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Kokoev: Georgia Plans Aggression
President of self-styled South Ossetian Republic Eduard Kokoev, who visits Moscow, said on September 17, that Georgian government “intends to renew aggression against the [South Ossetian] Republic.” “We have information that Georgia located six “Grad” missile systems approximately 15 kilometers away from Tskhinvali [South Ossetian capital],” Eduard Kokoev told RIA Novosti news agency on September …
17/09/2004 - 20:19
Russia Says Terrorists are in Pankisi
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Valeri Loshchinin said on September 17 that ?terrorists still remain on Georgian soil.? ?Yes, there are [terrorist] bases and training centers and there are bandits, especially in Pankisi,? Interfax news agency quoted Valeri Loshchinin as saying. Georgian authorities claim that following an anti-criminal operation that started in 2002 in the Pankisi gorge, which is in …
Saakashvili Pledges Amnesty for Army Deserters
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on September 17 that he is ready to pardon those army deserters gramtomg they enlist in the army now. ?I understand very well why they avoided military service, since there were terrible conditions in the military units. Now the situation has changed for the better and if they show up now, we …
Saakashvili: Russia will not Cut Air Traffic
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told reporters on September 17 that Russia will not prevent Georgian air carriers from entering Russian airspace. Earlier this month the Russian Transport Ministry notified the Georgian Civil Aviation Department that Russia intended to close its airspace to Georgian airlines starting from October 1. Russia quoted the debt of USD 3,6 million owed to the …
Tbilisi Says Putin-Saakashvili Talks were ‘Successful’
Secretary of the National Security Council Gela Bezhuashvili described talks between the Presidents of Russia and Georgia, which were held in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on the sidelines of the CIS Summit on September 16, as “successful.” “The talks can be considered as a turning point in the bilateral relations. Despite particular disputes, the talks …
CIS Summit Reveals Rift in Russo-Georgian Relations
CIS leaders at the press-conference in AstanaPhoto: Russian President’s Press Office A heated exchange of words between the Georgian and Russian Presidents took place at a press-conference following a summit of the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in the Kazakh capital of Astana on September 16, and served as an open demonstration …
U.S. Hails Anti-Terrorism Cooperation with Georgia
The U.S. Department of State reiterated on September 16 that the Georgian authorities ?have shown a lot of success? in dealing with the terrorism threat in Georgia?s north-eastern Pankisi gorge. ?We have been concerned about the situation there, and that is the reason why we undertook a process to train and equip Georgian forces to deal …
Romano Prodi Visits Georgia
President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi will arrive today in the Georgian capital Tbilisi from Azerbaijan, as part of his tour to the South Caucasus countries. Talks with Georgia President Mikheil Saakashvili, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze are scheduled for September 18. In an interview to the RFE/RL, Romano Prodi said …
New Public Defender Appointed
On September 15 the Parliament unanimously approved human rights activist and journalist Sozar Subeliani as Georgia?s new Public Defender (Ombudsman). Sozar Subeliani currently leads the human rights Liberty Institute?s ?Rule of Law” direction and is a long-time journalist with Radio Liberty. The position of the Public Defender has been vacant for a year. Former Public Defender Nana …
16/09/2004 - 19:22
Saakashvili, Putin Meet in Astana
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana in the frames of the CIS Summit on September 16. However, details of the talks are yet unknown. It is anticipated that the Georgian President will comment over the talks upon his arrival in Tbilisi later today. Earlier, on September 16, both …
Opposition Slams Government over South Ossetia
During debates at the parliamentary session on September 16 the opposition accused the Georgian authorities of conducting an ?uncoordinated? and ?unsuccessful? operation in breakaway South Ossetia in August, wherein clashes between the South Ossetian and Georgian forces erupted in the separatist region. The parliamentary debates were initiated by the Rightist Opposition faction, which demanded that the authorities unveil …
NATO to Dispatch Liaison Officer to Georgia
Newly appointed NATO?s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons says that two liaison officers will be permanently stationed in each of the two regions he is appointed to oversee. ?A liaison officer in the Caucasus and a liaison officer who will be permanently stationed in Central Asia, and obviously I’ll work …
U.S. Helps Georgian Law Enforcers with Anti-Cyber Crime Training
The U.S.-funded week-long training was held in Tbilisi for the Georgian officials from the law enforcement agencies over the cyber crime issues.The training, which was coordinated by the newly set up FBI office in Tbilisi, aimed at sharing of the U.S. experience and expertise in fighting cyber crimes. ?Georgia lacks the technical base, as well …
Putin, Saakashvili Spar at CIS Press-Conference
President Saakashvili said on September 16 while speaking at a news briefing in the Kazakh capital, Astana, that restoration of the railway link between Russia and breakaway Abkhazia was inadmissible, while Russian President Putin said that the reopening of the rail link was agreed with the Georgian side. The both Presidents were speaking at a …
Parliament Approves Dispatching of Troops to Afghanistan
The Parliament approved today a decision of the Georgian government to dispatch 50 Georgian soldiers and officers from the 16th Mountain Battalion to Afghanistan under the German command. The Georgian troops have already undergone a two-week training courses in Germany to prepare for a 100-day deployment in Afghanistan. The 16 Sachkhere Mountain Battalion was trained …
U.S. Hails Georgia’s Progress in Religious Freedom
U.S. Department of State annual Report on International Religious Freedom says that Georgia has achieved “significant improvement” in the protection and promotion of religious freedom. “We are always eager to commend nations that have made progress over the past year, and the report’s Executive Summary acknowledges countries, such as Georgia and Turkey, that have adopted good …
Kokoev Calls for “United Ossetia”, Rules Out Integration into Georgia
President of breakaway South Ossetia Eduard Kokoev said, while visiting Moscow on September 15, that South Ossetia should join Russia?s North Ossetia.?It is high time to stop dividing Ossetia into North and South. There is one big, unified Ossetia and Alexander Dzasokhov [the President of Russia?s North Ossetian Republic] should be elected as President of …
15/09/2004 - 18:33
Interior Troops Abolished, Units Merged with the Defense Ministry
At a joint news briefing on September 15 Interior Minister Irakli Okruashvili and Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze announced that the Interior Ministry will pass its combat units ? Internal Troops ? under the command of the Ministry of Defense (MoD). Both Ministers stressed that the move is a part of reform of the Georgian Interior Ministry …
Sokhumi Sets Condition to Resume Talks with Tbilisi
The issue of possible resumption of talks between Georgian and Abkhaz sides was discussed during the talks between Acting Prime Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Astamur Tarba and UN Secretary General?s Special Representative to Georgia, Heidi Tagliavini in Sokhumi on September 14, the Abkhaz news agency Apsnypress reported. The Abkhaz side announced in July that it pulls …
President Putin’s Comments on Georgia
Putin: in the former USSR our partners perceive a special role to be played by Russia.Photo: Russian President’s Press Office Civil Georgia publishes a transcript of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting at Novo Ogarevo with a group of foreign academics and journalist, which took place on September 6, 2004, in the wake of the Beslan …
Opposition MPs Set up New Party
Opposition non-partisan MP Koba Davitashvili said at a news briefing on September 15 that a new, as he put it, ?a western-type political movement? will be set up on the bases of the political party Union of National Forces – Conservatives. The party is currently led by another opposition MP Zviad Dzidziguri. However, Koba Davitashvili refrained …
Energy Minister: ‘Sabotage’ Breaks Down Power Line
Georgian Energy Minister Nika Gilauri described the breakdown on the high-voltage power transmission line Kartli-2 on September 14 as “sabotage.” According to the Minister, unidentified persons exploded the power line, as a result of which power supplies were suspended in Tbilisi and several other regions for several hours. The power transmission line is now under …
Georgia Urges New Russian Peacekeeper Chief for Impartiality
Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze met with Maj.Gen. Murat Kulakhmetov, new commander of the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone, on September 14. The current situation in the breakaway South Ossetia and the issues of further cooperation within the Joint Peacekeeping Troops, which along the Russian forces also includes Georgian and Ossetian …
Russia Bans Bus Traffic, Threatens to Cut Air Flights with Georgia
Russia will prevent Georgian airline companies from entering Russian airspace starting from October 1, 2004. Photo: Airzena Company The Russian decision to bar Georgian bus companies and their intention to prevent Georgian air carrier companies to enter Russian airspace was rerceived in Georgia as a part of Moscow’s increased pressure on Tbilisi. Starting from September 15, …
NATO Appoints Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia
On September 15, NATO Secretary General Japp de Hoof Scheffer announced appointment of Robert F. Simmons Jr., as Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia. NATO official press release reads: “As the Secretary General?s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Mr. Simmons will be responsible for establishing high-level working contacts …
Russian Border Closed for the Georgian Bus Companies
Starting from September 15 Russia prohibited seven Georgian bus companies to carry out passenger traffic between Georgia and Russia.In a statement issued on September 14 the Russian Foreign Ministry denied Georgia?s accusations that Russia imposes blockade on Georgia and explained the move with purely economic reasons, citing the fact that bus traffic is not carried …
Adjarian Interior Minister Sacked
Interior Minister of the Adjara Autonomous Republic Davit Glonti was fired on September 14, reportedly for a failure to curb corruption in police and to reduce crime rate in Adjara. Reportedly, Chief Prosecutor of Adjara Giorgi Papuashvili will replace Davit Glonti on Interior Minister?s position. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Georgia Urges EU to Press Russia over Border Security Issues
Speaking at the news briefing in Brussels on September 14, Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili urged the European Union to boost its role in the Caucasus region and to hold direct talks with Russia over the border security issues. “I’ve been pleading here for the EU to raise this question with Russia,” Reuters reports, quoting Georgian …
Saakashvili Left for CIS Summit
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is in Kazakh capital Astana to participate in the summit of the leaders of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on September 16. It is not known yet, whether he will hold bilateral talks with the Russian President Vladimir Putin during the summit. Georgian media reported that Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, …
Tskhinvali Against Expanded OSCE Observation
South Ossetian side is against of expanding the number of the OSCE military observes in the conflict zone from current five to twenty. According to the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee, Foreign Minister of unrecognized South Ossetian Republic Murad Jioyev expressed the South Ossetian side?s objections over expansion of OSCE observation during the talks …
14/09/2004 - 19:00
Russian Peacekeepers to Hold Maneuvers in South Ossetia
Russian peacekeeping forces, stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone will launch two-day military exercises on September 15. The Press and Information Committee of the unrecognized South Ossetian Republic reported that, the maneuvers will be held near the Ossetian village of Prisi on the firing ground of the Russian peacekeeping troops. According to the South …
U.S. Ambassador’s Controversial Statement Confuses Tbilisi
The puropose of Richar Miles’ statement remainsunclear. On September 13, US Ambassador Richard Miles unexpectedly stated that a “few international terrorists” are still present near Georgia’s north-eastern mountainous Pankisi gorge, which lies on the Russian border. The statement was later denied by the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, thus it caused some confusion …
Defense Minister Confirms Violation of Georgia’s Airspace
Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze confirmed on September 14 the reports over violation of Georgia’s air space by Russian military helicopters. “Four military helicopters really penetrated into Georgia’s air space early on September 14. They flew over the Kodori gorge [the only territory in breakaway Abkhazia under the Georgian authorities’ control] within 10 minutes and …
Controversial Reports over Violation of Georgian Airspace
Conflicting reports are coming in about the alleged violation of the Georgian airspace by the Russian aircrafts on September 14. The Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze has already condemned the incident, while the Georgian Defense Ministry official denied the report. According to the Georgian media reports Russian aircraft, allegedly Mi-8 multipurpose helicopters flew over Kodori gorge, …
Political Tension – a Blow for Ossetian, Georgian NGO Cooperation
The recent developments in Georgia’s breakaway region of South Ossetia, particularly armed conflicts between the Georgian and Ossetian sides in August, which led to casualties from the both sides, have negatively affected the relationship between the Georgian and South Ossetian non-governmental organizations. As a result, this cooperation, which was developing for past decade has practically …
EU-Georgian Cooperation Council Meets in Brussels
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili will today leave for Brussels to attend the sixth session of the Cooperation Council between the European Union and Georgia on September 14. She will be accompanied by Tamar Beruchashvili, State Minister for European Integration Issues, Giorgi Khaindrava, State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues and Tamar Kovziridze, Deputy Minister of …
U.S. Department of State: Pankisi “No Longer a Haven for Terrorists.”
Richard Boucher, a spokesman of the U.S. State Department said in a statement issued on September 13, that Georgia?s Pankisi gorge was “no longer a haven for terrorists.” This announcement followed the statement made by U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles, who said earlier on September 13 that ?there are few international terrorists in the …
Putin Reiterates Readiness to Hit the Terrorists ?Abroad?
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 13, that Russia has a right to take pre-emptive strikes to “destroy criminals in their hideouts and, if necessary, abroad.” The Russian President was speaking at the special session of the government, which was attended by the regional governors of the Russian Federation. At the session he announced …
13/09/2004 - 20:51
U.S. Provides Georgia with Border Control System
U.S. Ambassador Richard Miles and Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Okruashvili signed on September 13 a Memorandum of Intent, which envisages providing Georgia with the PISCES computer network at border points of entry, aiming at strengthening Georgia’s borders, the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi reported. PISCES, or “Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System”, is …
U.S. Ambassador Says Terrorists Remain in Pankisi
Several units of internal troops are still stationed in Pankisi gorge. U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles said on September 13, “there are still a few international terrorists in the vicinity of the Pankisi Gorge,” in northern mountainous part of Georgia near the Russian border. Georgian officials made no comment regarding the U.S. Ambassador’s statement …
U.S. Ambassador: ?Few International Terrorists? are in Pankisi Gorge
U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles said on September 13, ?there are still a few international terrorists in the vicinity of the Pankisi Gorge,? in northern mountainous part of Georgia near the Russian border. U.S. Ambassador was speaking on September 13, after signing an agreement with Georgian Interior Minister Irakli Okruashvili, which will strengthen Georgia’s borders …
Russia Replaced its Envoy to JCC
Valerie Kenyaikin, Russian Foreign Ministry?s Special Ambassador, was appointed on September 10 as a new representative of Russia to the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) for South Ossetian conflict resolution, Russian news agencies reported on September 13. Valerie Kenyaikin replaced Mikhail Maiorov at JCC, which also involves Georgian, South Ossetian and North Ossetian sides. This …
‘Geographical Extension’ of OSCE Mandate in South Ossetia not Foreseen
OSCE might increase the number of its military observers in the South Ossetian conflict zone. Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili met her Bulgarian counterpart Solomon Passy, who also is the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, in Sofia on September 10, in a bid to secure more international support in resolving the South Ossetian conflict. But Georgia’s request regarding …
OSCE Assists Georgia to Increase Security of Prison System
The OSCE is assisting the Georgian Justice Ministry in strengthening prison security management with a week-long training programme for senior prison security personnel which started on September 13, the OSCE Mission to Georgia reported. Eighteen high-ranking professionals will attend the course, led by international experts who will be focusing on security strategy and treatment of …
Interior Minister Talks Tough at Internal Troops’ Parade
4,000 soldiers and officers of the internal troops held a military parade on September 12 to mark 13-year anniversary of the internal troops of Georgia, in Kareli District, which is near the South Ossetian conflict zone. “29 kilometers away from here, there are positions of our enemy [referring to breakaway South Ossetia]. You are the …
12/09/2004 - 18:23
State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Visits Moscow
Goga Khaindrava, the Georgian State Minister in charge of the conflict resolution issues left for the Russian capital Moscow on September 12. Talks with the representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry and National Security Council are scheduled during the visit. Situation in breakaway South Ossetia, as well as unrecognized Abkhazian Republic will be discussed during …
Saakashvili Threatens to Confiscate Moscow’s Mayor’s Assets in Abkhazia
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on September 10 that the assets, illegally purchased in Georgia?s breakaway Abkhazia, will be confiscated. ?It regards any officials, whether it is Yuri Luzhkov [Mayor of Moscow] or other, the property, which is stolen, cannot be considered as legal,? President Saakashvili said. Saakashvili said that Luzhkov had assets in Adjara …
11/09/2004 - 17:23
Ex-Refugee Minister Sentenced to Pretrial Detention
Court sentenced today Valerie Vashakidze, former Minister of Refugees and Accommodation, to three-month pretrial detention. Vashakidze was arrested on September 8, charged with abuse of office. Valerie Vashakidze, who served as Minister of Refugees and Accommodation in 1995-2003, is accused of issuing fake IDs of internally displaced persons (IDPs); as a result more than 2,000 …
Vigil at Freedom Square to Commemorate Beslan Victims
Dozens of people gathered at the Freedom Square in capital Tbilisi on September 10 to commemorate those who died as a result of a terrorist act in Russia’s North Ossetian town of Beslan. A condolence event, which lasted 15 minutes, was organized by the non-governmental organization Youths of Georgia. Participants lit candles and paid condolence …
Resuming Abkhazia Railway Link, Russia Strengthens its Hand Versus Tbilisi
Resumption of railway in Abkhazia further increase tensions between Tbilisi and Moscow. On September 10 the railway link between Moscow and the capital of Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia was re-opened, bringing 200 Abkhaz residents to Moscow via the Russian town of Adler. The Georgian Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian Ambassador to Georgia, Vladimir Chkhikvishvili, to express …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)