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Georgia News Digest 05-07-08
Abkhazia conflict
1. Georgia says "very close" to war with Russia
2. Minister, seeking EU support, warns war with Russia 'very close'
3. Georgia minister states "very close" to war with Russia
4. Russian NATO envoy says being "close to a war" Georgia's own fault
5. Russia-Georgia 'close to war', Tbilisi to blame - Russian NATO envoy
6. Georgia rendered Russia subject to call-up: Tbilisi asking the West to avert war
7. Georgia call upon Russia to abandon "big brother" syndrome - Georgian Deputy Ambassador
8. Saakashvili calls for "exemplary" election amidst external "provocation"
9. Georgian rebels ask Russian army for help
10. Breakaway Abkhazia seeks Russian military protection
11. Abkhazia seeks security guarantees from Russia - paper
12. video: Abkhazia appeals for Russian military help
13. Abkhaz minister expands on newspaper interview military proposal to Russia
14. Abkhazia hasn't offered to cede control to Russian military - Lavrov
15. Abkhaz foreign minister denies seeking Russian military protection
16. Army ensures security of Abkhazia - FM
17. Azerbaijan's "delivery” of Afghan mujahids to Georgia is possible and even logical
18. Russian commander accuses Georgia of military preparations in conflict zone
19. Russian parachute troops start peacekeeping mission in Georgian region
20. Georgia wants pullout of Russian peacekeepers - minister
21. Extra Russian peacekeepers begin mission in Abkhazia
22. Russia's increase of peacekeepers implies war for the region
23. Abkhazia residents can sleep in peace after arrival of Russian troops
24. Extra Russian troops in Abkhazia to prevent escalation of conflict International response
25. Press briefing by Dana Perino [excerpt]
26. US envoy predicts difficult years ahead for relations with Russia
27. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Sean Mccormack holds regular news briefing [excerpt]
28. U.S. Congress postpones resolution critical of Russian behavior
29. Help wanted
30. International organizations passive as Russia moves troops into Abkhazia Air defense
31. video: Georgia pulls out of air-defence treaty with Russia
32. Russian lawmaker downplays Georgia pullout from air defense treaty
33. Georgia's quitting CIS anti-missile defense system insignificant
34. Experts hail Georgia's defection from air defense agreement
35. SA-11 'Gadfly' used to down Georgian drones - Abkhaz FM
36. Russia won't allow Georgian warplanes to fly over conflict zone - general Georgia-Russia relations
37. Russia"s WTO ambitions & Georgian anguish
38. War would hit Georgia rating, not Russia-Fitch
39. Russian MFA comments on recent Russian initiatives
40. Kremlin policy regarding Abkhazia contradicts Russia's interests
41. Military treaty with Abkhazia premature - Russian lawmaker
42. Tbilisi pins normalization hopes on Medvedev - ambassador
43. Will Medvedev remain faithful to Putin"s foreign policy stance? [excerpt]
44. Georgia Russia tensions rise, stability falls: Pulling a "wag the dog" move or serious threat?
45. Abkhazia: What is all the commotion about? Conflicts commentary
46. Stop playing with fire in Abkhazia
47. Europe whole and free
48. Abkhazia is beyond being a partisan interest
49. Abkhazian gambit - the Kremlin"s risky venture
50. Russians seizing land: "Abkhazian survival in Georgian hands"
51. video: Interview: Artyom Malgin
52. What a speech, what an audience and what results! Conflicts misc.
53. Pro-Russia rally underway in Sukhumi
54. "We don"t need Abkhazia without Abkhazians" - Bagapsh
55. De facto leader meets Cossacks
56. Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone is no place for tourism - peacekeepers
57. South Ossetian leader says Georgia preparing military campaign Politics
58. Opposition coalition to use force
59. Vakhtang Khmaladze: About five political parties have a chance to surpass the 5 percent electoral barrier!
60. People living in rural Georgian to be introduced to election procedures
61. Government takes strong step toward fair election, but it"s only a start
62. United Opposition hopes "to replace Saakashvili"s government"
63. Ruling party MP quits election race over intimidation allegations
64. Republicans complain about police pressure in Kutaisi
65. Who needs more than one head? What we want and what we get
66. Parliamentary elections will be "better" and "democratic"
67. Davit Saganelidze opens election office
68. "Free elections matter of national security" - Saakashvili
69. USD 9,000-16,000 for 30-second primetime political ad
70. A toothless Imedi returns to the air
71. New Foreign Minister appointed
72. report: Georgia: Extraordinary presidential election January 2008 Economy
73. Georgia says in talks with Inter RAO UES on power projects
74. Construction remains fastest growing sector in Georgia
75. Georgia increasingly relying on imports
76. NBG drives interest up to steer inflation down Misc.
77. video: Georgia grieves loss of two servicemen in Iraq
78. Ethnic groups in Georgia #13 - East Slavs (Part 1)
79. Adjara celebrates 4-th anniversary of revolution
80. Group to develop integration and tolerance strategy
Georgia News Digest 05-06-08
Abkhazia
1. Abkhaz minster says plane fragments found
2. MoD says international experts completed drone downing probe
3. Abkhaz claim Georgian drone overflight
4. Georgia asks UN to probe Abkhazia's claims on downed drones
5. Georgia says Russia's WTO entry depends on Abkhazia stance
6. Abkhazia shows off what it says is wreckage of downed Georgia spy planes
7. Abkhazia detects another Georgian drone, takes no action
8. Abkhaz official says any Georgian drone will be shot down - Russian radio
9. Abkhazia maps out its hot-spots
10. Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia - I
11. Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia - II
12. Comment on information spread by the Abkhaz separatist regime and the MFA of the Russian Federation
13. Abkhazia seeks security guarantees from Russia
14. What's ging on in Abkhazia? The Russians are meddling in Georgia, and America can't do much about it.
15. Georgia should stop to heat up tension in Abkhazia – Duma
16. Abkhazia shows off what it says is wreckage of downed Georgia spy planes
17. Army put on alert in breakaway Abkhazia - Georgian TV
18. Interview: Vladimir Kotlyar
19. Ethnic Georgians oppressed in Gali district
20. Abkhazian vice-president describes situation as normal
21. Estonia ready to take part in peacekeeping in Abkhazia
22. Russia will not let military operations near its borders – Rogozin
23. Russian troops in Georgia deny local TV report of interethnic clash among them
24. Commander gives numbers, explains task of new Russian troops in Georgian region
25. Georgia's actions escalate confrontation - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
26. Commander trains new Russian troops in Georgia in use of force
27. Russia's strange "peacekeeping" operation in Abkhazia
28. Russia doubling its troops in Georgia's Abkhazia region
29. RF peacekeepers reinforce positions in Georgia-Abkhazia conflict area
30. Georgia laughs off reports of war
31. Azerbaijan going to send gunmen for Georgia's war against Abkhazia?
32. Possible outcomes of a Georgian-Abkhazian war
33. Kremlin policy regarding Abkhazia contradicts Russia's interests International organizations
34. EU urges RF, Georgia to join efforts on restoring trust
35. Georgian Ambassador: 'NATO sent the wrong signal to Russia'
36. Georgia hopes to join NATO Membership Action Plan in December 2008
37. Georgia links pullout from CIS treaty to NATO integration
38. Georgia, NATO and Mr. Medvedev
39. Trouble in Georgia: The ex-Soviet republic and Russia are at odds over a restive region - and NATO, and WTO
40. Russia's WTO talks run into deadlock
41. Georgia says Russia's WTO entry depends on Abkhazia stance
42. Interview with Gerhard Schroeder [excerpt] Russia-Georgia relations
43. Georgia PM wants economic boom, not Russia conflict
44. Georgia seeks to garner US political support
45. Georgia pulls out from air defense treaty with Russia
46. video: Georgia pulls out of air-defence treaty with Russia
47. Georgia's secession from air defence cooperation agreement not to affect Russia
48. Georgia explains its secession from air defence cooperation agree with Russia
49. Georgia's actions escalate confrontation - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
50. Russia will not let military operations near its borders- Rogozin
51. Russian-Georgian row concerns the West
52. Hexogenetically modified: Russia does not need to respond to the Kosovo precedent
53. Russia rehearses inauguration show of strength
54. A fight for peace in Georgia Politics
55. Chief Prosecutor becomes Foreign Minister
56. Eka Tkeshelashvili appointed new Georgian foreign minister
57. President Mikheil Saakashvili's speech delivered at the National Movement Party congress
58. report: Georgia's May 2008 Parliamentary elections: Setting sail in a storm
59. Survey shows United National Movement with majority support in Republic of Georgia parliamentary race
60. Sozar Subari: "No more rigged elections" real problem or pre-election trick
61. Unknown people are threatening Republican Party activists
62. Deadline for rechecking voter lists extended
63. Opposition says audio tape reveals intimidation of state employees
64. Ruling party MP candidate exits race over audio tape
65. MP candidate in Kutaisi pulls out citing 'pressure'
66. Candidates for MP are busy bribing voters
67. Opposition's economic visions
68. Gogi Topadze advises the government to find a common language with Russia
69. National Movement 3rd majoritarian candidate for Tsalenjikha district voters
70. Arrested election observer for "not" accepting deal Media
71. Imedi TV Company has resumed broadcasting
72. No news is good news for Georgia's opposition TV
73. Georgian Imedi TV runs brief trial broadcast
74. video: Interview: Joseph Kay
75. Assault on a journalist
76. National Movement member wants to shut down a newspaper
77. MP accused of removing 500 newspaper copies out of the sale network Business
78. Norway grants preferences to Georgia under GSP scheme
79. British firm Interchem buys 37,750 T Georgian oil
80. Georgia's credit outlook revised down to stable-S&P
81. "Great trade" in the hospitals sector Misc.
82. New social assistance scheme - a step forward?
83. Peace seekers in Tbilisi Botanical Garden
84. Tbilisi sakrebulo started charity drive for orphanages
85. Scientific research center on Georgian-Abkhaz relations established at TSU
86. Only bait is free in a mouse-trap
87. Seven IDP families unable to receive compensations
88. Prosecutors are regional governors in police state
89. Why destroy Karaleti Forest?
90. Khashuri locals complain: poor sewage system
91. "People's wishes unfulfilled"- concluded Akhaltsikhe district locals
92. Attorney hunger strike means Georgian justice died
Georgia News Digest 05-05-08
Research
1. paper: Fluid party politics and the challenge for democracy assistance in Georgia
2. paper: Governance, the state, and systemic corruption: Armenia and Georgia in comparison
3. paper: Corridor of power: The Caucasus and energy security
4. paper: Folklore and terror in Georgia's 'notorious' Pankisi Gorge
5. paper: Materiality and cosmology: Old Georgian churches as sacred, sublime, and secular objects
6. report: State policies of Georgia in the energy sector: Tariffs on electricity and gas Abkhazia UAV
7. Abkhazia places army on high alert after shooting down Georgian drones
8. Abkhaz claim downing two Georgian drones, Tbilisi denies
9. Abkhaz separatist foreign minister confirms downing of Georgian spy planes
10. Debris of second spy plane downed in Abkhazia found Fri before dusk
11. Georgia vows more UAV flights to gather info on Russia's "military intervention"
12. Unmanned flights in safety zone show aggressive intents of Tbilisi-Sukhumi
13. Georgia's plane over Abkhazia a provocation Conflicts - Georgia view
14. Georgia denies military preparations against Abkhazia
15. No sign of attack plan in Georgia-Russia flashpoint
16. Georgia calls on UN to check Russian presence in Abkhazia
17. Long-simmering Abkhaz conflict heating up....but why now?
18. Russia reinforces forces in Abkhazia as a possibility of armed conflict looms
19. Conflict escalates between Russia, Georgia
20. Escalation of Georgian-Abkhazian conflict promises no good for Armenia
21. An exercise in image-building
22. Senior MP rejects Russian reports of planned attack on Abkhazia
23. Tbilisi demands extra Russian troops 'immediate withdrawal'
24. Tbilisi reporting foreign businesses in Abkhazia to Interpol
25. Tbilisi wants UN to verify level of Russian troop increase
26. Deployment of additional troops further strains Russo-Georgian relations
27. Russian MIGs attack Georgian Hermes
28. Catholicos-Patriarch for peaceful settlement of conflicts
29. Head of Georgian Church urges prayer as "war could start any day"
30. Biggest aggressor occupied part of Georgia
31. Ossetians release three foreign citizens Conflicts' Abkhazian view
32. Abkhaz official warns Georgia against "invasion"
33. Shooting between ethnic Russian, Chechen troops in Abkhazia
34. Abkhaz leader: deployment of extra Russian peacekeepers lawful
35. Abkhazia says some 7,500 Georgian troops amassed in border area
36. People in Abkhazia do not believe in war
37. Importance of new peacekeepers in Abkhazia
38. video: Russia sends more peacekeepers to Abkhazia
39. Russian contingent in Abkhazia completes deployment
40. Georgia may provoke clashes in Abkhazia ahead of elections - Duma deputy
41. Georgia demands Russian withdraw reinforcements from Abkhazia
42. Nationalist leader says Russia must use force to protect nationals abroad
43. Commanders of peacekeepers in Abkhazia report readiness Conflicts' Russian view
44. video: Georgian army set to invade Abkhazia
45. Georgia was preparing an armed intrusion to Abkhazia
46. Georgia prepares military plan against Abkhazia - RF law enforcer
47. Russian diplomats say Georgia purposefully fanning tensions
48. Moscow expects Georgia and those who pull it to NATO to draw conclusions - Lavrov
49. video: NATO is to blame for Russo-Georgian tensions: Lavrov
50. Anti-Semitic attack on Batumi gravesites
51. KGNK warns Georgia
52. Georgia laughs off reports of upcoming military action in Abkhazia
53. Russian TV fears war in Georgian breakaway region
54. Russian Defence Ministry says Georgia does not want peace in Abkhazia
55. Peacekeepers' presence essential for peace in Abkhazia Conflicts' International view
56. EU 'seriously concerned' over Russo-Georgian tensions
57. UN Spokesperson's noon briefing
58. Rice concerned over increase in Russian troops in Abkhazia
59. Sec. Rice Meetings in London [excerpt]
60. US urges Russia to "exercise caution" in activities regarding Abkhazia
61. White House urges restraint over Abkhazia tensions
62. White House Daily Press Briefing
63. Lavrov, Rice discuss Georgia
64. Congressmen warn against U.S. Anti-Russian stance
65. Burjanadze visits U.S.
66. Burdzhanadze to inform US about situation in Georgia
67. Will Ukrainian 'Una-Unsa' provide aid to Georgia?
68. Slovene EU presidency concerned over Georgia Russia row
69. Azerbaijan simply has no choice and it will be bound to support Georgia in the moment of serious straining of Georgian-Russian relations
70. Georgia should follow Azerbaijan's way of conflict settlement Foreign relations
71. Georgia has a lot of friends among democratic countries and it can count not only on Hungary, but on other countries as well
72. Discussions on Georgia in NATO
73. Moscow expects Georgia and those who pull it to NATO to draw conclusions - Lavrov
74. video: NATO is to blame for Russo-Georgian tensions: Lavrov
75. Georgia is Medvedev's first foreign policy test
76. Flying cameras and a prayer for Medvedev [excerpt]
77. Saakashvili gives his version of reasons of November events
78. Russia's WTO ambition and Georgian role
79. USA and Russia struggling for influence over South Caucasus
80. Russia and Georgia
81. President says peace Georgia's main goal
82. Dealing with both Russia and Georgia
83. Facing down the 'mighty' Russian army
84. Georgia's official delegation will attend inauguration ceremony of Russia's new president
85. As Russia presses, Tbilisi scrambles to muster international support
86. A can of worms and an old parable
87. Georgia represents turmoil, danger in Eastern Europe
88. Iliya II urges normalization of Georgia-Russia relations Politics
89. Statement of the NDI pre-election delegation to Georgia's 2008 parliamentary elections
90. Georgian election campaign gets under way
91. CDM leader met with voters in Kakheti
92. Opposition calls for rally on polling day
93. Georgia to successfully conduct parl elections – Saakashvili
94. Candidate complains about pressure
95. Opposition asks international observers to tell the truth
96. Shalva Natelashvili - Mikheil Saakashvili's family is behind Multiplex Energy Georgia
97. As election day nears United Opposition accuses media of bias, ruling party of fraud; observers invoke NATO and call for "trust"
98. Parties took interest in each other's finances
99. Election gambit: Nino Burjanadze leaves in order to come back
100. Misusing administrative resources: A tried and true technique?
101. Saakashvili hails ruling party's 'renewal'
102. CEC updates voter list
103. Roman Kusiani not to participate in upcoming parliamentary elections
104. Ruling party to hold congress in Tbilisi May 3
105. Opposition party demands withdrawal of troops from Iraq
106. Top officials were bribed by Patarkatsishvili
107. Is Georgia a police state?
108. Imedi TV to resume news after polls
109. Georgia's Imedi TV to be back on air after 130-day silence Mon Business
110. International companies interested in Rustavi Metallurgical Plant products
111. GUAM to establish regional bank
112. Volume of lending of the national economy by commercial banks exceeded 4.9 billion lari
113. U.S. Arab citizen to lead International Chamber of Commerce in Georgia
114. Road construction proving tricky for Georgia's millennium challenge
115. Gazprom is not planning to raise gas price for Georgia
116. Over first four months of 2008, 18 700 tourists visited Adjara region
117. OMX longs for Georgian Stock Exchange
118. Minimum quality standards for mortgage lending
119. National wine competition to be held in Georgia
120. Azerbaijan State Oil Company increases activity in Georgia Defense
121. Country reports on terrorism
122. "Blackseafor-07" naval exercise Comes to Georgia
123. Hungarian Defence Ministry officials visit Georgia
124. New guidelines for US-Georgian military cooperation discussed
125. Two Georgian soldiers die in Iraq
126. 2 servicemen from ex-Soviet Georgia killed, 1 wounded in Iraq Misc.
127. Georgia buys 130 ambulance vehicles for areas difficult of access from Russia
128. Members of Georgia's ruling party stab two Azerbaijanis
129. Two Azerbaijanis wounded in Georgian village
130. Museum of sports awards robbed
131. Patriarch of Georgia baptizes over 200 children
132. New bilingual journal delves into Georgia's Soviet archives
133. Poll of Georgian troops in Iraq
134. Women's issues NGOs rally for female MPs
135. A terrible murder in Khobi region
136. Anti-Semitic attack on Batumi gravesites
