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9 Policemen Injured in Clash with Protesters in Adjara
The riot police of Adjara Autonomous Republic stormed the market building in the center of Batumi early on September 1, in an attempt to disperse traders, who are protesting against the decision of local authorities to remove market and replace it in the suburb of the Adjarian capital. Interior Minister of the Autonomous Republic Davit …
01/09/2004 - 18:25
Georgia Condemns Terrorist Acts in North Ossetia, Moscow
The Georgian Foreign Ministry expressed today its ?extreme concern? over the terrorist acts in Russia?s capital, Moscow on August 31 and hostage-taking in Russia?s North Ossetian Republic on September 1. Gunmen attackers seized a school in a Beslan city of North Ossetia and held hostages, reportedly including at least 120 children. The assault came a …
Foreign Ministry Instructs Newly-Appointed Ambassadors
The Georgian Foreign Ministry hosts a seminar on September 1-2 for the newly-appointed ambassadors of Georgia. The senior aims to instruct the newly appointed Georgian ambassadors over Georgia’s principle tasks and priorities in the fields of politics, economy, information and culture, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported. Georgia abroad is represented by: Konstantine Zhgenti – in Austria …
Kokoev Visits North Ossetia, Amid Hostage-Taking Crisis
President of Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia Eduard Kokoev left for neighboring Russia?s North Ossetian Republic on September 1 after the gunmen stormed school building in the North Ossetian town of Beslan taking around 120 hostages, mainly the pupil. ?He [Eduard Kokoev] left [for North Ossetia] to express our readiness to help the North Ossetian people …
Blast Reportedly Kills Russian, Ossetian Peacekeepers
One Russian and one Ossetian peacekeeper died in a mine explosion near the Georgian village of Kekhvi in the South Ossetian conflict zone on August 31, the Georgian Interior Ministry reported. However, neither South Ossetian, nor Russian side confirmed the report so far. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Tbilisi to Push South Ossetia Status in case of Top-Level Talks
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania told reporters on August 31, that the status of breakaway South Ossetia should be the only subject of discussion in case of his negotiations with President of self-styled republic Eduard Kokoev. “We were pushing the issue of bilateral meeting in order to achieve a ceasefire in the conflict zone. The …
Leading Russian MP Visits Tskhinvali
Senior Russian MP Dmitri Rogozin, the leader of the parliamentary faction ?Rodina? (Homeland), met with President of the self-styled South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoev in the capital of breakaway region Tskhinvali on August 31. ?Residents of South Ossetia are citizens of the Russian Federation; hence the Russian Duma Council [lower chamber of the Parliament] can …
31/08/2004 - 18:37
Pulling Back Troops, Georgia Calls for European Help
Reposted from Central Asia – Caucasus Analyst President Mikheil Saakashvili’s decision to pull back his troops from South Ossetia is almost desperate cry for the political assistance from the European powers. Georgia is ready to accept suboptimal solutions with regards to peacekeeping, but return to the pre-July status quo is no longer acceptable. If no …
Putin Meddles in Abkhazia Presidential Race
Raul Khajimba (left) and Vladimir Putin. Photo: Russian President’s Press Office A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of the unrecognized Abkhaz Republic Raul Khajimba, who will run for President of the breakaway republic during the October 3 elections, made it clear to Tbilisi that Khajimba is the most likely candidate to …
Chief of Chamber of Commerce Resigns
Erosi Kitsmarishvili, the President of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, filed resignation on August 31. Kitsmarishvili made no comments regarding the decision so far and the reasons of this resignation remain unclear yet. Erosi Kitsmarishvili was appointed as the President of the Chamber of Commerce on February 24. He was founder of one …
Hostage-Taking Incident Ends in South Ossetia
The Georgian side released a group of South Ossetians on August 31, after Ioseb Maisuradze, a resident of the Georgian village of Eredvi in the conflict zone, was released by the South Ossetian side, the Georgian media reported. Ioseb Maisuradze was detained by the South Ossetian militias late on August 30 claiming that he was …
CEC Launches Registration of MP Candidates for By-Elections
Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC) launched registration of candidates running for the by-elections in Tbilisi?s two ? Krtsanisi and Didube, constituencies as well as in Gori and Zestaponi provincial constituencies, scheduled for October 24. Only Jumber Patiashvili, who led the Ertoba political movement and who was the Georgian communist leader in late 80s, has applied …
Ex-Chief of Abkhaz Government-in-Exile Passes Away
Tamaz Nadareishvili, 50, former chairman of the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile died with heart attack on late on August 31. Tamaz Nadareishvili chaired the Supreme Council of Abkhazia, which is composed of Georgian members of the government that fled the breakaway region in 1993, for more than ten years. He was known for his hard-line stance …
Georgian Speaker Condemns Putin-Khajimba Talks
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze condemned meeting between the Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister breakaway Abkhazia Raul Khajimba, which took place in the southern Russian city of Sochi on August 29. Raul Khajimba is one of the favorite candidates running for the internationally denounced presidential elections in the unrecognized republic, scheduled for October …
30/08/2004 - 18:01
NGOs adopt the ‘Kazbegi Declaration’ to address the situation in breakaway South Ossetia
A working meeting of NGOs and experts dealing with the problems of the Georgian-Ossetian relations was held on July 27-28, 2004 in Kazbegi. The meeting was organized within the framework of a DRC supported project “Development of dialogue between communities, on a basis of practical peace building”. The meeting aimed at strengthening the process of …
Firebrand Russian MP Protests at Georgian Embassy in Moscow
Ultranationalist Russian MP Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the Vice-Speaker of the Russian Duma Council, lower chamber of Parliament, and his couple of dozen supporters held a protest rally outside the Georgian embassy in Moscow on August 30. The protest rally in support of Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia was prevailed by anti-Georgian slogans. ?South Ossetia and …
GEL Goes Up
ID will be necessary to exchange currency The Georgian Lari rose this month against the US dollar and was trading at $1.8 as of August 30. This is the highest level of the Georgian Lari (GEL) against the USD for the last three years. The GEL has also rose against the Euro, dropping from 2.7 …
Georgia Rotates Peacekeepers in South Ossetia
Georgian internal troops, which were stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone as a part of the joint ? Georgian-Russian-Ossetian ? peacekeeping forces, have been rotated and replaced by the Georgian Defense Ministry?s elite troops. The Georgian, Russian and Ossetian sides have 500 peacekeepers each deployed in the conflict zone. Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze …
Russian President Met with Abkhaz de facto Prime Minister
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Prime Minster of breakaway Abkhazia Raul Khajimba in the southern Russian city of Sochi on August 29, Russian news agency Interfax reported. Putin’s spokesman Aleksey Gromov said, the issue of social assistance for the II World War veterans living in Abkhazia was discussed during a brief meeting. Raul …
U.S. Doubles Funding to Prevent Biological Threat in Georgia
The Georgian and U.S. sides will sign an agreement on August 30 envisaging increase funding from the United States for biological weapons proliferation prevention and biological threat reduction from $15 million to $30 million. The money will be spent to improve storage facilities and research labs working with biologically hazardous materials, the U.S. Embassy in …
Georgia Sends Troops to Afghanistan
50 Georgian soldiers and officers from the 16th Mountain Battalion departed on August 29 to Germany for a two-week training courses to prepare for a 100-day deployment in Afghanistan. The 16 Sachkhere Mountain Battalion was trained by the U.S. military instructors in frames of the Georgia Train-and-Equip Program and later underwent British-funded training courses for …
29/08/2004 - 18:23
Tbilisi, Moscow Exchange Strong-Worded Statements
In response to the Russian Foreign Ministry?s strong-worded statement, the Georgian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on August 27 saying that Moscow ?lost the sense of proportion and are making absolutely irresponsible and groundless statements.? The Russian Foreign Ministry denounced Georgia?s ?military rhetoric? and said that Georgian officials? statements ?are not even worth of commenting …
28/08/2004 - 12:02
EU Grants ?4 Million for Abkhazia Conflict Victims
The European Commission has approved a ?4 million humanitarian aid package to support vulnerable people in Georgia, affected by the conflict in breakaway Abkhazia, according to the press release issued by the EU on August 27. The recipients will include internally displaced persons currently living in Georgia as well as vulnerable groups in Abkhazia. Assistance …
27/08/2004 - 19:20
Saakashvili Left for Athens
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili left for an unofficial visit to Athens, Greece on August 27-30. Mikheil Saakashvili will attend the competition of the Georgian freestyle wrestlers at the Olympic Games. On August 26, Mikheil Saakashvili hailed the Georgia?s achievements at the Olympic Games. At the moment Georgia has a total of four Olympic medals ? …
Army Sabotage Suspects Arrested
Three servicemen – logistic chief of the Osiauri military unit and Interior Ministry?s two officials were arrested for alleged misappropriation of the ammunition and other military equipment from the Georgian military unit in the village of Osiauri, near the South Ossetian conflict zone. News broke in the wake of pullout of the Georgian troops from …
Moscow Furious over Non-Stop Rally outside its Embassy in Tbilisi
In a statement issued on August 27 the Russian Foreign Ministry categorically demanded to stop ?noisy and provocative non-stop rally? outside the Russian embassy in Tbilisi, which has been continuing more than a week. A protest rally, which is organized by a group of Georgian computer programmers, demands withdrawal of the Russian troops from Georgia. …
Tbilisi, Tskhinvali Exchange Prisoners
Authorities in breakaway South Ossetia released on August 26 Georgian hostage Giorgi Khatashvili, who was kidnapped from Georgia?s Kareli district, which borders with the breakaway region. In exchange Georgian authorities released South Ossetian Genadi Bakaev, who was arrested by the Georgia law enforcers in the breakaway region for alleged transportation of arms. This post is …
Cabinet Finalizes Draft Tax Code
Georgian cabinet finalized draft of the new tax code on August 26 during the session held in Batumi, the capital of Adjara Autonomous Republic. As anticipated the draft considers cutting down number of taxes from 22 to 9. The rates of some of the taxes will also be reduced. According to the draft tax code, …
Saakashvili: Corruption Persists among ‘Lower Level Officials’
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on August 26, that the corruption has shifted from the high-level governmental officials to the “lower levels.” “I can say that the cabinet members are not corrupted. But I can not say the same about the lower level officials,” the President said while addressing the cabinet session, which was held …
26/08/2004 - 19:52
Georgia Demands from Russia Training Ground’s Handover
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on August 26 that Russia should hand over training ground in Gonio, Adjara Autonomous Republic, to the Georgian side. That facility is currently used by the Russian military base deployed in the Adjarian capital Batumi. ?By the next spring Gonio training ground should be handed over to Georgia, or we …
Saakashvili Reshuffles Leadership of Armed Forces, Calls for Reserve Army Buildup
Ex-Chief of Staff says the army units in South Ossetia succeeded while fulfilling mission. In the wake of the Georgian troops’ pullback from breakaway South Ossetia, Georgian President reshuffled leadership of the armed forces, as well as announced that Georgia should have “tens of thousands of army reservists” ready to repel foreign aggression. Meanwhile, Russia …
Saakashvili Calls for Reserve Forces Buildup
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on August 25, ?Georgia should have tens of thousands of army reservists.? He said, while speaking in western Georgian sea resort of Grigoleti on Thursday, that special reservist centers will be set up in ?every region and district in Georgia.? ?Each of the reservists will be registered; the state will …
British Airways to Resume Flights in Georgia
The British Mediterranean Airways, which is a franchise partner to British Airways, will resume Tbilisi-London flights after a break of 18 months starting from November 1. In a statement issued on August 25, the British Airways that the service will feature two flights a week, on Monday and Saturday and the schedule allows passengers to …
Russia Denounces Tbilisi’s “Military Rhetoric”
In a statement issued on August 25, the Russian Foreign Ministry said “after the failed military adventure” in breakaway South Ossetia, Georgia started “to look for an inexistent ‘foreign enemy’… with hints and accusations aimed at ‘the northern neighbor’ – supposedly the source of all problems and conflicts in Georgia.” “Military rhetoric prevails in the …
New Chief of Staff Appointed
President Saakashvili said on August 25 that Vakhtang Kapanadze was appointed as a new Chief of Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, replacing Givi Iukuridze. Kapanadze previously served as Iukuridze?s deputy. Georgian President explained reshuffle with ?the restructuring of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.? ?The new leadership of the General Staff will be …
25/08/2004 - 20:11
Ex-Chief of Staff Becomes Military Attach? to Russia
Chief of Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Major General Givi Iukuridze will become Georgia?s military attach? to Russia, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania told reporters on August 25. Early on August 25 Zhvania confirmed that Iukuridze was dismissed. In separate comments made later on the same day Zhvania said that President Saakashvili was ?dissatisfied with …
BTC Security Exercises Launched in Azerbaijan
Officers from Georgian, Turkey and Azerbaijan hold joint command and control exercise in Azerbaijan to increase security guarantees for the strategic Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry only 5 Georgian officers, instead of planned 16, participate in the exercises, because of tensions in Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia. Annual BTC security exercises are …
Chief of Staff Iukuridze Sacked
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania confirmed on August 25, that Chief of Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Major General Givi Iukuridze will be dismissed. The Georgian Prime Minister told reporters in Batumi that Givi Iukuridze will be appointed as Georgia?s military attach?; however he did not specify to which country. Prime Minister did not comment …
Saakashvili: Georgia Wants Peace with Russia
President Saakashvili said on August 24 after talks with Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig M?ller in Tbilisi, that Georgia ?does not want to be engaged in any kind of conflict with Russia.? Situation in breakaway South Ossetia topped the agenda during the talks between the Georgian President and Danish Foreign Minister. ?We know that Russia …
Cabinet Discusses Tax Code
Cabinet members will meet in Adjara Autonomous Republic on August 25 to finalize new, liberalized tax code, which is expected to be submitted to the Parliament for approval next week. President Saakashvili left for Batumi, Adjarian capital, on August 25 to participate in the cabinet session. The privatization of the state-run enterprises in Adjara will …
Russian Embassy in Tbilisi Annoyed with Ongoing Rally
The Russian Embassy in Tbilisi sent a protest note to the Georgian government complaining regarding the ongoing protest rally outside the embassy building; however the Georgian side made no response to the protest note so far. A protest rally, organized by a group of Georgian computer programmers, which was launched outside the Russian embassy last …
Russia Denies Buildup of its Military at Georgian Border
Russian Defense Ministry denied Tbilisi?s accusations that it has dispatched additional troops in its North Ossetian Republic, amid tensions in the Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia. Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security MP Givi Targamadze said at a news briefing on August 24 that ?Russia was ready for large-scale, direct military intervention? in …
24/08/2004 - 20:45
EU Envoy Visited Tskhinvali
EU special representative to the South Caucasus countries Heikki Talvitie upon his arrival from the breakaway South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali on August 24, there are ?real chances? to start a political dialogue between the conflicting sides. He said that the tensions in the conflict zone were relatively defused after the Georgian side?s decision to unilaterally …
Georgia Accuses Russia of Possible Military Intervention
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security MP Givi Targamadze said at a news briefing on August 24 that ?Russia was ready for large-scale, direct military intervention? in the South Ossetian conflict and alleged that ?aggression [by Russia] seems to be inevitable.? ?Up to 40 combat helicopters, around 80 infantry combat and armored vehicles, as well …
Saakashvili: Troops’ Pullout Strengthened Georgia’s Position
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili denied the allegations that his governement’s decision to withdraw Georgia’s extra troops from breakaway South Ossetian was a result of failure in the fighting that erupted in the conflict zone on August 12. The South Ossetian side welcomed Tbilisi’s decision to pull out its troops; however they also described the move as “a retreat after …
Tbilisi Concerned Over Buildup of South Ossetian Military
Breakaway South Ossetia has been quiet since August 20, after Georgian forces not part of the peacekeeping troops stationed there pulled out from the conflict zone; but peace is still very fragile as both conflicting sides have failed to shape a lasting political settlement of the conflict.The Georgian side has already accused the authorities of …
Georgia Wants to Convene JCC over South Ossetia
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava, who represents the Georgian side at the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC), which monitors peace in the South Ossetian conflict zone, demanded on August 23 to convene the session of the JCC, the Georgian media reported. In his letter sent to the co-chairman of the JCC, …
Georgia Seeks International Involvement in South Ossetia
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava said, after talks with EU?s special representative to the South Caucasian countries Heikki Talvitie on August 23, that more active involvement on behalf of the international community in the South Ossetian conflict settlement is one of Tbilisi?s top priorities. ?Active involvement by international organizations, demilitarization of the conflict zone and …
23/08/2004 - 19:49
EU, Russian Envoys Discuss South Ossetia
Visiting EU special representative for the South Caucasus countries Heikki Talvitie met with Russian Ambassador to Georgia Vladimir Chkhikvishvili in Tbilisi on August 23 in order to discuss the recent developments in South Ossetian. ?The conflict should be solved only through peaceful means,? Heikki Talvitie told reporters after the meeting. After talks with the Georgian …
EU Special Envoy Visits Georgia
European Union?s special envoy to the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie arrived in Tbilisi on August 23 to discuss the situation in breakaway South Ossetia with the Georgian authorities. Heikki Talvitie will also visit the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali and hold talks with the local authorities of the self-styled republic. This post is also available in: …
Page 620 of 763
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)