NEWS: Georgia News Digest 04-24-08

A service of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies

Attached PDF file easily navigable with Bookmarks pane
Archives and associated files at groups.google.com/group/genewsfiles (from February 2008) and groups.google.com/group/genews (before February 2008)

1. Georgia – shooting down of unarmed UAV
2. Georgian spy plane reached the UN: The Security Council to discuss the situation in Abkhazia
3. video: UN debates Georgian spy plane row
4. Latvia to consider possibilities to help Georgia concerning downed plane
5. Georgia asks Russia to exchange radar data to find out who shot down plane
6. Russia hits back at Georgia in drone shoot-down flap
7. FM, Russia ambassador comment on recent incident
8. Russian commentator compares incident with Georgian UAV to Korean Boeing downing
9. Defence chief accuses Russia of shooting down Georgian unmanned aircraft
10. Lithuania shows solidarity with Georgia in drone issue
11. audio: U.N. takes up Russia-Georgia crisis over downed drone
12. video: Georgia denounces Russian 'harassment'
13. Russia to J'lem: Was downed Georgian drone Israeli-made?
14. Saakashvili convenes Security Council as UN debates Georgia Russia tension
15. Russia accuses Georgia of violating peace treaty
16. Russia’s armed aggression cannot be ignored
17. Russian Foreign minister to clear up situation
18. Russian advice Georgia to admit to mistake
19. Russian diplomat slams Tbilisi’s rhetoric
20. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Sean McCormack holds news briefing
21. video: Remarks with Georgian Foreign Minister Davit Bakradze before their meeting
22. US officials questioned on NATO, Russia-Georgia tensions
23. UK, US, France, Germany adopt communique on Georgia situation
24. West asks Russia to revoke move on Georgia regions
25. CoE head concerned over Russia’s direct ties with Sokhumi
26. Nato delay on Georgia 'helped Kremlin'
27. Kremlin's Message
28. Georgian leader lashes out at Russia ahead of key U.N. Security Council meeting
29. Georgia increases electric energy export to Russia
30. Russian doors open to a dialogue with Georgia, Russian ambassador Kovalenko told
31. Temur Iakobashvili met with ambassadors
32. Georgia accuses Russia of 'creeping annexation' in breakaway regions
33. Georgian Foreign Minister seeks US condemnation of Russia for moves in breakaway provinces
34. Russia shelves Georgian breakaway republics' request for recognition
35. Russia wants to annex Abkhazia
36. Separatist conflict in Georgia
37. Georgian fury at Russia’s Abkhaz moves
38. The Abkhazia factor
39. Saakashvili urged Russia to revise decision on Abkhazia, S Ossetia
40. Abkhazia insists on Georgia denunciation by UN
41. Abkhaz delight at closer ties with Russia
42. Separatists' carry on trainings
43. Russian TV reports on military exercise in Georgia’s breakaway region
44. Russia moots using Abkhazia airport for Sochi Olympics
45. video: Sergey Bagapsh interview
46. Abkhazia: Only Georgian Orthodox priest expelled
47. Abkhazia invites UNESCO experts to see state of cultural monuments
48. Provisional FC commission to discuss S Ossetia's independence bid
49. The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili met with the Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas
50. Lithuanian PM in Tbilisi to restate support to Georgian president
51. President meets delegation of the state officials of Lithuania
52. Lithuanian PM stops over in Tbilisi to show support
53. President Adamkus encourages international community focus on the unilateral steps by the Russian Federation
54. PACE delegation to visit Georgia
55. Ruling camp and SLD critical of president's Georgian initiative
56. Estonian parliament adopts statement in support of Georgia
57. Azerbaijan supports territorial integrity of Georgia and condemns steps, violating this principle
58. President Saakashvili’s televised address to nation
59. Saakashvili proposes consultations with opposition on security ahead of poll
60. President confirms parliament elections to be held May 21
61. Departure of top government figure brings internal ‘fight into the open’
62. Observers comment on ruling party list submission controversy
63. Christian-Democratic Movement party addresses international observation missions to act as a mediator
64. Eight representatives of national minorities included in Georgian National Movement’s election list
65. If the ruling party wins the elections, it will be thanks to Russia!
66. Gia Maisashvili is the majoritarian MP candidate from Saburtalo
67. Political leader addresses opposition
68. video: France grants rebel Georgian minister asylum: lawyer
69. France grants asylum to Okruashvili
70. Asylum to Okruashvili sign of Paris attitude to Georgia line
71. Okruashvili says France does not support Georgian government
72. OFPRA declines to comment on Okruashvili case
73. CDM addresses international organizations
74. Police arrest activists for ‘public disorder’
75. Governor sued journalist and requested 10 000 gel from him
76. Zaza Gorozia appeals the court against Ilia Kachibaia
77. Bearing witness to displacement in Georgia: Anne-Sophie Lois Forced Displacement, April 23
78. paper: Devalued Public Capital and the Third Sector at the Crossroads
79. paper: “Central Caucasasia” Instead of “Central Eurasia”
80. Poti port: The ‘project of a millennium’ begins
81. Financial sector most attractive target for FDI
82. Concern in Georgia over wheat prices
83. Entrepreneurs say business environment ‘normal,’ but confusing tax legislation a problem
84. Preparation underway for Marabda–Akhalkalaki railway
85. Her Majesty's Secret Service [excerpt]

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