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Reports: Ruling Party at Odds over Tax, Financial Amnesty
The Georgian media speculates that a disagreement, which persists both within the Georgian government and the ruling National Movement party, is hindering the approval of a draft law on tax and financial amnesty. The proposal envisages amnesty for those persons who evaded paying taxes before January 1, 2004, as well as the legalization of undeclared property. However, a disagreement still …
01/12/2004 - 13:28
State Minister: Situation in South Ossetia Stable
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava, who briefed the Georgian cabinet members over the recent developments in breakaway South Ossetia, told reporters on December 1 that the situation in the conflict zone is stable.?There are a couple of places where uncontrolled groups are operating. One of these places is the so called Textile district …
Abkhaz President Slams Opposition in Open Letter
In an open letter written by the President of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba and printed by Apsny press agency on November 29 the outgoing leader of the de facto republic slammed opposition candidate Sergey Bagapsh and his supporters, claiming that due to their “irresponsible actions” the international image of Abkhazia was “blown up” and their relations with Russia “destroyed.” Ardzinba …
Georgia Protests Russian Officials’ Visit in Abkhazia
On November 30 Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili condemned the visit by Russian Deputy Interior Minister and Deputy General Prosecutor to breakaway Abkhazia without the prior notification of Tbilisi. She described the Russian officials’ move as “incorrect” and regarded the visit as “interference in Georgia’s internal affairs by Russia.” A group of Russian Interior Ministry officials, led by …
Russia Sends Mission to Abkhazia
A week before the scheduled inauguration of opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh as the President of breakaway Abkhazia, top-level Russian officials from the Interior Ministry and General Prosecutor’s office, as well as representatives from the Russian Central Election Commission are visiting the capital of the unrecognized republic, Sokhumi. Meanwhile, pro-governmental presidential contender Raul Khajimba, who backed …
Commander of Military Unit Kills Deputy, Commits Suicide
Commander of the 21st Brigade of the Georgian Defense Ministry Aleksandre Gabriadze shot his deputy Avtandil Dvalishvili and then committed suicide, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported late on November 30. The Georgian Defense Ministry described the case in a statement issued late on November 30 as ?an accident.? According to official information, the Commander of the …
Saakashvili Furious over Russian Media Coverage of Ukraine
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili harshly slammed the way developments in Ukraine are covered by, as he put it, ?the newspapers of one of our neighboring countries? making a clear hint to Russia. ?Just take a look what a bacchanalia [sic] takes place in some of the newspapers in one of our neighboring countries. There is a horrible …
30/11/2004 - 20:09
State Minister, U.S. Ambassador Discuss Conflict Issues
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava held talks with U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles on November 30. The issues of the Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflicts were discussed during the talks, the State Minister?s press office reported on November 30. Goga Khaindrava also held talk with the Swiss Ambassador to Georgia. This …
Russian Officials Visit Sokhumi
A group of Russian Interior Ministry officials, led by First Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Chekalin, arrived in breakaway Abkhaz capital of Sokhumi on November 30, RIA Novosti news agency reported. The Russian delegation is also accompanied by the Russian Deputy Prosecutor General Vladimir Kolesnikov. Itar-Tass news agency reported on November 30 that legal experts from …
BTC Cost Increases to $4 bln
President of the Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR Natik Aliyev told reporters on November 29 that construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline will cost around USD 4 billion, which is 350-400 million more than originally expected, AFP and Interfax news agencies reported. Natik Aliyev cited delays in construction, rising oil prices and campaigns by environmental …
NGOs Met Small Business Representatives
NGOs and small business representatives held a joint meeting at a hotel Tori on November 30, 2004. The problems of small businness and the issues of taxation were dicsussed at the meeting. Particular services which could be delivered by NGOs to small business representatives as well as the cooperation perspectives between these two setors were …
Khajimba Warns Abkhazia Might Face Split
Pro-governmental presidential candidate Raul Khajimba says that Abkhazia might split into two parts in the event that opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh takes over the presidency in the breakaway region. ?The republic may be divided into two economic zones. One will be under the control of Georgia and the United States, the other ? under the Russian oil …
Georgia Boosts Defense Spending
Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze said on November 29 that defense funding will increase by at least an additional 80 million lari (approximately USD 44.4 million) in 2005 over the original proposed figure and that that figure could go as high as 100 million lari (USD 55.6 million). According to the initial draft budget, defense spending was to …
Parliament Urges Cabinet to Submit 2005 Draft Budget
On November 29, Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze called on government members to submit a revised 2005 draft budget to the Parliament as soon as possible. The government had to take the Parliament’s remarks into account by late October and return a revised version of the draft to the Parliament for further consideration by November 1. ?The Parliament should …
World Bank Executive Director Visits Georgia
Ad Melkert, the World Bank Executive Director, arrived in Georgia for an official two-day visit on November 30, the Georgian Finance Ministry reported. During the visit Ad Melkert will hold talks with President Saakashvili, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and other officials. Talks with representatives of British Petroleum and the Georgian International Oil Company are also scheduled. This post …
Saakashvili Speaks of Progress after Rose Revolution
The International Herald Tribune published an article on November 30 by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in which the Georgian President discusses the developments in Georgia one year after the Rose Revolution. In the article Saakashvili outlines the country?s top priorities, saying that ?we must now fulfill Georgia’s potential.? ?We will continue the fight against corruption. We will secure Georgia’s borders. And, we …
Ex-Audit Chief Remanded Again in Custody
The Georgian Supreme Court remanded Sulkhan Molashvili, ex-chief of the State Audit Agency, for two more months of pre-trial detention on November 29.Molashvili, who is accused of the alleged misappropriation of 3 million Lari, has already served a 7-month pre-trial sentence pending investigation. Under Georgian law this is the last time Molashvili can be remanded, …
29/11/2004 - 19:34
Georgia Denies Presence of Chechen Rebels in Pankisi
On November 29 Georgian Ambassador to the Russian Federation Valerie Chechelashvili denied reports that a group of Chechen rebels and foreign mercenaries are still based in Georgia?s north-eastern mountainous gorge of Pankisi. ?This territory is controlled by Georgian security services. Georgian and Russian law enforcement agencies, including border guards, are cooperating on this issue. However, if …
Tbilisi Mayor’s Office Collects Aid for Ukrainian Protesters
The Tbilisi Mayor’s Office has launched collection of a humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian protesters supporting opposition presidential candidate Victor Yushchenko. “Georgian citizens can bring warm clothes and other things to assist Ukrainian people,” Vice-Premier of Tbilisi Temur Kurkhuli told reporters on November 29. Later today Georgian musicians will hold a concert outside the Ukrainian …
Azeri Envoy Pledges to Unblock Rail Traffic for Georgian Freight
On November 29 the Georgian Foreign Ministry summoned Azerbaijani Ambassador to Georgia Ramiz Gasanov to speak regarding the recent seizure of Georgian freight by the Azerbaijani side at the border of the two countries. After the talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Mikheil Ukleba, the Azeri Ambassador said that freight which is designated for Georgia will be released. ?However, …
Georgian-Italian Business Forum Opens in Tbilisi
A two-day business forum, that will include the participation of representatives from Georgian and Italian business circles, opened on November 29 in Tbilisi. Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said, while addressing the forum, that Georgia seeks Italian investments. ?Relations with Italy and the Italian business community is one of our priorities,? Zhvania said in his opening remarks. However, many …
Imereti Governor in Row with Energy Distribution Company
The United Distribution Company (UDC), which distributes electricity in the regions throughout Georgia, accused Gia Getsadze, the governor of the Imereti region in western Georgia, of insulting one of its employees of the Kutaisi office of the company. Spokesman for the UDC Avto Dvalishvili said, the Imereti governor insulted one of the employees both verbally and …
Russian Reports: Chechen Rebels, Mercenaries still Hiding in Pankisi
Russia?s Counter-Terrorism Operations Center in the North Caucasus alleged that a group of Chechen rebels and foreign mercenaries are still based in Georgia?s north-eastern mountainous gorge of Pankisi, RIA Novosti news agency reported on November 29. ?One group [of rebels] consists of 200 supporters of Ruslan Gelaev [a Chechen warlord who was killed by Russian troops …
Georgian MFA Condemns Ukrainian Poll as Flawed
In a statement issued on November 27 the Georgian Foreign Ministry said that the Ukrainian presidential poll was flawed. ?Georgia is following the developments in the friendly state Ukraine with particular interest. Sharing the concerns of the European Union and authoritative international organizations (OSCE, the Council of Europe) regarding numerous grave violations during the presidential elections …
Pro-Khajimba TV Launched in Abkhazia
Journalists supporting the pro-governmental presidential contender Raul Khajimba launched a new television channel, which is broadcast in five out of seven districts of breakaway Abkhazia, including the capital Sokhumi. The state-run television, which is the only one TV channel in Abkhazia, is currently under the control of opposition presidential candidate Sergey Bagapsh. ?Creation of an alternative …
28/11/2004 - 13:49
Sokhumi Denies Reports over the Formation of Illegal Armed Groups
The press office of Abkhaz de facto President Vladislav Ardzinba denied on November 27 the opposition MPs accusations that illegal armed units are formed by the supporters of the pro-governmental presidential contender Raul Khajimba. In a statement issued on November 27 the press office of Abkhaz de facto President claims that units and subdivisions of …
27/11/2004 - 16:32
Azerbaijan Blocks Freight Movement at Georgian Border
Over 900 train cars loaded with fuel and grain have been stuck at Georgia’s border with Azerbaijani border for one week. Davit Onoprishvili, the chief of the state-run Georgian Railway company, said in the interview with the Rustavi 2 television on November 27 that the Georgian side has not received any official notification from the Azerbaijani side regarding …
Rotation of CIS Peacekeepers Launched in Abkhaz Conflict Zone
A planned rotation of the peacekeeping troops deployed in Georgia?s breakaway Abkhazia under the aegis of the Commonwealth of Independent States was launched on November 27, RIA Novosti reports quoting the press service of the CIS peacekeeping troops. The CIS peacekeeping troops will replace the 500-strength contingent and conduct a planned delivery of armament, armored …
Abkhaz MPs Urge Ardzinba to Recognize Bagapsh’s Victory
On November 26 the Parliament of the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia adopted a statement addressed to de facto President Vladislav Ardzinba, calling on him to recognize opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh as President-elect. “Recognition of the results of presidential elections by you will become a precondition for the restoration of stability in the country. We believe, that …
Abkhaz Parliament Recognizes Bagapsh’s Victory
The Parliament of the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia adopted a decree on November 26, which recognized the October 3 presidential elections valid and opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh as the President-elect, Apsnypress reports. According to the decree, the Parliament, the Cabinet of Ministers and state security guard should provide a solemn ceremony of inauguration of the …
26/11/2004 - 16:44
Parliament Endorses Draft Law on Higher Education
On November 26 the Parliament of Georgia approved a draft law on higher education in its first hearing, with a 143 to 10 vote. ?The draft law aims at implementing reforms in the sphere of education, as a result of which Georgia will become a component of the uniform European educational space,? Education Minister Kakha …
No breakthrough in Abkhaz Crisis
The situation in the unrecognized republic of Abkhazia still remains tense and obscure. Both presidential candidates are holding strong to their positions regarding the results of October 3 election. Sergey Bagapsh, the opposition candidate, asserts that the election results, which gave him a clear victory in the race, are valid and is planning an inauguration …
MP Claims Demilitarization Process Suspended in South Ossetia
MP Guram Vakhtangashvili, who was elected in South Ossetia?s Didi Liakhvi provincial constituency, said on November 25 that the demilitarization process has been suspended in the South Ossetian conflict zone. ?Despite the achieved agreement [on demilitarization of the South Ossetian conflict zone], the South Ossetian side has really done nothing to pull out its extra troops. …
Former MP Sentenced to 15-Day Imprisonment for ‘Hooliganism’
A Georgian court sentenced former Georgian MP Guram Sharadze, who was arrested on November 25 for alleged hooliganism, to 15-day imprisonment and fined him by USD 2,400. Sharadze was detained after he tore posters of Rafal Olbinski, a celebrated Polish-American artist, off the walls at an exhibition at the Georgian National Library on November 25. …
Abkhaz MPs Protest Formation of Illegal Armed Groups
A group of MPs in the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia sent an appeal to Abkhaz Prosecutor General Rauf Korua on November 25, claiming that illegal armed groups are being formed under the pretext of protection of governmental offices and other top officials. ?The creation of illegal armed groups and their activities may be directed at …
Georgian Parliament Condemns Fraudulent Elections in Ukraine
The Georgian Parliament unanimously adopted a statement on November 25, in which it condemns the ballot rigging in Ukraine. ?Georgia shares the position of the OSCE, the European Union, the Council of Europe and democratic states regarding the fraudulent presidential elections in Ukraine,? the statement reads. ?When the entire international community openly fixes its position, …
Abkhaz PM Visits Moscow
Abkhaz de facto Prime Minister Nodar Khashba is visiting Moscow to hold consultations with Russian officials over the recent developments in the breakaway region, Russian news agency Regnum reported on November 25. However, neither the objective of Khashba?s visit nor the identities of the Russian officials who will meet with the Abkhaz Prime Minister is …
Parliament Discusses Draft Law on Higher Education
On November 25 the Parliament launched discussions over a draft law on higher education, submitted by Education Minister Kakha Lomaia. ?The draft law aims at implementing reforms in the sphere of education, as a result of which Georgia will become a component of the uniform European educational space,? Lomaia said at the parliamentary session on …
25/11/2004 - 17:16
UN to Chair Talks on Georgia-Abkhazia Peace Process
The United Nations will chair a meeting of interested nations next month to discuss the Georgian-Abkhaz peace process, a UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said on November 24. The UN Secretariat briefed on November 23 the so-called Group of Friends of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the recent contacts Annan’s Special Representative, Heidi Tagliavini, had in Sokhumi, …
OSCE Supports Georgia’s Fight against Money-Laundering
International crime-fighting experts will work with Georgian officials to develop tougher measures to combat money-laundering at a two-day OSCE workshop in Tbilisi starting on November 25, OSCE Mission to Georgia reports. “The illegal flow of money is a direct and serious threat to national and international security terrorism,” said Ambassador Roy Reeve, Head of the …
Dutch Government Allocates 3 Million Euro to Georgia
In accordance with an agreement signed by the Dutch Government and the World Bank, the Netherlands will grant 3 million Euro to Georgia. The Dutch assistance will be spent on implementation of reforms, anti-corruption measures, achievement of fiscal stability and poverty reduction in the country, the Georgian Finance Ministry reports. This post is also …
Georgia Denies Participation in CIS Defense Ministers Session
Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze said he will not participate in a session of the Council of CIS Defense Ministers scheduled for November 25 in Moscow. ?The CIS is yesterday’s history. I do not think it is interesting for us to discuss cooperation and other issues within this format,? Giorgi Baramidze told reporters on November …
President of Abkhazia Unwilling to Step Down
In statements released by outgoing President of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba on November 24 the de-facto leader said that he would not step down as President, even if opposition candidate Sergey Bagapsh follows through with his plans to be inaugurated President of the breakaway republic on December 6. “The so-called inauguration has nothing in common with …
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Visits South Ossetia
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Rudolphus Lubbers held talks with South Ossetian de facto President Eduard Kokoev on November 24. Eduard Kokoev acquianted Rudolphus Lubbers with the current situation in the breakaway region, the Russian news agency Regnum reports. The United Nations High Commissioner hailed the process of demilitarization, which was launched in the …
24/11/2004 - 18:06
Bagapsh Protests Possible Closure of Russian Border
Abkhaz opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh slammed the allegations made by the Governor of Russia?s Krasnodar district Alexander Tkachov over the possible closure of the Abkhaz-Russian border. ?We consider the statement by the Krasnodar Governor blackmail and political provocation,? Abkhaz media quotes Sergey Bagapsh as saying at a news briefing in Sokhumi on November 24. Russian …
U.S. Senate Honors Georgia on Anniversary of Rose Revolution
In a resolution issued on November 22 the U.S. Senate congratulated the people of Georgia on the first anniversary of the Rose Revolution, the peaceful and bloodless protests that followed parliamentary elections deemed fraudulent, and for their commitment to democracy, peace, stability, and economic opportunity, the Georgian Embassy to the United States reports. The U.S. Senate …
Georgia, Italy Boost Economic Ties
Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy Margerita Boniver, who arrived in Georgia on November 23, held talks today with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze. The issue of bilateral economic cooperation between the two nations was discussed during the talks. Within the frames of the visit, Kakha …
Q&A with Economic Expert Niko Orvelashvili
During past year the new authorities have clearly outlined new initiatives in the sphere of economy – a new tax code, financial amnesty and wide-scale privatization. The significant growth of budgetary revenues was fixed for the first time in the history of independent Georgia. Moreover, the government is actively trying to assure foreign investors that …
Georgia Pledges Support to Ukrainian People
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on November 23 that ?Georgia is closely watching the recent developments in Ukraine.? ?How the situation develops in Ukraine and who wins the presidential elections is very important for us. I wish peace and success to the Ukrainian people,? President Saakashvili said in the interview with Georgian television on November 23. Saakashvili …
Saakashvili: Georgia Gets Ready for Reintegration
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on November 23 that the authorities are waiting for a particular moment to restore the country?s territorial integrity. ?We are getting ready for it. The time will come when we should settle the conflicts [in breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia],? Saakashvili said in an interview with the Georgian televisions. ?We …
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