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