazia,? Eshba …


Saakashvili Prolongs Visit to Ukraine


The Georgian media reported that President Mikheil Saakashvili will remain in Ukraine at least for three more days. He intends to welcome the Orthodox Christmas on January 7 with Ukrainian President-elect Victor Yushchenko. President Saakashvili was expected to arrive back in Georgia on January 3. Saakashvili left for Ukraine on December 31 and welcomed the New Year …


Khaindrava: Tbilisi Works over Abkhazia, South Ossetia Status


Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava said on January 3 that the government is developing a draft on the status for breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia.  He said by January 10 the draft will be submitted to the National Security Council for consideration.  ?I think we should discuss the draft together with the …


USD 30 mln Confiscated in Anti-Corruption Drive


The Georgian Young Lawyers? Association (GYLA), a non-governmental advocacy group, published data regarding the amount of money and property confiscated from the former officials and their relatives as a result of recent enforcement of an anti-corruption law. Property worth a total of 55,703,573 Lari (approximately USD 30.9 million) has been confiscated in the period between January-November, 2004, according to GYLA, …


Timeline – 2004


  » Timeline:  2002 – 2003 – 2004 – 2005 – 2006 January February March April May June July August September October November December January January 3 – Frontrunner presidential candidate Mikheil Saakashvili paid a surprise visit to Tskhinvali, the capital of Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia and met with the local population in the streets of the town. …

03/01/2005 - 17:41


Most AWOL Soldiers Return to Mukhrovani Base


More than half of those servicemen who went AWOL on December 20, in a protest against the social conditions in the army, have returned to their military base in Mukhrovani, located near Tbilisi.  According to the Ombudsman?s Office, about 40 servicemen returned to Mukhrovani, while 20 were dispatched to the Telavi military base.  ?The current conditions of …


Russian MFA Describes OSCE Border Operation as ‘Ineffective’


In an information note issued on December 31 the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said that OSCE Border Operation in Georgia has already “fulfilled its mission” adding that the operation “was not distinguished by its special effectiveness.” At the session of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna Russia vetoed on December 30 to prolong …

02/01/2005 - 17:28


Shelling Reported in South Ossetian Conflict Zone


Georgia village of Tamarasheni near the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali came under shelling on January 1, according to the Georgian media reports. No casualties were reported, however reports say that one house burned down as a result of shelling.  This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)


Saakashvili, Yushchenko Welcome New Year in Kiev


Shortly after midnight on New Year’s eve Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and the Ukrainian President-elect Victor Yushchenko appeared on Kiev’s Independence Square were thousands of people where gathered to celebrate New Year. Georgian televisions broadcasted Mikheil Saakashvili addressing people on the Independence Square in the Ukrainian. "During the [orange] revolution I couldn’t officially support you, …

01/01/2005 - 18:31


Ex-Interior Minister Released from Custody


Georgia?s former Interior Minister Koba Narchemashvili was released from custody on December 31 after paying 300.000 Lari (approximately USD 166.000) to the state budget. Koba Narchemashvili, who served as the country?s Interior Minister in 2001-2003, was arrested in October for alleged violation of customs regulations and enforcement of unlawful regulations for the import of cars. …

31/12/2004 - 22:20


Georgia Opens Embassy in China


The Georgian Embassy to the People?s Republic of China was officially opened on December 30, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported on December 31.   The Chinese Foreign Minister welcomed the opening of the Georgian Embassy and stressed that this fact would foster the economic, political and cultural cooperation between the two countries. On December 21 the Parliament …


EU ‘Willing’ to Replace OSCE Border Monitors in Georgia


European Union representative Daan Everts said on December 30 that the EU is willing to send its monitors to replace those observers, who were monitoring the Russo-Georgian border under the OSCE mandate, RFE/RL reported. The statement follows the Russia’s veto to prolong OSCE border operation in Georgia. As a result observers from the OSCE will …


Civil Protest of President’s Initiative


Georgian non-governmental organization  “42nd Article of the Constitution” protests against the President’s initiative on draft constitutional amendments. According to the amendments, the President has the right to nominate nine members of the Constitutional Court. As Ms. Lia Mukhashavria, head of the 42nd Article says, “this will promote the authoritarian regime, as the Constitutional Court will …


New Deputy Interior Minister Appointed


Ex-Premier of the capital city Tbilisi Bidzina Bregadze was appointed as the Deputy Interior Minister.  Bidzina Bregadze filed resignation from the Tbilisi Premier?s position on December 7 after disagreements with the Tbilisi Mayor Zurab Tchiaberashvili. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)


Russia Vetoes OSCE Border Operation in Georgia


At the session of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna Russia vetoed on December 30 to prolong border monitoring mission in Georgia, as a result around 150 observers from the OSCE member countries, who were monitoring Russo-Georgian Border since 1999, will start leaving their posts on December 31, RFE/RL reported. At the session, described by …


Georgian Foreign Minister Reviews 2004


Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili evaluated 2004 as a successful year for Georgia?s foreign policy. She said on December 30 that Georgia further boosted its ties with the western partners; but added that ?normalization of relations with Russia? was not achieved. ?Georgia?s involvement in EU?s Neighborhood Policy, approval of the Georgia?s IPAP by NATO, appointment …


Saakashvili to Visit Ukraine on New Year’s Eve


Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will visit Ukraine on New Year’s eve to personally congratulate Victor Yushchenko on his victory in December 26 presidential elections.“I thought a lot about it and decided that my presence there, in this decisive moment for the Ukrainian people, will be very important for our country and our friendship,” Mikheil Saakashvili …


Transcript of Mikheil Saakashvili’s Speech


Transcript of President Mikheil Saakashvili’s televised speech made on December 29. The transcript does not include questions and answers, which followed his speech. The Most Successful Year I will summarize the most important events of this year in couple of words. I think that in 2004 Georgia started development as a State for the first …

30/12/2004 - 18:37


Bagapsh Warns Against Destabilization on Elections Day


Abkhaz presidential candidate Sergey Bagapsh said on December 29 while meeting with the representatives of the Abkhazian intelligentsia that ?particular groups? will try to disrupt the forthcoming presidential polls scheduled for January 12.   ?All those, who try to disrupt the January 12 presidential polls will be strictly punished,? Apsnypress quotes Sergey Bagapsh as saying.  Bagapsh …


Zhvania: Kokoev Declined Talks


Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, who visited South Ossetian conflict zone on December 30, told reporters, that the South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoev ?declined? bilateral meeting with him.  During his visit to the Georgian villages of the breakaway region, the Prime Minister met with the local population and Georgian peacekeepers deployed in the conflict zone. …


Six Companies Bid for Georgian Shipping Co.


According to the Georgian Economy Ministry six foreign companies have made bids for privatizing of the Georgian Ocean Shipping Company so far. The Georgian government extended the deadline for applying bids until January 10, 2005. These six companies are: Schoeller Holdings Ltd, the British Aquamarine Shipping Consultants, the Australian ASP Ship Management Pty Ltd, the Greenoak Group, …


Saakashvili Hails 2004 as a Huge Success, but Refrains from Commenting on Failures


President Mikheil Saakashvili described 2004 as “the most successful year in independent Georgia’s history.” But when asked about the failures of the year, the President replied that he “would not like to focus on that.”He said that the most important achievement of this year was reintegration of the Adjara Autonomous Republic into Georgia proper. Saakashvili said …


Saakashvili Speaks of Opposition’s Unpopularity


At a news briefing on December 29 President Saakashvili criticized the opposition for focusing only on the government’s failures and turning a blind eye on those achievements, which were made possible due to the government’s activity. “The current opposition slams almost each move of the authorities. Because of this very reason, the opposition is not …


Abkhaz PM Visits Moscow


Prime Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Nodar Khashba left for Moscow on December 29, Russian news agency Regnum reported.  Abkhaz de facto Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba said that the issues of economic cooperation between Moscow and Sokhumi will be discussed during the PM’s visit.  This is Khashba?s second visit to Moscow during this month. This post …


Turkey Ready to Invest USD 200 mln in Railway with Georgia


Georgian Economy Minister Lexo Alexishvili told reporters on December 29, that USD 200 million is needed to construct a railway link between the eastern Turkish city of Kars and southern Georgian town of Akhalkalaki. ?The Turkish side has already pledged funds for this project. Some [additional] USD 160 million will be needed for rehabilitation of …


Saakashvili Evaluates 2004


President Mikheil Saakashvili convened a press conference late on December 29 to evaluate 2004, saying that this was ?the most successful year in independent Georgia?s history.? But when asked about the failures in 2004, the President replied that he ?would not like to focus on that.? He said that the most important achievement of this year …


Georgian PM to Visit Breakaway South Ossetia


Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania will arrive in breakaway South Ossetia and hold talks with the separatist leader Eduard Kokoev on December 30. Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava, who will accompany the Prime Minister to the conflict zone, said that Zurab Zhvania will discuss implementation of the Sochi agreement, envisaging demilitarization …


Labor Party Leader Claims he Survived Assassination Attempt


Leader of the opposition Labor Party Shalva Natelashvili announced on December 29 that the Georgian leadership planned his assassination. ?President Saakashvili, as well as [Defense Minister Irakli] Okruashvili, [Interior Minister Vano] Merabishvili and [Secretary of the National Security Council Gela] Bezhuashvili masterminded this assassination attempt,? Natelashvili told reporters. Natelashvili said that two armed men ambushed …

29/12/2004 - 19:30


Page 597 of 759

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)

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