Showing posts with label Medvedev. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Medvedev. Show all posts

Friday, October 22, 2010

ANALYSIS: Kaukasus – die gelenkte Instabilität. Warum der Kaukasus nicht zu Ruhe kommt. (european-circle.de)

Wie auch bei früheren Verletzungen des internationalen Rechtes und der Souveränität Georgiens seitens Moskau blieb die Reaktion Europas aus. Die Hohe Vertreterin der EU für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik, Catherine Ashton, gab beschämt zu, dass sie über die Raketen vom russischen Außenminister Lavrov erfuhr. Auch die USA begrenzten sich mit kurzem Murmeln des Botschafters in der russischen Hauptstadt: „Die USA haben davon längst gewusst“. Doch was Europäern und Amerikanern als ein bedauerliches, aber dennoch zu ignorierendes Ereignis erscheint, kann ein Baustein in Russlands geopolitischer Strategie sein. Diese könnte für den Kaukasus und seine benachbarten Regionen gefährlich werden und die Gegend in eine neue Runde der Krisen und Konflikte stürzen. Und für den Westen könnte das ebenfalls extrem negative Konsequenzen haben und ihre eigenen geostrategischen Interessen beeinflussen.

Kaukasus – die gelenkte Instabilität

Die russische Intervention in Georgien betrachten viele Politiker in Europa als ein Missverständnis oder gar als die “gerechte“ russische Antwort auf die “unbedachten“ Bemühungen der georgischen Regierung, den von Russland geschürten Separatismus in Abchasien und Samatschablo (Südossetien) einzudämmen - man darf eben den Bären nicht reizen, selbst wenn der Bär bereits wütend ist. Doch sie übersehen einen kontinuierlichen Trend in der aktuellen russischen Außenpolitik, der von drei Prinzipien bestimmt wird: Die globale Politik darf nicht von einer Supermacht, sprich den USA und dem Westen, dominiert werden. Um den Einfluss der Supermacht auszugleichen, darf man kurz- und mittelfristige Allianzen mit anderen Machtpolen und Regionalspieler schmieden. Der postsowjetische Raum muss wieder zu einem exklusiv russischen Einflussgebiet werden.

Durch die kontinuierliche Zerstückelung und Schwächung Georgiens, macht Russland auch dem Streben Aserbaidschans, sich an den Westen zu binden, ein kurzes Ende, denn Georgien ist der Anschluss Aserbaidschans ans Schwarze Meer und an Europa. Im Nachbarland Armenien sind die russischen Truppen sowieso seit Jahrzehnten stationiert, und die Landeselite sieht im Moment keine Alternative der militärpolitischen Allianz mit Russland im Ramen der “ODKB“ (Organisation des Vertrages für Kollektive Sicherheit). Würde es Moskau gelingen, in Georgien die Oberhand zu gewinnen, geriete der gesamte kaukasische Korridor mit seinen für Europa wichtigen Verbindungen zu Zentralasien einschließlich der Öl- und Gaspipelines unter seinen Einfluss. Am liebsten hätten es die Machthaber in Kreml, wenn die ganze Energielieferung vom kaspischen Raum nach Europa ausschließlich über Russland liefe. Um das zu erreichen, versucht der Kreml eine Situation der permanenten Instabilität in der Region zu etablieren. So liefert Moskau seit Jahren die Waffen und Militärausrüstung an Armenien. Aber auch sein Erzfeind um das strittige Gebiet Bergkarabach in Aserbaidschan bekommt zwecks “Ausgleichs“ dieselben bedeutenden Systeme wie z.B. Luftabwehrraketen vom Typ S-300. Doch wenn man den russischen Außenminister Lavrov am 19.August in der armenischen Hauptstadt nach diesen dicken Geschäften fragte, antwortete er heuchlerisch – Russland werde keine Waffen in irgendwelche Region der Welt verkaufen, wenn es zur Destabilisierung führen werde. Die Militarisierung des Kaukasus macht den brüchigen Frieden in der Region noch instabiler. Und im Falle des Wiederaufflammens des Konfliktes zwischen Armenien und Aserbaidschan, wäre Moskau “gezwungen“, seinem Alliierten Armenien zu Hilfe zu eilen – so wird zumindest in frisch unterschriebenem Vertrag festgelegt. Der Aufmarsch liefe allerdings durch georgisches Gebiet. Manchen mag dieses Szenario unrealistisch erscheinen, doch Anfang August gaben die russischen Militärs die Gründung eines Sonderkommandozentrale der Armee bekannt – des Vereinigten Strategischen Kommandozentrums “Jug“ (zu Deutsch – Süden) – das vor allem Georgien ins Visier nehmen werde. Auch einige neue U-Boote mit “Klab“-Präzisionsraketen wurden für die Schwarzmeerflotte bestellt. Die Ziele der Raketen befinden sich in Georgien,erklärten die russischen Militärs.

The Greater Middle East

So könnte man die russische Politik im Kaukasus als Kontaminierung der Amerikanischen Strategie in der gesamten Region des Greater Middle East verstehen. In Moskau weiß man genau, dass selbst solch ein Koloss wie die USA nicht in der Lage ist, noch mehr Kriege als die im Irak und in Afghanistan zu führen. Und das andere Problem – das Verhältnis zum Iran - wird immer explosiver. Die permanente Unruhe im Nahen Osten und die Störung der Öllieferungen vom Persischen Golf würden die Öl- und zum Teil die Gaspreise in die Höhe treiben. Das russische Budget wird zu zwei Dritteln durch den Export der fossilen Energieträger bestritten. Es ist nicht übertrieben. dass die sozialwirtschaftliche Stabilität und damit die Zukunft Russland gerade von diesem Faktor abhängt. Trotz aller Änderungsversuche seitens der Regierung hat die russische Wirtschaft immer noch ziemlich primitive Struktur: die Hi-Tech Industrie ist erschreckend gering entwickelt, umso höher ist es die Rohstoff-Industrie. Russland degeneriert langsam zum Rohstofflieferanten modernerer Länder und Wirtschaftsregionen. „Unser Land braucht Modernisierung“, - wiederholt der russische Präsident Medvedev zum zigsten Mal und trommelt alle seine Manager, noch nicht verhaftete Oligarchen und Industrievetreter zusammen, um das russische Silikon-Valley aufzubauen: das Projekt Skolkovo. Doch jeder weiß mittlerweile, dass diese Modernisierung einerseits nur mit westlicher Hilfe und anderseits nur zusammen mit der politischen Liberalisierung des Landes zu erreichen wäre. Ohne wirtschaftspolitische Modernisierung ist die Zukunft Russlands erledigt, bevor sie kommt. Und die Liberalisierung Russlands würde das Ende der jetzigen Putinischen Machtelite selbst bedeuten. Genau deswegen erklärt Alexander Dugin, der Hauptideologe der neurussischen Geopolitik, den Westen und das westliche Gesellschaftsmodell als für mit Russland inkompatibel. Es ist eine schwierige Wahl für Putin und seinen Freund Medvedev. Es sieht aber so aus, als würden beide letzte Chancen ausnützen, für Russland so viel Einfluss wie möglich zu sichern, bevor es diesen mit einer unvermeidlichen Integration mit Westen endgültig aufgeben muss. Iran bekommt für Milliarden Dollar Waffen geliefert, die die Luftangriffe auf seine Atomindustriezentren erschweren sollten. Syrien wird ebenfalls reichlich beliefert – mit Panzer- und Luftabwehrraketen, die später bei der Hisbollah auftauchen und gegen Israel eingesetzt werden. In der Vollversammlung der Vereinten Nationen stimmte die russische Delegation zwar für die Sanktionen gegen den Iran. Im Lande selber aber arbeiten russische Spezialisten weiter dan der Inbetriebnahme der Busher-Nukleranlage.

Im Falle eines Krieges gegen Iran würde Russland nicht nur einen rein finanziellen Gewinn einstreichen, sondern auch einen geopolitischen - auf Kosten des Kaukasus. Schon jetzt ist Europa halb taub gegenüber Georgiens Hilferufen und zieht es vor, seinen eigenen Friedensplan von 12. August 2008 zu vergessen. Wenn die Russen mit ihrer aggressiven Expansionspolitik tatsächlich bis an die iranischen Grenzen gelangen sollten, können die Amerikaner und Europäer eine Lösung der Probleme mit dem Iran glatt vergessen.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

NORDKAUKASUS: Nicht nur "scharfe Dolchhiebe". Von Ulrich Heyden (eurasischesmagazin.de)

Dmitri Medwedew will den Nordkaukasus auch mit verstärkter Wirtschaftsförderung voranbringen. Bisher jedoch ohne sichtbaren Erfolg.

Der ganze Artikel >>>

Saturday, December 27, 2008

RADIO: Schwierige Nachbarschaft (dradio.de)

Wegmarken, Teil 3: Russland und der Westen

Von Christoph Bertram

Die Sendereihe "Wegmarken" greift Schlagworte auf, die den öffentlichen Diskurs 2008 geprägt haben und auch über die Jahreswende hinaus weiter prägen werden. Namhafte Autoren beschäftigen sich in Radio-Essays mit aktuellen politischen und wirtschaftlichen Herausforderungen.

Der ganze Text >>>

Kapitel I: Neue Hoffnungen, alte Befürchtungen und der Georgien-Krieg

Kapitel II: Der neue Mann im Kreml - Wofür steht Dimitri Medwedew?

Kapitel III: Von der Ausgrenzung Russlands zu gemeinsamen Interessen?

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

NEWS: Georgia News Digest 08-12-08 (pdf)

click on the headline
News current as of 1030pm Tbilisi time--much now OBE.
Apologies for the casual formatting and citing today >>>


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)

Major news reports
1. Russian ground forces invade Georgia, Georgian army retreats to defend capital
2. Saakashvili’s address to nation
3. ‘Russia occupies significant part of Georgia’ – Saakashvili
4. audio: Day to Day (NPR)
5. Georgian troops in S. Ossetia surrendering
6. Medvedev says Russia will continue active role in S. Caucasus
7. Russia bombs Georgia as EU mounts peace mission to Moscow
8. Georgia fight spreads, Moscow issues ultimatum
9. Medvedev: Operations in Georgia almost complete

10. video galleries
CNN >>>
Sky News >>>
Russia Today >>>
Euro News >>>

11. Fear and defiance mingle on Tbilisi streets
12. EC presses Russia on Georgia
13. Georgia claims Russians have cut country in half
14. Russia widens war, seizing a base as Georgians pull back
15. Georgia 'overrun' by Russian troops as full-scale ground invasion begins
16. Diplomats warn conflict could scupper Georgia's Nato membership bid
17. Russian soldiers open second front in Georgia
18. Russian troops invade Georgia and 'take the town of Gori'
19. South Ossetians flee cellars for safety in Russia
20. audio: Update on the situation between Russia and Georgia
21. In South Ossetia capital, a relative calm
22. Sharp war of words joins Caucasus violence
23. Yes, it’s war with Russia
24. Russia builds up troops as Georgia fears ground invasion
25. Russia has taken over half the country, Georgia claims
26. livelblogging
27. Russian forces capture military base in Georgia
28. There was so much blood spilled
29. Russian jets, unchallenged, sow terror among Georgian troops
30. Russian military pushes into Georgia
31. Georgia rolls out its big guns
32. Ossetians say west is behind conflict
33. Russia tightens the noose: Troops are sent deep into Georgia
34. Georgian army flees in disarray as Russians advance
35. Russian troops seize a strategic prize in swift advance
36. video: Russian troops do not plan to advance on Tbilisi – Moscow
37. Conflict spreads as Georgians curse their leader
38. Russia compares Georgian leader to Saddam
39. Fears of escalating war
40. Aggressor or peacekeeper?
41. Georgian foreign minister calls for political dialogue with Russia
42. Refugees flee conflict
43. Dumbstruck and downtrodden, refugees relieved to be in Russian hands
44. Russian army moves into West Georgia
45. CNN transcripts—various
Other news items
46. Fears escalate for health of civilians caught up in conflict
47. UNHCR airlifting humanitarian aid for displaced from South Ossetia conflict
48. WFP provides food to thousands displaced by conflict in Georgia
49. Hundreds killed and injured in Russia/Georgia conflict
50. Red Cross to send surgeons and medicines to Georgia
51. Young rebel chronicles weekend of death and destruction in Georgia
52. S Ossetia to insist on international recognition of Ossetian people’s genocide
53. Tribunal on acts of genocide in South Ossetia to be set up
54. Millions of dollars in aid sent to conflict victims
55. St. Petersburg rallies to relieve suffering of South Ossetians
56. Russian fighter jets dropped shells near Batumi
57. Shells hit Sharabidzeebi, Makhvilauri and Khelvachauri
58. South Ossetians allege "ritual murders" by Georgians, Russian agency
59. Russian paratroopers reinforce peacekeepers in Georgia's Abkhazia
60. Georgian forces hold defensive positions in South of conflict zone l
61. Russian forces in Zugdidi
62. Georgia claims shooting down Russian jet
63. Russian forces advance deep into Georgia to Senaki
64. Georgian helicopters bomb S. Ossetia targets-witness
65. RF peacekeepers eliminate threat of new attacks on S Ossetia from Senaki
66. Russian troops in Abkhazia not to allow Ossetian scenario
67. Abkhazia launches new attack on Georgian forces
68. Georgian "raiders" caught, foreigners killed in South Ossetia
69. Russian officials deny Georgians detained in South Ossetia
70. Georgian warplane downed in South Ossetia - Russian agency
71. Abkhaz separatists say Georgia troops locked in Kodori – agency
72. Russian peacekeepers seize police buildings in Georgia's Zugdidi District
73. Russian army reports destroying two Georgian helicopters
74. Russia sends Chechen units to South Ossetia
75. Russian TV interviews Chechen commander fighting in South Ossetia
76. Volunteering to kill Georgians
77. On Ossetia, denials by Khalilzad of foreign fighters, by Yerevan of Russian planes
78. U.S. military aircraft bring 800 Georgian troops home from Iraq
79. U.S. military instructors command hirelings in Georgia
80. Georgia accuses Russia of co-ordinated cyberattack
81. Disinformers to be held responsible – Government of Georgia
82. Meeting with Chairman of the Russian Federation Prosecutor General’s Office
83. Senior Russian diplomat accuses West of 'double standards' over South Ossetia
84. Putin criticises U.S. over South Ossetia
85. audio: Russia denies capturing key Georgian town
86. Russia cuts S. Ossetia casualty conflict figures
87. South Ossetian weightlifter disturbed by conflict
88. Okruashvili and his party call for unity
89. Saakashvili meets with opposition leaders
90. Georgia has several months’ reserves of food and fuel
91. The Georgian economy under Russian aggression
92. Saakashvili tries to allay sense of panic in Tbilisi
93. Capital flight fears lead Georgia to halt lending
94. Georgia acts to cool fears among western investors
95. Russian Duma not to consider Abkhazia, S Ossetia independence - deputy speaker
96. Georgian official dismisses reaction of Georgia's allies to Russian aggression as slow
97. Russian senator urges US colleagues to look for solution to South Ossetia
98. Georgian statements about Russian aircraft lOsses "beyond belief"
99. Georgia rejects Russian peacekeepers' "ultimatum"
100. No restrictions at Georgian border checkpoints, official says
International response
101. The world supports Georgia
102. UN council hears of Russian advances into Georgia
103. Georgia wants U.N. peacekeepers to halt conflict
104. Russia says Western bid for Georgia truce unacceptable
105. Sarkozy heads to Russia on peace mission
106. Russia slams French resolution urging Georgia peace
107. President George W. Bush delivers remarks on the situation in Georgia
108. Bush: Russia must reverse course in Georgia
109. Bush warns Russia to pull back in Georgia
110. 'Unacceptable': Bush denounces Russian attacks on Georgia
111. Washington admits it has few options for action
112. Russia defies US and launches new attacks
113. Angry US envoy denounces Russian 'invasion' of enclave
114. John McCain plan to isolate and punish
115. Statement by John Mccain on the crisis in Georgia
116. McCain adviser was lobbyist for Georgia
117. Obama's statement on Georgia
118. Countdown with Keith Olberman
119. USA "nervous" that Georgia may have misread its signals - Russian UN envoy
120. State department evacuates 170 Americans from Georgia
121. Former Soviet sphere shocked into silence by conflict in Georgia
122. Baltic states show support for Georgia
123. Lithuanian formin arrives in tbilisi to meet with Georgia's top-ranking officials
124. Lithuania shocked over Russian attacks after Georgia's withdrawal from South Ossetia
125. Lithuanian daily calls for sanctions against Russia over Georgian conflict
126. Support to Georgia rally organized outside Russian embassy in Vilnius
127. West should see daylight - Georgia didn't attack Russia, Russia attacked Georgia
128. Latvian FM says Georgian conflict leave negative impact on Latvian Russian relations
129. Latvian parlt might hold extraordinary session on support to Georgia on thursday
130. Latvian ex-FM believes Baltics should press on EU to take stricter position on Georgia
131. Latvian paper deplores "aggressive regime" in Russia in wake of Georgian events
132. Georgian-Russian conflict may have serious consequences - Latvian president
133. Russian ambassador to Latvia calls Baltics' siding with Georgia a mistake
134. Latvia's ngos urge seeking possibilities of practical assistance to Georgia
135. Latvian FM to organize charter flights from Yerevan to get people home from Georgia
136. Estonia expects clear position from NATO, EU - formin official
137. Estonian speaker calls emergency parlt session on Georgia)
138. Estonia: bill supports Georgia's early accession to nato
139. Slovak commentary says South Ossetia conflict to block Georgia's way to NATO
140. Slovakia waiting to see EU stance on Russian action in Georgia
141. Slovene daily warns world closer to new cold war
142. Slovene daily sees similarities between South Ossetia crisis and Balkan wars
143. Belarusian Popular Front backs Georgia over South Ossetia conflict
144. Turkey concerned over South Ossetia conflict
145. Moldova supports EU stance on Georgian conflict
146. Moldovan opposition party protests Russia's action in Georgia
147. President Kaczynski will go to Georgia
148. Georgia cannot become a second Chechnya
149. War in South Ossetia: Moment of truth for Poland and Europe
150. Swiss told to leave Georgia
151. Italian premier urges Russian premier to resume dialogue with Georgia
152. German official urges ceasefire in South Ossetia
153. Albania backs "Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty"
154. Ukrainian party worried by Russia's use of Crimean base in Georgian conflict
155. Ukrainian parties, NGOs stage rally to support Georgia
156. Croatian daily says Caucasus likely to become region of conflict over energy
157. Ukrainian daily says Georgia to benefit from conflict with Russia
158. Bulgaria calls for common European position on South Ossetia crisis
159. Romania supports Georgia's, Moldova's territorial integrity
160. Serbian analyst says "dangerous Kosovo precedent" to "reflect" in South Ossetia
161. Czechs export arms to Georgia
162. Kyrgyz pundit slams Russian policy in S Ossetia
163. Tajik pundit says S Ossetia crisis "complicated phenomenon"
164. Tajik expert describes S Ossetia crisis as conflict over "Caucasian oil"
165. Ossetian diaspora in Tajikistan condemns Georgia's actions
166. Moscow must respect Georgia territorial integrity: Harper
167. Israel to allow limited weapon sales to Georgia "under tight supervision"
168. Israelis in Georgia warn of impending disaster
169. Israelis stranded in Georgia
170. Jews caught in Russian-Georgian war
171. Israel playing down Georgia ties
172. Iranians advised not to travel to Georgia
Opinion and analysis
173. Simmering cauldron in the Caucasus that may endanger us all
174. Fighting to win
175. The new war in the Caucasus will change our country's future irreversibly
176. South Ossetia for Medvedev is what the Kursk submarine was for Putin
177. Armed conflict sharply raises risks for oil and gas transit through Georgia
178. Russia's dare; maybe now the west will see Vladimir Putin for what he is
179. Black Sea watershed
180. Will Russia get away with it?
181. Russia bids to rid Georgia of its folly
182. Everyone's a loser in the Caucasus conflict
183. South Ossetia raises nasty questions
184. Our Georgian Adventure
185. Blow dealt to prospect of oil pipeline security
186. Aggressor or peacekeeper?
187. Georgia's major miscalculation?
188. An avoidable catastrophe
189. Statement on Georgia
190. An August war in the Caucasus
191. Russian triumph as Saakashvili's gamble fails
192. How does it end?
193. The Georgia surprise
194. Q&A on WTF is going on with Russia and Georgia, part i: who started it?
195. Tbilisi overestimates combat potential
196. Georgia-Russia air war
197. EBRD sees Georgia economic fallout from war
198. Russia teaches Georgia a hard lesson
199. Russia and Georgia come to blows
200. President Saakashvili guards scramble to protect him from air raid risk
201. Vladimir Putin sends emphatic message of global importance
202. Russia returns
203. Playing with Fire
204. Another war, another media frenzy
205. Saakashvili as a propaganda phenomenon
206. Russian “tandemocracy” stumbles into a war
207. Russia v. Georgia: Four painful lessons
208. Putting things in perspective
209. Misreading Ossetia -- chronology matters
210. Moscow's motives in its Georgian war
211. In Russia and Georgia, hostilities smoldered quietly for years
212. Conflict in Georgia and its breakaway region
213. Elnur Baimov: "We have again witnessed the next diplomatic defeat of Russia"
214. Will the common sense prevail?
215. audio: South Ossetia, more than a region (Interview with Lili DiPuppo)
216. War as an instrument of peace
217. Turkey caught in a dilemma over South Ossetia
218. Some analysts say Russia’s Siloviki benefit from a war with Georgia
219. How Georgia prepared for war, and who helped it
220. The messy truth behind the morality tale
221. Russian opposition on the war in Georgia
222. "Where's NATO?"
223. Those plucky Georgians
224. audio: Dato Darchiashvili on South Ossetia
225. Why Georgia-Russia Conflict Is Significant For U.S.
226. Brutal proof that the Russian bully never went away
227. Stop Playing Games
228. When frozen wars heat up
229. Russia bids to rid Georgia of its folly
230. Strategic blunder led Georgia into S. Ossetia folly
231. Russia unmasked
232. The two-faced, underhanded foreign policy of Georgia
233. Stratfor acknowledges Russia defeated US, not Georgian army in South Ossetia
234. Georgia, Ossetia and public opinion
235. Crisis in Georgia
236. Beware
237. Appeasing Russia: The historical reasons why the West should intervene in Georgia
238. Georgia on my mind
239. Lonely night in Georgia: The Bush administration's feckless response
240. Roots of the conflict between Georgia, South Ossetia and Russia
241. Brutality to make a point
242. Rebuke of a president, in the boom of artillery
243. U.S. knew Georgia trouble was coming, but couldn't stop it
244. Mikheil Saakashvili vetoed: Russia suggests a regime change in Georgia
245. Untying a Georgian knot
246. US plays a shadowy hand in Georgian conflict
247. Think-tank offensive
248. Russia blames the victim
249. South Ossetia, Abkhazia Have No Right to Secede
250. Mikheil Saakashvili's 'calculated gamble'
251. U.S., Georgia miscalculate Russian determination
252. Burning a path through Georgia
253. Ossetia ordeal ill-served by cold war logic
254. Georgia did not deserve this - Europe closed its eyes
255. Breakaway regions backed by Caucasian neighbours
256. Four days of silence that condemn Britain
257. The Failure of Realpolitik
258. US has few options in Russia-Georgia conflict
259. Georgia on our conscience
260. Lessons to be drawn from Georgia
261. Russia and Georgia play power politics
262. Georgia's firecracker president loses control of his fuse
263. Russia's pinpricks caused Georgia's military intervention
264. Latest on Georgia
265. In Russia-Georgia conflict, Balkan shadows
266. Georgia-Russia clash: A 'bump' or 'turn' in road?
267. Talking sense on South Ossetia
268. Experts discuss Georgia-Russia conflict
269. No good guys in Russia-Georgia War
270. Beyond Georgia: The ripple effects of Russia's attack
271. Vladimir Putin capitalises on US ambivalence
272. South Ossetians, too, have the right to self-determination
273. Revenge of the puppetmaster
274. A small war in Georgia could have huge consequences
275. It is probably far too late to halt the growing war in Georgia;
276. Russian history comes in from the cold in the Caucasus
277. Putin's vendetta
278. A lot to lose for Georgia's booming economy
279. Intervention may breed instability
280. No one can check hostile bear's strategic ambitions
281. Nato must not be cowed into submission by a superpower
282. Roots of Georgia-Russia clash run deep


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

Friday, March 07, 2008

NEWS: Georgia News Digest 03-07-08

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)


1. Tbilisi City Hall gave permission to opposition for holding rally
2. Opposition coalition wants repeat presidential election
3. Jondi Baghaturia: Government delaying the release of political prisoners!
4. Okruashvili criticizes opposition for lacking radicalism
5. Labor Party to organize street protests
6. NATO chief: No decision on Georgia’s MAP
7. Accession to NATO to destabilise situation in Georgia – Rogozin
8. NATO divided on Ukraine, Georgia entry bids
9. Rice meets Burjanadze
10. Saakashvili congratulates Russian president-elect
11. Tbilisi citizens expect more of the same from Medvedev
12. Tbilisi starts to feel the backlash of Kosovo independence
13. Russian-Georgian relations and the situation with South Ossetia and Abkhazia 14. USA exercises double standards again
15. Developments in Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno Karabakh once again confirm Kosovo as a precedent
16. Breakaway regions push for independence
17. Duma debate on Georgia's breakaway regions "show" – minister
18. Revision of peacekeeping formats. Current tasks in conflict settlement
19. Supporting Georgia's separatists means encouraging ethnic cleansing – MP
20. Russia should recognize CIS breakaway republics - Communist leader
21. Pandora's box opening: South Ossetia appealed for recognition yesterday, Abkhazia will do so today
22. Ossetians ask Russian lawmakers to recognize South Ossetia
23. Ossetian MPs ask Russian Duma to recognize South Ossetia's independence
24. Ossetia parliament to hold joint meeting
25. Moscow, Tbilisi determined to settle S Ossetian conflict – diplomat
26. Georgian, Russian negotiators discuss S. Ossetia
27. Tskhinvali braces for ‘terrorist acts’
28. Russia insists on existing format for settling Georgia's South Ossetia problem
29. Russia representative to discuss Georgia-S Ossetia conflict
30. Russia lifts trade, economic, financial sanctions on Abkhazia
31. Russia quits Abkhazia sanctions treaty
32. video: Russia says no more sanctions on Abkhazia
33. RF walks out ban on trade, econ, other relations with Abkhazia-FM
34. Russian lawmaker lauds lifting of restrictions against Abkhazia
35. Russia still respects Georgia territorial integrity, despite lifting Abkhaz ban
36. Abkhazia considers Russia's decision "fair" – speaker
37. Bagapsh hails Russia's decision to drop sanctions against Abkhazia
38. RF decision on Abkhazia not linked to situation in Kosovo – FM
39. Tbilisi says lifting sanctions off Abkhazia ‘dangerous’
40. Georgian officials react to Russia's decision to lift sanctions against Abkhazia
41. Georgian officials decry Russia's decision on Abkhazia
42. Russian peacekeepers to stay in Georgia’s breakaway region
43. Unauthorized use of Abkhaz territory equal to "annexation" - Georgian minister
44. Abkhazia press summary 18 Feb-10 Mar 08
45. Sokhumi releases two Georgians
46. ‘Abkhazians are afraid of you’ – released journalist tells Saakashvili
47. Released Georgian journalists speak at news conference in Sukhumi
48. Released Georgian journalist makes first comment
49. Minister thanks journalists for helping to release detained colleague
50. President visits released journalist at home
51. Mze TV journalist being released by Abkhaz side speaks of torture undergone
52. UNOMIG officials – Malkhaz Basilaia and David Tsotsoria were not beaten in detention
53. Ministry of Culture, Sports and monument protection to address EurosporT 2 with protest letter
54. Will the Georgian military force leave Iraq?
55. Reservists to be trained with new arms
56. International conference regarding arrangement of roads and communications held In Tbilisi
57. Public broadcaster’s director general resigns
58. Disbanding antimonopoly commission still criticized by analysts
59. Revaz Arveladze: It’s possible to reduce electricity tariffs in Georgia!
60. In Georgia, giving birth to a baby is a symbol of lost income
61. Journalist Giorgi Mamatsashvili begins a hunger strike

full digest: Georgia News Digest - Ansicht in Groups BetaNeu!

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

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

NEWS: Georgia News Digest 03-04-08

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)


1. Republican Party withdraws from opposition: is strength found through breaking-up?
2. Opposition, government bargaining over pending constitutional amendments
3. Georgia counts on Poland’s support for joining NATO
4. Saakashvili hopes for "irreversibility" of NATO accession
5. “Republicans” condemn latest developments in Armenia
6. Georgian “Conservators” call on international society to respond to events in Armenia
7. Burjanadze expressed condolences to families of people who died in Armenia
8. Saakashvili hopes that situation in Armenia improves in nearest future
9. Russian paper compares Armenian protests with earlier events in Georgia, Ukraine
10. NGOs rally in Tbilisi in protest at Armenian government's use of force
11. Tbilisi’s reaction to Armenian crisis
12. A week in the Russian blogosphere, 16-22 February
13. Moscow mayor slams Georgian leader's "aggressive actions"
14. Further Russian-Georgian relations will only depend on Tbilisi – Luzhkov
15. Burjanadze hopeful of improved Russian ties under new president
16. video: Interview: Aslan Abashidze
17. Burjanadze hopes for improvement of Georgian-Russian relations after presidential elections in Russia
18. Kosovo and Abkhazia: they could not be more different
19. Situation was calm in Russian presidential election in Abkhazia – Bagapsh
20. Abkhazia votes in Russian presidential election
21. Medvedev receives 90% in Abkhazia, S. Ossetia
22. Burjanadze calls on dialogue between sides regarding detention of Malkhaz Basilaia
23. Burjanadze urges Abkhaz separatists to release journalist
24. Detained journalist treated well in Abkhazia – Georgian Minister
25. Abkhazia to free Georgian reporters if found to only have violated "border"
26. Abkhaz reporters urged to act over detained journalist
27. Shida Kartli journalists demand release of Malkhaz Basilaia
28. Journalist in Sokhumi appealed Bagapsh for the release of their Georgian colleagues
29. Georgian journalists’ address to their Abkhaz colleagues was released
30. Kutaisi journalists demand release of Malkhaz Basilaia
31. Zugdidian mothers held manifestations supporting the journalist
32. Kidnapped journalist offered in ‘hostage swap’
33. Office of Abkhazian Public Persecutor leveled charges against Malkhaz Basilaia and Davit Tsotsoria
34. New defence minister of South Ossetia appointed
35. South Ossetian leader demands tighter security to thwart Georgian "terrorism"
36. South Ossetia votes for "independence" in Russian poll - separatist leader
37. War looming for once-Jewish city?
38. Two socially vulnerable mothers handed vouchers on GEL 1000
39. President pardoned 9 female convicts
40. Gigi Ugulava congratulated mothers with many children
41. Burjanadze and Kvitashvili congratulated inmates of boardinghouse for old people on mother’s day
42. ICC seeks international trade safeguards: New policy statement confirms position
43. Bee’s milk production cannot cope with demand
44. Skiing in Georgia: Bakuriani and Gudauri - Europe’s best kept secret
45. Old numbers, new sums: New study more critical about Georgia
46. New board for Public Broadcaster: ‘Independent from politics’
47. Education certification process postponed: Nodia: ‘more time is needed’ for planning
48. Badri Patarkatsishvili buried in Tbilisi – fate of Imedi still clouded
49. Try, try again
50. The President of Georgia makes a statement on Sophiko Chiarulei’s death
51. Correspondent of Asaval-Dasavali newspaper is starting hunger strike
52. Tsiskarishvili opened tractors service center in village Velistsikhe
53. Local population holds rally in village Duisi
54. Young Christian-Democrats rally at Healthcare Ministry
55. Rustavi 2 TV denies chief's dismissal
56. Ethnic groups in Georgia # 4 –Roms
57. Smoking risks widely unknown in Georgia

full digest: Georgia News Digest - Ansicht in Groups BetaNeu!

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

Sunday, March 02, 2008

NEWS: Georgia News Digest 02-28-08

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)


1. OSCE’s Human Rights Office finds itself in crossfire over election monitoring
2. OSCE head discusses spring election with Georgian authorities, opposition
3. OSCE Chair speaks of elections, Russo-Georgian ties, S. Ossetia
4. Opposition asked Ilkka Kanerva to convince Georgian authority to compromise
5. David Bakradze met Ilkka Kanerva
6. 2008 budgetary amendments proposed
7. Revenue item of state budget 2008 to increase up to gel 184 million and expenditure item – gel 200 million
8. Parliamentary Committee on Regional Issues supported amendments to state budget 2008
9. 2008 budgetary amendments proposed
10. Pensions to increase from March 1
11. Ramaz Klimiashvili: The opposition will not be able to agree on a joint candidate list for parliamentary elections!
12. Jondi Baghaturia: If the government does not fulfill its promises, permanent hunger strikes will start!
13. Majority MPs against introduction of amendments to Constitution of Georgia
14. President gave orders to newly appointed cabinet in Adjara
15. video: Paris Court postpones decision on extradition of Georgia's 'rebel minister'
16. Georgia consulate to consider issuing visa to Berezovsky – ForMin
17. Boris Berezovsky to try to receive Georgian visa in Israel
18. Famous figures express condolences to tycoon's family
19. Russia set to resume flights with Georgia on March 30
20. Air navigation debt disputed
21. Georgia's comments on Putin-Saakashvili meeting extremely free
22. Georgia still suing Russia despite warming relations – Speaker
23. Russia's Central Election Commission dismisses Georgia protest
24. Russia objects to Georgian suit
25. Burjanadze expects ‘appropriate response’ from Russian Parliament
26. After Moscow meeting, relief for Georgia
27. Russia denies deal with Tbilisi on joint border control in Abkhazia, S. Ossetia
28. Russia denies behind-the-scenes deals on Georgia's breakaway republics
29. Burjanadze hopes that Russian State “Duma” to be objective regarding breakaway regions
30. Interview with Medvedev [excerpt]
31. Abkhaz side threatens to kill Georgian and Russian customs officers
32. TV station like Alania to broadcast for Abkhazia
33. Bagapsh rules out joint Georgian-Russian control of Abkhaz border
34. Bagapsh officials discuss situation in ethnic Georgian district
35. Abkhazia accuses three Georgians of illegally crossing "state border"
36. Two others arrested along with journalist in Abkhazia
37. Abkhazia dismisses Georgian leader's "impulsive shouting" over detained reporter
38. Abkhaz separatists name official reason for detaining Georgian journalist
39. Georgian journalists to be brought to Abkhaz court - separatist president
40. Bagapsh refuses to release Georgian journalist
41. Saakashvili warns Sokhumi to release journalist
42. Saakashvili threatens police operation to free journalist from Abkhaz jail
43. Saakashvili's statement thwarts reporter's release - separatist minister
44. Official Tbilisi assesses journalist’s detention in Abkhazia as “terroristic action”
45. Georgia warns rebel region over detained reporter
46. Nongovernmental organizations demand release of Mze TV correspondent
47. UN Rights Chief noncommittal on detained journalist case
48. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to assist Georgian side in release of journalist
49. Iakobashvili appeals to OSCE and UN for assistance in releasing journalist
50. Russian peacekeepers deny involvement in Georgian reporters' detention
51. Peacekeepers' commandment refuse released news
52. World Bank report: Georgian population on the decline
53. Wider Black Sea: Concept and reality
54. Workers question McCain during area stop [excerpt]
55. A nice house with nice neighbors
56. Georgia hopes to move on next stage of joining NATO
57. Azerbaijan is interested in Georgian Railways
58. Ambassador of Georgia to Armenia: There are almost no issues in political aspect for Yerevan and Tbilisi not to get on
59. Armenia DM to discuss cooperation development with Georgia
60. Burjanadze hopes recommendations on amendment to National Bank law to be taken into account
61. Burjanadze denies confrontation with government concerning NBG
62. Reception of applications within project of 1000 new enterprises started
63. Applications are received for participation in the project of establishment in Georgia of 100 new rural enterprises
64. Presentation of Georgian-German project held at NBG
65. United Telecom to spend $30 million under the projects to be implemented in 2008
66. IMF mission to arrive in Georgia on 29 February
67. Reborn after 3 years’ frantic effort, Georgia’s ballet troupe tours the U.S.

full digest: Georgia News Digest - Ansicht in Groups BetaNeu!

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