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Federation of Businessmen Set up
The Georgian Federation of Businessmen, which is slated to become a strong business lobby group, was established on December 6, replacing the previous Taxpayers Union. Influential media and financial tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili was elected President of the Georgian Federation of Businessmen. Giorgi Isakadze will be the Executive Director of the Federation. Badri Patarkatsishvili said, while speaking at the presentation of the Federation …
07/12/2004 - 11:18
Tbilisi-based Abkhaz Government Protests Russia’s Abkhaz Policy
In a statement published in the Georgian daily 24 Hours on December 7, the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile raised concerns over the recent developments in the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia. “The Russian authorities neglect the will of the Abkhaz population through political pressure, threats and blackmail, thus promoting chaos and confrontation among the local population,” the statement …
Putin Comments on Abkhazia
While speaking with reporters on December 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed, as he put it, the ?Abkhaz politicians? for their efforts to peacefully tackle the post-election crisis in the breakaway region; however, he added that the crisis is not over yet, RIA Novosti news agency reported. ?I do not want to fully assign this …
06/12/2004 - 19:04
Bagapsh, Khajimba Sign Accord
On December 6 opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh and his former presidential rival Raul Khajimba formalized their handshake agreement to share power by signing an accord, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. According to the agreement, repeat presidential elections, in which Bagapsh will run as the presidential candidate and Raul Khajimba as the vice-presidential candidate, will be held in breakaway Abkhazia before January …
Two Russian Soldiers Arrested in Akhalkalaki
On December 6 police in the southern Georgian town of Akhalkalaki detained two Russian soldiers who serve in the Russian military bases located in Akhalkalaki. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, the Russian servicemen are suspected of robbing a local shop on December 1. This is the second case in Georgia over the last few months wherein Russian soldiers have been arrested …
Georgian Foreign Minister Leaves for OSCE Forum
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili left for the Bulgarian capital Sofia on December 6 to participate in the 12th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council. Reportedly, Salome Zourabichvili will table the issue of the South Ossetian and Abkhaz conflicts at the OSCE Ministerial Council. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Ardzinba Welcomes Bagapsh, Khajimba Deal
Outgoing Abkhaz President Vladislav Ardzinba described the recent agreement between the former presidential rivals Sergey Bagapsh and Raul Khajimba as an attempt to maintain peace in the breakaway region, Interfax reported on December 6. ?The consultations, which are underway in Sokhumi [capital of Abkhazi], aim at maintaining peace and national accord,? Ardzinba said. ?All the …
Government Proposes to Postpone Enforcement of Reduced VAT
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Finance and Budgetary Issues MP Roman Gotsiridze spoke against the government?s proposal to postpone enforcement of the reduced value added tax (VAT) law for six months. The Parliament approved the draft of the new tax code in its first hearing on October 28. According to the draft, VAT will be reduced by 2%, down to …
OSCE Hails Progress in South Ossetian Conflict Resolution
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy said in his opening address to the 12th Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Sofia on December 6 that the OSCE hails the recent progress achieved between the Georgian and South Ossetian sides. ?We welcome the progress recently achieved in the dialogue on a peaceful comprehensive resolution …
U.S. Boosts Military Cooperation with Georgia
Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze said on December 5, after the talks with visiting U.S. General Peter Pace, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that a new stage of military cooperation will be launched between Georgia and the United States, starting in early 2005. Within the frames of the new Sustainment and Stability …
Rivals Turn into Allies
Bagapsh, Khajimba Agree to Share Power Bagapsh (left) set to become President, Khajimba – Vice-President. Reuters photo A friendly handshake and kiss between opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh and his former rival Raul Khajimba marked the end of a two-month election crisis in Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia on December 5, just one day before the scheduled presidential …
Blasts Rock Sokhumi
Four separate explosions hit the breakaway Abkhaz capital Sokhumi overnight on December 6 but no casualties were reported, according to the Russian news agencies. Sokhumi police official Otar Khatsia told RIA Novosti news agency that the blasts, equivalent to 200-300 grams of TNT each, occurred in 20 minute intervals. ?The explosions are aimed at destabilization the situation,? Sokhumi police official …
Bagapsh, Khajimba Strike Deal
Sergey Bagapsh announced late on December 5 that a presidential inauguration will not take place on December 6 after he agreed with his opponent Raul Khajimba to hold repeat elections in which Bagapsh will run as the presidential candidate and Khajimba as for Vice-President. ?If we win the elections, the difference between the powers of the President and Vice-President …
New Abkhaz President Prepares for Inauguration, But Outgoing Leader Refuses to Resign
Sergey Bagapsh will be sworn in as a Presidenton December 6. Itar-Tass photo. Opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh plans to be inaugurated as President of breakaway Abkhazia on December 6; but the two-month-old crisis in the unrecognized republic is still far from being resolved, as outgoing President Vladislav Ardzinba condemns the inauguration as illegal and refuses to step down.Sergey …
05/12/2004 - 18:45
Bagapsh, Khajimba Negotiate, But No Breakthrough Yet
Russian media reported that opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh and pro-governmental presidential contender Raul Khajimba are negotiating in an attempt to overcome the current political crisis in the unrecognized Abkhazian Republic. But both of them denied reports over reaching an agreement. ?No agreement has been reached and the presidential inauguration will be held as scheduled on …
Georgian PM Visits United States
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania left for the United States on December 5. Georgian media reported that talks with Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. President?s national security advisor, are scheduled. Zurab Zhvania is also scheduled to meet representatives of the International Monetary Fund and World bank. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
U.S. General Discusses Military Assistance Program in Georgia
The U.S. General Peter Pace, who is the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Tbilisi on December 5 to discuss a new military assistance program for Georgian troops with the Georgian leadership. General Pace told reporters upon his arrival that an assistance program is being developed but the details of this program are not yet known.Embassy Chief …
Georgian State Minister Warns over Destabilization in Abkhazia
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava told reporters on December 4 that destabilization is anticipated in breakaway Abkhazia on the eve of the presidential inauguration of opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh, scheduled for December 6. He added that the inauguration will definitely take place, ?if nothing happens? before December 6. ?Now, the most important thing …
04/12/2004 - 18:21
Ardzinba Accuses Saakashvili of Meddling in Abkhazia’s Affairs
Outgoing President of unrecognized Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba described Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili?s statement over Tbilisi’s readiness to launch dialogues with opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh as ?interference in the internal affairs of Abkhazia.? ?[Saakashvili?s statement] proves that the Georgian leadership is interested in escalating tensions in Abkhazia,? Regnum news agency reports quoting the de facto President of …
Ardzinba: Abkhaz Opposition Undermines Russia’s Positions
Vladislav Ardzinba in an interview to the Russian newspaper Izvestia says that recent developments in Ukraine and Abkhazia aim at undermining Russia’s influence in the region. “The [Abkhaz] opposition acts under a well-developed scenario, which is similar to Serbian, Georgian and Ukrainian,” the de facto President stressed. “However, Russia has enough political and economic levers to …
Russian Deputy Prosecutor Urges for Fresh Elections in Abkhazia
Deputy Prosecutor-General of Russia, Vladimir Kolesnikov held a briefing in Abkhaz capital Sokhumi, recommending new presidential elections to be held in January 2005. Before these elections, the new electoral code should be passed, Kolesnikov said. Also, Deputy Prosecutor added, Abkhazia should “report” to Russia regarding the “removal of difficulties” that led to restriction of the …
Presidential Representative Position in Kodori Gorge Abolished
Chairman of the Abkhaz government-in-exile Irakli Alasania said on December 3 that the position of the President?s representative in the Kodori gorge has been abolished. Kodori gorge is the only territory in breakaway Abkhazia controlled by the Georgian authorities. Emzar Kvitsiani, whom some view as a local warlord, held on to the position of president’s …
Top Officials not to be Subjected to the Financial, Tax Amnesty
The Georgian government proposed on December 3 a list of those state officials, to whom the draft law on financial and tax amnesty will not apply. The list includes: the President, MPs, ministers and their deputies, Chief of the State Chancellery and his deputy, heads of the state departments and their deputies, as well as …
Saakashvili Hails Ukrainian Supreme Court’s Ruling
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said that the ruling of the Ukrainian Supreme Court to invalidate second round of the presidential polls is a “historic.” Ukraine’s Supreme Court annulled on December 3 the second round of the presidential election in Ukraine and ruled a new runoff vote scheduled for December 26, as demanded by the opposition …
03/12/2004 - 21:25
Senior MP Slams EU Envoy
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Relations Kote Gabashvili slammed on December 3 European Union’s Special Representative to the South Caucasus countries Heikki Talvitie for his, as Gabashvili put it, “passiveness” in the conflict resolution issues. “His [Heikki Talvitie] passiveness is surprising me. He is especially passive regarding the conflict resolution issues. Better to have …
U.S. Envoy Meets Tbilisi-based Abkhaz Government Chief
U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles held talks with Chairman of the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile Irakli Alasania on December 3. After the talks Alasania told reporters that they discussed the recent developments in breakaway Abkhazia. ?We have developed the mechanisms of interaction. Most important is that the United States and the Ambassador clearly understand the position …
Bagapsh Frustrated by Saakashvili Statement, Rejects Dialogue
Opposition presidential candidate Sergey Bagapsh responded with frustration to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s statement over Georgia’s readiness to launch talks with Bagapsh, who serves as the representative of the majority of the population currently living in Abkhazia. Bagapsh said Saakashvili was “one person too many” to be involved in the current Abkhazia crisis, Russian NTV television reported. Bagapsh is considered president-elect …
Tbilisi Sides with Bagapsh, Calls on Moscow for Restraint
Tbilisi, which had previously tried to distance itself from the Abkhaz election crisis, made it clear on December 3 that, unlike Moscow, it will support opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh, who intends to be inaugurated as the new President of the unrecognized republic on December 6.Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili commented over the developments in Abkhazia on December 3 and recognized Sergey …
Saakashvili Comments on Abkhazia, Supports Bagapsh
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili made a statement over the Abkhaz crisis on December 3 and said that Tbilisi will hold peace talks over the Abkhaz conflict settlement with opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh, whom Saakashvili recognized as the President-elect of unrecognized republic. Saakashvili, who was speaking in Tbilisi at a meeting with the representatives of the Georgian-Abkhaz …
Government Finalizes 2005 Draft Budget
The government prepared a final version of the 2005 draft budget which sets expenditures at 2.193 billion Lari (approximately USD 1.2 billion) and revenues at 1.877 billion Lari (approximately USD 1 billion), the Georgian Finance Ministry reported on December 3. Budgetary expenditures planned for 2005 exceed the current expenditures by 500 million Lari (approximately USD 274 …
Reports: Border Restrictions Hit Abkhazia
Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported on December 2 that, due to cross-border movement restrictions imposed on the region by the Russian side at the Abkhaz border, the amount of freight imported to Abkhazia from Russia has been reduced from 100 tons to 15 tons per day. Border restrictions include: a ban on imports of agricultural products from Abkhazia, closure of the railway …
Tskhinvali Denies Violation of Demilitarization Deal
Special Affairs Minister of unrecognized South Ossetian Republic Boris Chochiev denied the Georgian side?s accusations that the de facto republic violated the demilitarization agreement by holding military exercises in the Java district of the breakaway region. ?South Ossetia has not held any military exercises, either in the conflict zone or outside its limits,? Boris Chochiev, who represents the South Ossetian …
Ardzinba Refuses to Step Down
The press office of the outgoing President of unrecognized Abkhazian Republic Vladislav Ardzinba issued a press statement on December 3 describing the inauguration of opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh, scheduled for December 6, as ?illegal.? The statement reiterates that Ardzinba will not step down after December 6. ?Under the current conditions the Cabinet of the Republic of …
Bagapsh Vows to Keep Close Ties with Moscow, Despite Blockade
Abkhaz opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh condemned Russia?s decision to close its railway connection with Abkhazia, however added that this measure will not negatively affect Russian-Abkhazian relations. ?We still remain oriented towards Russia,? Bagapsh said in an interview to the Ekho Moskvy radio station. Bagapsh, who intends to be inaugurated as the breakaway region?s President on …
Georgian PM to Visit U.S.
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania will visit the United States from December 5-9. The forthcoming visit was discussed during the meeting between the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on December 1. Reports say that talks with the officials in the U.S. Department of State, Senate and Congress will take place …
02/12/2004 - 22:01
Georgian Foreign Minister Briefs Foreign Diplomats over Abkhazia
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili met with foreign Ambassadors accredited in Georgia on December 2 to inform them regarding the recent developments in Abkhazia. ?Today all the attention of the international community has turned to the developments in Ukraine, which may result in less interest towards the Abkhazian issue. But we think that most alarming events may develop in Abkhazia …
Russian Deputy Chief Prosecutor Makes Political Statements in Abkhazia
Russia’s deputy prosecutor-general Vladimir Kolesnikov, who is visiting Abkhazia on invitation of the Abkhaz prime-minister Nodar Khashba, made a series of political statements regarding Abkhazia, Regnum news agency reports. He said that Abkhazia can not be compared to Chechnya, where “criminals are coming to power to use their shadow capital and have [state] protection.” The aims of …
British Citizen Killed in Tbilisi
A British citizen was found dead of a gunshot wound in his apartment in the capital Tbilisi on December 2. Police excluded robbery as a motive, as no money was missing. The British citizen was teaching English in one of Tbilisi?s private schools. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Russia Halts Rail Link with Abkhazia
Moscow-Sokhumi railway was reopened through active involvement by the state-run Russian Railway Company. In the wake of closing its railway connection with Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia, Russia has also halted the import of agricultural products from unrecognized republic. Both of these measures are viewed as a mounting of pressure by Russia on the eve of the presidential inauguration …
Tbilisi Protests Against Maneuvers in South Ossetia
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava expressed protest against military exercises that are being held in the Java district of breakaway South Ossetia. In an interview with the Rustavi 2 television on December 2, Khaindrava said that he intends to send a protest letter to the co-chairmen of the Joint Control Commission (JCC) regarding this issue. ?A …
U.S. Ambassador Meets with Georgian President
On December 1 U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles said, after holding talks with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, that he discussed the situation in breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as the issue of OSCE border monitoring mission with the Georgian leader. He said that that situation in Abkhazia is delicate and called on the …
Bagapsh Refuses to Yield to Russia’s Threats
Abkhaz opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh, who intends to be inaugurated as the President of unrecognized republic on December 6, said he will not yield to Russia’s threats over a potential blockade of the region, adding that he will not give up plans to be inaugurated. Assistant to the Prime Minister of Russia Gennady Bukaev said on …
Tbilisi Protests Moscow’s Meddling in Abkhazia
On December 1, the Georgian Foreign Ministry summoned Vladimer Chkhikvishvili, Ambassador of Russia to Georgia, to express protest regarding the presence of the Russian First Deputy Interior Minister and Russian Deputy Prosecutor General in breakaway Abkhazia. “Georgia expressed strong protest and demanded the termination of the illegal activity on the territory of Abkhazia, Georgia, which is …
01/12/2004 - 18:40
Bad Weather Hampers Air Maneuvers in Western Georgia
Military exercises of the Georgian Air Force, which were launched on November 30 at the Kulevi training ground on Black Sea coast, were ceased on December 1 due to bad weather conditions, Commander of the Georgian Air Forces Amiran Sulakvelidze told Civil Georgia. He said that the exercises, which involved several helicopters, including MI-14 and MI-24, will resume …
Russia Bans Import of Agricultural Products from Abkhazia
Import of agricultural products from Abkhazia to Russia has been suspended, Russian news agency Interfax reports quoting an unnamed source at the Southern Federal District of Russia. According to the source, imports were ceased at 15:00 on December 1 “due to sanitary concerns.” The source also noted that otherwise the border checkpoint remains open. Exports of agricultural products, mainly …
Russia Threatens to Blockade Abkhazia
Russia increases pressure on Abkhaz opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh, by threatening with blockade of breakaway region, as the latter intends to be inaugurated as the President of unrecognized republic on December 6.Assistant to the Prime Minister of Russia Gennady Bukaev said on December 1 that Russia is closing the railway communication with Georgia’s breakaway province …
Georgian PM: South Ossetia Demilitarization Deadline Violated
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said at a government session on December 1 that the process of implementation of the Sochi agreement over the demilitarization of the South Ossetian conflict zone, achieved with South Ossetian de facto President Eduard Kokoev, has been delayed. ?The agreement has been violated by the South Ossetian side as well as by Russia, …
Bagapsh Condemns Russia’s Interference in Abkhaz Elections
Abkhaz opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh said in the interview with Russian news agency Regnum on December 1 that Russia has no right to examine the documents of the Abkhaz Central Election Commission (CEC). A group of legal experts from the Russian Central Election Commission, as well as top officials from the Russian Interior Ministry, is visiting …
Russia Blockades Abkhazia
Assistant to the Prime Minister of Russia Gennady Bukaev stated that Russia is closing the railway communication with Georgia’s breakaway province of Abkhazia starting on December 2, Russian news agencies reported. He also said the “regime of border protection is being strengthened, including the maritime border.” Bukaev added that Russia is ready to fully close the border with …
Breakaway Abkhazia to Double Defense Spending
Abkhaz de facto Defense Minister Vyacheslav Eshba said in an interview with the Russian newspaper Vremia Novostei on November 30, that Abkhazia intends to double its defense spending. ?Moreover, we will seriously increase the strength of our regular army. Georgia speaks much about implementation of reforms in its army to bring it closer to NATO standards. …
Page 605 of 763
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)