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Georgia to Increase Defense Spending
The government agreed on July 28 to amendments to the law on the state budget for 2004, which envisage increasing budgetary expenditures by 228 million Lari (approximately USD 119 million). According to official reports, the increased expenditures will be allocated to the defense and social sectors. Out of this 228 million the defense and law-enforcement agencies will receive …
29/07/2004 - 12:42
OSCE Condemns Opening Fire on Georgian Village in South Ossetia
The OSCE Mission to Georgia expressed its concern regarding the developments in breakaway South Ossetia, particularly concerning the an incident that occurred in the early hours of July 28 in the Georgia village of Tamarasheni in the conflict zone. ?The incident at Tamarasheni was a substantial increase in the duration and ferocity of fire, including the use of under-barrel …
Georgian Foreign Minister to Address OSCE over South Ossetia
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili will address the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on July 29 over the situation in Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetian region. Georgian officials say that Salome Zourabichvili will urge OSCE?s to increase its role in resolving the conflict in South Ossetia. Georgian officials envisage monitoring of the Roki Pass and the …
Georgia Urges UN for Decisive Action in Abkhazia
In his letter to the UN Security Council the Georgian Ambassador to the United Nations, Revaz Adamia, calls on the Security Council to take a ?firm position? and ?decisive actions? in order to foster the settlement of the conflict in Georgia?s breakaway Abkhazia. ?We would like to reiterate that Georgia is committed to the peaceful …
28/07/2004 - 21:44
Georgian Ambassador’s Letter to the UN Security Council over Abkhazia
New York, 26 July 2004 Excellency,I have the honour to write to you and, through you, to draw attention of the Security Council to the recent developments in the conflict resolution process in Abkhazia, Georgia and to highlight some of the changes and achievements that have taken place in Georgia under the new Government, particularly …
Tbilisi, Tskhinvali Blame One Another for Shelling
On July 28 Georgian officials denied the accusations by Eduard Kokoev, de facto President South Ossetian self-styled republic, that the Georgian side opened fire on Ossetian villages in the conflict zone. Kokoev, who is visiting Moscow, said at a news briefing that Georgian troops shelled adjacent areas of the capital Tskhinvali on July 28. The Georgian media reported on July 28 that the South …
Kokoev Says Tbilisi Offered Deal in Exchange for Giving up Power
President of the self-styled South Ossetian Republic Eduard Kokoev said at a news briefing in Moscow on July 28 that Georgian officials offered him USD 20 million and a high position in the Georgian cabinet in exchange for giving up power in South Ossetia. ?This offer was made in January by several Georgian officials including Deputy …
Georgian, Israeli Presidents Hold Talks
Visiting Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said after talks with his Israeli counterpart Moshe Katsav on July 27 that Georgia will grant dual Georgian citizenship to those Israelis who emigrated from Georgia after the fall of the Soviet Union. Moshe Katsav said at a joint news briefing after his talks with the Georgian President that Israel is …
BP Chief, Georgian President Discuss BTC
Lord Browne, the BP chief executive, has been in contact with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili over problems regarding the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline and confirmed that construction at the Borjomi section of the route in western Georgia has stopped, the Guardian reported on July 28. He said there were “security” issues to be dealt with and also …
New Peace Process Needed for South Ossetia
Reposted from EurasiaNet A relative degree of calm may have returned to South Ossetia in recent weeks, but the ongoing rumblings from both Tbilisi and Moscow only emphasize the need for a new mechanism to hold the peace in this remote region. Rather than facilitating an end to the conflict, the 1992 cease-fire agreement that …
OSCE Special Envoy Visits South Ossetia
Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Zhelyu Zhelev visited Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia on July 27 and held talks with the authorities of the self-styled republic in the capital Tskhinvali. Zhelyu Zhelev also met with the Commander of Russian peacekeepers deployed in the conflict zone, Svyatoslav Nabzdorov. ?The vision of the Ossetian side regarding the …
27/07/2004 - 19:04
Georgia Seeks Increased Role for OSCE in South Ossetia
Georgian State Minister Goga Khaindrava, who is in charge of the conflict resolution issues, told Civil Georgia on July 27 that Georgia will push to increase OSCE’s involvement in the resolution of the South Ossetian conflict at the organization?s Permanent Council session. Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili will address a special session of the OSCE Permanent …
Georgia Seeks Alternative Gas Supply from Iran
Georgian officials say Tbilisi considers Iran as an alternative gas supplier for Georgia, which currently depends only the Russian giants GazProm and Itera for its gas supply. Officials say that the project is a long-term one and may be launched as early as next year. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili discussed this issue during his visit to Iran in early …
Saakashvili Visits Israel
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will leave on July 27 for Israel for a four-day official visit. During the visit Saakashvili will hold meetings with his Israeli counterpart Moshe Katsav, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and other officials. It is anticipated that, among other issues, President Saakashvili will discuss the incident over the defacing of the Georgian fresco in …
Tbilisi Links Restoration of Railway in Abkhazia to Return of IDPs
Restoration of the railway route between Russia and Armenia via Georgia?s breakaway Abkhazia was discussed during the talks between visiting Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan and his Georgian counterpart Zurab Zhvania in Tbilisi on July 27.However, Georgia maintains its stance over this issue and links the restoration of the railway via Abkhazia to the return …
Environmental Concerns Halt BTC
Authorities demand better environmental security guarantees for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Construction of the strategic Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline was halted for at least two weeks on July 22 after the Georgian authorities demanded the tightening of environmental security measures along the 17-km long section of the pipeline that passes through the ecologically sensitive Borjomi …
Breakaway Abkhazia Holds Military Maneuvers
Authorities in Georgia?s breakaway Abkhazia are holding military exercises, according to Russian news agencies. De facto Abkhaz Defense Minister Vladislav Eshba told the RIA Novosti news agency that the military exercises, which will last for a week, aim at increasing combat readiness of the Abkhazian troops. Vladislav Eshba also said that the UN Observers Mission to …
26/07/2004 - 20:53
Government to Increase Budgetary Expenditures
Today the government discussed amendments to the law on the state budget for 2004, which envisage increasing budgetary expenditures by GEL 220 million (approximately USD 110 million). “This is a precedent in the history of independent Georgia–instead of cutting expenditures the government offers Parliament to increase budgetary expenditures. This is possible because of increased budgetary revenues” Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said …
OSCE Envoy Discusses South Ossetia with Georgian Leadership
Visiting Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Zhelyu Zhelev met with Georgia President Mikheil Saakashvili and Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze in Tbilisi on July 26. The situation in Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia was discussed during the talks. Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze proposed OSCE to monitor the Roki Pass, linking South Ossetia with Russia’s North Ossetian …
Russian Citizen Detained in South Ossetia Sentenced to Custody
A court in Tbilisi sentenced Russian citizen Vyacheslav Kuznetsov, who was detained by the Georgian authorities in breakaway South Ossetia on July 22, to three months pre-trial detention. Vyacheslav Kuznetsov, who is one of the leaders of the Cossack unit in southern Russia, is accused of illegaly crossing the Russo-Georgian border. Authorities in breakaway South Ossetia make …
South Ossetian Leader Visits Moscow
Russian media sources reported on July 26 that de facto President of Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia Eduard Kokoev is visiting Moscow. He will participate in a round table discussion on “the Ways for a Peaceful Solution of the South Ossetian Conflict,” scheduled for July 27 in the office of the Russian daily Izvestia in Moscow. No …
Controversy Persists over Commander of Russian Peacekeepers in South Ossetia
Despite Georgian officials’ demands to replace Sviatoslav Nabzdorov, the commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces in the South Ossetian conflict zone, Moscow is showing no willingness to speed up the rotation procedure. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters on July 25 that the replacement of the commander of the Russian peacekeeping troops in the conflict zone “is …
Q&A with MP Giga Bokeria over South Ossetia
On July 23 Civil Georgia interviewed the influential MP Giga Bokeria of the ruling National Movement-Democrats regarding how his party and the Georgian government hopes to find a solution to the South Ossetian problem. Mr. Bokeria is a close associate of President Mikheil Saakashvili and one of the leaders of the ruling party’s parliamentary faction. …
Armenian PM Visits Georgia
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan arrived in Georgia on July 25 for an official two day visit. He will discuss bilateral economic ties with his Georgian counterpart Zurab Zhvania, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and other officials. A session of the bilateral governmental commission on economic issues is also scheduled during the Prime Minister’s visit. Georgian Foreign Minister Salome …
Georgia Returns Seized Arms to Russia
Georgian authorities handed over a couple of hundred helicopter-born unguided missiles, that have been in their possession since July 7, to the Russian authorities on July 24 at the Larsi checkpoint on the Russo-Georgian border. Two trucks carrying weapons, which belonged to the Russian peacekeepers deployed in breakaway South Ossetian conflict zone, were confiscated by the Georgian …
25/07/2004 - 21:29
Opposition MPs Demand Pullout of Russian Peacekeepers
Opposition non-partisan MPs Koba Davitashvili and Zviad Dzidziguri, backed by suppporters, held a protest rally in front of the Russian Embassy to Georgia on July 23. They demanded the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping troops from the Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflict zones, since “their presence does not promote the settlement of conflicts” in Georgia. “The …
24/07/2004 - 13:22
UN Calls for ‘Substantive Dialogue’ over Abkhazia
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said in his latest report on the situation in Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia that “despite some practical cooperation between the two sides [Georgian and Abkhaz], there has been no substantive dialogue on key issues and human rights and the area remains in peril.” Kofi Annan welcomes the discussions on security …
Saakashvili Meets With Foreign Diplomats
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is holding a meeting with foreign diplomats accredited in Georgia. The recent developments in Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia are being discussed at the current talks. This is the second time the Georgian authorities have held talks with foreign diplomats this month. In early July Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania also discussed South Ossetia with foreign diplomats. …
23/07/2004 - 18:51
BTC Construction Halted in Western Georgia
The British Petroleum (BP) company, which heads the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil export pipeline, has suspended construction works in the Borjomi valley of western Georgia for two weeks as requested by the Ministry of the Environment of Georgia. “We are seeking the observation of stricter environmental safety measures. The Borjomi district is of …
Planned Rotation Launched in Tskhinvali Region
A convoy of old military equipment, belonging to the North Ossetian peacekeeping battalion, is ready to be dispatched to Russia as part of a scheduled rotation. Russia has already dispatched new armored vehicles to Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia for the North Ossetian peacekeepers, who are part of the joint peacekeeping forces there. The Georgian and …
EU High Representative Hails Launch of ‘Rule of Law’ Mission in Georgia
Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, conveyed a message on July 22 to the Georgian authorities in which he welcomed the opening of the first ever ‘Rule of Law’ Mission in Georgia. “I am very pleased that the Rule of Law Mission is opening today [July 22] in …
Russia’s Energy Giant Reduces Gas Supply to Georgia
Gazexport, a subsidiary company of the Russian energy giant Gazprom, reduced its gas supplies to the Tbilisi gas-distributing company Tbilgazi. The Tbilgazi company reported that the supply in the capital city was reduced from 370 thousand cubic meters per day to 200,000 cubic meters of gas per day. The non-payment of Georgia’s USD 10 million …
Georgian Policeman Wounded in South Ossetian Conflict Zone
Reports say one Georgian policeman was wounded in an overnight shootout near the village of Eredvi in the South Ossetian conflict zone. The wounded policeman was hospitalized as a result of severe injuries sustained in the shootout. Georgian authorities say that the South Ossetian side is trying to provoke the Georgian side into a large-scale …
IMF Mission Visits Georgia
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission, led by Paulo Neuhaus, arrived in Georgia on July 23 to discuss the current fiscal situation in the country. The Mission is planning to hold talks with the President of the National Bank of Georgia, Irakli Managadze, and Finance Minister Zurab Noghaideli. The issue of a three-year, USD 144 …
EU Helps Georgia with ‘Rule of Law’
French judge Sylvie Pantz to share her national and international experience with Georgian officials from judicial and law enforcement agencies over the next 12 months. The European Union has deployed its first ever ‘Rule of Law’ mission to Georgia in an effort to help the country in reforming one of the most challenging law enforcement, judiciary and …
Russian Energy Giant Wants to Privatize Georgian Power Facilities
Andrei Rappoport, deputy chief of the Russian power giant United Energy Systems (UES), told reporters his July 22 talks with the Georgian leadership that the UES seeks to privatize the power facilities in Georgia. Rappoport met with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, Economy Minister Kakha Bendukidze and Energy Minister Nika Gilauri in Tbilisi on July 22. Andrei Rappoport …
22/07/2004 - 21:45
Georgia Slams Chief of Russian Peacekeepers in South Ossetia
The Georgian Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador to Georgia Vladimir Chkhikvishvili on July 22 to express their concerns regarding recent statements made by Sviatoslav Nabzdorov, the commander of the Russian peacekeeping troops in the South Ossetian conflict zone, who questioned Georgia’s territorial integrity. The Russian commander told Georgian reporters on July 21 that “the Russian-Georgian border does not …
Lithuania Pledges Support for Georgia’s NATO Aspirations
Visiting Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze and his Lithuanian counterpart Linas Linkevicius signed an agreement,which considers training two Georgian officers in the Lithuanian Military Academy, Baltic News Service reported on July 22. Linas Linkevicius noted that Lithuania, which joined NATO in March, will continue to provide military assistance to Georgia, which will include training of military officers. …
EU’s ‘Rule of Law’ Mission Unveils Details of Task in Georgia
The European Union’s ‘Rule of Law’ mission, which was launched in Georgia last week to help the country in reforming its criminal-justice system, outlined its tasks in Georgia at a press conference in Tbilisi on July 22. French judge Sylvie Pantz, who chairs the EU’s first-ever ‘Rule of Law’ mission, said at the news briefing that the …
Georgian MP Visits North Ossetia
Chairman of the Georgian Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security MP Givi Targamadze will visit Russia?s North Ossetian Republic on July 22 in order to discuss developments in Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia with regional representatives there. Rustavi 2 television reported that during the talks in Vladikavkaz, the capital of North Ossetia, Givi Targamadze will stress the issue of arms delivery …
Paris Club Reschedules Georgia’s Foreign Debt
The Paris Club of creditors agreed on July 21 to a restructuring plan for Georgia’s external debt. The agreement follows the International Monetary Fund’s approval of Georgia’s arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility on June 4, 2004, which supports the Government’s ambitious reform programme. This agreement consolidates roughly US 160.6 million in debts accrued by Georgia before …
Court Extends Ex-Audit Chief’s Pre-Trial Detention Period
On July 22 the Tbilisi district court remanded Sulkhan Molashvili, the former chairman of the State Audit Agency and close ally of ex-President Shevardnadze, for another three months. Molashvili, who is accused of alleged misappropriation of 3 million Lari (USD 1,57 million) was expected to be released after he made a payment of USD 265,000, …
Ex-MP Released,but Assets Confiscated
Former parliamentarian Bondo Shalikiani, who was arrested for illegal possession of arms and misappropriation of funds, was released early on July 22, after paying around USD 100,000 and handing over his assets to the state. According to the General Prosecutor’s Office criminal charges were dropped against Shalikiani after he pleaded guilty and agreed to reimburse the allegedly misappropriated …
UN Watches Developments in South Ossetia
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on July 21 that the UN is closely watching the developments in Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia. The Secretary General added, however, that the UN has no plans to deploy a mission to that part of Georgia. ?I would hope that discussions between the Russian Federation and the Georgian Government will help calm the …
Russia Confirms Handing Over Armament to South Ossetia
Russian Defense Ministry official said on July 21 that a total of 40 armored vehicles were moved into Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia, according to Russian media sources. ?22 BMP-2 [infantry combat vehicle] and 18 armored vehicles were dispatched to the conflict zone for the South Ossetian peacekeepers, who are in the joint peacekeeping troops [also involving the Georgian …
21/07/2004 - 20:01
Russia Criticizes OSCE over South Ossetia …Again
The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for its ?ineffectiveness? in defusing tensions in the breakaway republic of South Ossetia, according to Russian media sources. Moscow also accused the OSCE of a biased assessment of the situation in the conflict zone in favor of the Georgian side. This is …
Russia Hails Talks over Return of IDPs to Abkhazia
A July 21 statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry welcomed talks that occurred between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides in Sochi on July 20. The issue of safe return of the internally displaced persons to the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia was discussed at the talks, which were also attended by a representative from the Russian Foreign …
Chief of U.S. Committee on NATO Visits Georgia’s Conflict Areas
Bruce Jackson, president of the U.S. Committee on NATO, a Washington-based think-tank advocating NATO’s expansion, is visiting Georgia to discuss conflict resolution issues with the country’s leadership. Bruce Jackson has already visited breakaway Abkhazia and heads for the capital of self-styled South Ossetian Republic, Tskhinvali, on July 21. This post is also available in: ქართული …
Georgian Foreign Minister Visits Armenia
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili left for the Armenian capital, Yerevan, on July 21 for a two-day official visit. Salome Zourabichvili will meet her Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanyan, President Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan and other officials to discuss bilateral ties. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Georgia Protest Arms Delivery to South Ossetia, Threatens to Abandon Peace Deal
Click on image to enlarge detailed mapof breakaway South Ossetia. Tensions flared up again in Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia on July 20, after Russia moved armored vehicles into the restive region, explaining the move as a scheduled rotation of the armament for the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in the conflict zone. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, …
20/07/2004 - 22:52
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)