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US Aid Cut: a Political Blow to the Government
The U.S. decision to further cut the financial aid delivered yet another blow to the Georgian authorities on the eve of the November 2 parliamentary elections. Observers suggest Georgian government’s poor performance and shifts in its foreign policy are to blame. Thomas Adams, Acting Coordinator of the U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia at the …
01/10/2003 - 18:17
Authorities Strengthen Security Measures, as Elections Loom
President Eduard Shevardnadze stated at the government session today that the security will be tightened before and during the November 2 parliamentary elections.Shevardnadze also said the government will convene in a special session on October 8 to discuss a detailed plan of security measures.“The international community and our foreign partners show great interest in the elections. 600 …
Burjanadze: “radical measures” needed for improving Russo-Georgian Relations
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said in the interview to the Moscow-based radio station Echo Moskvy on September 30 that ?radical steps are needed to improve and normalize the relationship between Georgia and Russia.??We do not reqest much. We only ask Russia to respect our national interests, sovereignty and territorial integrity. When Russian politicians say …
Kidnapped Russian Peacekeeper Freed
Russian peacekeeper Gregory Derevyanikh, kidnapped in western Georgian town of Zugdidi on September 27, was released late on September 30.The peacekeeper was released a result of joint action of the Russian peacekeeping forces, deployed in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone under the auspices of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Georgian law-enforcement agencies. Details …
Sukhumi Celebrates Independence Day
Breakaway Abkhazia staged a military parade in capital Sukhumi today, marking the 10th anniversary of its independence.On September 30, 1993, three days later after the Georgian troops were ousted from Sukhumi, breakaway Abkhazia announced independence, which is not internationally recognized.The delegations of the Krasnodar District of the Russian Federation, as well as representatives of the …
30/09/2003 - 17:21
Georgian, Russian Speakers Met in Moscow
Chairman of the Council of Federation of Russia Sergei Mironov met today the Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze in Moscow.?There are no disagreements in the relationship between Russian and Georgian MPs. Both sides are willing to develop a constructive position over Abkhazia issue,? Russian news agency Interfax reports quoting Mironov.Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze left …
Chechens in Georgia Say No to Repatriation
Chechen refugees living in the Pankisi Gorge of Georgia refused to return to Chechnya, quoting the lack of security.The Russian delegation led by the Minister for Chechen Affairs Stanislav Iliasov arrived to Pankisi Gorge on September 30 to convince Chechen refugees to voluntarily return to Russian Federation.The delegation brought 20 tons of the humanitarian aid …
Russian Peacekeepers Search for Kidnapped Soldier
Reports say that up to 200 Russian peacekeepers unilaterally started this morning raids in the streets of Zugdidi, a town at the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone, searching for the abducted peacekeeper.The soldier, Alexander Derevyanko, was kidnapped in the town of Zugdidi by four armed men who bundled him into a car and drove away on September …
U.S. Condemns Bolnisi Violence
The U.S. Embassy to Georgia reiterates its strong support for free and fair elections in Georgia and condemns the recent violence in Bolnisi, Kvemo Kartli region. The news release issued by the Embassy on September 29 reads, that parties across the political spectrum agreed to support a Scorecard for Georgian Elections advanced by former Secretary …
CSOs Discuss Relationship with Political Parties
“CSO and Political Parties” was the topic of the meeting arranged on September 27, 2003 by the Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (CIPDD) aiming to demonstrate the existing practices and future perspectives of the relationship between the CSOs and political parties. This was the fourth discussion in the cycle of meetings arranged within …
Russia Delivers Aid to Chechen Refugees in Pankisi
The Russian delegation led by Minister for Chechen Affairs Stanislav Iliasov arrived in the Pankisi Gorge today to convince Chechen refugees living there to return to Chechnya on a voluntary basis. The delegation delivered 20 tons of humanitarian aid consisting of warm clothes and food.In case of willingness of Chechen refugees, the Russian delegation can …
Authorities, Opposition Call for Non-Violence
Levan Mamaladze, one of the members of the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia and candidate for MP in the Bolnisi single-mandate constituency, called his opponents on September 29 ?for a dialogue in order to hold parliamentary elections in a peaceful atmosphere.??We urge to all political parties to exercise good will and reach an agreement …
Brethren In Christ, Divided
Orthodoxy and Catholicism Clash in Georgia Thousands rallied in Tbilisi against treaty with the Vatican. The Georgian government has yielded to pressure from the Georgian Orthodox Church and delayed signing of the inter-state treaty with the Vatican. Along with the international embarrassment, the power of the Orthodox Church’s isolationist lobby was revealed once again. The Political …
29/09/2003 - 20:47
Ethnic Azeris Protest against Local Authorities
Residents of the Gardabani district in the Kvemo Kartli region, mainly ethnic Azerbaijanis, held today a protest rally against the local authorities. They demanded fair distribution of land. The local authorities said they were ready to meet the requirements of the residents and claimed the rally was connected with the upcoming elections. Analogous rally was held …
Gazprom Says Shah-Deniz Project is Long-Term Perspective
?Gazprom can supply Georgia with natural gas without any problems,? Deputy Chairman of Russian energy giant Gazprom Alexei Ryazanov said today while commenting on the statement of Georgian President Shevardnadze about the prospects of cooperation with Azerbaijan over gas supplies. He said the Russian company would start gas supplies to Georgia from mid October. ?We …
Azerbaijan to Supply Georgia with Gas
President Shevardnadze said today that Georgia will receive 200-300 million cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan this winter. This amount of gas will be enough for Tbilisi only for one month. At the moment Russia is the only supplier of gas to Georgia. Eduard Shevardnadze also said in his radiobroadcast on September 29 that he and …
President Warns Over Destabilization
President Shevardnadze said today that any attempt of destabilization in the country on the eve of the November 2 parliamentary election will be eradicated.?Some political parties try to create armed groups, to undermine situation in the country of the eve of the elections. However, we will not let them to destabilize situation. We should manage …
Shevardnadze Confident U.S. not to Suspend Assistance to Georgia
Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said today while commenting the U.S. decision to cut financial aid to Georgia from 2004, that the U.S. will not suspend assistance to Georgia.?We have definite problems. We admit that Georgia failed to meet some of its commitments. But, we will settle this problem and improve our work,? President Shevardnadze said …
Russia Intensifies Efforts on Chechen Refugees’ Repatriation
The Russian delegation led by Minister for Chechen Affairs Stanislav Iliasov will arrive in Tbilisi on September 29.The delegation will deliver 20 tons of humanitarian aid to the Chechenrefugees living in the Pankisi Gorge and will try to convince them to return to Chechnya on a voluntary basis.The delegation visited the Pankisi Gorge in early …
Burjanadze at Caucasian Speakers Meeting in Moscow
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze left for Moscow to participate in a meeting of the Parliament Speakers of Caucasian Four on September 29-30.The meeting will be held with participation of Chairman of the Council of Federation of Russia Sergei Mironov, Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Artur Bagdasaryan and Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament Murtuz …
Opposition Accuses Police of Intimidating Voters
The National Movement opposition party claims that the police and local authorities in Bolnisi, Kvemo Kartli region, intimidate the population to give evidence against the National Movement supporters, regarding the clash between the party members and the local authorities and police on September 26.“Every night, after September 26, the police raids the villages of the …
28/09/2003 - 18:22
CEC Refuses to Hold Referendum Over Cabinet of Ministers
The Central Election Commission rejected the Traditionalists opposition party’s appeal to hold the referendum on November 2 over introduction of the Cabinet of Ministers.The Traditionalists, which has recently joined the Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc, proposed to hold a referendum with the question: “Do you agree to introduce the Cabinet of Ministers? The Prime-Minister should not be …
Russian Aircraft Intruded Georgia’s Airspace
Georgian Border Guard reported that the Russian aircraft violated Georgian airspace on September 27.According to the report, the Russian aircraft intruded over the village of Omalo, in the north-eastern part of Georgia.This was a third case of violation of the Georgian airspace by the Russian aircraft; however the Russian authorities never confirmed the reports. This …
Election Campaign Turns Violent
Auguries for the upcoming parliamentary elections worsen as violence prevails in election campaigning of the political parties.Dozens were injured as a result of a clash between the supporters of the opposition National Movement party and the police and representatives of the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia in Bolnisi, the eastern Georgian region of Kvemo …
27/09/2003 - 20:32
CIS Peacekeeper Abducted in Western Georgia
Russian private, serving in the peacekeeping troops, deployed in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone under the auspices of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), was reportedly kidnapped on September 27 in the town of Zugdidi.Zugdidi is a frontline town near the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone. The motives of kidnapping remain unclear.However, the local police do not rule …
Georgia Commemorates Abkhaz War Victims
The Georgian leadership, political parties and movements are today commemorating victims of armed conflict in Abkhazia.On September 27, 1993 Georgian troops were ousted from breakaway Abkhaz capital Sukhumi and on September 30 Abkhazia announced independence, which is not internationally recognized. September 27th is the Day of Hope and Commemoration in Georgia.The authorities and each leading …
ISFED Concerned Over Clash in Bolnisi
Election observer NGO International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) expressed today concerned regarding the fact that took place on September 26 in Bolnisi district, when the local government and police obstructed to the leaders of the opposition National Movement to hold a meeting with voters.“Today’s fact demonstrates once more, that the Constitution, any …
26/09/2003 - 20:27
State Minister Condemns Bolnisi Incident
State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze condemned the incident, which took place today between the supporters of the opposition National Movement party and the local authorities in the Bolnisi district of the Kvemo Kartli region of southern Georgia.“Anyone, who violates the law, must be punished, be it the representative of the opposition or pro-governmental party,” Jorbenadze said …
Opposition, Local Authorities Clash in Kvemo Kartli
Dozens injured today as a result of a clash between the supporters of the opposition National Movement party and the local authorities in the Bolnisi district of the Kvemo Kartli region in southern Georgia.Mikheil Saakashvili, the chairman of the Tbilisi City Council and the leader of National Movement, intended to visit Bolnisi for election campaigning, …
UNOMIG Calls on Georgian, Abkhaz Sides for Discreet
UN Observers Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) called on Georgian and Abkhaz sides on September 25 to refrain from any acts and military rhetoric that could undermine situation in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone. The fears over the possible aggravation of situation in the conflict zone increases as breakaway Abkhazia will celebrate 10 year anniversary of de …
25/09/2003 - 17:26
Opposition in Government’s Backyard
Visit of Nino Burjanadze, the parliamentary chairperson and the leader of opposition election bloc the Burjanadze-Democrats, in Kvemo Kartli region on September 24, revealed that the opposition stance towards the authorities has increased in the region, predominately populated by the ethnic Azerbaijanis.Kvemo Kartli region in southern Georgia, governed by the Shevardnadze’s loyalist Levan Mamaladze for …
Zhvania not to Run for Single-Mandate MP
The Burjanadze-Democrats opposition election bloc proposed today a nominee of Vasil Maghlaperidze, who will run for MP in the Saburtalo constituency of Tbilisi.“I am sure that Maghlaperidze will be a worthy rival and manage to defend voters’ interests,” one of the leaders of the bloc Zurab Zhvania said on September 25.Zurab Zhvania intended to run …
“Kmara” for Educated Future Generation
On September 20, 2003 “Kmara” (Enough) activists organized charitable concert in Mziuri Park in Tbilisi “Enough for Educated Future Generation”. The action aimed to collect books for Tbilisi based school libraries. “Kmara” activists, who currently are more than thousand across Georgia, became well known in spring this year for their radical anti-governmental actions in front …
NDI Dispatches Delegation to Observe Elections
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) will dispatch on October 4-8 a high-rank delegation to Georgia to monitor the pre-election preparations in the country. The delegation will consist of Gen. John Malkhaz Shalikashvili, former chief of the US Joint Staffs, Strobe Talbot, President of the Brookings Institution, Brooke Shirer, Member of the Board of the International …
Shevardnadze Visits Western Georgia
Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze left for western Georgian mountainous region of Svaneti and Samegrelo today. President?s Spokesman Kakha Imnadze said on September 24, Shevardnadze will get acquainted with the course of anti-crime operation in Svaneti and discuss social problems with local residents This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
U.S. to Cut Aid to Georgia
Thomas C. Adams, Acting Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, met with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze late on September 24.Thomas Adams said at a news briefing after the meeting with Shevardnadze that the issue of the U.S. assistance to …
Georgia Fails to Repay Debt to Armenia
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Khachatrian said on September 23 that Georgia has failed to repay USD 20 million it owes Armenia.Armenian news agencies reported quoting Khachatrian that Georgia explained its failure to repay debts with the suspension of further loan tranches from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).The IMF suspended programs after the Georgian government failed …
24/09/2003 - 20:58
Russia Claims Chechen Militants Harbor in Georgia
Russian border guard officials claim Chechen militants are harboring in Georgia, on the territory neighboring with the Chechen Republic.?Chechen armed groups are in Chechnya, as well as in Georgia,? Russia media sources reported, quoting Russian deputy chief of the border guard department at the Federal Security Service Alexander Manilov.Georgia denies presence of Chechen militants in …
BP to Give Loan to BTC
The British Petroleum (BP) the largest foreign investor in Azerbaijan, will lend USD 500 million on construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline, which is to carry Azeri oil to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, via Georgia.“We are prepared to lend $500 million,” the Reuters reports quoting David Woodward, president of BP-Azerbaijan.Funding from international financial institutions …
Breakaway Region Protest Opening of Constituencies in South Ossetia
The leadership of the breakaway South Ossetian Republic protests opening of three polling stations in the Znauri district in South Ossetia.De facto Parliamentary Chairman Stanislav Kochiyev said on September 24, the leadership of South Ossetia will apply to OSCE to settle the problem.Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Nana Devdariani claimed, over 700 voters …
Pro-Presidential Bloc Confident to Retain Power
After the meeting of the leadership of the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia late on September 23, State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze said the bloc will win the November 2 parliamentary elections.“We will win everywhere – in the regions and in the cities as well,” Avtandil Jorbenadze, one of the leaders of the bloc told …
Pro-presidential Election Bloc Presented MP Candidates
The pro-presidential election bloc For New Georgia today officially launched its election campaign by presenting 75 candidates, who will run for MP in the single-mandate constituencies, on November 2 parliamentary elections. “I will not be glad if the opposition suffers a defeat, but I really want to see your victory,” President Shevardnadze said today, at …
23/09/2003 - 18:30
Burjanadze-Democrats Present Economic Development Program
The Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc today presented Georgia’s social-economic development strategy.“We do not offer anything new to the population. Along with the economic team we intend to implement those projects, which already existed, but there was no political will to implement them,” Zurab Zhvania, one of the leaders of the bloc, said at the presentation. “Our …
CEC Rejects Fugitive ex-Security Minister to Run for MP
The Central Election Commission (CEC) rejected today appeal of ex-security minister Igor Giorgadze, wanted for terrorist attack against President Shevardnadze, to run for November 2 parliamentary elections.According to the CEC Giorgadze’s candidature was rejected because he did not live in Georgia for past two years. Under the legislation of Georgia, a candidate for MP should …
Zugdidi Court Rules Positively on Pension Repayment
The court in Zugdidi, western Georgia, ruled positively today on 850 local pensioners appeal, demanding from the government repayment of the pension backlog for 1998-2000.The pensioners from Zugdidi filed a lawsuit on the initiative of the opposition National Movement party. Koba Davitashvili of the National Movement party was the pensioners? lawyer.Earlier courts of Samtredia, Kutaisi …
22/09/2003 - 18:36
Burjanadze Says Government Obstructs Opposition
Nino Burjanadze, the Parliamentary Chairperson and the leader of the Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc, accused the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia of deliberate hampering the opposition’s election campaign in the regions.“Instead of launching its own pre-election campaign, the presidential-backed election bloc interferes with the activities of other parties and blocs,” Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said …
Latvian Speaker Visits Georgia
Latvian Parliament?s Speaker Ingrida Udre pays official visit to Georgia to discuss bilateral cooperation with the Georgian side. Ingrida Udre has already held meetings with her Georgian counterpart Nino Burjanadze and Foreign Minister Irakli Menagarishvili. The Latvian Parliament?s Speaker expressed readiness for expanding the cooperation with Georgia, adding that Latvian observers would arrive to Georgia …
Opposition Warns Over Election Fraud
The opposition warns the government will use its “administrative leverages” for ballot fraud in order to succeed in the November 2 parliamentary elections.The police will be on high alert during the elections. The Interior Ministry wants to establish special rules for the policemen to vote. Thus, opposition fears that the policemen’s votes will be easily …
Shevardnadze Satisfied with CEC’s Activity
President Shevardnadze is satisfied with the implementation of pre-election procedures in the country, saying that no efforts should be spared to hold fair parliamentary elections on November 2.He also hailed the work of the Central Election Commission (CEC).“The commission and its chairperson Nana Devdariani managed to do a great deal of work, that is praiseworthy. …
President Hails CIS Summit Results
President Shevardnadze welcomed today that the summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Yalta, Ukraine, on September 19-20, put on the agenda Abkhaz issue, despite certain difficulties.“When the Russian Foreign Ministry officials withdrew the Abkhaz issue from the agenda, Georgia was about to leave the Summit; however, at my urgent request, the issue …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)