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UN High Commissioner for Refugees Visits Georgia
Rudolphus Lubbers, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, will pay a three-day official visit to Georgia on November 23 to get acquainted with the state of refugees and internally displaced persons living in Georgia. Later on November 23, Rudolphus Lubbers will visit the Pankisi Gorge in eastern Georgia and then hold talks with Georgian Prime Minister …
23/11/2004 - 13:12
Council of Elders to Meet with Candidates in Abkhazia
Approximately 60 ‘elders’ in the breakaway republic of Abkhazia will come together today and meet with the two deadlocked presidential candidates Sergey Bagapsh and Raul Khajimba in an attempt to solve the crisis that has persisted in the de facto republic since disputed presidential elections occurred on October 3, according to the Itar-tass news agency. …
Saakashvili Outlines Priorities at Party Congress
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on November 22, while speaking at the first congress of the ruling National Movement ? Democrats party, that Georgia?s key priorities include the reintegration of the country, development of democratic principles and establishment of good relations with all neighbor countries, including Russia. ?We have to return Abkhazia and reintegrate Georgia. Georgia …
22/11/2004 - 18:36
Ruling Party Elects Leadership
The National Movement party re-elected President Mikheil Saakashvili as the chairman of the ruling party at the congress on November 22. Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania will chair the political council of the party. MP Giorgi Arveladze was re-elected as the Secretary General of the National Movement. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский …
Saakashvili Speaks of Territorial Integrity at Party Congress
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on November 22, while addressing the congress of the ruling National Movement party, that Georgia will be a happy nation, ?but a huge sacrifice will be needed for this.? ?We will be free only after the most beautiful flag in the world will be hang over the Roki Tunnel and …
JCC Agrees on Measures Boosting Demilitarization
The quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) overseeing South Ossetian conflict resolution issues, which held a session on November 19-20 in Russia?s North Ossetian capital Vladikavkaz, hailed the demilitarization process which was launched after November 5 talks between the conflicting sides in Sochi, Regnum news agency reported on November 22. On November 20 the JCC, which involves representatives …
North Ossetian Leader Proposes ‘Favorable Economic Zone’ in South Ossetia
President of Russia’s North Ossetia Alexandre Dzasokhov said on November 20, while speaking at a session of the Joint Control Commission (JCC) in Vladikavkaz, that the creation of a “favorable economic zone” in Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia may help the settlement of the South Ossetian conflict, RIA Novosti news agency reports. “From the northern side, the …
High Expectations Mixed with Disappointment Dominates One Year After
Popular euphoria has receded a year after the Rose Revolution One year after the Rose Revolution most Georgians are still hopeful about the country’s future, but the number of critics of the current leadership is also growing.According to a public opinion survey (survey available in PDF format), conducted by the Tbilisi-based polling firm Georgian Opinion Research Business International …
Meskhetians` Repatriation Issue Still Remains Unsolved
125 000 Muslim Meskhetians were deported from southern Georgia to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on 15 November 1944. In 1999, upon joining the Council of Europe, Georgia committed itself to repatriate the deported Meskhetians before 2012. Georgia has to adopt a law on the return of Meskhetians according to a commitment undertaken by the Georgian …
Ruling Party Holds Congress
The ruling National Movement-Democrats party will hold its first congress after the last year?s Rose Revolution on November 22. The official merger of the two parties ? President Saakashvili?s National Movement and Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania?s United Democrats, which makes up the ruling collation, will be held at the congress. However, Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze, who was …
State Minister Speaks of Three-Step Demilitarization Plan
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava said after talks in frames of Joint Control Commission (JCC) in Vladikavkaz on November 20, that the demilitarization of the South Ossetian conflict zone will be carried out in three stages. He said demilitarization should be launched by dismantling military fortifications in the conflict zone; withdrawal of armored …
21/11/2004 - 16:02
Russia Denies Plotting to Sabotage Georgian Energy System
On November 20 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denied Tbilisi?s allegations that Russian special services are plotting sabotage against the Georgian energy system. RIA Novosti news agency reports that Lavrov, who was speaking at a news conference in the Chilean capital Santiago, said that Georgia and Russia agreed to jointly cooperate in the energy sector and …
Khajimba Rejects Bagapsh’s Proposal to Take PM’s Office
On November 21 Abkhaz pro-governmental presidential contender Raul Khajimba declined the chance to become unrecognized republic’s Prime Minister in opposition presidential candidate Sergey Bagapsh’s government, Itar-Tass news agency reported. Sergey Bagapsh claims victory in the disputed October 3 presidential polls and is preparing for his inauguration, scheduled for December 6. Meanwhile Raul Khajimba is demanding that repeat elections take place. “I …
New Hydro Power Plant Opens in Georgia
The Khadori hydro power plant was put into operation on November 20 in the Pankisi gorge, in eastern Georgia. The Chinese Sichuan Electric Power Import & Export Corporation invested about USD 30 million in the project.Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Energy Minister Nika Gilauri and other officials attended the opening ceremony. The hydro power plant will generate 24 …
20/11/2004 - 17:26
Abkhaz PM Rules out Terrorism Threat from Abkhazia
Abkhaz de facto Prime Minister Nodar Khashba expressed concern over the recent decision by Russia to close its border with Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia. “There is no threat of terrorist attacks from Abkhazia against Russia. The Abkhazian people have always been well-disposed towards Russia and its population,” Apsnypress quotes Khashba as saying at a news briefing on November 19. …
Georgian MP Warns over Possible Sabotage against Energy Facilities
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security, MP Givi Targamadze said at a session of the National Security Council on November 19 that Russian reconnaissance units are plotting to sabotage energy facilities in Georgia. “Groups of South Ossetian saboteurs are being specially set up for this purpose,” Targamadze said. Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze described the …
Two Georgian Peacekeepers Injured in South Ossetia
Two Georgian peacekeepers were injured as a result of a shootout on November 19 near the Georgian village of Tsveriakho in the South Ossetian conflict zone, chief of the Shida Kartli regional police department Aleksandre Sukhitashvili said in a phone conversation with Rustavi 2 television.?It is for sure that the fire was opened by the …
19/11/2004 - 18:35
Abkhaz PM Comments on Crisis
Abkhaz Prime Minister Nodar Khashba, a former Russian Emergency Ministry?s official who became head of the breakaway region?s government after disputed October 3 presidential elections, convened a news conference on November 19 in order to comment on the standoff between the two presidential rivals, opposition-backed Sergey Bagapsh and pro-governmental candidate Raul Khajimba. Nodar Khashba said that …
UN Envoy, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Discuss Abkhazia
Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Loshchinin held talks on November 19 with UN Secretary-General?s Special Representative for Georgia Heidi Tagliavini in Moscow. The Russian Foreign Ministry reports that the sides discussed the recent developments in breakaway Abkhazia, stressing the necessity of restoring stability in the region and the resumption of Georgian-Abkhazian talks. The Abkhaz side rejected …
Georgian State Minister to Discuss Roki Pass with North Ossetian Leader
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava, who is currently visiting Vladikavkaz to participate in a session of the Joint Control Commission, will meet with the President of Russia?s North Ossetian Republic on November 20. ?The issue of joint control of the Roki pass will top the talks with [President Alexander] Dzasokhov. This issue is directly …
Sokhumi Speaks Out Against Mobilization of Georgian Troops at Border
Head of the Security Service of the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia Mikhail Tarba said on November 19 that ?Georgian special services have been mobilized near the Abkhaz border with Georgia.? ?Reserve forces have been mobilized on the opposite side of the Abkhaz border as well,? RIA Novosti reports quoting Mikhail Tarba. He said that the border …
JCC Meets in Vladikavkaz
A meeting of the quadripartite ? Georgian, Russian, South Ossetian and North Ossetian – Joint Control Commission (JCC) regarding resolution of the South Ossetian conflict isbeing held on November 19 in Russia?s North Ossetian capital Vladikavkaz. The meeting was originally scheduled for January 18, but was postponed due to technical problems. Georgian media reported that North Ossetian President …
Russian Press Review on Abkhazia
The Russian press is keeping a watchful eye on the developments in Abkhazia, as the post-election crisis in the unrecognized republic remains deadlocked more than one month after the October 3 elections. The daily Kommersant says that opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh’s main rival has now become Abkhaz Prime Minister Nodar Khashba, as the pro-governmental presidential candidate Raul Khajimba is gradually being forced “out …
Georgian PM Downplays Reports over BTC Problems
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said on November 18 that there is no reason for halting construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The Guardian reported on November 17 that hundreds of joints in one section of the pipeline alone had been found to be defective. The Guardian cited the report by the U.S. consultancy WorleyParsons, which was …
Tbilisi Outrage over Reports of Georgian Link to Beslan Tragedy
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania denounced some Russian media reports over alleged links between Georgia and Beslan hostage-taking tragedy in Russia?s North Ossetian Republic, as ?an insulting for the Georgian people.? According to these media reports resident of Rustavi, a town near the Georgian capital Tbilisi, with the second name Tetradze is allegedly linked to …
Russia Imposes Restrictions on Border with Abkhazia
Russia again closed its border with Georgia?s breakaway Abkhazia on November 18, citing an unstable situation in the unrecognized republic. Itar-Tass news agency reported that the border will be closed every night from 18 pm to 8:00 am Moscow times. The border was already closed once overnight on November 15-16. According to the Itar-Tass, officials …
Abkhaz Parliament Sides with Opposition
A statement adopted by the Abkhaz Parliament on November 17 reads that the November 12 events, which saw the opposition capture the governmental offices in capital Sokhumi, ?can not be regarded as a coup.? By virtue of this statement the Parliament has sided with opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh. Earlier, both outgoing President Vladislav Ardzinba and Prime Minister Nodar …
18/11/2004 - 17:59
Election Watchdogs Oppose New Rules for Composition of CEC
On November 17 five non-governmental organizations sent a letter to President Saakashvili, seeking a meeting with him to express their claims regarding amendments to the election code. The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), the Fair Elections Foundation, the New Generation – New Initiative, the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) and the Liberty Institute together sent a letter …
JCC Gathers in Vladikavkaz
A meeting of the Joint Control Commission (JCC) opens in Russia’s North Ossetian capital, Vladikavkaz, on November 18. The issue of implementation of an agreement, signed by Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and South Ossetian de facto President Eduard Kokoev on November 5 in Sochi envisaging the demilitarization of the conflict zone before November 20, …
Foreign Minister Meets with CoE Delegation
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili met with the Monitoring Group of the Ambassadors of the Council of Europe (CoE) member states on November 17. The issues of rule of law and democratic principles in Georgia and the implementation of the commitments assumed before the Council of Europe were discussed during the talks. ?This organization has always supported us. …
Abkhaz Vice-President Sacked
President of the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba dismissed Vice-President Valery Arshba on November 17, RIA Novosti reports quoting a source from the Moscow-based representation of Abkhazia. ?According to the legislation, he should have fulfilled only particular instructions of the President, however he exceeded his powers,? the source added. Valery Arshba was sacked shortly after he …
Abkhaz Government Undermined by Defiant Interior Ministry Staff
Reports say 2,000 employees of the Abkhaz Interior Minister announced their defiance to Prime Minister of the breakaway region, Nodar Khashba, following a statement by the Chairman of the Abkhaz Parliamentary Chairman Nugzar Ashuba, who recognized opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh as the President-elect of the de facto republic.Vice-President of the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia Valery Arshba said on November …
17/11/2004 - 18:51
EU, OSCE Envoys Visit South Ossetia
European Union?s Special Representative to the South Caucasus countries Heikki Talvitie and Head of OSCE Mission to Georgia Roy Reeve held talks with South Ossetian de facto President Eduard Kokoev in Tskhinvali on November 17. The issue of implementing the November 5 agreement on demilitarization signed by the Georgian Prime Minister and the South Ossetian de …
BTC Expenses Exceed Planned Budget
President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Natig Aliyev said that the expenses for the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline will exceed the planned budget, Turan news agency and Baku Today reported on November 17. Natig Aliyev said over $3 billion has already been spent on the project. It was earlier expected that …
Head of Abkhazian Parliament Speaks of ‘President Bagapsh’
While speaking to reporters in Sokhumi, head of the Abkhazian Parliament Nugzar Ashuba commented over the recent crisis in the region by saying that the Abkhazian people “have already decided who will be the next President–Sergey Bagapsh,” reported the Regum News agency. “It is widely known,” continued Ashuba, “that the elections passed without any serious …
Abkhaz Vice-President: Interior Ministry Announces Disobedience
Vice-President of the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia Valery Arshba said on November 17 that over 2,000 employees of the Abkhaz Interior Ministry announced their defiance to Prime Minister of breakaway region Nodar Khashba, accusing the Abkhaz government of destabilizing the situation in the breakaway region. ?Over 2000 employees of the Interior Ministry, [everyone] except the Minister …
Khajimba Offers Deal to Bagapsh
Raul Khajimba, the Abkhazian pro-governmental presidential candidate, expressed a readiness to withdraw his candidacy if opposition candidate Sergey Bagapsh also makes this similar move and gives up presidential aspirations, RIA Novosti news agency report quoting Khajimba on November 17. No immediate response by the opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh, who claims victory in October 3 presidential elections, is known …
Saakashvili Meets with NGO Leaders
President Mikheil Saakashvili held a three hour meeting with representatives from Georgian civil society organizations on November 16. Discussion was mainly focused on the issues of religion, freedom of speech, human rights and the judicial system. Legal expert Davit Usupashvili said after the meeting with the President that talks “were not sweet.” After the talks the civil …
State Minister: Impossible to Meet Demilitarization Deadline
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava said, on November 17, that the process of demilitarization of the South Ossetian conflict zone can not be completed before November 20, as envisaged by the agreement signed by the Georgian Prime Minister and the South Ossetian de facto President in Sochi on November 5. ?The …
Russian Foreign Minister to Visit Georgia in January
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili told reporters on November 16 that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will probably pay a visit to Georgia in January. ?I am very satisfied with Lavrov?s recent statement, in which he supported Georgia?s territorial integrity. I thank him for this,? Salome Zourabichvili said. In an interview with NTV television on November 14, …
Foreign Minister, EU Envoy Discuss Abkhazia
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili held talks with European Union?s Special Representative to the South Caucasus countries Heikki Talvitie on November 16 and discussed the developments in breakaway Abkhazia. ?It is probably necessary that the European Union responds to and assesses the situation in breakaway Abkhazia, since their silence [lack of an official statement] can be perceived by Russia …
Abkhaz PM Denies Opposition’s Accusations
On November 16 Abkhaz de facto Prime Minister Nodar Khashba denied accusations made by the Abkhaz opposition that “Khashba called on Russia to bring troops to Abkhazia to restore order in the region.” Leaders of the Abkhaz opposition movements Amtsakhara, Aitaira and United Abkhazia sent an appeal to the Russian government on November 16, in which they …
U.S. Reiterates Support to Georgia
On November 16 the U.S. State Department reiterated that the United States is ready to help Georgia with economic development, its fight against corruption and the securing of its borders. ?We’ve certainly worked very well with the government of President Saakashvili in Georgia. We certainly look forward to continuing to work with him and with the government on the …
Georgia Reluctant to Reopening U.S. Citizen Murder Case
Michael Pullara, the lawyer who represents the family of Freddy Woodruff, a murdered officer of the political department of the US Embassy in Tbilisi, insists that his clients’ case be reopened; but the Georgian authorities show no signs of willingness to re-examine the mysterious murder case. Freddy Woodruff, who reportedly was a CIA agent, was shot in August 1993 in …
16/11/2004 - 21:36
Saakashvili: Georgia Focuses on Professional Army
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on November 16 while, speaking at a meeting with the students of the Tbilisi Technical University, that Georgia should have ?professional armed forces.? ?The number of conscripts will be reduced, but great attention will be paid to training reserve forces,? Saakashvili added. ?We can train up to 15 thousand reservists per year,? …
Tskhinvali Hails Demilitarization, But Remains Cautious
On November 16 South Ossetian authorities reported that military fortifications near the Georgian village of Tamarasheni have been removed, as part of the demilitarization process of the conflict zone, envisaged by an agreement reached during the talks in Sochi between Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoev on November 5. Dismantling of the fortifications …
Russia Warns of ‘Wahhabism Threat’ in Pankisi
Russia’s Counter-Terrorism Operations Center in the North Caucasus alleged, on November 16, that there are signs of increasing influence of Wahhabism in Georgia’s Pankisi gorge. Pankisi Gorge in Georgia’s northern mountainous region, which borders Russia’s rebel republic of Chechnya and which was a safe haven for Chechen militants and foreign mercenaries in 2000-2002. However, as the …
State Minister, EU Envoy Discuss South Ossetia
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava held talks over South Ossetia with the European Union?s Special Representative to the South Caucasus countries Heikki Talvitie on November 16. ?The European Union?s principle position regarding Russia will foster the implementation of the agreements achieved by the [conflicting] sides, including that one regarding the demilitarization of …
Russia Claims U.S. Spy Plane Flew over Black Sea
A U.S. maritime surveillance aircraft Orion conducted a flight over the Black Sea in the vicinity of the Caucasus region on November 15, the Interfax news agency reported quoting spokesman for the Russian Air Forces Col. Aleksander Drobishevsky. Last year, flights by a U.S. spy plane U-2 and a NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance plane over …
Russia Closes Border with Georgia’s Breakaway Abkhazia
Russian media reports that Russia temporarily closed the Abkhaz section of the Russian-Georgian border late on November 15. Reportedly, the border should have been opened at 8 a.m. today but it still remains closed. The North Caucasian Regional Department of the Russian Border Guard Service cited its decision as a reaction to the recent developments in breakaway …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)