NEWS: Georgia News Digest 06-11-08

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)

Saakashvili interview
1. Saakashvili on ties with Russia, post-election situation
Politics
2. Ruling majority offers consultations to opposition
3. Majority offers posts, power to entice opposition into parliament
4. Former MPs move to executive government
5. Two quit United Opposition bloc, citing internal ‘dictatorship’
6. Tsagareishvili may leave politics
7. No opposition members destroyed MPs mandates
8. National Movement may make a new faction in Parliament
9. United opposition not to alter decision to boycott parliament
10. Appeal Court not satisfied claims regarding results of presidential elections
11. Neither opposition MP refused from his mandate in Georgia
12. We too have many reasons to be offended and aggressive
Foreign relations and conflicts
13. Discussions on assisting Abkhazia, S. Ossetia planned in Russia’s Federal Council
14. Georgia politicians should proceed to trust measures-Churkin
15. CIS countries informed of Georgia's request for talks on peacekeepers' pullout from Abkhazia
16. Moscow tells Tbilisi to agree to Abkhaz terms
17. Russia offers Georgia peace plan by Baghapsh
18. Russia’s intractability
19. Vostok battalion to remain in Chechnya [excerpt]
20. Russia to help population of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
21. Russia hails deeper Western involvement in Abkhazia issue
22. Russian Railroad Forces preparing to use heavy machinery in Abkhazia
23. Georgia-Abkhazia direct dialog must start without preconditions
24. Georgia slams Russia for attempting to annex breakaway regions
25. Minister says Russia trying to justify its actions in separatist region
26. Leadership says has scored diplomatic victory over Russia
27. Official says Tbilisi may demand peacekeepers’ withdrawal ‘soon’
28. Little progress after diplomatic push over Abkhazia
29. EU investigates Georgian stand-off
30. The US and the EU: Working together to advance freedom and prosperity around the world [excerpt]
31. EU, U.S. call on Russia to respect Georgia’s sovereignty
32. The unrecognized republics are surrendering to the west
33. Abkhazia press summary 27 May–9 Jun 08
34. Separatists grateful to Russian support
35. Novelty in Abkhazian army
36. Abkhazia waits for new war with Georgia: "If the Russians leave, tomorrow NATO will be just outside Sochi"
37. Russian Deputy Foreign minister meets S. Ossetian leader
38. Osinform marked two years anniversary
Misc.
39. $10 million to be transferred to the Future Generations Fund and $10 million - to the Stable Development Fund
40. In 2007, employment rate in Georgia made 54,1%, while the unemployment rate - 13,3%
41. Central Bank of Netherlands to discuss the issue of technical support to Georgia
42. Promise to boost Israeli investments in Georgia helps secure seat in parliament for ambassador
43. Armenia terminates Turkey’s full influence on South Caucasus
44. Armenian experts sure Armenian churches in Georgia must be returned to Armenia sooner or later
45. Forget politics, watch football
46. Journalists established organization for freedom of speech protection
47. Shida Kartli regional administration blocks public information
48. COC instructor preps country of Georgia as tourism booms
49. Raise age of criminal responsibility: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child urges reform
50. US naval delegation visits Defence Ministry
51. First Lady attending international conference in NY
52. Women prisoners on hunger strike in Tbilisi jail

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