Archive
Search results
Page 672 of 767
Opposition Warns Over Mass Protests in Case of Ballot Fraud
The opposition National Movement party, led by Mikheil Saakashvili, warned today the authorities that it will stage mass protest rallies in case the government will try to rig the November 2 parliamentary elections.“If we see that the ballot is rigged, we give up race for parliamentary seats and start mass protest rallies,” Maia Nadiradze of …
15/10/2003 - 21:45
Sukhumi Claims US-Trained Troops to Sabotage in Abkhazia
Chief of the security service of the unrecognized Abkhaz Republic Givi Agrba said on October 14 that the Georgian troops, trained within the US-funded Train-and-Equip program are engaged in ?sabotage? against the Abkhaz officials. Georgian side denies accusations. President Shevardnadze has numerously stated that the US-trained Georgian troops will not be deployed in Abkhazia. Abkhaz …
NGOs Offer Principles to Secure Democracy and Freedom
Leading civil society organizations launched today a campaign aiming at implantation of ten main principles, necessary to ensure democratic development of the country. These are the ten principles NGOs, including Liberty Institute, Open Society ? Georgia and the Georgian Young Lawyers Association are advocating: passing of the law that would allow for the confiscation of …
Official Watchdog Agency Concerned over Misuse of Budgetary Funds
Chairman of the Chamber of Control Sulkhan Molashvili, while speaking at a government session on October 15, raised concern over misuse of budgetary funds for the election campaigning by the political parties. “The critical remarks are addressed to both opposition and pro-governmental parties. It is inadmissible, when the communal expenditures are used for pre-election purposes, …
Shevardnadze Demands Distribution of Salaries, Pensions
President Shevardnadze demanded from the government members to ensure distribution of the salaries and pensions.?There is no time for election campaigning. We must distribute salaries and pensions. This would be the best election campaign,? President Shevardnadze said at the government?s meeting today.?Everybody is talking that there are no pensions and salaries. We must do everything …
Security Ministry Publicized Allegations on Burjanadze
Georgian State Security Ministry displayed on its official web site documents delivered, to the Ministry by spokesperson of the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia, regarding alleged ?ties between Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze and Russian secret services.?There are two documents, one in Georgian and another in Russian, displayed on the Security Ministry?s web …
Wanted Defrocked Priest Shows Up
Defrocked Orthodox priest Basil Mkalavishvili, wanted by the police for numerous attacks against the religious minorities, has shown up and met with his parish today. Court sentenced Mkalavishvili in June to three month pre-trial detention. He faces charges of organized violence against Jehovah’s Witnesses and Baptist-Evangelists and burning their religious literature over a period of several …
14/10/2003 - 18:28
Defense Minister Visits U.S.
Georgian Defense Minister Davit Tevzadze left for the United States on a seven-day official visit on October 14. During the visit the Defense Minister will hold meetings with high-rank officials of the U.S. Armed Forced. The sides will discuss the issues of prolongation of the US-funded Train and Equip Program, which expires in May 2004, …
Polish Diplomat Robbed
Reports say Charge d’Affairs of Poland in Georgia was attacked and robbed in eastern Georgia, while returning to Tbilisi with his family and interpreter.The attackers seized the diplomat?s car and took USD 400. Later the police found abandoned car of the Polish diplomat. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Shevardnadze Reaffirms Concerns Over Russia’s Threats
President Shevardnadze voiced concern once again regarding the recent official statement from Moscow that Russia could launch pre-emptive strikes in case of a threat to its national security. “The statement about preventive strikes poses a real danger,” Shevardnadze said in his Monday radiobroadcast on October 13. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said earlier this month …
Opposition Accuses Azeri Envoy of Interfering in Georgia’s Elections
Opposition National Movement party accused Azerbaijani’s ambassador in Georgia Hajan Hajiev of agitating against the opposition parties in the areas predominately populated by the ethnic Azerbaijanis.“Recently Hajan Hajiev visited regions populated by ethnic Azerbaijanis and called them for voting for the presidential-backed election bloc [For New Georgia]. He said that some opposition leaders and members …
13/10/2003 - 16:31
Shevardnadze Slams Burjanadze
President Shevardnadze dismissed accusations made by Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze, who said that Shevardnadze is behind the smear campaign against her.Spokesperson of the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia accused Burjanadze of collaboration with the Russian secret services on October 8. Burjanadze, who denied the accusation, said that President Shevardnadze is masterminding black-PR …
CEC Opens Polling Stations Abroad
Under the decree of the Central Election Commission (CEC) 62 polling stations will be opened in foreign cities.The polling stations will be opened in those 35 cities, where at least 50 Georgian citizens live. Mikheil Saakashvili, the Chairman of the Tbilisi City Council and the leader of the National Movement party, said at a news briefing …
President Blames Government, Opposition for Mess in Voter Lists
President Shevardnadze said in his Monday radiobroadcast, “the government, as well as its opponents, is to be blamed for inaccuracy in the voter lists.”According to the opposition parties, there are up to 600,000 more voters in the lists, while approximately 30% of eligible voters are not included in the voter lists. The opposition claims that …
Georgian, Abkhaz Delegations Visit Balkans
The delegations of Georgia and breakaway Abkhazia left for Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo on October 12. The Georgian delegation is represented by Special Affairs Minister Malkhaz Kakabadze; the Abkhaz delegation is led by de facto Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba. Major-General Kazi Ashfaq Ahmed, UN Chief Military Observer, accompanies the delegation. During the visit the conflicting sides …
CEC Secretary Assaulted
Up to six unknown men attacked and severely beat up Secretary of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Giorgi Mikanadze late on October 11.Giorgi Mikanadze, who is the representative of the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia in the CEC, ruled out the robbery attempt, as the attackers did not take any money from him.The member …
Journalists Attacked Again in Western Georgia
The crew of Rustavi 2 TV channel was attacked in Zugdidi, western Georgia, while shooting the anti-governmental Kmara youth movement activists trying to spell Kmara (in Georgian means ?enough?) in the streets of Zugdidi, early in the morning on October 12. The Rustavi 2 reported that several armed man, supporters of the presidential-backed election bloc …
12/10/2003 - 16:05
CoE Urges for Authorities’ Neutrality in Elections
In the wake of visit of the U.S. pre-election delegation, the representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) paid fact-finding visit to Georgia on October 8-10.The delegation, led by Matyas Eorsi (Hungary), co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Georgia at the PACE, which monitors implementation of the commitments undertaken by the Georgian authorities …
Police Foils Kmara Rally Again
The police foiled today anti-governmental protest rally of the youth movement Kmara (Enough) in a western Georgian city of Poti. The Kmara activists were beaten up by the police; reportedly some of them got severe injuries. The Kmara activists tried to protest against President Shevardnadze, who is visiting Poti today.The Rustavi 2 TV channel reported …
11/10/2003 - 15:32
Shevardnadze Condemns Russia’s Threats on Pre-Emptive Strikes
President Shevardnadze condemned the recent statements of Russian President Putin and Defense Minister Ivanov regarding the possible pre-emptive strikes against the neighboring countries, in case of threat to Russia’s national security. President Shevardnadze drew parallels between the Kremlin’s strategy of pre-emptive strikes and Adolf Hitler.“Neither Russia, nor any other state throughout the world, has the …
Mess in Voter Lists
Inaccurate voter lists heat up debates on the eve of the November 2 parliamentary elections in Georgia, as the inaccuracy of the lists is one of the sources of ballot fraud. Despite many efforts of the international donor organizations to ensure development of the accurate and transparent voter lists, the problem still persists. According to …
U.S. Pre-Election Delegation’s Statement
Tbilisi, October 7, 2003 This statement is offered by a pre-election delegation organized by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), which visited Georgia from October 4 through October 7, 2003. The delegation included: Gen. John Shalikashvili (ret.), former Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff; Strobe Talbott, President of the Brookings Institution …
Elections – Test of Democracy
There is too much at stakes for Georgia in the November 2 parliamentary elections. The United States warns the Georgian government that in case of failure of free and fair elections the country’s inspirations to the Euro-Atlantic structures, the support of western democratic nations towards Georgia and further democratic development of the country will suffer …
U.S. Watches Georgia’s Elections Closely
High-level U.S. delegation visits Georgia to remind the authorities that the quality of the November 2 parliamentary elections will determine the quality of the U.S.-Georgian further relations. The U.S. National Democratic Institute (NDI) dispatched on October 4 delegation of the former U.S. high officials, including John M. Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs …
22 Parties and Blocs Contest for New Parliament
The Central Election Commission (CEC) registered on October 2 the lists of candidates of the political parties and blocs, who will run in the November 2 parliamentary elections under the proportional system. A total of 9 blocs and 13 parties will contest for 235 seats in the new Parliament. However, according to the recent opinion …
Abkhaz Opposition Demands to Amend Presidential Law
The opposition movement Aitaira in breakaway Abkhazia urged the parliament of the unrecognized republic to amend the presidential law, in order to elect a new president.The Aitaira claims that de facto President Vladislav Ardzinba is no longer capable to be in charge of his position, because of his illness, Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported. Ardzinba …
Police Arrested Kmara Activists
The police prevented today anti-governmental protest rally of the youth movement Kmara (Enough) in front of the State Chancellery.The Kmara activists were beaten up by the police; seven activist of the movement were arrested. The Kmara activists were released after two hours of detention without any charges. The Kmara intended to rally in front of …
10/10/2003 - 18:14
Pro-Presidential Bloc Presents Platform, While Kmara Protests
The presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia will present the election platform today. The leaders of the bloc, including President Shevardnadze will attend the presentation.“We have a stability, now it is time for development. This is the main principle of our platform,” Vazha Lortkipanidze, one of the leaders of the bloc and former State Minister …
CEC, Political Parties Discuss Voter Lists
Representatives of the political parties and the members of the Central Election Commission (CEC) are holding meeting today to discuss inaccuracy of the voter lists.According to the opposition parties up to 30% of the eligible voters are not included in the lists, while the representatives of the presidential-backed election alliance For New Georgia dismiss the …
Georgian, Uzbek Presidents Discussed Cooperation
President Shevardnadze met today with his Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimov, who arrived in Georgia on an official two-day visit on October 9.The two Presidents signed five inter-state agreements, including the agreements on eradication of illegal drug-trafficking and on bilateral cooperation.?The issue of repatriation of Meskhetian Turks [they were deported from Georgia in 1944, many of them …
Mess in Voter Lists
About 30% of eligible voters are not included in the lists Inaccurate voter lists heat up debates on the eve of the November 2 parliamentary elections in Georgia, as the inaccuracy of the lists is one of the sources of ballot fraud. Despite many efforts of the international donor organizations to ensure development of the accurate …
Georgian Energy Minister Visits Russia
Georgian Fuel-Energy Minister Mamuka Nikolaishvili arrived in Moscow on October 10 to hold talks with Anatoly Chubais, chief of Russia’s state-owned Unified Energy Systems (UES), on import of Russian electricity to Georgia.In early August UES purchased a 75% stake in the Telasi electricity distribution facility from the U.S. company AES. Remainign 25% is owned by …
Breakaway South Ossetia Denies Harboring Ex-Security Chief
The Foreign Ministry of the breakaway South Ossetia issued a statement denying that former Georgian Security Minister Igor Giorgadze, accused of masterminding a terrorist attack against Eduard Shevardnadze is currently living on the territory of South Ossetia. Giorgadze fled Georgia in 1995 after being accused of organizing the August 1995 car-bomb attack on Shevardnadze.Giorgadze’s application to …
Burjanadze Accuses Government of Black-PR Campaign
Nino Burjanadze, the Parliamentary Chairperson and leader of the Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc, accused the government of black-PR campaign to smear her. On October 8 Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia, the spokesperson of the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia, accused the Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc, led by Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze, of having ties with the Russian secret services. Irina …
09/10/2003 - 19:03
Court Acquitted Chechen Militant Suspect
Chechen Khamzat Isaev was acquitted by the court today of illegal crossing Georgian-Russian border and carrying weapons charges. ?The court considered all these accusations as groundless and released Isaev,? Isaev?s attorney Achiko Chopikashvili told Civil Georgia. Khamzat Isaev was among 13 alleged militants detained by the Georgian border guards last August near the Georgian-Russian border. …
ISFED Concerned with Inaccurate Voter Lists
Election observer NGO International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) expressed concern regarding the inaccurate voter lists.“We call the political parties, government and society to cooperate in rechecking of the voter lists, in order to prevent ballot fraud,” the ISFED statement reads. There are many deceased persons on the lists, while many voters are …
Security Chief Denies Burjanadze’s Ties with Russian Secret Services
Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Tedo Japaridze said today, he had no information confirming Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze’s cooperation with the Russian secret services. On October 8 Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia, the spokesperson of the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia, accused the Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc, led by Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze, of having ties …
Elections – Test of Democracy
U.S. Gives One More Chance to Georgia The U.S warns the stakes for Georgia in the upcoming elections are high There is too much at stakes for Georgia in the November 2 parliamentary elections. The United States warns the Georgian government that in case of failure of free and fair elections the country’s inspirations to the Euro-Atlantic …
Abkhaz, Georgian Sides Agreed to Cooperate Against Crime
The UN-sponsored talks on security matters were held on October 8 between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides in Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia.Georgian Special Affairs Minister Malkhaz Kakabadze and Abkhaz de facto Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba discussed recently aggravated situation in the Gali district. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Heidi Tagliavini and representatives …
Uzbek President Visits Georgia
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov will pay an official visit to Georgia on October 9-10. The delegation will include members of the Uzbek government and businessmen. During the meeting with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, the sides will discuss the prospects of bilateral cooperation.The Presidents will also discuss the cooperation within the framework of GUUAM [Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, …
Pro-Presidential Bloc Accuses Burjanadze in Cooperation with Russian Secret Services
Spokesperson of the presidential-backed election bloc For New Georgia Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia said today that the Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc, led by Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze cooperates with the Russian secret services.?The opposition intends to destabilize situation in the country after the parliamentary elections, with the assistance of the Russian secret services,? Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia said at a …
08/10/2003 - 19:24
Burjanadze Calls Opposition for Cooperation Against Ballot Fraud
Nino Burjanadze, the Parliamentary Chairperson and leader of Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc called the opposition parties for cooperation in order to prevent ballot fraud.“I urge all the opposition parties to coordinate our activities in order to secure and protect our votes during the elections,” Nino Burjanadze said today. According to the opposition parties there up to …
Court Rejects Referendum Proposal Over Cabinet of Ministers
The Supreme Court of Georgia rejected on October 7 the Traditionalists opposition party appeal demanding cancellation of the decision of the Central Election Commission, which refused to hold a referendum 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: …
President Discusses Elections with Governors
President Shevardnadze will meet today with his representatives in the regions of Georgia to discuss pre-election preparations.The perspectives of the pro-governmental election bloc For New Georgia in the November 2 parliamentary elections will be on the top of the agenda during the meeting. The government’s meeting was scheduled for today, however President Shevardnadze postponed it …
Azerbaijan Reschedules Georgia’s Debt
An inter-governmental agreement on restructuring of Georgia’s debt to Azerbaijan was signed in Baku on October 7. The agreement was signed by Finance Ministers of Georgia and Azerbaijan, Mirian Gogiashvili and Avez Alekperov. As the Georgian Finance Ministry reports, the agreement implies progress payment of a 20 million-debt within 20 years. This post is also …
U.S. Pre-Election Delegation’s Statement
Tbilisi, October 7, 2003 This statement is offered by a pre-election delegation organized by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), which visited Georgia from October 4 through October 7, 2003. The delegation included: Gen. John Shalikashvili (ret.), former Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff; Strobe Talbott, President of the Brookings Institution …
NDI Delegation: Fair Elections Guarantee Stability
The U.S. pre-election delegation hosted by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), which visited Georgia on October 4-7, issued a statement saying “Georgia’s November 2 parliamentary elections present a critical test for the country’s democratization.”The delegation included: Gen. John Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff; Strobe Talbott, former Deputy …
Georgia at the Bottom of TI’s Corruption List
According to the Transparency International’s (TI) annual report Georgia is among the most corrupt countries. The corruption perceptions index (CPI) index is compiled based on public perception of corruption among public officials and politicians. In the latest report, Georgia is ranked 127th out of 133 countries listed.“Corruption is perceived to be pervasive in Bangladesh, Nigeria, …
07/10/2003 - 19:55
GYLA Against Law on Media
The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) claims that some of the articles of the law “on Press and Other Means of Mass Media” of Georgia and Adjarian Autonomous Republic are anti-constitutional.GYLA appealed the Constitutional court on September 24 demanding cancellation of these articles. GYLA and other civil activists say that the number of provisions in …
Government’s Meeting Postponed
The government?s meeting, scheduled for October 8 has been postponed for unknown period.Nino Burjanadze, the Parliamentary Chairperson and the leader of opposition Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc intended to attend the meeting and to make a speech on pre-election situation in the country. ?I am sure that the government?s meeting was postponed because the authorities are afraid to …
Page 672 of 767
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)