Saturday, June 28, 2008

REPORTAGE (24): Zuletzt Georgien...

Photos & Text von Patricia Scherer

Letzte
Minuten am Flughafen in Tblissi. Neben mir sitzt genau der gleiche Passagier, der mich bereits vor fünf Tagen nach Georgien begleitet hat. Ein großer, blonder Lette. Seine wilde Mähne sitzt wie ein Nest auf seinem Kopf. Bekleidet ist er mit einem froschgrünen Hemd - auffällig in diesem eintönigen Schwarz-Braun-Beige-Kolorit der Kaukasen. Was soll ich nun abschließend denken über dieses Land, in dem ich geweint und gelacht habe, das mich zum verzweifeln und mir zugleich einen neuen Blickwinkel auf die Welt um mich herum und mein kleines, hübsches Leben ermöglicht hat. Vielleicht sollte ich Danke sagen. Also, madlobt sakartvelo. Didi, didi madloba.

Ich muss zugeben, es schmerzt mich nicht allzu sehr zu gehen. Ich werde der Zeit hier nicht hinterher trauern, dazu war sie viel zu anstrengend. Dazu hat sie zu sehr an mir gezerrt. Es ist Januar und ich bin in Tbilisi um Dinge, die ich angefangen habe, zu Ende zu bringen. Jetzt, in diesem Augenblick am Flughafen weiß ich, dass es mir nicht gelungen ist, manches wirklich abzuschließen. Fein säuberlich, in Kästchen. Georgien ist nicht zu Ende zu bringen. Ich bin im Juni 2007 angetreten mit einer mir eigenen Mission: Ich habe eine These aufgestellt um sie zu widerlegen. Ich wollte sie widerlegen, ich wollte etwas anderes finden. Ideale wollte ich finden über Grenzen und familiäre Bande hinweg. Sicherlich, einige wenige haben solche Ideale. Doch letztendlich ist vieles eine "one man, one woman, a husband and his wife show" um meinen guten Freund Günther ein letztes Mal zu zitieren. Auch er verabschiedet sich vom Kaukasus. Und vielleicht hat auch er diesen dicken Klos im Hals, der durch Zweifel und Machtlosigkeit entsteht.

Mein Besuch bei ihm über den Dächern der Stadt war jede Minute wert. Ohne ihn und seine Weisheiten hätte mich Georgien manchmal mit Haut und Haaren aufgefressen. Tblissi versingt im Schnee. Die Bürgersteige sind eisige Spiegelflächen, was die Georgierin nicht im Geringsten daran hindert auf Stöckelschuhen oder in Stiefeln mit zehn-zentimeter Absätzen dahin zu schreiten. Ich hingegen schlittere lieber in meinen festen Winterschuhen mit Profilsohle von einem Stück blanken Trottoir zum nächsten. Das ist zwar nicht ganz so elegant, aber wenigstens habe ich das Gefühl nicht gleich ganz den Boden unter den Füßen verliere.


Die Tblisser schlittern auch, in Massen. Sie strömen während der Inauguration des alten, neuen Präsidenten in das Hippodrom. Dort findet die Veranstaltung der Opposition statt. Die Parolen sind heiß und emotional, während sich die Damen der Elite in Pelzmänteln gegen die Kälte schützen. Es geht erneut darum, gegen etwas zu sein. Diesmal ist es Präsident Saakashwili. Zu recht, wie ich finde. Doch das Für ist nicht in Sicht - nicht gedacht, nicht formuliert, nicht erhofft.

Es ist schön, die georgischen Freunde ein letztes Mal zu sehen, Ketis Familie, Diana und Sandro, Heiner, Iago, Tato. Ich sage ihnen nicht auf Wiedersehen, weil ich spüre, dass es kein Wiedersehen geben wird. Auch sie sind hoffnungslos, trostlos. Ihr Aufbäumen gegen die Staatsmacht ist träge und gelangweilt. Sie ahnen, dass sie nichts zu tun vermögen - und sie werden vorerst Recht behalten.

Die letzten wenigen Stunden verbringe ich unter der Laurents Daunenecke. Er hat leichtes Fieber, es ist heiß, die Schweißperlen rennen kitzelnd meinen Nacken entlang. Und ich weiß, ich werde auch ihn nicht wiedersehen. Draußen auf der Straße bellen die Hunde, die ihre Ziele aufs nackte Überleben beschränkt haben. Nach ein paar Pommes Frites und einem Glas Wein beim Franzosen hat er mich gefragt, ob ich ihn nach Nicaragua begleiten möchte. Er würde mir ein Business-Class Ticket kaufen, damit ich jederzeit entscheiden könne, zurückzufliegen. Er weiß, dass ich nicht ja sagen kann. Er weiß, dass ich mich längst für etwas anderes entschieden habe. Vielleicht fragt er mich gerade deshalb erst jetzt.

Da ist sie wieder: die mutige Parole, deren Laut mit dem Wind verfliegt, sobald man Gefahr läuft wirklich ernst genommen zu werden. Die georgische Opposition muss es wohl ähnlich ergehen. Da haben sie sich zusammen getan, die Linken und die Rechten; die, die sonst die Straßenseite wechseln, wenn ihnen ein roter Genosse oder ein schwarzer Konservist entgegenkommt. Zusammen gegen den Präsidenten, und für ihr neues, demokratisches Georgien. Doch wie soll es aussehen, dieses demokratische Georgien, in dem nichts schwarz-weiß ist, und doch alles irgendwie konform? Wie soll es aussehen, wenn eine Opposition die Oberhand gewinnt, die aufgrund unterschiedlicher Ideologien nur gespalten sein kann? Wie kann eine Demokratie funktionieren, wenn ihr Demos müde geworden ist?


Ich bin auch müde. Es ist fünf Uhr morgens. Ich habe gekämpft um Georgien, mit mir, mit meinen georgischen Freunden, mit deutschen Querulanten und internationaler Borniertheit. Ich weiß nicht, ob es je eine intakte Zivilgesellschaft in Georgien geben wird. Ich weiß nur, dass mein Zeit in Georgien abgelaufen ist, dass ich auftanken muss um mir Parolen anderer anzuhören.

Trauern um mein geliebtes Georgien werde ich erst, wenn es längst zu spät ist, wenn ich woanders bin, wenn die Zeit die Wunden nicht heilt. Georgien wird mich niemals verlassen, es ist in mir, mit mir. Auch wenn ich nie wieder die Tblisser Straßen betreten, den Kaukasus am Horizont entdecken, die Straßenkinder von Gildani berühren, Khinkalis kosten, über den Schnee schlittern oder die Georgier beim singen, schreien, lachen, weinen beobachten werde. Ich weiß doch, wie es sich anfühlt. Für immer.

Kleiner Tipp: Die gesammelten 24 Georgien-Reportagen - demnächst als überarbeitete und redigierte Sonderausgabe des Mitteilungsblattes der Berliner-Georgischen Gesellschaft e.V.Bis dahin natürlich noch in ihrer ursprünglichen Fassung auf http://georgien.blogspot.com/

Photos by Patricia Scherer (Set)

Patricia Scherer in Georgia (Caucasus) (Set)

Teil (23): Reise ohne Wiederkehr

Friday, June 27, 2008

NACHRICHTEN: Wird Abchasien aufgeteilt?

Russland und die GUS: Heute in Kürze Russland.RU - Russia
Baku - Stattfinden wird eine Militärparade anlässlich des 90. Jahrestages der Gründung der Streitkräfte Aserbaidschans
EU muss auf Gipfel in Sibirien mit Abfuhr rechnen D ie Presse - Wien, Austria
Hier geht es vor allem um den Bau der transkaspischen Pipeline, über die Öl und Gas aus Turkmenistan und Kasachstan nach Baku gelangen soll.
Eine friedliche Lösung für Abchasien sueddeutsche.de - München, Bayern, Germany
Der russische Konflikt mit Georgien um die abchasische Provinz könnte bald friedlich beigelegt werden.
EU will zur Konfliktregelung in Georgien beitragen RIA Novosti - Moscow, Russia
EU-Chefdiplomat Javier Solana hat Russlands Rolle im Sicherheitsbereich gelobt.
Medien in Georgien – Kavkasia TV: Werbepartner werden zu Kündigung ... Georgien Nachrichten - Germany
Nach Angaben des Senders werden Firmenkunden, die Werbung auf dem Sender geschaltet haben, systematisch von den georgischen Behörden dazu gezwungen, ...
Tiflis legte Moskau Vorschlag zu abtrünnigem Abchasien vor derStandard.at - Wien, Austria
Moskau/Chanty-Mansijsk - Georgien hat Russland einem Zeitungsbericht zufolge einen Vorschlag im Konflikt um die von der Zentralregierung in Tiflis (Tbilisi)
• Merkel trifft Saakaschwili Georgien Nachrichten - Germany
Der georgische Präsident Micheil Saakaschwili ist bei seinem Besuch in Deutschland mit Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel zusammengetroffen.
Georgien schlägt Russland Aufteilung Abchasiens mit Verzicht auf ... RIA Novosti - Moscow, Russia
Georgien hat Russland ein Maßnahmenpaket zur Regelung des georgisch-abchasischen Konflikts angeboten, das eine faktische Aufteilung Abchasiens in eine große ...
Führer abtrünniger Teilrepublik in Georgien zu Besuch in Moskau Georgien Nachrichten - Germany
Der international nicht anerkannte Führer der abtrünnigen georgischen Teilrepublik Abchasien, Sergej Bagapsch, ist am Donnerstag vom russischen Präsidenten ...
Botschafterin Deutschlands in Georgien besucht abtrünnige Teilrepublik Georgien Nachrichten - Germany
Die deutsche Botschafterin in Georgien, Patricia Flor, ist am Donnerstag zu einem Besuch in der Provinzhauptstadt der abtrünnigen georgischen Teilrepublik ...
Bundeskanzlerin Merkel zu Themen, die Georgien betreffen Georgien Nachrichten - Germany
Die deutsche Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel ist am Mittwoch in Berlin mit dem georgischen Präsidenten Micheil Saakaschwili zusammengetroffen
Russlands Außenamt erstaunt über Reaktion Georgiens auf Treffen ... RIA Novosti - Moscow, Russia
Das russische Außenminister ist erstaunt über eine scharfe Reaktion der Kaukasusrepublik Georgien auf das jüngste Treffen zwischen dem russischen ...

Thursday, June 26, 2008

ART: Paintings by Djemal Kukhalashvili

Angelozebi, Djemal Kukhalashvili
20 x 24 inches, Oil on canvas


Gazapxuli, Djemal Kukhalashvili
10 x 20 inches
Djemal Kukhalashvili (b.1952) graduated the Tbilisi State Academy of Art. A member of the Union of Artists of the USSR. Works of the painter are presented in collections of the National Art gallery (Tbilisi, Georgia), the State Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow, Russia), the Center of the Russian culture (Moscow, Russia), in private collections of many countries of the world.
His son, Otar Kukhalashvili [otokuxala@yahoo.com] is living in Bridgehampton, NY. He is seeking repesentation for his father in the United States.

MUSIC: Sikha aka Sikha from London

Finally Sikhas EP has arrived on System Recordings NY.

Just follow this link >>>.



On the page select BUY BEATPORT button where you can prelisten to the tracks and buy them if you wish :).


All the best, George aka Sikha


P.S. If I have not sent you links to my mixes yet here they are as well.Wait for download button appear in bottom left corner of the page.


Spring 08 mix
Promo Mix June 07

link: www.myspace.com/isikha

CATALOG: Action Of Georgian Art "Opera" 2006

Some minutes before I found an catalog about georgian art through research about artists especially Djemal Kukhalashvili in the internet. Here you can find a nice edition from the Baia Gallery from Tnilisi. The catalog has got 78 page with 41 artists and their works. See you here >>>

This artist can you find there: Tamar Abakelia, Merab Abramishvili, Gogi Alexi – MeskhiSvili, Helene Akhvlediani, Peter Bliotkin, Zaza Berzenishvili, Yuri Berishvili, Lev Boiakhchev, Gigo Gabashvili, Gia Gugushvili, Lado Gudiashvili, Albert Dilbarian, Avto Varazi, Feliqs Varlamishvili, Serapion Vatsadze, Kiril Zdanevich, Mose Toidze, Nikoloz Ignatov, Davi Kakabadze, Edmond Kalandadze, Tsira Kalandadze, Jemal Kukhalashvili, Giorgi Lagidze; Gela Manjavidze, Ketevan Magalashvili, Vano Meliashvili, Temur Ninua, Zurab Nijaradze, Peter Otskheli, Valerian Sidamon - Eristavi, Irakli Suidze, Oleg Timchenko, Irakli Parjiani, Rusudan Petviashvili, Sergo KobulaZe, Guram Kutateladze, Vasili Shukhaev, lia Svelidze, Gogi Chagelishvili, Mamuka Tsetskhladze, Levan Chogoshvili

BERLIN: Kulturabend Armenien - 27. Juni 2008

Der Internationale Club der FU Berlin, der deutsch-armenische Studentenclub Haik und AEGEE-Berlin laden euch zum Kulturabend Armenien ein!

Kaukasus - das klingt nach Geheimnissen und Abenteuer!

Armenien, ein unberührtes Land zwischen Kaspischem und Schwarzem Meer hat fast 3000 Jahre Kultur- und Menschheitsgeschichte zu bieten. Erlebt Armenien, den ersten christlichen Staat der Welt, mit der berühmten kaukasischen Gastfreundschaft und reichen Traditionen!

Programm:

18:00 Einführung
18:10 Vortrag von Frau Dr. Tessa Hofmann, Osteuropa-Institut der FU
18:40 "Radio Jerewan" politische Witze über Russland und Deutschland
19:00 Vortrag zur armenischen Musik mit Beispielen (von Kirchenmusik bis zum Rock) Lilit Kocharyan
19:30 Trinkspruchwettbewerb
(bereitet euch darauf vor und gewinnt einen tollen Preis!)
20:00 Tanzworkshop (armenischer Volkstanz * Kochari*), danach Party!

Außerdem: Live-Musik und Gesang, leckere Landesspezialitäten umsonst und Getränke zu studentischen Preisen

Was? Regionalabend Armenien
Wann? Am 27.06.08 um 18 Uhr
Wo? Garystraße 45, U3 Thielplatz
Wieviel? kostenlos

Aktuelle Infos:
www.internationalerclub.de
www.internationalerclub.de
www.internationalerclub.de
www.lilith.abroadplanet.com

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

ART: Gardens od Good and Evil - Paintings by Maya Chachava





Artist Statement

“The self can never be seen with disguise and never be seen without one”
—M. Strand

I believe in the process of self-development and subsequent expansion of visual ideas. In that regard my work is influenced by things that surround me both physically and mentally.

When I enter my studio, my main objective is to get fully engaged in the piece I am making and not to think about the final outcome. I try to use the inherent properties of the chosen medium and attend to formal issues. If and when I am successful in executing both - my work becomes infused with expressive quality and meaning.

As I paint I always try to search for a mid realm, alternative explanation or belief, where imagination is taken seriously, though not literally.

There are questions that I ask myself constantly as a person and as an artist: Where does reality end and imagination begin? Where and how can memories of the past and visions of the future be retained and expressed, since all I really have is the present moment?

As I look back at the work that I made 10 years ago—I realize that everything was there at some point and my perception of Self, contained within Time, was and is circular in nature. It is manifesting itself as a spiral that is constantly in motion, pushing forward, circling back on itself, with no beginning and no end.

Although most of my paintings have titles, they are never preconceived apriori. The title emerges at the very end when there is nothing else I can add or take away.

Education

MFA in Painting, University of Washington, 1998-2000
BA Fine Arts and Spanish, CWU, 1994-1997
BA English Literature, Tbilisi Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, 1980-1985

Professional Experience

Assistant Professor, CWU, Ellensburg, WA, 2005 until present
Assistant Professor, U of Utah, SLC, Utah, 2001-2005
Gallery Director, U of Utah, SLC, Utah, 2001-2004
Art Instructor, CWU, Ellensburg, WA, 2000-2001
Teaching Assistant, U of W, Seattle, WA, 1998-2000
Lecturer, Tbilisi State Pedagogical Institute, Tbilisi, Georgia, 1985-1991
Interpreter, Rustaveli Theater Company, Tbilisi, Georgia, 1990-1992
Interpreter, Georgian Fund: “Democracy and Renaissance”, Tbilisi, Georgia, 1990-1992

Research Interests and Specialties

Collective and individual memory. Transformation of urban landscape and subsequent effect on self-identity.
Literature and poetry. Personal and cultural paradigms.

Selected Exhibitions

Square Inch Gallery, New York, October 2007
Impressions West - Coos Bay Museum, OR May 2007
Touching Points - Linda Hodges Gallery, Seattle, WA January 2007
Gallery One Visual Arts Center - August 2006
Landscape in the Postmodern, International Biennial Show, Brad Cooper Gallery, Tampa, FL, July 2006
Hot Cakes, National Juried Exhibition, Afif Gallery, Philadelphia, September 2005
La Petite XIII - National Juried Exhibition, Alder Gallery, Oregon, September, 2005
In Transit - Utah Museum Of Fine Arts, SLC, UT, April 2005
Erasing Memories - Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA, March 2005
Whiteout - invitational Regional Exhibition, Modern One Gallery, SLC, Utah, December 2004
Day in May - Invitational Group Show, Steward Gallery, Boise, ID, May 2004
Open Spring Salon - National Juried Exhibition, Springville Museum of Art, UT, April 2004
Utah Artist Grantees Show - Invitational Group Show, Rio Grande Gallery, SLC, UT, January 2003
New Paintings - Linda Hodges Gallery, Seattle, WA, January 2003
Utah Alternative - Invitational Group Show, Wells Fargo Center, SLC, UT, April 2002
New Artists - Invitational Group Show, Steward Gallery, Boise, ID, February, 2002
Mini Print Exhibition - Invitational Group Show, U of Utah, Gittins Gallery, January 2002
Seasons - Linda Hodges Gallery, Seattle, WA, March, 2001
Convergence - Regional Juried Exhibition, Phinney Art Center, Seattle, WA 2000
Annual Juried Exhibition - Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA, 2000
MFA Annual - New American Paintings - National Juried Exhibition, Open Press Studios, MA, 2000
MFA Thesis Exhibition - Henry Art Gallery, Seattle, WA 2000
Small landscapes - Gilmartin Gallery, Seattle, WA 1999
Recollections - Allied Arts Center, Richland, WA 1999
Past and Present - Sarah Spurgeon Gallery, CWU, 1997
Annual Juried Exhibition - Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA 1997
Beyond Borders - Juried Regional Show, WWU, WA 1996
Annual Juried Exhibition - Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA 1996

Honors/Awards/Grants

Dee Research Grant - U of Utah, SLC UT 2005
Utah’s Arts Council Grant - SLC UT 2002
John Connolly Award - Gallery One, Annual Juried Exhibition, 2004
J. Picatti Memorial Award - Larson Gallery, Annual Juried Exhibition, 2001
Juror’s Award - Gallery One, Annual Juried Exhibition, 2000
Marsh Fellowship - U of W, Seattle WA, 2000
Spencer Moseley Memorial Scholarship - U of W, Seattle, WA 1999
Allied Arts Fellowship - Richland, WA 1999
Farrell Merit Scholarship - CWU, 1996/97
Best of Show Award - Gallery One, WA 1997
Three-Year Fellowship - CWU, International Programs, 1994/97
Mahajani Scholarship for Outstanding International Student - CWU, 1996
Juror’s Award - Larson Gallery, WA 1996

more paintings >>>

Source: www.mayachachava.com

VORTRAG: Stalinismus als Gewaltherrschaft - in Prag

Memorial to Stalin's victims, Dnepropetrovsk: An exhibit in Dnepropetrovsk Museum shows photos of some of the victims of Stalin's repressions. Each photo is lit by an electric candle. There are also files on some of the victims, including their letters, available to look at.
Photo 8. November 2006 von Alix Kroeger

Das Institut für Zeitgeschichte in Prag, Projektgruppe "Sozialistische Diktatur als Sinnwelt", lädt ein zu dem öffentlichen Vortrag von

Prof. Dr. Jörg Baberowski
(Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

zum Thema: Stalinismus als Gewaltherrschaft

Termin: Donnerstag 26. Juni 2008, 17.00 Uhr
Veranstaltungsort: Konferenzraum des Instituts für Staats- und Rechtswissenschaften (Ustav státu a prava AV ÈR), Prag, Narodni trida 18, 7. Stock

Jörg Baberowski ist Professor für Geschichte Osteuropas an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Sein Forschungsinteresse gilt der russischen und der sowjetischen Geschichte, dem Terror und der Gewalt in den Diktaturen des 20. Jahrhunderts sowie der Theorie der Geschichtswissenschaft.

Wichtigste Veröffentlichungen:
Der Rote Terror. Die Geschichte des Stalinismus, München 2003.
Der Feind ist überall. Stalinismus im Kaukasus, München 2003.
Zivilisation der Gewalt. Die kulturellen Ursprünge des Stalinismus, Berlin 2005.
Der Sinn der Geschichte. Geschichtstheorien von Hegel bis Foucault, München 2005.

Zu diesem Vortrag und der anschließenden Diskussion lade ich Sie herzlich ein.

Michal Kopecek, PhD
Institute of Contemporary History, Prague
Vlasska 9
118 40 Praha 1
tel: +420 257 531 122-3
fax: +420 257 531 121
E-mail: kopecek@usd.cas.cz

Die Veranstaltung wird von der VolkswagenStiftung gefördert.

PHOTOGRAPHY: An Amazing Nature In Georgia - Lagodekhi

photo 20. Juli 2007 von Joe Coyle

more pics fro Lagodekhi >>>

ÖKOLOGIE: Hugo Conwentzs Verdienst im Naturschutz von Kaukasien

Für die wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft : Lulu Dadiani hat ein neues Projekt - es geht um Hugo Conwentz und um seine wichtige Rolle, die er in der Entwicklung der Ökologie Kaukasiens gespielt hat. Sie sucht noch Partner in Deutschland, die daran Interesse haben und mit ihr zusammenarbeiten würden ...

Das XXI Jahrhundert geht in die Weltgeschichte, als Jahrhundert der äußersten Verschärfung der ökologischen Probleme ein. Das Wachstum der Bevölkerung der Erde und das beschränkte Materialaufkommen, die anwachsende Erkrangunghäufigkeit und die Verminderung der Lebensdauer, die anthropogene Veränderung des globalen Klimas, die Degradation und Eschöpfung des Ackerlands beweisen – die globale ökologische Krise ist vorhanden!

Das Beginn des Jahrhunderts charakterisiert sich durch Versuchen, die methodologische Herangehen und Kriterien "der stabilen Entwicklung" zu formulieren, die, at a summit in Iohannesburg , als einzigste Überwindung der ökologischen Krise verkündigt war. Die erste Stufe, diese Aufgabe zu lösen, scheint allgemeine ökologische Bildung zu sein. Besonders aktuell ist die Frage - die Erreichbarkeit "der stabilen Entwicklung".

Die Kaukasische Ökoregion, historisch betrachtet, ist der Isthmus zwischen Schwarzen und Kaspischen Meeren, umfasst das Territorium – 580 kv.km., mit der Völker: Armeniens, Aserbaidshans, Georgiens, Nordkaukasischen Teils der Russischen Föderation, Nordosten der Türkei und Nordwesten des Irans. Kaukasien, als Besitzer einer von höchsten Niveaus der biologischen Verschiedenartigkeit auf der Erde, gehört zu den 25 am meisten biologisch "heißen Punkten" und gleichzeitig zu meist sensiblen, d.h. zur Vernichtungsdrohung veranlagten Stellen umweltlichen Ökosystems. Kaukasien, nach der Bestimmung der Weltumspannenden Stiftung der wilden Natur, wurde auf die Liste 200 Ökoregionen der Welt gesetzt, dessen Bioverschiedenartigkeit eine globale Bedeutung hat und besonderen Höchstwert besitzt. Kaukasien zählt zugleich, als Heimat des ersten Eurpäer und unikaler ethnischen Gemeinschaften. Das ist die Region der uralten Landwirtschaft und uralten Zivilisation; Region, die der materielle Grundbedarf der gegenwärtigen Zivilisation erzeugt hatte, wie z.B. Brot, Wein, Stahl, Flachs, Medizin. Region, die den langen und schweren historischen Weg zurückgelegt hat und erst jetzt fängt an, mögliche Wege der stabilen Entwicklung zu bedenken. Es ist notwendig, für die Verkörperung des Prinzips – "von der Ökologischen Standfestigkeit zu der poloitischen Stabilität", alles mögliche zu leisten. Die Weltbedeutung des Kaukasiens ist groß: es gilt heutzutage, als die letzte Region in Europa mit der unberührten relikten-und endemischen Natur. Der ökologische Zustand des Kaukasiens vom Standpunkt der Branche der Wirtschaft aus, ist nicht beneidenswert. Vor dem Abgrund stehende Wirtschaft versucht, sich retten von Kollaps und treibt Raubbau an den Ressourcen der Natur; Es leiden die Wälder, Flora und Fauna, Wasser-und Landressourcen. Die Staaten des Kaukasiens, besitzen zur Zeit praktisch keine einheitliche Naturschutztaktik und Strategie, die regionale Grundkonzeption, Doktrin und Alternative sind nicht entwickelt. Trotz der Aktivität der Naturschutzgemeinschaften, ist es notwendig, in der Region des Kaukasiens, diese Arbeit auf das qualitativ neuen regionalen Niveau zu heben!



Der ganze Text >>>


weitere Links:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Conwentz
http://www.ostdeutsche-biographie.de/conwhu97.htm

ART: project J for the summer 08 issue of ANABECHDI magazine

Photo 22. Juni 2008 von Levan Mindiashvili

project J for the summer 08 issue of ANABECHDI magazine.
www.anabechdi.ge

www.myspace.com/anabechdi

Levan Mindiashvilis DGtal experiments (Album)

JOURNALISM: Caucasus Environment is looking to publish articles

Caucasus magazine seeking environmental articles

The quarterly magazine Caucasus Environment is looking to publish articles that cover global environment problems, lifestyle, travel and ethnic groups. Each article should be accompanied by eight or more high quality photos. Deadlines are July 7 and August 9.

Articles must be written in English or Russian. Only articles developed especially for the magazine and never published before will be accepted.

Authors of articles selected for publication will receive honorarium between US$60 and $100.
For more information, visit
http://www.cenn.org/index.php?id=99.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

NACHRICHTEN: Neben dem unrühmlichen Konfliktstoff gibt es Hilfe für die "Wiege des Weinbaus" und einen neuen Blog ...

Glos: Weltwirtschaft hält hohen Ölpreis nicht ohne Störung aus Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Frankfurt, Germany
Aserbaidschan beabsichtige ebenfalls eine solche Fördermengenerhöhung, sagte Glos. Deutschland hat im vergangenen Jahr fast 3 Mio t Erdöl aus Aserbaidschan ...
Putin und Sargsjan bekräftigen Kontinuität der Beziehungen ... RIA Novosti - Moscow, Russia
Putin teilte mit, dass der Handelsumsatz zwischen Russland und Armenien im vergangenen Jahr dicht an der Marke von einer Milliarde US-Dollar gelegen habe ...
Russland und Armenien wollen bei Krisenregelung im Südkaukasus ... RIA Novosti - Moscow, Russia
Russland und Armenien werden ihre außenpolitischen Aktivitäten koordinieren, um auf Sicherheit, Stabilität und Kooperationsausbau im Südkaukasus gemeinsam
PACE zieht Bilanz des Zustands der Demokratie in Mitgliedsländern ... RIA Novosti - Moscow, Russia
In einem Resolutionsentwurf zu den morgigen PACE-Debatten über den Stand der Demokratie in den 47 Ländern des Europarates werden Armenien, Aserbaidschan, ...
44 Strafverfahren nach Massenunruhen in Armenien RIA Novosti - Moscow, Russia
JEREWAN, 24. Juni (RIA Novosti). Mindestens 44 Strafverfahren sind wegen der Massenunruhen Anfang März in der armenischen Hauptstadt Jerewan anhängig.
• Keine Untersuchungsausschüsse im Parlament in Georgien Georgien Nachrichten - Germany...
Mitglieder seiner Regierung den brutalen Einsatz der Polizei damit, dass die Demonstranten den Straßenverkehr in der Innenstadt von Tbilisi störten.
NATO-Woche beginnt in Armenien RIA Novosti - Moscow, Russia
An der Präsentation wird auch Joseph Pennington, der interimistische Geschäftsträger der USA in Armenien, teilnehmen.
Russland wird keinen Druck auf Georgien ausüben Russland.RU - Russia
Russland wird in den Beziehungen zu Georgien "keine Formen der Druckausübung anwenden", sagte der russische Präsident Dmitri Medwedew am Samstag...
UMKÄMPFTES PARADIES ABCHASIEN Monaco auf Minen Spiegel Online - national, Germany
Ein Jahr zuvor, 1993 hatte sich die Region in einem Krieg von Georgien losgesagt.
Politische Sendung in Georgien eingestellt Georgien Nachrichten - Germany
Die wöchentliche politische Sendung Schwidi Dge (Sieben Tage) des Staatlichen Georgischen Fernsehens ist eingestellt worden.
Politiker aus Georgien bei Tagung zu globaler Sicherheit Georgien Nachrichten - Germany
Mehrere Politiker aus Georgien haben an einem internationalen Workshop zur globalen Sicherheit teilgenommen.
Gewalt gegen Opposition und Menschenrechtler in Georgien geht weiter Georgien Nachrichten - Germany
Die georgischen Behörden und die Polizei haben ihre gewaltsamen Repressionen gegen Politiker der Opposition und Menschenrechtler in Georgien ...
Medwedew lehnt Forderung nach Abzug aus Abchasien ab derStandard.at - Wien, Austria
Medwedew warnte Georgien vor "Provokationen". Ziel Russlands sei es, den Konflikt um die von Georgien abtrünnige Region Abchasien friedlich zu lösen.
Nato-Rat tagt im September in Georgien RIA Novosti - Moscow, Russia
Der Nato-Rat will in diesem September im georgischen Batumi tagen.
Georgien hofft auf Touristen-Ansturm OÖNachrichten - Austria
Nicht nur nach Sighnaghi fließt Investorengeld: Georgiens Hauptstadt Tiflis hat gerade einen modernen Flughafen-Terminal bekommen, Hotelketten wie Hyatt ...
Hilfe für "Wiege des Weinbaus" Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz - Germany
Seine Worte müssen übersetzt werden, denn die zwölf Gäste im Haus der Landwirtschaft in Alzey kommen aus Georgien.
Südossetien: Parlament berät über Einheit mit Nordteil russland-aktuell.ru - Moscow, Russia
Südossetien erklärte sich 1990 nach einem Krieg mit Georgien für unabhängig. Völkerrechtlich gehört es aber zu Georgien.
Eine Straße für Mutter Alijewa Neues Deutschland - Germany
Von Silvia Ottow, Baku
Baku 1986. Asja Sergejewna Sarkisowa hat Besuch aus der DDR. Stolz zeigt sie ihren beiden Brieffreundinnen eine schöne, alte Stadt ...
Kaukasus: A new fresh blog from the Caucasus: Nicolas Landru May 31, 2008 ...
Nicolas Landru is a prevalent traveler in the Caucasus Region and started his new blog with fresh reportages in French, English and German: ...
Millionenauftrag für steirischen Anlagenbauer ORF.at - Wien, Austria
Die steirische Firma Koerner Chemieanlagenbau mit Sitz in Wies (Bezirk Deutschlandsberg) hat einen Großauftrag aus Aserbaidschan erhalten.

ARTIKEL: Tutarchela in den Schweizer Zeitungen


click on the pics for larger version
Hochgeladen am 24. Juni 2008 von Ralph Hälbig

NEWS: Georgia News Digest 06-24-08

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)


Foreign relations and conflicts
1. Diplomats say second Saakashvili-Medvedev meeting in works
2. Politicians comment on expected meeting of presidents
3. Georgia, Russia in talks for meeting of presidents
4. Tbilisi sets three demands ahead of Georgia-Russia summit
5. Speaker urges Russia to refrain from "threatening" Tbilisi
6. Normalization of Georgian-Russian relations to be discussed
7. GUAM: free political and economic zone from Russia
8. Lithuanian Formin with colleagues to seek ways of accelerating Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration
9. New EU policy on illegal immigrants may affect Georgian Diaspora
10. Georgian National Airlines launches flights to Vnukovo
11. Russia, Abkhazia planning gas pipeline to Sukhumi
12. Abkhazian president sets off on Moscow visit
13. Village placed under curfew in Abkhazia
14. Abkhaz leader: New railways for Sochi Olympics
15. Russia risks armed clash in Abkhazia to stop Georgia NATO bid
16. Abkhaz leader says peace talks to resume after Georgian troops' withdrawal
17. Abkhazia hopes for Russian peacekeepers' help in guarding sea border
18. Any attempt to close Abkhaz waters illegal
19. South Ossetian separatists cancel part of EU envoy's visit
20. EU ambassadors have breeched terms of their stay in South Ossetia
Politics

21. Opposition takes timeout, gears up for a new tactic
22. Tortladze and Tsagareishvili have declared a boycott to the authorities
23. Goguadze will replace Ugulava
24. Diplomatic passes for former MPs
25. MPs approve vice-speakers, committee chairs
26. Parliament plans group to work on election code
27. Christian-Democrats blame government for raiding petty street traders
28. Opposition to take one seat in Justice Council
Business and economics
29. paper: Monetary Transmission Mechanism in Georgia: Analyzing Pass-Through of Different Channels
30. paper: Analysis of Tbilisi's Real Estate Boom
31. Income tax burden still heavy?
32. European Commission sees the Poverty Reduction Project as a success
33. President to buy USD 2.8 mln business planes from Tbilaviamsheni
34. Government making list of importers, checking it twice
Misc.
35. Car explosion in downtown Tbilisi
36. Documentary gives alternative version of polling day shooting
37. Three prisoners died in custody
38. Inmates contract tuberculosis in temporary isolator detention cells
39. Tortured and beaten prisoner request doctor
40. Hullabaloo in Taleri Public School: Who breaks the law, teacher or their pupils?!
41. No pay no PhD education, policy hinders educational and research process
42. Popular TV talk-show resumption postponed
43. Despite exasperation from church and shrinks, Georgians watch their soaps
44. Tbilisi Diary: Iris Neva accompanies a newly-single mother to a kindergarten for handicapped children
45. One week turnaround for replies
46. Double standard and lack of equal protection of law with plea-bargain deals
47. Eleven-year-old Giorgi: “Main point is job but not “hard job””
48. No choice: Either my “real estate” or my family would have been persecuted!!!
49. Public Registry demands fee for the provided public information
50. Human Rights Center request to hold district governors accountable
51. Workers of cement factory in Aghaiani demand 5-month salary arrears
52. One-million-dollar sporting complex in Lagodekhi already needs reconstruction
53. Town without a library: Consequence of Sighnaghi’s rehabilitation project
54. Lado Vardzelashvili “deadbeat” in salary arrears

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

TBILISI: Cafe With Nice Design, Bambis Rigi

Photo 11. Juni 2008 von Hans Heiner Buhr

NEWS: Georgia News Digest 06-23-08

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)


Foreign relations and conflicts
1. Georgia and Abkhazia hold secret talks in Sweden
2. No progress in rare Georgia-Abkhazia talks
3. No results after Georgian-Abkhaz talks in Sweden
4. Georgian, Abkhaz leaders met in Sweden
5. Secret or not, any talks are progress
6. Talks to resume only after pullout of Georgia troops – Bagapsh
7. Medvedev/Saakashvili meeting should yield concrete results
8. Efforts underway to arrange Medvedev-Saakashvili talks
9. Deputy Foreign Minister visits Moscow
10. Georgian, Russian politicians comment on expected meeting of presidents
11. Russia not to use pressure in relations with Georgia
12. Feeding the crocodile
13. video: Medvedev won’t let Georgia offend Russian peacekeepers
14. Georgia defiant after Russian ultimatum on return of seized weapons
15. Russia has mentioned possibility of bloodshed
16. Russian peacekeepers oust Georgian colleagues from check-points
17. video: No invasion: Abkhazian repairs show Georgians were wrong
18. Peacekeepers won't get back missiles without transportation permit – MP
19. Russian troops restore railway in Georgia's breakaway region
20. RF peacekeepers' military assets not returned yet - RF general
21. Russian president backs peacekeepers in Georgia
22. Is this the last warning?
23. Russia warns of bloodshed if Georgia repeats peacekeeper arrest
24. Georgia may outlaw Russian peacekeepers
25. Russia can start military action against Georgia - senior Georgian MP
26. Relations with Russia to improve after joining NATO
27. Tbilisi-Petersburg flight available twice a week
28. Russians name Georgia among most 'unfriendly' countries
29. More than 100 RF peacekeepers died over 14 yrs for peace in Abkhazia
30. video: Moscow’s “tougher response” to Georgia over Abkhazia
31. Green Party threatens Russia with frustration of Sochi Olympic Games
32. Abkhazia holds tactical exercise
33. Separatists carrying on military trainings
34. Abkhaz VP: Force may be needed to regain Kodori
35. Separatist official admits "problems" within Abkhaz government
36. Leader of Abkhazia in France on visit
37. Georgia fines Russian company for doing business in separatist region
38. Gazprom’s move on Abkhazia: More reasons for Georgia to block Russia’s WTO accession
39. EU diplomats visit S. Ossetia
40. EU says will tackle Russia over Georgia conflict
41. Lithuanian president urges EU to press Russia on troops withdraw from Abkhazia
42. EU gives Eastern Partnership green light
43. President Saakashvili will always return empty-handed from Brussels
44. President leaving for official visit to Germany
45. Georgia should conclude a military-political and economic treaty with Azerbaijan
Politics
46. A futile protest
47. Opposition takes summer time out
48. United Opposition to have new leader after summer break
49. Opposition stays outdoors
50. Alasania returns to Georgia
51. Ruling party nominates three more vice-speakers
52. Former speaker to concentrate on newly-created fund
53. Former Georgian speaker to remain in politics
54. Ex-speaker of parliament has the right to be in politics as well as the potential
55. New faction—majoritarians
56. Baghaturia made first statement in parliament
57. Georgian public's political culture is not improving
58. Christian Dems take seats as parliamentary majority play nice with opposition
59. Measuring public engagement in politics
60. Georgia elections debated at PACE
61. OSCE observers reported mass falsifications in Georgia
62. Drivers were rewarded for participating in carousels
Business and economics
63. Georgian government works to expand FTA list
64. Georgian foreign trade experiences dynamic growth
65. 2007 sees increased investment in Adjara
66. Tbilvino completes reconstruction to increase sales and exports
67. Georgian exports increase drastically in 2007
68. Georgia evaluated under two WTI categories only in 2008
69. Government of Georgia plans reduction of term of issue of permits on construction
70. HSBC to commence banking operations in Georgia
71. Construction sector takes a downturn
72. Borjomi consolidates its position in foreign markets
Misc.
73. Imedi owner ready to discuss Badri Patarkatsisvili’s property issues with Inna Gudavadze
74. As battle over dead oligarch’s fortune rages, American lawyer languishes in a Belarus jail
75. Current affairs programme of Georgian public TV closed
76. Kakha Bendukidze met with organization of German technical cooperation
77. Making sense of EU seminar to be held in Batumi for local media and NGOs
78. Defence Ministerial in Brussels: Georgia has distinguished itself by defence reforms and deployability its troops
79. video: ‘It’s a sin!’ Unholy row over play about Georgia’s saint
80. Businessman was killed in Chuburkhinji
81. 24-year-old man was killed
82. Ex-Commander of interior troops beaten in Tbilisi
83. Landslide hindered traffick in Kakheti
84. Amid poverty and unpopular policies, Kazbegi goes its own way
85. Patriarch urges end to prison hunger strike
86. Georgians making more garbage
87. New faculty opens in Caucasus University
88. Twenty-fifth anniversary of the ‘Airplane Case’
89. Tbilisi will buy twin-engine 'Iroquois' in Europe
90. Ajara counts tourists
91. Heavy rain over-floods Poti Port

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

Monday, June 23, 2008

MUSIK: Article about Tutarchela in "The Georgian Times" - by Rusudan Gvazava

click on the pic for a larger version

www.myspace.com/tutarchelafromgeorgia

Source: www.geotimes.ge

ART: New Paintings by Tamar Bochorishvili






Paintings & Jewelery By Tamar Bochorishvili (Album)

DEUTSCH: Honorartätigkeit: Unterrichten: DaF und Wirtschaftsdeutsch

Das DAAD-Informationszentrum Baku, Aserbaidschan, sucht vom 1. Oktober bis Ende Dezember 2008, also 3 Monate eineN LehrerIn für Deutsch als Fremdsprache mit Schwerpunkt in Wirtschaftsdeutsch oder eineN WirtschaftslehrerIn mit Erfahrungen in der Vermittlung von Deutsch als Fremdsprache (Deutsch-Muttersprachler) Unterrichtet werden Studierende auf Mittelstufenniveau zur Vorbereitung auf einen Deutschlandaufenthalt.

Ort: Baku ist die aufstrebende aserbaidschanische Hauptstadt. Aserbaidschan ist ein (mild) islamisches Land, das mit einigem Anpassungsvermögen für Europäer lebenswert ist.

Zeitraum: Der Kurs ist von Oktober bis Dezember für 12 Wochen geplant. Sie sollten möglichst eine Woche vorher nach Baku anreisen, um sich einzugewöhnen, eine Wohnung zu finden etc. Möglich wäre auch eine Tätigkeit in Anschluss an die Go-East-Sommerschule

Tätigkeit: Sie unterrichten ca. 12 h / Woche auf Mittelstufenniveau Studenten der Wirtschaftswissenschaften, internationalen Beziehungen und verwandter Fächer. Diese werden von Ihnen gezielt auf die TestDaF- Prüfung vorbereitet und gleichzeitig in Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft Deutschlands unterrichtet. Des Weiteren bieten Sie ca. 3 h / Woche Fortbildungen für aserbaidschanische Deutschlehrer an.

Fachliche Voraussetzungen: Erste Erfahrungen im Unterricht von Deutsch als Fremdsprache und eine (begonnene) Ausbildung in DaF sind erwünscht. Ein Hochschulabschluss sollte möglichst vorliegen. Sie müssen selbständig und professionell Unterricht planen können.

Sprachliche Voraussetzungen: Aserbaidschanisch, Russisch, Türkisch helfen im Alltag. Es kann für die Tätigkeit allerdings auch nützlich sein, weder Russisch noch Aserbaidschanisch zu sprechen, weil Ihre Schüler und andere Deutschlerner mit Ihnen dann auf Deutsch kommunizieren MÜSSEN. Aserbaidschanisch- oder Russischunterricht kann vermittelt werden.

Honorar: Wird auf Anfrage mitgeteilt.

Bewerbung: Bewerbungen bitte nur per eMail bis zum 15. Juli 2008.

Ansprechpartner: Andrej Götze, DAAD-Informationszentrum Baku (www.ic.daad.de/baku)
info@daad.baku.az

--
***************************************
Andrej Goetze
DAAD-Lektor

DAAD-Informationszentrum Baku /
DAAD Information Centre Baku
Azerbaycan Texniki Universiteti
H. Cavid Prospekti 25
AZ 1073 Baku

Tel.: (+994-12) 439 12 65
Email: info@daad.baku.az

Sprechstunden: Mittwoch und Freitag 14.00 bis 17.00 Uhr

Consultation hours: Wednesday and Friday 2 pm to 5 pm

Sunday, June 22, 2008

PHOTOGRAPHY: Mountains In Armenia


Foto am 21. Juni 2008 von Faranji

BLOG: The Great Blogger Onnik Krikorian sent me this "Levon Ter-Petrossian Rallies Resume"

Levon Ter-Petrossian Rallies Resume
Reuters reports that several thousand supporters of the former president, Levon Ter-Petrossian, participated in an unsanctioned rally held at the Matenadaran in the center of the Armenian capital, Yerevan. The demonstration was the first major opposition rally since the 1 March post-election clashes which left 10 dead and hundreds wounded.[...]
The full post is at: http://blog.oneworld.am/2008/06/22/levon-ter-petrossian-rallies-resume/

Online Revolution in the Making? Blogging Comes of Age in Armenia
ArmeniaNow has published my article based around the recent BarCamp held in Tbilisi and attended by bloggers, journalists and new media specialists from the Caucasus, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The article also examines the emergence of blogging as a tool for change.The article is available at the following URLs:
English:http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&AID=3149&CID=3024&IID=1192&lng=eng
Armenian:http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&IID=1192&CID=3024&AID=3149&lng=arm
Russian:http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&IID=1192&CID=3024&AID=3149&lng=rus

HENQ — Vonts, Chuneq?
An early morning online chat with local youth activist Vahagn Vardumanyan, aka Seetizen, reminded me of the birth of a new youth initiative, HENQ. According to Vardumanyan, the initiative is non-political and seeks to remain apart from the polarized politics that seems to define most activity in this area since the parliamentary election last year.According to the official communique announcing the formation of the group, HENQ takes a refreshing approach to the concept of youth empowerment and involvement in the process of nation-building and democratization.
The full post is at:http://blog.oneworld.am/2008/06/20/henq-vonts-chuneq/

A1 Plus European Court Ruling
Six years after it was effectively removed from the airwaves, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has finally ruled in favor of the A1 Plus TV Station. Known for its criticism of the authorities, A1 Plus failed to win a tender for its own broadcasting frequency in April 2002. The disappearance of the station from television screens was seen as politically motivated as the country entered the period leading up to the disputed 2003 presidential election.
The full post is at:http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/06/18/armenia-a1-plus-european-court-ruling/

Global Voices Citizen Media Summit
Global Voices, Global Voices Advocacy and Média Hungária are pleased to announce the Global Voices Citizen Media Summit 2008, taking place in Budapest, Hungary on June 27-28, 2008 thanks to the generous support of McCormick Tribune Foundation, Berkman Center for Internet and Society, Open Society Institute, Knight Foundation, European Journalism Centre and dotSUB.The event will bring together the members of the Global Voices citizen media project and its wider community with a diverse group of bloggers, activists, technologists, journalists and others persons from around the world, for two days of public discussions and workshops around the theme “Citizen Media & Citizenhood”.[...]11:30 - 1:00Session 2: “The Wired Electorate in Emerging Democracies”
MODERATOR: Solana Larsen.
SPEAKERS: Daudi Were (Kenya), Onnik Krikorian (Armenia), Hamid Tehrani (Iran), Luis Carlos Díaz (Venezuela)

The rise of blogging, social networking and micro-blogging services like Facebook and Twitter, video- and photo-sharing sites like YouTube and Flickr, and the spread of mobile technology have given ordinary citizens the means, at least potentially, to participate more fully in the democratic process. This session looks at the impact these tools have had on recent elections in Kenya, Venezuela, Armenia and Iran and poses the question: is citizen media having an actual impact on democracies in transition?
http://summit08.globalvoicesonline.org/
---http://www.oneworld.amhttp://blog.oneworld.am

Saturday, June 21, 2008

NEWS: Georgia News Digest 06-20-08

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)


Conflicts
1. Two blasts reported on Abkhaz railway
2. Blast in Sukhumi attempts to stop revival of railways in Abkhazia
3. Russian railway troops in Abkhazia tighten security after explosions
4. Peacekeepers practice combat shooting in presence of journalists
5. Georgia, Russia in new Abkhazia standoff
6. Russian railway troops to finish work in Abkhazia by 6 August
7. video: Georgia releases Russian peacekeepers accused of smuggling
8. video: Russian peacekeepers ‘could have used weapons in self-defence’
9. video: Russia allows peacekeepers in Abkhazia to ‘use force if provoked’
10. Peacekeepers open new bases in Abkhazia
11. Georgia trying to convince EU to change peacekeeping format in Abkhazia
12. Peacekeepers should inform Tbilisi on their movement
13. Russian general to Georgia: Russian peacekeepers' patience running out
14. Russia warns Georgia detaining peacekeepers may end in bloodshed
15. Russia threatens force if Georgia moves on peacekeepers
16. RF DM can't guarantee peacekeepers to show restraint in incidents
17. Russian TV shows deputy chief of staff warning Georgia over peacekeepers
18. Georgia unperturbed by Russian general's statement
19. Russia’s prophecy of Abkhazia violence self-fulfilling
20. Discussion of problems relating to Georgian-Abkhaz conflict in OSCE
21. Georgia conflict haunts Russia's Olympic dream
22. Diplomat urges Georgian media to be more accurate
23. Shamba visits Europe
24. Baghapsh: 'We're not such idiots as to reject Russia'
25. Situation remains tense in Tskhinvali
Foreign Relations
26. U.S. explains policy on frozen conflicts and closed borders
27. US diplomat grapples with issues of closed borders and frozen conflicts in Caucasus
28. Moscow ready for major confrontations with pro-western Georgia and Ukraine
29. Putin's new evil empire []
30. Human rights and Russian actions in Georgia worry MEPs otherwise supportive of PCA
31. Saakashvili to visit Brussels before EU summit opening
32. Saakashvili not invited to take part in EU summit – Solana
33. Georgian, Iranian officials discuss relations
34. Foreign Minister to visit Italy
Politics
35. Georgia review
36. Modus vivendi agreed with moderate opposition in the Georgian parliament
37. Georgian opposition riven by multiple splits as new parliament opens
38. Majority persists with parliamentary plans, opposition not united in response
39. Returning the opposition to Parliament is not our goal…We do not intend to repeat the events of 90s
40. Burjanadze to set up political think-tank
41. Gachechiladze is angry with journalists
42. Alasania returns to Tbilisi
43. Georgian Azerbaijanis to protest against newly appointed Georgian president’s advisor
44. Gigi Ugulava- President, Mikheil Saakashvili-Prime Minister: Georgia May Prepare Putin-Medvedev Ploy
Misc.

45. Patarkatsishvili family denies common business with Berezovsky
46. Tycoon's widow denies any ties with Berezovskiy
47. Imedi TV news and talk-shows to be resumed in September
48. Information is power, but locking media is more power
49. Georgia says farewell to public healthcare
50. UN calls for repeal of lowered criminal age and more crime prevention
51. City Hall aid to disabled out of the ordinary
52. The revenue part of the state budget of Georgia for 2008 to be increased by GEL 210 Million
53. Package of bills prepared concerning amendments to the tax code
54. States of Central Asia to study experience of reforms in Georgia
55. Georgian airlines begin regular flights from Tbilisi to Moscow
56. Renovated aerodrome opens in Svaneti
57. It is better to save money first and spend it later, than spend it now and think about its return
58. Tkibuli faces disaster
59. Teacher back from former Soviet republic

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

Thursday, June 19, 2008

TELEVISION: Kavkasia TV new web site launched

Kavkasia TV new web site www.kavkasiatv.ge has been launched.

News, programmes, programme-related info and weather broadcast will be posted on the web site.

For now the information on the web page is provided in the Georgian language only. The English version of the web site is planned to be constructed.

The users will have a possibility to watch news and other programmes live on the web site

HEARING: The Caucasus: Frozen conflicts and closed borders

US House Foreign Affairs Committee, 18 June
Opening Statement by Chairman Howard L. Berman at hearing, “The Caucasus: Frozen Conflicts and Closed Borders”

Between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea lie the countries of the Caucasus – Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Due to disputes that have festered over the course of many years, there are enough compelling questions involving these three countries and their neighbors to occupy us all day long. During the course of this hearing I’d like to focus on the frozen conflicts affecting economic and political integration in the region, and how U.S. foreign policy is responding to them.
I’d like to start with one of the most puzzling and problematic matters: the Turkish land blockade of Armenia, in place since 1993. It’s a punishing policy that holds the Armenian economy back and enormously increases the cost of much of Armenia’s trade with other nations.
The land blockade is also, quite possibly, illegal, as it seems to breach Turkey’s undertaking in the 1922 Treaty of Kars to keep its border-crossings with Armenia open. And it violates the spirit of the World Trade Organization, of which both Turkey and Armenia are members.
It’s baffling why Ankara would want to pursue this land blockade, which also harms the economy of eastern Turkey, and is therefore clearly contrary to its own interests. It’s no secret that many Turkish businessmen, especially in the east, have been lobbying for lifting the land blockade.
It also seems manifestly contrary to the strategic interests of Turkey, which purports to be a solid member of the Western alliance. Without an outlet to Turkey or Azerbaijan, Armenia is forced to rely on its connections to two of Turkey’s historical rivals, Russia and Iran – and given how antithetical the Iranian regime is to the secular, modern Turkish government, it seems odd that Ankara would want to undertake any actions that will enhance Tehran’s influence in Yerevan.
Furthermore, the land blockade has done absolutely nothing to persuade Armenia to alter its policies on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue – the ostensible cause of the land blockade in the first place. Nor is there any prospect that it will do so. Armenia has demonstrated its resolve to support the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey is more likely to win influence with the Armenian government if it pursues a policy of good-neighborliness than if it slams the border closed.
Why hasn’t the State Department – which opposes the land blockade – spoken out more forcefully on this matter? Certainly it’s in our interest to diminish Iran’s influence among its neighbors, not to enhance it. Ambassador Fried, I’m hoping you’ll lay out for us the steps our government has taken and is taking to convince our ally Turkey to end, once and for all, this counter-productive practice of closed borders.
And by no means is Turkey Armenia’s only problem in the region. I’m deeply concerned by the series of increasingly bellicose statements made over the past year about Nagorno-Karabakh by senior Azerbaijani officials, as well as the steady increase in Azerbaijan’s defense budget as that nation acquires more oil wealth. The serious breakdown earlier this year in the 14-year-old cease-fire has been widely blamed on Azerbaijani provocations. Mr. Ambassador, how do you see this situation, and what is the status of negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh?
Turning to Georgia, in recent weeks, we’ve seen increasingly aggressive Russian behavior toward the region of Abkhazia: Moscow has established official ties with the separatist government there, issued passports and citizenship to its residents, dispatched a Russian jet to down a Georgian reconnaissance craft, and deployed railway troops to the region under dubious pretenses.
It was dispiriting to hear the new Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, dismiss offers of foreign mediation of this conflict during his first official meeting in early June with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvilli. Although the United States and the European Union expressed support for the Georgian President’s peace initiatives during their recent summit in Slovenia, follow-up efforts by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and your deputy Matt Bryza to encourage peace talks have garnered little traction. Mr. Ambassador, what steps will this Administration take in the coming months to help prevent further escalation of this conflict?
And do you support calls for the Russian-dominated CIS peacekeeping force to be replaced by a neutral EU contingent as one means of mitigating the conflict? And finally, I’d like to address an issue with long-term implications for U.S. foreign policy throughout the region: the prospect of democratization and political development in the South Caucasus. Lately in the wake of elections in the region, there has been a worrying trend of large-scale protests and forceful police reaction. This explosive combination has the effect of silencing the opposition and strengthening ruling political regimes in a region that is still struggling to establish its democratic credentials.
Last fall, the Georgian government imposed a sweeping state of emergency following demonstrations by thousands of protesters over a government that appeared out of touch with the people. Armenia experienced violent clashes that left eight people dead following March presidential elections. And Azerbaijan could suffer a similar fate during its presidential elections in October, as the government is already cracking down on the media and opposition.
Mr. Ambassador, we would welcome your assessment of the democratic prospects of these countries, which are of such great strategic importance to the United States. Given unstable regimes and considerable political acrimony, what is the potential for fostering sustainable dialogue on a multi-party, parliamentary level? I would also be grateful if you could address the question of how the U.S. administration is holding these governments accountable for human rights abuses, while at the same time working to achieve lasting peace between them.
It’s a tall order; we don’t have all the time in the world to address all the matters we’d like to today, so I’m going to stop at this point and turn to my colleague and friend Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the ranking member of the committee, for any comments she may wish to make.

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Testimony of Daniel Fried
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs

Chairman Berman, Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen, members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the situation in the South Caucasus region of Europe.

Let me begin with a characterization of the overall historical context. In 1989, a wave of democracy began sweeping eastward from its origins in Central Europe. Starting that year, the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe threw off the failed systems of the past and invested their hopes and energies in a future of democratic, free market societies well-integrated with the transatlantic community. The results were so astonishing and successful that it is hard today to recall the divided Europe of less than a generation past. Europe in its narrower definition, with the partial exception of the Balkans, is now united and integrated through either membership or close association with the European Union or NATO, or both. The question remains, however, about the reach of this wave of freedom and democracy. Will it, and can it, extend to the easternmost reaches of Wider Europe?
The issue of whether the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian, the south Caucasus, can in fact join Europe and its institutions is being contested as we speak.
The policy of the United States in this region is unambiguous: we want to help the nations of this region travel along the same path toward freedom, democracy and market-based economies that so many of their neighbors to the West have traveled. We believe that the ultimate place of these nations – which are, after all, a part of Wider Europe – ought to depend on their own choice and their own success, or lack of success, in meeting the standards of democracy, the rule of law, and responsible foreign and regional policies that the transatlantic community has established. We do not believe that any outside power – neither Russia nor any other – should have a sphere of influence over these countries; no outside power should be able to threaten, pressure, or block the sovereign choice of these nations to join with the institutions of Europe and the transatlantic family if they so choose and we so choose.
Georgia has made a choice to join NATO. The United States and the nations of NATO welcome this choice, and Georgia’s neighbors should respect it. Azerbaijan has chosen to develop its relations with NATO at a slower pace, and we respect its choice. Armenia’s situation is different, due to its history and currently complicated relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, and we respect its choice as well.
To be sure, these nations and Russia need to have good neighborly relations, based on a regard for one another’s interests and just basic geographic proximity, but also based on respect for the sovereignty of the nations of the South Caucasus, and, in particular, their right to find their own way in the world. The United States does not see itself in some 19th century contest with Russia for “influence,” much less a sphere of influence in this region or any region. This is not zero-sum. All countries – the countries of the South Caucasus, Russia, and the transatlantic community – would benefit from a set of benign relations among all the players, great and small, in the South Caucasus. To be blunt: the United States does not seek to exclude Russia from this region. That would be neither wise nor possible.
In looking at the region as a whole, our strategic interests are focused on several issues: the advance of freedom and democracy; security, including counterterrorism and peaceful resolution of separatist conflicts; and energy. Our first strategic interest I have already described—the spread of freedom and democracy beyond the Black Sea and toward the Caspian. Each of the Caucasus countries has made important strides in this area, but each has further to go before we can say it has irrevocably chosen this path.
On the second interest, we are working with each of these governments to find peaceful ways of dealing with the separatist conflicts of Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia that stem from the breakup of the Soviet Union. We are also cooperating with each government in the global fight against terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear and biological.
On the third issue, we believe it is in the interests of the Euro-Atlantic community that Caspian gas and oil resources reach European and global markets expeditiously, free from monopolistic pressures and geographic chokepoints.
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia are ancient nations, but they are still new as nation states. They are navigating a double transition: they must throw off the failed communist institutions of the past and build new ones to replace them, including in many cases entirely new systems – such as modern banking and financial systems to support their newly free economies – where none existed before. The legacy of Soviet communist institutions and poor governance is a burden; as are the historical issues of ethnic strife that were exacerbated by the Soviet experience. On top of this, these countries are building new identities as modern, sovereign nation-states.
Despite sharing some common challenges, each of these three countries has taken its own path in addressing these challenges, and the picture on the ground in each country is mixed.
I would like to discuss these three states in turn, both the challenges they face, and our efforts to support them.

Georgia
Before the 2003 Rose Revolution, Georgia was often described as a country near collapse – a “failed state.” Since the Rose Revolution, however, Georgia has enjoyed rapid growth and a marked decline in corruption. The World Bank named Georgia “the world’s leading economic reformer” in its 2007 “Doing Business” report, and Georgia is now rated by the World Bank as the 18th easiest country in the world in which to do business, placing it ahead of many EU member states. The Georgian government has initiated judicial reform, established fair standards of entrance into universities, and made exemplary progress in combating trafficking in persons.
Georgia’s challenge at home is to build strong democratic institutions and processes to match its commitment to economic and commercial reform. Notwithstanding progress on democratization since the Rose Revolution, Georgia has work to do, and the events this past fall marked a setback for democracy in Georgia. Large segments of the Georgian public expressed serious dissatisfaction during protest rallies in September, October, and November. This dissatisfaction stemmed from a combination of continuing poverty and unemployment, a sense the Georgian government had grown disconnected from certain segments of society, and anger over a political system that seemed to be structured to prevent the development of a vibrant opposition.
On November 7, Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs forcibly dispersed protestors camped out in the vicinity of Parliament and later that day the government imposed a State of Emergency. In several confrontations that day police clashed with protestors elsewhere in Tbilisi. The U.S. government condemned the imposition of a state of emergency, the closure of the independent Imedi television station, and what appeared to be the use of excessive force by the Georgian government against protestors.
President Saakashvili addressed the crisis by taking an unusual step, calling for a snap presidential election on January 5 that shortened his term by a year. The conduct of the presidential election, in which incumbent President Saakashvili narrowly won a first-round victory, was regarded by OSCE and other observers as an improvement over previous elections, but flawed, and thus did not fully restore Georgia’s democratic reputation. Georgian leaders and citizens will long argue over whether irregularities skewed the outcome of the election. Our assessment, after careful consideration by our Embassy, was that – absent evidence to the contrary – Mikheil Saakashvili had been legitimately re-elected, but that election irregularities had to be remedied prior to spring parliamentary elections if Georgia were to restore the faith of its voters and the international community in the country’s democratic trajectory.
While we have not yet seen the OSCE’s final report on the May 21 parliamentary elections, our assessment at this point is that they were a marked improvement over the January balloting. According to the preliminary assessment of international observers, including the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and NATO and the European Parliament, the election in Georgia offered the people an opportunity to choose their representatives from a wide array of choices. Georgian officials made efforts to conduct elections according to OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and standards for democratic elections.
Despite the improvements, international and domestic monitors identified a number of problems during the campaign and balloting. For example, before the elections there were allegations of voter intimidation and a lack of balance in the media, and questions about fair adjudication of complaints. We have urged the Georgian authorities to investigate all allegations of irregularities and to work with all sides to address the challenges and shortcomings identified by international and domestic observers. There are charges of violence against opposition members which we have encouraged the government to investigate expeditiously and to make the results of that investigation public.
The United Opposition has claimed that the elections were outright stolen. While we find this argument unconvincing, the Georgian body politic remains deeply polarized. As a result, Georgian democracy continues to lack a necessary element – a credible and viable opposition – and the United National Movement and the United Opposition share the blame for this shortcoming. Without a viable opposition, an empowered, independent parliament and strong, credible judiciary, and a reform process that respects dissenting voices, democracy will not be consolidated.
To sum up: Georgia’s young democracy has made progress, but Georgia needs to make more progress if it is to live up to the high standards that it has set for itself. The United States will help as it can to support democratic reform, urging the Georgian authorities to take seriously their ambition to reach European standards of democracy.
While Georgia’s domestic political development has proceeded, Georgia’s ability to find regional and international security is at risk. Georgia has expressed its desire to join NATO, part of its overall effort to join the European and transatlantic family. As it has done so, Georgia has been subjected to unremitting and dangerous pressure from Russia, including over the separatist regions of Abkhazia and, to a lesser degree, South Ossetia. Georgian political mistakes in the early 1990s led to conflicts in these regions, and the separatists, with Russian military support, won. The Abkhaz, who comprised only 17 percent of that region’s inhabitants before the war, drove out virtually all the ethnic Georgians, about 250,000 people, or nearly half of the pre-war population. The legacy of these wars has been a displaced persons problem that has placed heavy economic, social and political burdens on Georgia, and the unresolved nature of these conflicts is a major inhibitor of stability and security in Georgia.
Moscow has in recent years put economic and political pressure on Georgia: closing their common border; suspending air and ground transport links; and imposing embargoes against exports of Georgian wine, mineral water, and agricultural goods. This year, despite recently lifting some of the economic and transport embargoes, Moscow has intensified political pressure by taking a number of concrete steps toward a de facto official relationship with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where Russian peacekeeping forces have been deployed since the early 1990s – up to 3,000 in Abkhazia, and 500 Russians plus 500 North Ossetians in South Ossetia. In March, Russia announced its unilateral withdrawal from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) sanctions on Abkhazia, which would allow Russia potentially to provide direct military assistance (though the Russian government has offered assurances that it will continue to adhere to military sanctions). On April 16, then-President Putin issued instructions calling for closer ties between Russian ministries and their Abkhaz and South Ossetian counterparts. Russian investors are known to be buying property in Abkhazia in disregard of Georgian law. Some of these properties may have belonged to displaced persons, making their eventual return even more difficult. Russian banks maintain correspondent relationships with unlicensed and virtually unregulated Abkhaz banks, an open invitation to money launderers.
Besides political pressure, Russia has also increased military pressure. Russian officials and military personnel have been seconded to serve in the separatist governments and armed forces. Two Russian officers were killed last September leading a unit of Abkhaz troops in a firefight with a Georgian unit. Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia are specifically mandated to facilitate the return of refugees, but there has been no net return of Georgians to Abkhazia in over a decade.
On April 20, a Russian fighter shot down a Georgian unmanned aerial vehicle over Georgian airspace in Abkhazia; a UN investigation confirmed that a Russian fighter was responsible. Russia also has increased its military posture in Abkhazia without consultation with the Government of Georgia. In April, without consulting Georgia, Russia sent highly-trained airborne combat troops with howitzers to Abkhazia as part of its peacekeeping force, and in May Russia dispatched construction troops to Abkhazia to repair a railroad link to Russia.
We are very concerned about these actions, which challenge Georgia’s territorial integrity and have increased tensions in the separatist regions. They risk igniting a wider conflict and call into question Russia’s role as a peacekeeper and facilitator of negotiations between Georgia and Abkhazia and South Ossetia respectively.
The United States has called on Moscow to reverse its unconstructive actions and actively facilitate with us and others a diplomatic process to resolve these conflicts. We could start from the peace plan proposed by President Saakashvili and that Prime Minister Putin has publicly supported. Georgia, for its part, must continue to resist the temptation of a military reaction or unwise political demands, even in the face of repeated provocations. President Saakashvili has wisely offered to negotiate with the Abkhaz leadership wide autonomy for Abkhazia, an offer that has support in many European capitals and from the United States. Europe and the United States are working together to support a peaceful approach to the Abkhaz problem. We continue to steadfastly support Georgia’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We want to work with Russia in this effort, and Russia, if it chooses, could play a constructive role in a settlement that took account of both the parties’ interests.
The increase of Russian pressure against Georgia comes in the context of Georgia’s transatlantic aspirations, particularly its attempt to secure a Membership Action Plan (MAP) from NATO. The United States and most NATO members strongly supported a MAP for both Georgia and Ukraine at the April NATO Summit in Bucharest – and I wish to note appreciation for bipartisan support for this effort from many Members of Congress. Although there was no consensus at Bucharest for a MAP invitation, NATO’s leaders stated flatly in the final communiqué from the summit that Georgia and Ukraine will become members. NATO foreign ministers will review Georgia’s and Ukraine’s MAP applications at their December meeting, and they are empowered to take this decision at that time.
Having accepted the principle of membership for Georgia and Ukraine, the United States believes that NATO should proceed at its next Ministerial meeting next December to offer them MAP. MAP is not NATO membership. But it is a way to help aspiring countries meet NATO’s requirements. Georgia has work to do before it is ready for NATO membership. But Georgia has distinguished itself both by the thoroughness of its military reforms and the deployability of its troops as well as by the progress that I noted earlier. Today, Georgia is the third-largest troop contributor in Iraq, with over 2,000 soldiers on the ground in Baghdad and Wasit Province. Georgia has agreed to extend its deployment and will continue to stand with Coalition Forces in Iraq. The Alliance should base its MAP decision on these objective factors – holding Georgia to high standards, and not allowing Russia to exercise a veto over an Alliance decision.

Conclusion
The countries that I have described are diverse both in their histories and in the challenges that they face today. America’s policy toward them has been steady, steadfast and supportive. The United States has consistently sought to advance the frontiers of freedom in Europe. This has been a bipartisan policy of the last three presidents. We will continue this policy by working together with Russia and the nations of Europe toward the goal of peaceful resolution of regional conflicts and creating an environment that will allow the countries I have described to join the Euro-Atlantic community if they wish to do so, and if they meet NATO and European Union requirements.
We support an open world, without monopolies, spheres of influence, or great power domination, in all aspects of development, from the energy and economic sectors to political life. With a set of consistent polices designed to support that end, we will pass on to the next administration a solid platform on which to build in this region in the future.
At the beginning, I described how a wave of freedom and democracy swept eastward after the fall of the Berlin Wall. We believe that wave is still on the move, and it will continue to advance as long as we promote the cause of freedom, democracy, and prosperity.

Thank you. I look forward to responding to your questions.