NEWS: Georgia News Digest 07-03-08

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)

International Relations
1. GUAM summit in Batumi
2. Georgian leader says GUAM members united by aspiration for Europe
3. Pro-West leaders hold regional talks in ex-Soviet Georgia
4. Poland sure Georgia, Ukraine will soon join NATO
5. Polish president arrives in Georgia as guest of regional organization summit
6. New division of Europe into influence spheres impermissible
7. Georgian, Ukrainian presidents open monument in Ajaria
8. Georgian, Azeri presidents symbolically light gas stove in Batumi
9. Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan agree to build Eurasia transport corridor section
10. Ukrainian leader urges regional body to active role in conflict resolution
11. Making sense of EU seminar held in Batumi for local media and NGOs
12. Javier Solana: “We shall be reconciling you with Georgia” [excerpt]
13. …While glossing over post-Soviet conflicts
14. 3-point plan” may finally melt frozen conflicts
15. Europe misses clear-cut answers on Russia’s proceedings in Abkhazia -- Lithuanian president
16. Georgia hopes to join MAP in late 2008 or next year
17. Saakashvili, Bakradze to visit Croatia
18. Czech Republic to assist Georgia in reforms
19. Czech ForMin to earmark 300,000 euros for projects in Georgia
20. France reconsiders its policy in Caucasus and Central Asia
21. OSCE will closely watch developments in South Caucasus
22. Kazakhstan abstains in vote on Georgia at OSCE parliamentary assembly session
23. Estonian govt backs posting new ambassador to Georgia, Armenia
24. Lavrov not worried about Georgia's loud accusations
Abkhazia
25. Accusations fly after blast rocks Abkhazia
26. Georgian side behind terrorist acts on Abkhazia territory
27. Georgia says Russia may be involved in blasts
28. Peacekeepers blame new Abkhazia blast on Georgia
29. Military official denies Russian peacekeepers' accusation
30. Abkhaz Interior Ministry searching for explosion perpetrators
31. Blast close to Russian peacekeeper post
32. No reason to blame Georgia services for involvement in blast
33. Duma wants Russian citizens in Abkhazia protected
34. Abkhazia insists Gagry, Sukhumi terror attacks plotted by Georgian special services
35. Blast occurs near Russian peacekeepers' checkpoint in Abkhazia
36. No link between Sochi and Abkhaz blasts
37. Russia expands illegal activity in Abkhazia as bombs rock territory; “absolute control” thwarts peace efforts
38. Breakaway Abkhazia closes its administrative border with Georgia
39. Georgia says breakaway Abkhazia is now under Russian control
40. Georgia warns of crisis over Abkhaz border closure
41. Tbilisi asks Russian peacekeepers why border closure wasn't stopped
42. Premier describes Abkhaz separatists' steps as "absurd"
43. Residents of Abkhazia "hostages" of Russia
44. No traffic across Gali district administrative border from Tuesday
45. Peacekeepers detain journalist
46. Peacekeepers' helicopters reconnoiter disputable youth camp
47. Opening legation in Georgian regions to damage Russia's image
48. Minister, Russia envoy at UN discuss Abkhazia settlement
49. Rebel regions deny reports of Russian diplomatic presence
50. De facto minister speaks on mandate
51. Sochi resumes ferry service to Abkhaz resort
52. Ship to sail out from Sochi to Gagra for regular run first time in 15 years
53. Abkhazia violence and regional redefinition
54. Minister slams Russian plans to open legation in Abkhazia
55. OSCE PA concerned over Russian moves
56. Expressing concern over the security environment in Georgia
57. Is there threat of war?
58. Georgia-Abkhazia tensions white-hot
59. Abkhazia blasts scare tourists
60. Tourist season may be disrupted in Abkhazia
61. Tourists keep coming to Abkhazia despite recent incidents
62. Abkhazia's tourism fights to regain fabled legacy
63. A toast to the fountain of youth
64. Abkhazian dump: Separatist media highlight lack of care for region
South Ossetia
65. Police spokesman denies Georgia's involvement in South Ossetia blast
66. Policeman wounded in Georgia-Ossetia conflict zone
67. One killed in blast in South Ossetia
68. video: S Ossetia & Georgia exchange ‘terror attack’ accusations
69. Regional leader targeted by blast
70. Separatist leader says Georgia provokes humanitarian, political crisis
71. Russian peacekeepers unable to establish peace
72. Peacekeepers say police hindered monitoring in South Ossetia
73. Russia calls for Joint Control Commission meeting
74. Georgia against Moscow-proposed extraordinary session of Joint Control Commission
75. Russian envoy proposes installing radars in Georgia-South Ossetia conflict zone
76. Kokoity and Bagapsh held a telephone conversation
Business and economics
77. Robust Georgian GDP growth eases somewhat in Q1
78. Tbilisi aims for Russian approval for jets
79. Georgia banks assets reach GEL 8.3 bln
80. Rakeen takes over disputed amusement park
81. Real estate has become unreal: New report says, prepare for the end of the boom
82. report: National Policy of Georgia on Developing Renewable Energy Sources
83. report: Georgia’s State Policy of Georgia on the Effective Utilization and Preservation of Energy
84. Azerbaijani natural gas reaches Georgia
Politics and government
85. Opposition figure suspects settling of scores from government
86. Opposition leader asks for asylum for team-mates, family
87. United Opposition won’t get finances from the budget
88. Opposition presents new “revolutionary” plan
89. Labor Party objects to growth on route taxis
90. Healthcare Ministry official arrested
91. Ombudsman meets NGO representatives in Imereti
92. Deputy mayor visits building under repair
93. Televised arrest of ‘corrupt official’
94. Merger of General Prosecutor’s Office, Justice Ministry planned
95. Presidential institution “needed for quick decision making”
96. Progress newspaper accuses Kakheti regional administration of intimidating advertising customers
97. Zaza Gorozia lost lawsuit again
Misc.
98. The battle for Tbilisi's soul
99. Georgia’s ethnic minorities left in the dark on NATO membership
100. Ethnic minorities and NATO
101. Coastguard stop Libyan tanker
102. World Bank urges reforms for Georgia to compete globally
103. Flood damaged Tkibuli
104. More news pulled off air, Georgian “media freedom” rating falls

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