NEWS: Georgia News Digest 04-18-08

A service of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies

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Archives and associated files at groups.google.com/group/genewsfiles (from February 2008) and groups.google.com/group/genews (before February 2008)

1. Russia accused of annexation attempt
2. Russia tightens ties with Georgian rebel areas
3. Georgia fights Russia ties with breakaway regions
4. Georgia holds steady as Moscow inches closer to Abkhazia, South Ossetia
5. Moscow chooses Caucasus for 'asymmetric' response to Kosovo
6. MP lets slip that Putin's move is punishment for "aggressive" Georgia
7. Russia should have closer ties with Georgia's breakaway regions - former premier
8. Russia’s interests in the breakaway republics
9. Russia to bolster ties to separatist areas in Georgia
10. Sensing an effete NATO, Russia moves on Georgia
11. Fresh escalation seen in Russia-Georgia conflict
12. Tbilisi turns to OSCE and UN Security Council
13. OSCE Chairman expresses concern about recent developments in the Georgian conflict areas
14. Parties to Georgia-Ossetia conflict should resume talks-opinion
15. Russian moves in Caucasus provoke EU concern
16. Finland and Sweden concerned over breakaway regions in Georgia
17. Statement by John McCain after talking with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili
18. ‘Russia openly siding with separatists’ – U.S. diplomat
19. Statement by the NATO Secretary General on Abkhazia and South Ossetia
20. Lithuanian president calls for respect to Georgia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty
21. Confessionary instructions: Vladimir Putin set the course on integrating Abkhazia and South Ossetia into Russia
22. Georgia must support Russia's intention to help its breakaway regions – expert 23. Russian lawmaker urges Saakashvili not to worsen relations
24. Russian party leaders disagree on latest moves on Georgia’s breakaway regions
25. Russian deputy speaker urges recognition for Georgian regions before NATO summit
26. Russian envoy to NATO dismisses criticism of undermining Georgia's sovereignty
27. Recognition of Kosovo by the West is having its effect on territorial conflicts in the Commonwealth
28. Saakashvili praises Western reaction to Russia's move on breakaway regions
29. Ministers condemn Russia's move on breakaway regions
30. Georgia demands Russia drop pro-rebel plans
31. Statement of H.E. Mr. Irakli Alasania, Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations
32. Foreign Ministry assails Russia's "threat to Georgian statehood and sovereignty"
33. Defence official says no plans for military operations in Abkhazia
34. ‘Revise decision’ – Saakashvili tells Moscow
35. Georgian leader demands Russia review aid for breakaway regions
36. Georgia demands Russia drop pro-rebel plans
37. Georgia asks UN to hold session over Russia aid to breakaway region
38. Saakashvili demands Russia review aid for breakaway regions
39. Georgian press in angry response
40. We are ready to develop negotiations with Russia over conflict solutions to the last
41. Support for S Ossetia, Abkhazia not official recognition – Kokoity
42. Kokoyty discussing security with Russian Duma MPs – TV
43. Kokoyty dismisses Georgia's statement on Russian "annexation"
44. Bagapsh concerned over Georgia's military steps near Abkhazia
45. Sokhumi warns against deploying Georgian troops at border
46. Abkhazia at the center of turf battle: Georgia and Russia vie for the region, now a hub of post-Cold War hostilities
47. video: Build-up of Georgian troops on Abkhazia border causes concern
48. Georgia, Ukraine and the divide and rule phenomena
49. NATO may be trying to substitute for UN – Lavrov
50. From frozen to boiling: Georgia in the firing line: who's watching?
51. Tbilisi's European yearnings
52. Rep. Gary L. Ackerman and Rep. Brad Sherman hold a joint hearing on Iran nuclearization [Excerpt]
53. Russia favors Democrat Obama in US presidential race [excerpt]
54. Georgia's last chance
55. Members of 12 parties form new election alliance in Georgia
56. Opposition bloc starts official election campaign
57. Opposition faces uphill election struggle
58. Governing party to rely on star power as it aims to dominate next parliament
59. Nine-party bloc suspends Rustavi 2, Mze TV boycott
60. United Opposition is ready to cooperate with Rustavi 2 and Mze
61. Ex-Imedi TV journalist to run for majoritarian MP
62. Republican Party presented its majoritarian MP candidate from Samgori district
63. Opposition party's website hacked
[Presenter] Stop your existence - Internet hackers greeted members of the Christian Democratic Movement with this message 15 minutes before the presentation today of the party's website. The head of the movement, Giorgi Targamadze, says that the website's presentation went ahead as planned despite the unexpected surprise. The new site has two addresses: cdm.ge and targamadze.ge. After registering on the site, users automatically become members of the Christian Democratic Movement. The site contains information about the movement's leaders, including biographical information and interviews.

64. Okruashvili: Saakashvili and Merabishvili planned the murder of Georgian businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili!
65. Demanding salaries from Patarkatsishvili’s family
66. National Communications Commission once again sent around the Code of Conduct draft version
67. State Representative for the President denies Radio Hereti accusations
68. Sports Academy supporters protest university merger
69. Canceled and restored again
70. Bank of GUAM: Good prospects
71. Government announces tender for six oil and gas licences in Georgia
72. Tourism: Structure and cost-sharing
73. Main policy rate raised to 12 percent
74. NBG to amend the rules for calculation and maintenance of minimum reserve requirements to commercial banks
75. The former office of Post Bank of Georgia to be sold at gel 19,5 million
76. Baku-Supsa pipeline to re-establish its activity in may
77. Four major hotel brands opening in Tbilisi

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