Archive
Search results
Page 641 of 765
Finance Minister Says Adjara Transfers its Dues to the Budget
Finance Minister Zurab Nogaideli told the reporters on April 14 that ?there is no problem regarding transfer of taxes from Adjara.? He made a comment following the government session. Nogaideli says the dues are transferred regularly. Refusal of Adjara autonomy to favor its obligations to the state budget was one of the key problems for the …
14/04/2004 - 16:19
Patarkatsishvili Offers to Mediate Adjara Crisis
Badri Patarkatsishvili an influential media and financial tycoon was elected the chair of the Georgian Taxpayers Union – a business lobby group – on April 14. Previous chairman of the Union, Niko Lekishvili is to assume his position as an MP. Following the election, Patarkatsishvili offered to mediate a standoff with Adjara authorities. He proposed …
Repeat Elections Endangered in Adjara
Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Zurab Tchiaberashvili said on April 14 that holding of repeat elections in the Adjara’s two districts is threatened. He condemned yesterday’s incident in a town of Kobuleti, where a group of armed men forced the CEC representatives tasked to prepare repeat elections to leave the region. “Criminal charges …
Georgia Calls for International Efforts to Solve Adjara Crisis
Talking at the government session on April 14, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania described situation in defiant Adjarian Autonomy as ?a conundrum? for the Georgian central authorities. He called for active involvement of the international community in defusing the tensions, after the talks with defiant leader of the Adjara autonomy Aslan Abashidze have failed yesterday. Zhvania instructed …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
PM Informed President over Batumi Talks
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Secretary of the National Security Council Vano Merabishvili met President Saakashvili after their arrival from the Adjarian capital Batumi, where they held talks with Head of the Adjarian Autonomy Aslan Abashidze on April 13. ?We have informed the President regarding the talks with Aslan Abashidze. We will discuss detailed plan …
13/04/2004 - 22:31
UN Envoy, Parliamentary Chairperson Discussed Abkhazia
Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini, the UN Secretary General?s special representative in Georgia met with Nino Burjanadze, the Chairperson of the outgoing Parliament on April 13. UN envoy told reporters that she informed Nino Burjanadze regarding her recent visits to Moscow and Sukhumi, breakaway Abkhaz capital. Meeting of the Georgian and Abkhaz sides under the UN auspices …
Tensions Grow, as Abashidze Says No to Disarmament
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said after talks with Adjarian leader that Aslan Abashidze has chosen “a way of confrontation,” as the talks on April 13 failed to bring progress into troubled relations of the central authorities with Adjara’s self-minded leader. Aslan Abashidze is strongly opposing the demands of the Geogian government to disarm the vigilante groups. …
Abashidze Refuses to Disarm Paramilitary Forces
Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Vano Merabishvili, who attended talks between Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze, said the latter refused to disarm his paramilitary forces. ?Aslan Abashidze is not ready to disarm his paramilitary forces. He thinks he needs these groups and rejects any dialogue,? Vano Merabishvili said after …
Abashidze’s Supporters Protest against Repeat Elections
A group of local population in Khulo district of Adjara, where the repeat parliamentary elections are scheduled for April 18, held a protest rally outside the local election commission against the repeat elections. On April 2, the CEC annulled the election results in Khulo and Kobuleti election districts, quoting massive irregularities. The Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze-backed …
Russia, Georgia Discuss Military Bases
The delegation of Russian Foreign Ministry arrived on April 13 in Tbilisi to hold talks with the Georgian side over Russia?s military bases and drafting of the framework agreement between the two countries. The delegation will also hold talks with Georgian State Minister Goga Khaindrava, who is in charge of Abkhaz conflict resolution. This post …
Zhvania Meets Abashidze
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania is holding talks with Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze in Batumi. ?We will deliver Mr. Abashidze President Saakashvili?s messages over disarmament,? Vano Merabishvili, the Secretary of the National Security Council, who also participates in talks, told reporters before the meeting. ?Disarmament [of Abashidze? paramilitary forces] will be a top issue discussed during …
Prime Minister will Try to Broker Disarmament Deal
Zhvania visited Batumi on March 28 tooversee election process in the troubled region. Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, who left for Batumi on April 13, will push the issue of disarmament of the Adjarian paramilitary forces during talks with Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze. Secretary of the National Security Council Vano Merabishvili accompanies Zurab Zhvania in Batumi. …
CoE Envoy Met Adjarian Leader
Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) Plamen Nikolov met Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze in Batumi for second time in last few weeks on April 12. Reports say talks focused on distribution of constitutional powers between the central authorities of the country and the Adjarian Autonomy. In February, Secretary General of …
Zhvania: Disarmament to Top Agenda in Batumi Talks
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, who will hold talks with Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze in Batumi on Tuesday, said that the disarmament of paramilitary forces in the region would be a top issue during the meeting. “Illegal arms in Adjara become more and more alarming. Disarmament of illegal armed groups will top the agenda during the …
12/04/2004 - 21:41
Saakashvili Offers Adjarians Payment for Surrendering Arms
President Saakashvili, who has warned Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze to disarm his paramilitary forces, said that the Georgia’s central authorities are ready to pay for surrendering arms. “If [Adjarian leader] Abashidze does not want to disarm his supporters, then we are ready to open special stations where Adjarians will be able to hand over fire …
CEC Prepares for Repeat Elections in Adjara
The Central Election Commission (CEC) will send its representatives to Adjara to monitor preparations for the repeat elections in Adjarian Autonomy’s two elections districts – Khulo and Kobuleti, scheduled for April 18. CEC Chairman Zurab Tchiaberashvili said on April 12 that he will also visit Adjara this week. On April 2, the CEC annulled the …
Interior Minister Demands Disarming of Abashidze Supporters
Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze said the leadership of Adjara ignores its commitment to disarm paramilitary forces in the region. ?The Adjarian authorities have not started to disband illegal armed groups so far. So, everyone, who is responsible for non-fulfillment of the agreement, will be severely punished,? Giorgi Baramidze told reporters on April 12. Earlier on …
Tbilisi Resumes Talks with Abashidze, but the War of Words Continues
Abashidze wants his bank back Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Secretary of the National Security Council Vano Merabishvili would arrive to Batumi on April 13 to hold talks with Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze. Abashidze told Adjarian television on April 11 that distribution of powers between the central government and Autonomy would top the agenda. In …
Georgia Sends Peacekeepers to Kosovo
148 Georgian peacekeepers left for Germany on April 12. After one-month training they will join Georgian unit of peacekeepers in Kosovo. Georgian peacekeepers are operating within the German-Turkish and Bulgarian Task Force in Prizren, south-western Kosovo. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Tbilisi, Batumi to Resume Talks
Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze told Adjarian television on April 11 that Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Secretary of the National Security Council Vano Merabishvili would visit Batumi on April 13 to hold talks with the leadership of the Autonomous Republic. Adjarian leader said that distribution of powers between the central government and the Autonomy …
Saakashvili says Territorial Integrity is a Top Priority
President Saakashvili said after attending the annual Easter Sunday service at Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi, “restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity should be a top priority.” “We should not talk too much about the social hardship – however I always think about it. We should focus first of all on territorial integrity, because if we restore …
11/04/2004 - 18:26
Georgia Sends More Troops to Iraq
Georgian soldiers waiting for departure. Servicemen of Georgia’s 16th mountain battalion left for Iraq on April 7, despite fierce fighting that has broken out between local militias and the U.S.-led coalition there. 159 soldiers and officers were trained by the U.S. military instructors in framework of Georgia Train-and-Equip Program (GTEP)and are to stay in Iraq …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
10/04/2004 - 16:33
Ruling Party Nominee Wins Run-off Elections in Tchiatura
As anticipated, Iason Chumburidze of the ruling National Movement-Democrats coalition won run-off elections in the Tchiatura single-mandate constituency on April 9. Thus, 18 MPs out of 75 elected in the single-mandate constituencies (‘majoritarian’ MPs) are the members of the ruling party; the Rightist Opposition coalition has 8 MPs (4 from the New Rights; 4 from …
Saakashvili Threatens to Disband the Adjarian Parliament
Saakashvili and Abashidze watching as troops march in Batumi to mark President’s inauguration.January 25, 2004 President Saakashvili demanded from the Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze to disarm the paramilitary forces. He threatened to disband the Adjarian legislative body and hold snap elections in the region. “The primary goal at the moment is disarming of illegal [armed] …
09/04/2004 - 22:28
Saakashvili Calls on Abashidze to Disarm Paramilitary Forces
President Saakashvili categorically warned Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze to disarm his paramilitary forces, otherwise threatened with dissolving the Adjarian Parliament and holding of snap elections in the defiant region. “The primary goal at the moment is disarmament of illegal forces in Adjara. Abashidze has four T-72 battle tanks, other armored vehicles and helicopters. I am …
Adjarian Prisoner Freed
Asanidze is the first Georgian who won a case in European Court of Human Rights. Tengiz Asanidze, who won a case in European Court of Human Rights against Georgia, was released on April 9 from Adjarian Security Ministry’s jail, after twelve-year imprisonment. However, the confrontation between Tbilisi and Batumi over Asanidze’s case is far from over. …
Georgia Denies Intentions to Deploy Foreign Military Bases
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili said in the interview with Russian newspaper Vremia Novostei on April 9 that Georgia does not intend to deploy any foreign military bases on its territory. “We will preserve our principles: the country”s sovereignty implies absence of foreign militaries on its territory. Georgia is not interested in having Russian or …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Georgia Commemorates April 9 Victims
Georgia commemorates today the victims of tragedy of April 9, 1989. Chairperson of the outgoing Parliament Nino Burjanadze and other officials, as well as political party leaders participated in the tribute ceremony outside the Parliament building. 20 people were reported killed as Soviet troops attacked crowd of protesters in a central square of Georgian capital of …
Georgian Hostages Freed in Abkhazia
Reports say around 25 Georgians were released after one-day detention in breakaway Abkhazia. Georgian side claims that the Abkhaz militia group carried out a mop-up operation in the village of Zemo Barghebi of Gali district in breakaway Abkhazia and abducted ethnic Georgians on April 7. Hostages were released after the Georgian side’s categorical demand at …
The Court Backs CEC in Cancelling Several Adjara Polls
On April 8, Tbilisi district court rejected an appeal by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association(GYLA) against the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to cancel the elections results in two election districts of Adjara Autonomous Republic. On April 2, the CEC annulled the election results in Khulo and Kobuleti election districts, quoting massive irregularities. …
08/04/2004 - 22:10
President Ordered Adjarian Leader to Release Asanidze
President Saakashvili ordered Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze to release Adjarian prisoner Tengiz Asanidze after winning a case in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).“I order Aslan Abashidze to immediately release Tengiz Asanidze. If he defies my order, we will release Asanidze. We can carry out all the appropriate measures to do this,” Mikheil Saakashvili …
NATO Calls Russia, Georgia for Talks over Military Bases
Visiting NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told a press conference in Moscow on April 8, that Tbilisi and Moscow should resume talks over withdrawal of Russia’s military bases from Georgia as soon as possible. He said that the issue was discussed during his meeting with Georgian President Saakashvili in Brussels on April 7. …
Controversy Persists over Batumi-Based Military Unit
Former commander of the 25th Brigade of the Georgian armed forces, deployed in Adjarian capital Batumi threatened “to obey orders of the Adjarian leader.” However, Georgian Defense Ministry claims the unit is under the central authorities’ control. During a standoff between the Georgia’s central authorities and the Adjarian leadership last month, when Georgian troops were …
Adjarian Official: Asanidze will be Released
Representative of Adjarian Autonomy in Tbilisi Hamlet Tchipashvili told reporters today that Tengiz Asanidze will be released from custody after the European Court of Human Right (ECHR) ruled that the Georgian government had to secure Asanidze’s release “at the earliest possible date.”“I do not think there will be any problem regarding the release of Asanidze,” …
Georgia Seeks for Lifting Visa Regime with Russia
Visiting Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze said on April 7 in Moscow, “Russia and Georgia face no obstacles for cancellation of visa regime between the two countries”, which was imposed in 2002. “Russia has no reason to preserve the visa requirements with Georgia. The visa regime was imposed by Russia as a sign of discontent …
European Court of Human Rights Rules Against Georgia
Georgia faces another case in ECHR, regarding extradition of Chechens to Russia. The Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on April 8 that Tengiz Asanidze, who is currently in custody in Adjarian Autonomy, should be released immediately after 12-year of imprisonment. Asanidze v Georgia was a first case discussed by the ECHR regarding …
Court Prolonged Ex-Energy Minister’s Pre-Trial Detention
District court ruled positively on General Prosecutor’s Office appeal and prolonged pre-trial detention of ex-Energy Minister Davit Mirtskhulava to three more months. Mirtskhulava’s lawyer Eka Beselia claimed the pre-trial detention was prolonged as Davit Mirtskhulava did not make a deal with the General Prosecutor’s Office, which, as she said, implied “paying of funds in exchange …
ECHR to Announce Judgment over Asanidze Case
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will announce on April 8 judgment in the case of Tengiz Asanidze, who is currently in custody in Adjarian Autonomy. Despite the fact that he was given a pardon by ex-President Shevardnadze in 1999, and his conviction was quashed by the Georgian Supreme Court, he still remains in …
Final Election Results Delayed
The Central Election Commission(CEC) made a controversial decision to delay the publication of the final election results until April 18. CEC ruled to hold repeat elections in the two Adjarian districts,Khulo and Kobuleti, on that date. According to the election code, the final results should have been released on April 15. However, on April 2 …
07/04/2004 - 19:44
Georgia Deploys More Troops in Iraq
159 GTEP soldiers left for Iraq. Georgian increased its military presence in Iraq, after 159 soldiers left for Baghdad on April 7, as a Georgia’s contribution to Iraqi Freedom Operation. Around 55 servicemen, including mine-clearing experts and doctors are expected to join them after month. Georgian unit replaced the combined unit of a 70 mine-clearing …
Saakashvili, Scheffer Discussed Georgia’s NATO Prospects
President Saakashvili visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels on April 7 and met with Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and attended the North Atlantic Council Meeting. “We have presented to NATO Georgia’s individual partnership action plan, which is a second major step towards Georgia’s integration to the NATO. The first step made when Georgia made …
NGO Sues CEC over Repeat Elections in Adjara
Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), which observed March 28 parliamentary elections, appealed court to annul the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) decision over holding of repeat elections in Adjarian Autonomy’s two election districts. CEC annulled on April 2 election results in Khulo and Kobuleti election districts of Adjara, where the Revival Union received most of the …
EU Reaffirms Support for Reforms in Georgia
President Saakashvili met on April 6 with Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, and Chris Patten, commissioner in charge of external relations, in Brussels. President Prodi and Commissioner Patten reaffirmed the EU’s determination to bring Georgia closer to Europe and its support to the Georgian government’s reform programme. In particular, the Commission expressed support …
Elections Held in Kodori Gorge
Elections were held in Kodori gorge, which is the only territory in breakaway Abkhazia under the control of Georgia’s central authorities, on April 6. Polling stations were not opened in Kodori during March 28 parliamentary elections, as the Central Election Commission failed to deliver ballot papers to the remote mountainous gorge, due to heavy weather …
Georgian Troops to Depart for Iraq with Delay
Georgian unit of 159 soldiers, which was set to depart for Iraq on April 6, will arrive in Iraq with one-day delay on April 7. Georgian troops will be deployed the cities of Baghdad, Baiji and Tikrit. The Georgian servicemen from 16th Mountain Battalion, which have undergone the U.S.-funded Train-and-Equip Program, will be guarding the …
Blast Injures Commander of Russian Forces in Georgia
The commander of Russian troops deployed in Georgia Alexander Studenikin was injured in a bomb blast in capital Tbilisi late on April 6. Alexander Studenikin was hospitalized; however officials say injuries are not life-threatening. Police officials said the blast occurred as the commander of the Russian troops in Georgia was walking to his home from …
Finance Officials Visit Adjara
Georgian finance officials, including chiefs of tax, customs and financial police, as well as Deputy Finance Minister arrived on April 6 in Adjarian capital Batumi. “Our visit aims at joint discussing of financial issues between the center and the region. We should establish order at the customs and introduce new rules of the cooperation,” chief …
06/04/2004 - 18:06
Governmental Commission to Draft New Tax Code
According to the decree of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, the governmental commission was set up to elaborate a new tax code. The commission chaired by the Prime Minister will be composed of cabinet members and economic experts. According to the Prime-Minister’s decree, the commission is to elaborate a new tax code within a month. Zurab …
Georgia Sends More Troops to Iraq
Georgian detachment of 159 soldiers will leave on April 6 for Iraq as a Georgia’s contribution to Operation Iraqi Freedom. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, the Georgian servicemen will be deployed in the cities of Baghdad, Baiji and Tikrit. The Georgian servicemen from 16th Mountain Battalion, which underwent U.S.-funded Train-and-Equip Program, will be guarding …
Saakashvili, Putin Discussed Security Issues
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on April 5. As the Russian President’s press service reported, security issues were discussed during the talks. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Page 641 of 765
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)