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MP Slammed for Demands to Reveal Cabinet Members’ Ethnic Background
Non-partisan MP Gocha Pipia’s demand that all cabinet members be required to reveal their ethnic background and religious faith, caused an uproar during the parliamentary session on June 10, before the approval of the new cabinet by the lawmakers. Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, who was delivering a speech over the new cabinet’s plans, said he “is …
11/06/2004 - 10:29
Abkhaz Opposition Activist Murdered
Gari Aiba, one of the leaders of the Abkhaz opposition movement, Amtsakhara, was shot dead on June 9, the Abkhaz news agency Apsnypress reported. Aiba died of injuries received on 9 June, when a gunman opened fire at his car in the the breakaway republic’s capital, Sukhumi. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
10/06/2004 - 21:03
New General Prosecutor Approved
The Parliament approved Zurab Adeishvili, the former Security Minister, as General Prosecutor on June 10. Zurab Adeishvili told lawmakers at the parliamentary session that the fight against corruption would be his top priority. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Ex-Adjarian Finance Minister Arrested
Former Finance Minister of the Adjarian Autonomy, Davit Abashidze, was arrested for the alleged misuse of power and misappropriation funds in excess of 140,000 Lari (USD 70,000). Abashidze was the Finance Minister for two years under former president Aslan Abashidze?s government, but resigned from his post early in 2003. Former Adjarian official dismissed the allegation as ?politically motivated.? This …
Cabinet Wins Confidence Vote
The Prime Minister vows to increase budgetary expenditures by up to USD 100 million in July. The proposed new Georgian cabinet won the confidence vote during the parliamentary session on June 10, with a 150-6 victory in parliament. This is the second cabinet to be voted on, and approved, during the last four months. A …
Parliament Approves New Cabinet
The Parliament approved the reshuffled, 20-member cabinet, on June 10, with a vote of 150-6.The New Rights-Industrialists opposition faction represented 4 of the disenting voices against the approval of the government, while two MPs, both former allies of President Saakashvili ? Koba Davitashvili and Zviad Dzidziguri, also voted against the measure.The Parliament will discuss the government?s structural changes …
Georgia, Russia to Resume Talks over Military Bases
A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Yakovenko, said on June 10, that the talks over the withdrawal of Russia?s two military bases in Georgia ?will be resumed in the near future.? ?The Georgian and Russian sides agreed to resume talks over dates regarding the withdrawal of the Russian military bases from Georgia,? Alexander Yakovenko said. Russian official also reiterated that …
Cabinet Faces Confidence Vote
It is widely expected that the reshuffled Georgian cabinet will win a confidence vote during the parliamentary session on June 10. However, a small opposition faction, composed of members from New Rights-Industrialists, intends to vote against the cabinet. Along with the consideration of the reshuffled cabinet, the lawmakers will also discuss the candidacy for the General …
Economy Minister Outlines Privatization Policy
Georgian Economy Minister Kakha Bendukidze, who advocates radical deregulation of the economy, said on June 9 that almost all the state-run facilities and enterprises including ports of Poti and Batumi should be privatized. Georgian-born Russian tycoon Kakha Bendukidze, who has been appointed as Georgian Economy Minister in early June, told the members of the parliamentary …
Police Break up Anti-BTC Rally
Riot police,on June 9, broke up a rally of some 60 residence from the village of Krtsanisi, near Tbilisi, who were protesting against the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline through their village. Three protesters were detained by the police. Villagers from Krtsanisi demand compensation for the land on which the pipeline is being constructed. However, the BTC Pipeline …
09/06/2004 - 20:21
Russian Senators Call for Restraint in South Ossetia
The Council of Federation of Russia, the upper house of the Russian Parliament, passed a statement on June 9 expressing concerns over the recent developments in Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia. The Russian senators claim that the tension in South Ossetia poses a threat to peace and stability throughout the entire Caucasus region. The state reads: ?there …
Georgia Pushes For Russian Military Bases Pullout
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili said, on June 9, that Russia?s two military bases in Georgia ?have no strategic importance? for Moscow any more and they should be pulled out. ?We will still push the issue of pulling out of Russian military bases from Georgia. Russia should understand that their bases have no strategic importance any …
New Acting CEC Chairman Elected
Former Secretary of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Zurab Nonikashvili, a member of the National Movement-Democrats party, was elected as an Acting Chairman of CEC on June 9. Earlier on June 9, former acting chief of the CEC Dimitri Kitoshvili, filed his resignation. He will reportedly take over the position of the Chairman of the National Regulatory Commission …
Communications Commission Chief Resigns
Chairman of the National Regulatory Commission for Communications Vakhtang Abashidze, gave his resignation on June 8.However, Vakhtang Abashidze refrained from commenting on the reasons behind this resignation. This is the second time that Vakhtang Abashidze has filed a resignation. His first resignation, motivated by mounting political pressure on the commission which he headed, was rejected by ex-President Eduard …
Georgia to Dispatch Medics to Afghanistan
Georgian Defense Minister Gela Bezhuashvili, who will assume the post of Secretary of the National Security Council in the new cabinet, said on June 9 that NATO requested Georgia to dispatch medics to Afghanistan, as a part of Georgia?s contribution to the peacekeeping operation there. ?We are ready to send medics to Afghanistan under the auspices of NATO. …
Candidate for CoE Secretary General Visits Tbilisi
Terry Davis of the United Kingdom, who will run for the Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary General, arrived in Tbilisi on June 8 for a two-day visit. Mr. Davis told reporters, upon his arrival in Tbilisi, that during his meetings with the Georgian parliamentarians, he will acquaint them with the reforms he intends to carry out if elected to …
GUUAM Summit Postponed
The Georgian Foreign Ministry announced on June 8 that the summit of the leaders of the GUUAM member states ? Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova, will be postponed to an indefinite date.The summit was originally scheduled for June 15 in the capital of Georgia?s Adjarian Autonomous Republic, Batumi.Earlier in June, however, Moldova proposed that the GUUAM summit in Batumi be …
Ossetian Parliament Seeks Russian Help
Boris Grizlov, Speaker of Russia?s State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, said on June 8 that Russian lawmakers will discuss the appeal from the South Ossetian Parliament urging Moscow to recognize its independence, according to the Interfax news agency. The newly elected Parliament of breakaway South Ossetia recently submitted the appeal, which also urges Moscow to defend …
08/06/2004 - 17:25
Reshuffled Government Sets Focus Towards South Ossetia
Ossetian militia at the entrance of Tskhinvali. Visits by Georgian officials to the breakaway region of South Ossetia and deliveries of humanitarian aid by these authorities to the locals, have became a common news headlines in recent days.On June 8, the Georgian Healthcare Minister delivered medicines for some 700-800 people in the South Ossetian capital, …
Georgian Healthcare Minister Visits Tskhinvali, Delivers Aid
The Georgian Minister for Healthcare and Social Welfare, Lado Chipashvili, arrived in the breakaway republic of South Ossetia on June 8 in an effort to deliver humanitarian aid.?Our visit to the Tskhinvali region has a humanitarian mission. We have brought various medicines to distribute among the local population. We will administer medical aid to roughly 700-800 people …
Russian Officials Visit Pankisi
A Russian delegation led by Igor Yunash, deputy head of the Federal Migration Service of Russia, left today for the Pankisi Gorge in eastern Georgia to meet with Chechen refugees living there. ?We will try once again to convince the Chechen refugees to return to Chechnya. We will offer new security guarantees to them,? Igor Yunash said before his departure on …
Burjanadze Visits UK
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze left for the United Kingdom on June 8 in order to participate in the anti-corruption conference being held at the Wilton Park Conference Centre. On June 10, Nino Burjanadze will deliver speech over the curbing of corruption and the democracy building initiatives being undertaken by the new government of Georgia. During the …
Moscow, Tbilisi Hail Agreement over South Ossetia
The Russian and Georgian Foreign Ministries expressed support for an agreement reached during the recent talks between the Georgian and Ossetian sides in breakaway South Ossetia?s capital, Tskhinvali, on June 2. ?The Russian and Georgian Foreign Ministries welcome efforts directed towards the restoration of trust and friendship between the Georgian and Ossetian peoples,? a joint statement, issued on …
Security Chief Links Cabinet Reshuffle to South Ossetia
The Secretary of the Georgian Security Council, Vano Merabishvili, who, if approved by parliament, will take the post of Security Minister in the new cabinet, linked the recent reshuffling of the government to the recent developments in breakaway South Ossetia. ?Priorities of the Georgian government have changed after the return of Adjara back to Tbilisi?s fold. …
State Radio Launches Ossetian Broadcast
A Georgian state radio station, on June 7, started a two-hour program to be aired daily in the Ossetian language, for the Ossetian-speaking population living in Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetian region. This new program, which features news as well as cultural overviews and related content, supplements a short news program in the Ossetian language that already exists on Georgian …
Parliament Will Discuss New Cabinet
On June 7, President Saakashvili officially submitted drafts concerning proposed cabinet switches and various other structural reforms within the government. The parliament must now approve these proposals. Although new minster will be introduced into the respective cabinets, a sort of musical chairs will be carried out with the existing heads of state. According to the proposed changes …
07/06/2004 - 18:44
North Ossetian President Visits Tskhinvali
Alexander Dzasokhov, the President of Russia’s North Ossetian Republic, arrived in the de facto South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali on June 6 in order to discuss the recent developments in the region with the President of the self-styled South Ossetian Republic, Edward Kokoev. In a telephone conservation with Rustavi 2 television, Irina Gagloeva, a spokesperson for the …
Sukhumi Pledges Assistance for Tskhinvali
The de facto Prime Minister of breakaway Abkhazia, Raul Khajimba, said on June 6 that Sukhumi is ready to send troops to Georgia?s other breakaway republic, South Ossetian, in the event that Tbilisi launches military hostilities in the region. The Abkhaz news agency Apsnypress reported that in an address made on the local television Khajimba also stated that …
Russian Delegation to Discuss Chechens’ Repatriation
A Russian delegation led by Igor Yunash, head of the Federal Migration Service of Russia, will arrive in Tbilisi on June 7 in order to hold talks concerning the repatriation of Chechen refugees living in Georgia. It is anticipated that after holding talks with the Georgian authorities, the delegation will leave for the Pankisi Gorge in eastern Georgia and will meet with …
Georgian, Ossetian Sides Agree to Set up Joint Checkpoints
Georgian (left), Ossetian (middle) and Russian (right) peacekeepers at Tkviavi checkpoint. According to an agreement reached by the Georgian and Ossetian sides last week, joint checkpoints for the Georgian, Ossetian and Russian peacekeepers, will be set up in the South Ossetian conflict zone. The Georgian State Minister Goga Khaindrava, who is in charge of conflict resolution, and Boris Chochiev, …
Georgian Delegation Visits NATO Headquarters
A delegation of Georgian officials, made up of Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, Defense Minister Gela Bezhuashvili and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Gen. Maj. Givi Iukuridze, will leave for NATO headquarters in Brussels on June 7 to begin detailed discussions concerning Georgia?s Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with the alliance. …
PM Announces Cabinet Reshuffle
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania announced during a news briefing on June 5 that a reshuffle within the government will take place. The Prime Minister stated that the changes will occur mainly within the security and defense agencies. Giorgi Baramidze, 36, who was Interior Minister, will take over the Defense Minister?s position, replacing Gela Bezhuashvili, 37. The latter will …
06/06/2004 - 16:22
Special ‘Dual Citizenship’ Commission Formed
A special commission was set up under the decree of President Saakashvili, whose purpose will be to work over the legal base for granting dual citizenship to those Georgians who currently live abroad. Chief of the President?s Administration, Irakli Chubinishvili, will head up the 15-member commission. ?Under the Constitution of Georgia, I have the right to grant dual …
Parliament Hails Humanitarian Initiatives in South Ossetia
On June 4, the Georgian Parliament gave approval of a statement concerning the recent developments in breakaway South Ossetia. In the document, the Parliament expresses its support for the Georgian government?s humanitarian initiatives taken towards the population of breakaway South Ossetia; initiatives that include proposals to both restore the railway link in the region as well as …
Georgia to Reshuffle Cabinet
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said in a June 5 statement, that a reshuffling of the cabinet is anticipated; however he refused to disclose further details in regards to changes in the government. “We need a little more time to finally agree over the new candidates. I think we will submit new cabinet members for approval to the Parliament next …
05/06/2004 - 17:26
Moscow, Tbilisi Consider Setting up Joint Anti-Terrorism Center
Russia confirmed on June 4 that the proposal over setting up a Russian-Georgian joint, anti-terrorism center, which would replace Russia?s two military bases in Georgia, is under consideration at the moment. ?The proposal considers abandoning the use of the facilities and other technical capacities of the military bases in exchange for setting up a joint, …
IMF Approves New Assistance Program in Georgia
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced the approval of a three-year, USD 144 million arrangement for Georgia. In a press release on Friday, June 4, the IMF stipulated that the funds will be directed through the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and will go towards support of the Georgian government’s economic programs until June, 2007. According to the agreement, the first …
Tbilisi Offers to Resume Talks with Moscow over Military Bases
The Georgian Foreign Affairs Ministry issued appeal reiterating its offer to hold regular negotiations with the Russian authorities. The Georgian governement invited Russian officials to Tbilisi on Jun 10-11 so that the two sides may discuss various military issues, including the withdrawal of the Russian military bases from Georgia. Russia agreed to pull out its troops and armaments from both of the …
Tbilisi Provides Ossetian Villages with Promised Fertilizers
Georgian central government sent one hundred tons of agricultural fertilizers to the breakaway South Ossetia for distribution among the local population on June 4. However, trucks loaded with the fertilizers, which were accompanied by Davit Shervashidze, the Georgian Minister of Agriculture and Food, were only able to distribute the humanitarian aid to two villages within the breakaway region. Both villages are populated predominately by ethnic …
04/06/2004 - 18:22
Tskhinvali Demands Georgian Police Checkpoints be Dismantled
Breakaway South Ossetian authorities demanded on June 4, that the Georgian side dismantle its police checkpoint in the village of Tkviavi, which lies less then 10km from the South Ossetian captital,Tskhinvali. Georgian State Minister Goga Khaindrava, who is in charge of conflict resolution, and Boris Chochiev, the de facto Special Affairs Minister of the breakaway republic, met in the village …
Parliament Backs Government’s Efforts in South Ossetia
Today the Georgian Parliament discussed a statement drafted and submitted for its approval, concerning the recent developments in breakaway South Ossetia and in direct response to a harsh statement released by the Russian Parliament on June 3. The proposed document is expected to be voted on and passed sometime later this evening, June 4. In …
Tbilisi Offers Moscow Joint Anti-Terrorism Center
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, who is paying an official visit to the United States, offered to set up a joint anti-terrorism center with Russia, in exchange for Russia pulling out its two military bases in Georgia. In an interview with the Russian news agency, Itar-Tass, Salome Zourabichvili said that this issue was discussed during her meeting with U.S. Secretary …
Parliament Postpones Approval of New State Auditor
The National Movement-Democrats, which makes up a majority in the parliament, decided on June 3 to postpone discussion of Zurab Soselia’s candidacy for new Chairman of the Chamber of Control which functions as the main state audit agency. Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze, who nominated First Deputy Finance Minister Zurab Soselia for the chief auditor’s position, is at odds with members of the …
Moldova Proposes Location Change For GUUAM Summit
According to the Russian Interfax news agency, Moldova has proposed that the upcoming GUUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova) summit be relocated. The conference is currently scheduled to be held in the capital of the Adjarian Autonomous Republic, Batumi, on June 16. However, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported on June 4 that it has not received any official notification …
MCA Official Discusses Assistance Proposals in Georgia
The chief executive officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which administers the U.S. assistance program Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), arrived in Tbilisi on June 3 to discuss the development of the various assistance proposals submitted to the MCA assistance program. In early May, the U.S. selected 16 countries, including Georgia, that were eligible for funding offered by the MCA. The MCA …
03/06/2004 - 19:15
Georgia Denies Mobilization of Forces Near South Ossetia
Georgian Defense Minister Gela Bezhuashvili denied the June 3 reports that Georgia is sending extra troops to the town of Gori, which lies in central Georgia and is a mere 30 kilometers away from the breakaway South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali. Georgian television stations showed footage of dozens of battle tanks being deployed to Gori on June 3. ?This unit of the …
PM: Structural Changes in Government Anticipated
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said on Thursday that the government is considering the merger of two ministries, that of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Economy. ?In a couple of days we will decide this issue,? Zurab Zhvania said during his introduction of the new Minister of Economy, Kakha Bendukidze, to the Ministry?s staff on June …
Prime Minister, Railway Chief Visit Tskhinvali
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and the chief of the Georgian Railway company, Davit Onoprishvili, left this afternoon for the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali to discuss details concerning the restoration of the Tskhinvali-Georgia railway link with the self-styled authorities of the breakaway republic Restoration of the railway system in the region is part of the humanitarian initiatives launched …
Georgian Minister: Ossetian Side Agrees on Restoration of Railway
Goga Khaindrava, the Georgian State Minister who is in charge of conflict resolution, after talks with the Ossetian side in Tskhinvali on June 2, said that the the de facto authorities of South Ossetia agreed on restoration of the railway link between the self-styled region?s capital Tskhinvali and the rest of Georgia. Chief of the state-run Georgian Railway company, David …
Three Georgian Soldiers ?Lightly? Injured in Iraq
Three Georgian servicemen in the 16th Mountain Battalion, which is deployed in Iraq as part of the coalition forces, were wounded in an attack on a U.S. military base in Iraq, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported on June 3. ?Otar Gabiashvili, Zurab Chachanidze and Gocha Zurabiani were slightly injured on June the 2,? Irakli Chikovani, spokesman for the …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)