Georgia News Digest 01-17-07
A service of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies
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1. magazine issue: “Russian-Georgian Relations”
Russian Analytical Digest No. 13, 16 January 2007
http://www.res.ethz.ch/analysis/rad
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Analysis: Russia and Georgia After Empire
Tables & Diagrams: Statistical Data on Trade and Migration Between Russia and Georgia
A Russian View: Russia Seeks to Promote Peace and Stability in the Caucasus
Opinion Poll: Russian Attitudes Towards Georgia
A Georgian View: Have Russian-Georgian Relations Hit Bottom or Will They Continue to Deteriorate?
Opinion Poll: Georgian Public Opinion on Foreign Policy Issues Summaries

Russia and Georgia After Empire, Erik R. Scott, Berkeley, California
The present crisis between Russia and Georgia can best be understood by looking at the divergent views these two nations have taken of the Soviet past. The author examines the crisis as a post-imperial dilemma, in which tensions run high as both sides struggle to deal with the complicated legacy of a peculiar Soviet empire. The article stresses the role of historical memory of the Soviet past, which is present in the minds of actors on both sides of the conflict and indeed informs many of the actions that have been taken thus far.

Russia Seeks to Promote Peace and Stability in the Caucasus, Sergei Markedonov
Moscow Georgia and Russia have a long history of close relations that soured in the late Soviet and early post-Soviet eras. Georgia blames many of its problems on the Russians. Because Russia is not ready for a unilateral exit from Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia has opted for a strategic relationship with the US. Despite the antagonism of Georgian leaders, Russia has a vital interest in what happens in and around Georgia since the stability of the Russian North Caucasus and the integrity of Russia depend on events there. Russia can play a useful role in the “frozen conflicts†of the region through the provision of peacekeepers, which have the strong support of the ethnic minorities living in Georgia.

Have Russian-Georgian Relations Hit Bottom or Will They Continue to Deteriorate? Ghia Nodia
Tbilisi Russia and Georgia have opposing view of their conflict. Georgian leaders claim to have sought better relations but believe that Russia is unwilling to compromise with them. The main flashpoint, and a cause of considerable concern in the West, is the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia sought to exert intense pressure on Georgia in 2006, but did not achieve any of its political aims. As a result, the Russian leadership may have given up on its efforts to effect regime change in Georgia. The problem of the separatist regions, however, remains unresolved.

2. Nino Burdzhanadze: When A Russian Says “I’m A Georgian,” Georgians Weep
3. Love for Those Just Across the Border: Survey on Russian Attitudes Towards Ethnic Groups of the FSU [excerpt]
4. American Experts Forecast Conflict Between Russia And Georgia And Crisis Of Azerbaijan’s Economy [excerpt]
5. Appeasement Of Belarusian “Dictator” Will Harm Russia’s Interests [excerpt]
6. Next Steps In The Iran Crisis [excerpt]
7. US Army Threat Assessment [excerpt]
8. Georgia Iran to Expand Fields of Cooperation - Field of Battle
9. Construction of military infrastructure in the Southern federal district nearing completion
10. UN Sec-Gen’s report on Georgia, Abkhazia adequate – envoy
11. UN head notes progress in Georgia-Abkhaz resolution fulfillment
12. Separatist minister denies Georgian report of Abkhazia abductions
13. Lost in translation
14. Ugulava and Arveladze delayed in Upper Abkhazia
15. Georgia escalating tensions in conflict zone – Abkhaz minister
16. EU Officials Visit Tskhinvali
17. Tbilisi Calls for ‘Full Demilitarization’ in S. Ossetia
18. Antadze Demands To Launch Process Of Demilitarization Of Georgian-Ossetian Conflict Zone
19. Russian peacekeepers block byroad in conflict zone
20. Tskhinvali blames Georgian side in explosion
21. S Ossetia accuses Georgia of blasting peacekeepers’ vehicle
22. South Ossetia accuses Georgian government of “blockade” attempt
23. South Ossetia says Georgian police take orders from “alternative” government
24. Pro-Georgian official accuses Russia of crime against South Ossetia
25. Georgian PM to visit Iran
26. Georgian TV Hails New Azeri Gas Supplies As “Geopolitical Revolution”
27. Georgia begins receiving gas from Azerbaijan
28. Gas extraction from deposit Shah-Deniz in Azerbaijan has resumed
29. EU can finance Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project in future
30. Border Guard Services Of Georgia And Finland Signed Declaration On Cooperation
31. Servicemembers go to Georgia to train troops for Iraq duty
32. Lithuanian PM To Pay Visit To Georgia
33. Birds of a Feather [Saakashvili and Sarkozy] [excerpt]
34. Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to discuss environment and security at meeting organized by OSCE Mission
35. Photo Exposition “Caucasus: People, Towns, States” To Be Held In Tbilisi
36. Time to pay the piper
37. Full steam ahead for MCG in 2007
38. Human Rights Watch slams “dirty” Georgian gaols
39. WB Report: Georgia Among Largest Emigration Countries
40. World Economic Forum Announces Young Global Leaders For 2007
41. Editor of “Georgian Times” sells Shevardnadze’s famous tea glass
42. Georgian editor puts on sale Rose Revolution symbol
43. Former Georgian president Shevardnadze creates NGO to fight drug abuse
44. The journalists of “Imedi”, “Mze”, “Public Broadcasting” and “Akhali Gazeti” left in Upper Abkhazia are asking for help
45. “Alia”: TV company “Imedi” closes down programs “Sector” and “Freedom Theorem”
46. Power chips “can kill all engines” [excerpt]
47. Sabine Freizer promoted to Europe Program Director
48. Georgia: citrus will be packed according to EU standards
49. Suspected criminal boss arrested
50. 2007 will be the year for forest sector reforms
51. Central Bank Reserves Rise to ‘Historic High’ at USD 958 mln
52. Government promises 100 new hospitals in three years time
53. Government Plans to Invest GEL 520 mln in New Hospitals
54. The view from Chiatura
55. Water water everywhere, but now for twice the price
56. Court proceedings dedicated to the case of Levan Kaladze’s murder to be resumed on January 15
57. Public Defender Demands To Launch Investigation On Fact Of Illegal Imprisonment
58. Tens of thousands consumers cut off electricity supply
59. Protest of victims of landslide in Batumi
60. Explosion in Tskaltubo region
61. Snowfalls isolate about 30 villages in western Georgia

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Jonathan Kulick, Ph.D., Director of Studies, Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, 3a Chitadze, Tbilisi 0108, Georgia (Republic), jonathan.kulick@gfsis.org, office: +995 32 47 35 55, mobile: +995 95 33 33 40, USA voicemail: 310.928.6814