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British Airways to Restore Flights in Georgia
In accordance with the agreement between the governments of Georgia and the Great Britain, British Mediterranean Airways, which is a franchise partner to British Airways, may restore flights between Tbilisi and London.“We have the right to submit relevant documents to the Civil Aviation Department within 14 days concerning restoration of air flights,” the British company’s …
18/09/2003 - 17:00
UN Envoy, Abkhaz de facto Foreign Minister Met in Sukhumi
De facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia Sergei Shamba and Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Georgia, discussed on September 17 the issues of settlement of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict in the capital of breakaway Abkhazia, Sukhumi.“If the Georgian-Abkhaz meeting in Tbilisi [scheduled for September 23] yields particular results, Abkhazia will ensure …
Kidnappers Fail to Abduct Regional Official
Reports say Elguja Kvetenadze, head of the Zestaponi region, in western Georgia, was kidnapped this morning; however the kidnappers abandoned the car and the hostage and escaped after the police started to chase the criminals.The law enforcers arrested one of the alleged kidnappers, while others remain at large.“It seems that the kidnappers wanted ransom. I …
Abkhazian Hostage Released
Abkhaz employee of the Enguri hydro power plant, who was abducted on September 16 by unknown gunmen, was released today. On September 17 the Abkhaz side set ultimatum to the Georgian side, demanding the release of the employee of the Enguri hydro power plant. Otherwise the head of the administration of the Gali district of …
Coast Guard Command Center Opens in Poti
The command center of the Georgian coast guard service will be established in a western Georgian city of Poti on September 18, with the assistance of the United States coast guard.“The command center will enable Georgian coast guards to control the entire perimeter of the Black Sea coast”, Eka Dondua, the spokesperson for the Georgian …
Shevardnadze Leaves for CIS Summit in Yalta
Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze will leave today for Yalta to participate in the Summit of the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on September 18. As the press service of the Georgian President reports, the participants will discuss prospects for further cooperation.President Shevardnadze is anticipated to raise the issue of Abkhazian conflict during …
Mamaladze Resigns to Run for MP
Levan Mamaladze resigned from the post of the governor of Kvemo Kartli region on September 17 to run for MP from the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia.Mamaladze, an old rival to Zurab Zhvania, former parliamentary chairman, is one of the most influential political figures. He was the president?s representative to the Kvemo Kartli region, …
Fugitive Ex-Security Chief Seeks for Parliament
Former State Security Minister Igor Giorgadze, wanted by Georgia for masterminding car-bomb attack against President Shevardnadze, has been registered as an MP candidate to run for the 2 November parliamentary election in a constituency in Samtredia, western Georgia.Giorgadze fled Georgia in the fall of 1995 after being accused by the Georgian authorities of masterminding the …
Employee of Power Plant Abducted in Abkhazia
The Abkhaz side set ultimatum to the Georgian side, demanding the release of the employee of the Enguri hydro power plant. Otherwise the head of the administration of the Gali District of breakaway Abkhazia Ruslan Kishmaria threatens to stop the plant.Reports say unknown gunmen abducted on September 16 two employees, one Georgian and the other …
17/09/2003 - 18:56
ISFED Intends Large-Scale Observation of Elections
The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) presented today plan of observation campaign for November 2 parliamentary elections.ISFED takes the new initiative and launches a recruitment of volunteers to observe the elections.“The volunteers’ campaign aims to hold fair elections in the country. We offer the volunteers to observe the course of elections and …
Pro-Presidential Bloc Deadlocked Over MP Candidates List
The presidential-backed election alliance For New Georgia, which unites 15 parties and movements, today failed again to agree over the list of MP candidates.Each party and movement of the bloc demands to be in the top of the list, in order to secure places in the Parliament.Being in the top of the list of candidates, …
7 Jailbreakers Recaptured in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani law enforcers apprehended on September 16 seven Georgian jailbreakers, who were among 129 escapees from the Rustavi top security prison. More than 70 jailbreakers are recaptured so far.129 convicts escaped from the Rustavi prison on September 10, killing one prison guard and injuring another one. Justice Minister Roland Giligashvili filed resignation on September 25, …
UES Wants to Invest in Abkhazia
Chief of Russian state-run Unified Energy System (UES) Anatoly Chubais said on September 17 that the UES wants to make investment in Georgia?s breakaway region of Abkhazia. ?Georgia, particularly Abkhazia, has a serious potential for investments. We are ready to study this issue thoroughly,? Chubais said at the news briefing in Moscow. He also said …
Orthodox Church Protests Georgian-Vatican Agreement
The Georgian Orthodox Church expressed protest regarding the agreement between the Georgian government and the Vatican, which is expected to be singed this week. ?We support determination of legal status of the Catholics in Georgia; however we will oppose the agreement between the Georgian government and the Vatican. We do not understand why the draft agreement …
Probe Reveals Misuse of Grant Funds by MoD
The Chamber of Control, which is the main governmental watchdog agency, examined use of the foreign grants by the Georgian Ministry of Defense in 2000-2002.Chairman of the Chamber of Control Sulkhan Molashvili said that the probes revealed serous violations; however he refrained from making any detailed comment. He said that the result of the examination …
Humanitarian Aid in Afghanistan Delivered Via Georgia
The European Union?s humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, which is transported via Georgia through the TRACECA [the transport corridor Europe ? the Caucasus ? Asia] route, arrived in Tbilisi on September 16. In accordance with the Order of the President of Georgia, a special governmental commission has been set up to ensure safe transportation of the …
16/09/2003 - 18:11
Burjanadze Hails Unification with Traditionalists
Parliamentary Chairperson and the leader of the election bloc Burjanadze-Democrats welcomed today the Traditionalists party?s decision to unite with the Burjanadze-Democrats. ?This is a positive decision. We do not hold consultations with other opposition parties over the unification, as creation of the broad opposition alliance is not possible any more,? Nino Burjanadze said today in …
OSCE, Russia Discussed Conflicts in Abkhazia, South Ossetia
Head of the OSCE Mission to Georgia Roy Reeve met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov in Moscow on September 16.As the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports, the sides exchanged opinions over the issues of settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian and Georgian-Abkhazian conflicts.The monitoring operation conducted by OSCE on the Chechen, Ingushian and Daghestani …
Turkey Ready to Assist Georgia
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul paid two-day official visit to Georgia on September 15-16 to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issue with the Georgian leadership.Cooperation with the Caucasus region, and particularly with Georgia, as one of the most important actors in the region, is very important for Turkey. The …
Traditionalists to Join Burjanadze-Democrats Election Bloc
The opposition Traditionalists party is ready to join the Burjanadze-Democrats election alliance and will announce about it after the arrival of Nino Burjanadze, the leader of the bloc and the Parliamentary Chairperson, from a western Georgian town of Kutaisi.“The Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc is most acceptable for me. The opposition should defeat the pro-presidential bloc,” Leader …
ECHR Examines Admissibility in Case of Alleged Chechen Militants
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will today examine the admissibility of application lodged by 13 Chechens, who were arrested by Georgian border guards on 3-5 August 2002, near the Chechen section of the Russo-Georgian border. The Chechens were charged with illegal crossing the state boarder and unlawful possessing and trading in firearms. Five …
Turkish Foreign Minister Hopes Gazprom Deal not to Hinder Shah-Deniz
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who pays two-day official visit to Georgia, expressed hope on September 15 that the agreement between Georgia and the Russian energy giant Gazprom would not hinder implementation of the Shah-Deniz project, which is to carry Azeri gas to Turkey via Georgia. ?I hope despite Gazprom deal, both Georgia and Turkey …
Georgia, Turkey Pledge Cooperation
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who arrived in Tbilisi on September 15, met with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Menagarishvili today. The sides discussed the issues of bilateral cooperation and integration into the European structures. ?Turkey attaches great significance to the Caucasus, especially to Georgia. The energy projects, being implemented with the …
15/09/2003 - 17:53
Shevardnadze Hails Anti-Crime Operation in Svaneti
Georgian President welcomes the launch of anti-criminal operation in a western Georgian mountainous region of Svaneti and said that the operation is successful. ?Although great criminal groups have not been noticed in Svaneti, separate elements still stay there. Very soon this region will be a safe zone. We have a great experience in holding anti-criminal …
Justice Minister Resigned
Justice Minister Roland Giligashvili resigned on September 15, in the wake of the September 10 mass jailbreak. 129 convicts, described by the authorities as ?dangerous,? escaped late on September 10 from the Rustavi top security prison near Tbilisi, killing one prison guard; another was badly injured. More than 70 jailbreakers are recaptured so far. President …
Shevardnadze Slams Reforms in Prison Service
President Shevardnadze said today that transfer of the penitentiary system from the Interior Ministry to the Justice Ministry?s subordination ?was a mistake.? ?The Justice Ministry could not deal with the prison service. That is why jailbreaks have increased in the country recently,? President Shevardnadze said in Monday radiobroadcast on September 15. He said that the …
Legal Expert Warns Over Parliamentary Crisis
Referendum on Downsizing of Parliament Casts ControversySome legal experts believe that decision to hold referendum on reducing number of the MPs on November 2, might lead to parliamentary and constitutional crisis in the country. While President Shevardnadze said on September 15, that the fears over the possible parliamentary crisis are exaggerated.Simultaneously with the parliamentary elections, …
President Supports Referendum on Reduction of Number of MPs
President Shevardnadze dismissed fears that the November 2 referendum on reduction of number of MPs might lead to the parliamentary and constitutional crisis, as claimed by some legal experts. ?We have discussed the issue with many legal experts, and there will be no violations or misunderstandings. After the election of a new Parliament, it will …
Shevardnadze Wants to Meet Opposition
President Shevardnadze called on the opposition parties today to hold meeting and discuss upcoming parliamentary elections. ?I advise [the President?s] opponents to keep ties with the President. I am always ready to cooperate with the opposition in order to secure free and fair elections. I do not consider them [opposition parties] as my enemies,? Eduard …
Turkish Foreign Minister Visits Georgia
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul will arrive today in Georgia for a two-day official visit. Abdullah Gul will hold meetings with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Menagharishvili, Georgian President Shevardnadze and Special Affairs Minister Malkhaz Kakabadze. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
U.S. Launched Training of Fourth Georgian Battalion
The training of the fourth Georgian battalion was launched on September 13, in frames of the U.S.-funded Georgia Train-and-Equip program (GTEP). Telavi Infantry Battalion will be trained by the U.S. military instructors. So far the Command & Control Center, 11th Brigade Commando Battalion, Sachkhere 16th Mountain Battalion of the National Guard and Kojori Special Operations …
14/09/2003 - 15:01
Pro-Presidential Bloc Takes Over Lower Level Election Commissions
As a result of decision of the newly appointed Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Nana Devdariani, the pro-presidential election bloc For New Georgia has gained control of lower level election commissions, as the majority of the newly appointed chairpersons of district election commissions (DEC) are the bloc’s supporters.The opposition fears that by controlling …
56 Jailbreakers recaptured
The police recaptured 56 jailbreakers by September 12 out of 129, including one of the organizers of the breakout. Four escapees returned to jail voluntarily.In the largest jailbreak in Georgian history, 129 convicts, described as “dangerous” by authorities, escaped late on 10 September from the Rustavi top security prison near Tbilisi. One prison guard was …
13/09/2003 - 12:28
Lithuanian President, Georgian Speaker Discussed Elections
President of Lithuania Rolandos Paksas, who started his official visit to Georgia on September 11, met with Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze today.Burjanadze informed the Lithuanian President with the pre-election process in the country.?I hope Georgia will manage to hold fair and democratic elections and elect the political group, whom the people trusts most of all,? …
12/09/2003 - 18:26
Interior Ministry’s Forces to Guard Jails
Interior Minister Koba Narchemashvili told reporters today that the interior troops will guard the perimeters of the prisons.The decision follows the largest jailbreak in Georgia, when 129 inmates of the Rustavi top security prison escaped on September 10. 48 jailbreakers are recaptured so far.The penitentiary system was transferred from the Interior Ministry?s subordination to the …
UES Deputy Chief Visits Tbilisi
Andrei Rapoport, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Russia’s state-owned company Unified Energy System (UES), arrived in Georgia today to discuss the current energy crisis with Georgian Energy Minister Mamuka Nikolaishvili.The sides will also discuss the prospects of future cooperation and the ways of overcoming the crisis in the country.The issue of import …
Georgia Protests Russia’s Ties with Abkhazia
Georgian Foreign Ministry has sent a protest note to the Russian Foreign Ministry, in which it expresses concern over conclusion of an agreement on cooperation between the Krasnodar District of the Russian Federation and breakaway Abkhazia.“It is inadmissible, when the Russian leadership neglects violation of a neighbor country’s sovereignty,” Deputy Foreign Minister Kakha Sikharulidze told …
Maverick MP Joins Pro-Presidential Bloc
MP Guram Sharadze, known for his campaigns against religious minority groups, joined the presidential-backed election alliance and will run for MP in Gldani constituency of capital city Tbilisi.Guram Sharadze is a close ally and supporter of defrocked extremist Orthodox priest Basil Mkalavishvili, who is wanted by the law enforcers for violent attacks against the religious …
U.S. Hails Georgia’s Progress in Fight Against Trafficking
The U.S. Administration stated on September 10 that Georgia made important progress over the last three months in the fight to abolish modern day slavery – trafficking.The United States expressed satisfaction with these achievements and called on the Georgian government to continue its struggle against trafficking.The US Department of State’s report on Trafficking in Persons …
OSCE Keeps Eye on Georgia’s Elections
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) set up one of the largest and longest running observation missions ever deployed to an OSCE country on September 9 to monitor the November 2 parliamentary election process before, during, and after election day in Georgia. “The forthcoming elections are crucial for the future democratic development …
Opposition Still Tries to Unite
After numerous failed attempts to form a unified opposition election bloc, the Burjanadze-Democrats, the New Rights, National Movement, Traditionalist party hold consultations over unification again.The consultations are confidential and the details are not known so far. However it is almost decided that the Traditionalists party, led by Akaki Asatiani will join the Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc, …
ISFED Claims Referendum Complicates Election Process
The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) expresses deep concern in regard to holding a referendum over reduction of a number of MPs on November 2, simultaneously with the parliamentary elections.In a statement issued on September 11 ISFED claims that two months are not enough to inform citizens and conduct public discussions to …
Pro-Presidential Bloc Fails to Agree on MP Candidates List
The presidential-backed election alliance For New Georgia still fails to agree on list of MP candidates. Each party and movement of the bloc demands to be in the top of the list, in order to secure places in the Parliament.Being in the top of the list of candidates, increases chances to become the Member of …
11/09/2003 - 18:21
State Minister, Head of Abkhaz Government-in-Exile Discussed Abkhazia, Election
State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze told reporters today after the meeting with head of Abkhaz government-in-exile Tamaz Nadareishvili that the Georgian authorities will do their best to start discussion of genocide of the Georgian population in Abkhazia in the International Criminal Court (ICC).Nadareishvili, who has recently joint the presidential-backed election alliance, said ?all the documents are …
The Largest Jailbreak, 100 on Run
129 convicts, described by the authorities as “dangerous,” escaped late on September 10 from the Rustavi top security prison near Tbilisi, killing one prison guard; another was badly injured. The largest jailbreak in Georgia’s history is a major blow to the penitentiary system and the reforms carried out in the system couple of years ago. …
Georgian Firemen Commemorate US Colleagues Died in 9/11
(Tbilisi, September 11, 2003, Civil Georgia) – The Department of the Fire Service of Georgia today will organize a commemoration event dedicated to the American firemen whom perished in the terrorist acts on September 11, 2001. US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles will make opening remarks at the commemoration event. This post is also available …
26 Jailbreakers Recaptured out of 129
(Tbilisi, September 11, 2003, Civil Georgia) – Georgian Justice Ministry reported this morning that the law enforcers recaptured 26 convicts out of 129, who escaped from Rustavi top security prison late on September 10.The jailbreakers are described by authorities as “particularly dangerous.”According to Interior Ministry’s spokesman Paata Gomelauri the police blocked all roads in and …
President of Lithuania Visits Georgia
(Tbilisi, September 11, 2003, Civil Georgia) – President of Lithuania Rolandos Paksas will arrive in Georgia on September 11 to hold meetings with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze and Foreign Minister Irakli Menagarishvili. As the press service of the President of Georgia reports, the President of Lithuania will be accompanied by the …
Mass Jailbreak in Georgia
(Tbilisi, September 11, 2003, Civil Georgia) – Up to 129 inmates of the Rustavi prison, near Tbilisi, escaped late in the evening on September 10, killing one prison guard. Another guard was badly injured. The jailbreakers are described by authorities as “particularly dangerous.” The law enforcers reported that up to 15 jailbreakers were recaptured. It …
Chief of Staff of Armed Forces, Deputy Security Minister to Run for MP
(Tbilisi, September 10, 2003, Civil Georgia) – Chief of Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Joni Pirtskhalaishvili will run for MP in Lanchkhuti constituency, western Georgia. Deputy Security Minister Lasha Natsvlishvili will also run for MP in Lagodekhi constituency, eastern Georgia.Both of them are supported by the Presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia. This post …
10/09/2003 - 18:25
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)