NEWS: Georgia News Digest 07-10-08

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. Russia, US swap warnings as Condoleezza Rice visits Georgia
2. Rice says she backs Georgian democratic efforts
3. Georgia says Russia spoiling Rice visit
4. US, Russia trade charges over Georgia amid war warnings
5. Condoleezza Rice in Georgia to discuss NATO
6. Rice heads to Tbilisi as Abkhazia heats up
7. US Secretary of State’s visit to normalize situation in conflict zones
8. New surge in Georgia tension before Rice visit
9. Secretary Rice comes at a perilous time
10. U.S. State Department circling over the Caucasus
11. Germany concerned over Abkhaz, South Ossetian tensions
12. OSCE Ambassadors call for dialogue in Georgia's conflict zones to de-escalate serious tensions
13. Diplomat lays out EU’s engagement priorities
14. NATO blasts Russian criticism of Georgia
15. video: Dmitry Rogozin interview
16. Zim sanctions draft adds two names, drops HIV / AIDS issue, Thursday vote? [excerpt]
17. Can you handle the truth? [excerpt]
18. Statement of the RF MFA concerning Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian zones of conflict
19. Russia wants UN to call on Tbilisi to sign treaty on non-use of force
20. video: Russia and Georgia trade accusations
21. Georgia insists on changing format of peacekeeping mission in Abkhazia, S. Ossetia
22. Georgia’s drumbeat to war
23. Blasted peace
24. The Caucasus on the verge of new war
25. Russia escalating situation in conflict zones
26. Russia to blame for mounting tension in conflict zones
27. Minister slams violence, Russian overflights in conflict zones
28. FM accuses Moscow of staging provocations in conflict zones
29. Iran can use Georgia’s vulnerability if Saakashvili continues pushing pro-West policy
30. GUAM summit “successful,” but skepticism mounts over future
31. Astana’s 10 year anniversary
Abkhazia
32. Georgian police checkpoint fired near breakaway region
33. Georgia says it killed four in Kodori clash, suspects Russia
34. Unidentified gunmen injure 3 Georgian policemen in Kodori gorge
35. Three policemen injured in attack in Kodori
36. Separatists deny involvement in attack on Georgian police post
37. Abkhazia steers clear of gunfire attack at Georgian police post
38. Joint group to investigate incident in Abkhazia-controlled Kodori Gorge
39. Tbilisi demands UN observers be let into Kodori Gorge where attack occurred
40. Non-bloody solution for Georgian-Abkhazian crisis
41. Saakashvili has not even seen real live Abkhaz
42. What did Sergey Baghapsh tell a Georgian cameraman?
43. Stalin's favorite retreat, war-ravaged Abkhazia, lures tourists
South Ossetia
44. 4 Russian aircraft violate Georgian airspace
45. Su-25 fighters detected in skies over Georgia-S Ossetia zone
46. Georgia accuses Russian warplanes of breaching airspace over South Ossetia
47. Russia says Georgian fighter jets breaching ban
48. Georgian soldiers released as "sign of good will"
49. Georgian military had to stay in South Ossetia
50. S. Ossetia accuses Georgia of abducting 14-year-old boy
51. Teenager said abducted in Georgia's separatist region
52. Evacuee guests
53. We don’t have any incentive for Sanakoyev’s liquidation
Politics and government
54. Prosecutor’s office spirals out of parliament control: What will new legislative initiatives bring?
55. Opposition representation minimal but still “meaningful” according to Targamadze
56. Opposition appeals to international organizations for help
57. Ten opposition parties condemn new rule on party funding
58. Human rights ombudsman criticizes party funding law
59. Opposition continues struggle
60. Governor to become new chief of State Audit Agency
61. Most important criteria for appointing to top official positions
62. Nine issues to be addressed at government sitting on Wednesday
Misc.
63. US conducts joint military exercises in Georgia
64. Last pro-opposition TV station alleges state pressure
65. GNCC postponed review of the Broadcasters’ Code of Conduct project
66. GPB not to air United Opposition documentary until CEC checks it
67. Is the Georgian Times writing unbalanced stories? An unfortunate tale of double standards
68. Protesters implore Condoleezza Rice to help victims of raid on U.S. businesses
69. HSBC enters Georgian banking sector
70. The EU-Georgia Business Council issued the first of 3 publications for Georgian exporters
71. EBRD approved first energy-saving project
72. Turkey announces start date for Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway construction
73. Anti-trafficking report again puts Georgia in top category
74. Chechen refugees receive ID cards, free to cross borders
75. US Consulate denies student visa for 18 year-old
76. Stalin making a comeback: Production company tells GT “Young Stalin” film is in the pipeline


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