NEW PUBLICATION OF NOTE: “The South Caucasus between the EU and the Eurasian Union” (ethz.ch)

NEW PUBLICATION OF NOTE:
Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD)
Issue No. 51/52
July 2013
 

Authors: Iris Kempe, Temuri Yakobashvili, Fyodor Lukyanov, Richard Giragosian, Vugar Bayramov, Anar Valiyev
Editors: Jeronim Perović, Lili Di Puppo, Iris Kempe, Heiko Pleines, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung

This issue of the CAD examines the South Caucasus’ relationship with the European Union and the Russia-led Eurasian Union. 

Contents
The Eurasian Union and the European Union Redefining their Neighborhood: The Case of the South Caucasus, by Iris Kempe, Berlin
Is the South Caucasus a Region?, by Temuri Yakobashvili, Tbilisi
The Eurasian Union: An Experiment in Finding a Place in the New World, by Fyodor Lukyanov, Moscow
The Eurasian Union: A View from Armenia, by Richard Giragosian, Yerevan
Considering Accession to the Eurasian Economic Union: For Azerbaijan, Disadvantages Outweigh Advantages, by Vugar Bayramov, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan and the Eurasian Union: Costs and Benefits, by Anar Valiyev, Baku

………………..

Iris Kempe's article provides an introduction to the main issues. Temuri Yakobashvili examines whether the South Caucasus is a region and concludes that understanding that the differences outweigh the similarities will help the West formulate policy toward the region. Fyodor Lukyanov argues that the Eurasian Union is not an imperial project, but Moscow's attempt to mimic the European Union. However, he notes that the authoritarian nature of the governments involved will create obstacles for the project. 

Richard Giragosian points out that Armenia has traditionally had close ties to Russia, but has been reluctant to join the Eurasian Union. Vugar Bayramov analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of joining the Eurasian Union for Azerbaijan, concluding that accession is unlikely since it would extract a high political and economic price. Anar Valiyev notes that joining the Eurasian Union would complicate Azerbaijan's sovereignty and ability to conduct an independent energy policy.

Publishers: Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen; Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, George Washington University

More here: ethz.ch

LECTURE: Marketing reforms: the dimension of narratives in Georgia's anti-corruption reforms. Von Lili Di Puppo (uni-jena.de)

Wir laden ein zu einem Gastvortrag von Dr. (des.) Lili Di Puppo (National Research University - Higher School of Economics Moscow/Russia) zum Thema:

Marketing reforms: the dimension of narratives in Georgia's anti-corruption reforms.

The presentation will discuss the mechanisms of the "production of success" in Georgia's fight against corruption after the Rose Revolution of November 2003. First, it will examine how the government under Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has sought to establish a specific frame of interpretation to read its anti-corruption activities and has promoted a particular narrative of success. Anti-corruption reforms were prioritised that could achieve quick results and "showcase success" by becoming "success stories". Second, it will analyse the process of validation of this narrative by external actors by examining cases where Georgia's image of success is sustained or questioned. The World Bank's promotion of the narrative of Georgia as a "world's top reformer" provides an illustration of a successful validation of the country's image. In contrast, the cases of the adoption of a national anti-corruption strategy and the reform of the audit institution Chamber of Control reveal the limits of the validation of this image as the government is confronted with alternative discourses. Finally, the elections' period of 2012 will be examined as revealing at the same time the "stickiness" of the reformer narrative, but also its limits as the inherent contradictions in the Saakashvili government's representation of success are increasingly brought to light during this period.

Der Vortrag wird gehalten am Mittwoch, dem 09.01.2013, 16.00 Uhr im Seminarraum 101, Jenergasse 8 (Accouchierhaus).

näheres unter: uni-jena.de

ANALYSIS: The Role of the EU in the South Caucasus

Author(s): Franziska Smolnik, Sebastian Mayer, Gevorg Ter-Gabrielyan, Badri Kochoradzem, Anar Mammadli 
Editor(s): Lili Di Puppo, Hans Gutbrod, Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perović, Heiko Pleines
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), Zurich, Switzerland, Jefferson Institute, Washington, DC, USA, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Tbilisi, Georgia, Research Centre for East European Studi, Bremen, Germany 
Date of publication: 15 Feb 2012 
Issue number: 35
Pages: 22 
Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest 

Description: This issue examines the role of the EU in the South Caucasus by analyzing recent developments in its policies and their impact in the three South Caucasus countries. Smolnik examines the EU’s conflict resolution policies in the region, in particular the “non-recognition and engagement” strategy towards Abkhazia and South Ossetia and the possibilities of its extension to Nagorno Karabakh, and argues that the EU has not capitalized enough on its standing as a neutral mediator so far. Mayer studies variations in the alignment of the South Caucasus countries with the EU’s Common and Foreign Security Policy (CFSP) and observes that alignment is high where material benefits exist. Ter-Gabrielyan analyzes the EU’s support to civil society in the South Caucasus by reflecting on the lessons learned in the participation of a group of Armenian NGOs in the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and concludes that in order for the Civil Society Forum to have an impact, the NGOs must themselves have a strong commitment to high ethical and professional standards. Kochoradze examines the potential of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) between the EU and Georgia to foster Europeanization and observes that Georgia’s commitment to a European path needs to go beyond security considerations and fully embrace the European model if the country wants to reap the benefits of the DFCTA. Mammadli analyzes the potential of the Eastern Partnership policies to foster human rights and democracy in Azerbaijan and concludes that the EU’s political support is needed to ensure the genuine participation of civil society and political parties in the Eastern Partnership that goes beyond technical assistance programs.

General note: © 2012 Center for Security Studies (CSS), Heinrich Böll Foundation, Resource Security Institute (RSI), Research Centre for East European Studies (FSOE) 

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• English - Download the full-text document

Source: res.ethz.ch

SCIENCE: Caucasus Analytical Digest - No.24: The Political System in Azerbaijan (res.ethz.ch)

Author(s): Andreas Heinrich, Hannes Meissner Editor(s): Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perović, Lili Di Puppo Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), Zurich, Switzerland, Jefferson Institute, Washington, DC, USA, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Tbilisi, Georgia, Forschungsstelle Osteuropa (FSOE), Bremen, Germany Date of publication: 11 Feb 2011 Issue number: 24 Pages: 22 Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest

Description: This issue of the Caucasus Analytical Digest discusses the formal political system and the informal political dynamics in Azerbaijan. The paper is supplemented by a statistical overview of how Azerbaijan’s political system compares in country rankings and public opinion polls in Azerbaijan on the political system in this country. General note: © 2011 Center for Security Studies (CSS), Heinrich Böll Foundation, Resource Security Institute (RSI), Forschungsstelle Osteuropa (FSOE)

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Reports in Chronological Order
No.24: The Political System in Azerbaijan
No 23: Urban Spaces – Public and Private
No. 22: Stalinist Terror in the South Caucasus
No. 21: Gender Politics in the South Caucasus
No. 20: Religion in the South Caucasus
No. 19: Future Scenarios for the South Caucasus
No. 18: The South Caucasus After the Global Economic Crisis
No. 17: The Political Systems of the South Caucasus Countries
No. 16: The Political Economy of Oil in Azerbaijan
No. 15: The Internet in the South Caucasus
No. 14: Literature in the Caucasus
No. 13: US-Caucasus Relations - Attitudes towards the West
No. 12: Civil Society
No. 11: Armenian-Turkish Relations
No. 10: The EU Investigation Report on the August 2008 War and the Reactions From Georgia and Russia
No. 9: Organized Crime and Illegal Trafficking in the Caucasus
No. 8: Writing National Histories: Coming to Terms with the Past
No. 7: Abkhazia
No. 6: The Caucasus in the Global Financial Crisis
No. 5: NATO and the South Caucasus
No. 4: Migration, Refugees and IDPs
No. 3: Energy
No. 2: Democracy in the South Caucasus
No. 1: Perspectives on the Georgian-Russian War

ANALYSIS: Gender Politics in the South Caucasus (res.ethz.ch)

Author(s): Ketevan Chkheidze, Yuliya Aliyeva Gureyeva

Editor(s): Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perović, Lili Di Puppo

Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), Zurich, Switzerland, Jefferson Institute, Washington, DC, USA, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Tbilisi, Georgia, Forschungsstelle Osteuropa (FSOE), Bremen, Germany

Date of publication: 30 Nov 2010

Issue number: 21 Pages: 15 Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest

Description: This issue of the Caucasus Analytical Digest examines gender politics in the South Caucasus. It provides insights into gender politics in Georgia and policy attitudes towards women in Azerbaijan as well as statistical information on gender, gender stereotypes and parenting in the region. General note: © 2010 Center for Security Studies (CSS), Heinrich Böll Foundation, Resource Security Institute (RSI), Forschungsstelle Osteuropa (FSOE)

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SCIENCE: Caucasus Analytical Digest - No. 20: Religion in the South Caucasus (res.ethz.ch)

Author(s): Robia Charles, Harutyun Harutyunyan, Kimitaka Matsuzato, Ruslan Baramidze
Editor(s): Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perović, Lili Di Puppo
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), Zurich, Switzerland, Jefferson Institute, Washington, DC, USA, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Tbilisi, Georgia, Forschungsstelle Osteuropa (FSOE), Bremen, Germany

Date of publication: 11 Oct 2010
Issue number: 20
Pages: 18

Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest

Description: This issue of the Caucasus Analytical Digest examines the importance of religion in the South Caucasus. First, Robia Charles examines the nature of religiosity in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Second, Harutyun Harutyunyan analyzes the role of the Armenian church during military conflicts, arguing that the Armenian church legitimized the use of violence, especially during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (1988–1994). Third, Kimitaka Matsuzato assesses the strategies for survival of the Orthodox communities in Transnistria, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia. Finally, Ruslan Baramidze examines the differences among Muslim communities in highland and lowland areas of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.

General note: © 2010 Center for Security Studies (CSS), Heinrich Böll Foundation, Resource Security Institute (RSI), Forschungsstelle Osteuropa (FSOE)
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SUBSCRIBE: The Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD)

Editors: Lili Di Puppo, Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perović

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No.1 Caucasus Analytical Digest

We are pleased to announce a new online publication: The Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD). CAD is a monthly internet publication jointly produced by the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Tbilisi (www.boell.ge), the Research Centre for East European Studies at the University of Bremen (www.forschungsstelle.uni-bremen.de), the Jefferson Institute in Washington, DC (www.jeffersoninst.org) and the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich with support from the German Association for East European Studies (DGO).

The Caucasus Analytical Digest analyzes the political, economic, and social situation in the Southern Caucasus within the context of international and security dimensions.

Subscription is for free.

You are welcome to subscribe to the CAD mailing list at www.res.ethz.ch/analysis/cad

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Best regards

Matthias Neumann

Publikationsreferat / Publications Dept.
Forschungsstelle Osteuropa / Research Centre for East European Studies
Klagenfurter Str. 3
28359 Bremen
Germany

publikationsreferat@osteuropa.uni-bremen.de
www.forschungsstelle.uni-bremen.de
www.laender-analysen.de
www.kultura-rus.de

Any opinions expressed in the Caucasus Analytical Digest are exclusively those of the authors. Reprint possible with permission by the editors.

Layout: Cengiz Kibaroglu, Matthias Neumann. © 2008 Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Forschungsstelle Osteuropa, Bremen and Center for Security Studies, Zurich Research Centre for East European Studies, Publications Department, Klagenfurter Str. 3, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Phone: +49 421 218 7891, Telefax: +49 421 218 3269.

CAUCAZ.COM: "What is happening in Georgia is a clear attempt by Russia to redesign Eastern Europe". By Lili DI PUPPO.

Article published in 11/05/2008 Issue

By Lili DI PUPPO in Tbilisi

Interview with Temur Iakobashvili, Georgia’s State Minister for Issues of Reintegration

You declared in Brussels that the risk of war with Russia is close. Was this declaration intended as a wake-up call for the European Union or is the Georgian government genuinely considering military action?

I made a longer statement and in this longer version I provided rationale to explain why I think we are close to war. The information I gave was that we know Russia’s behaviour very well. We are enormously alarmed when we see quite intensive anti-Georgian propaganda in the Russian media, when we see not only talk, but also very active actions from the Russian side such as illegally moving troops to Georgian territory and violating all sorts of agreements. For example, I do not know since when paratroopers are considered peacekeepers…

Russians refer to an agreement allowing them to have a certain number of peacekeepers on Abkhaz territory…

Yes, it is true that they have an opportunity to increase the number of peacekeeping troops to 3,000, but the first question is what sort of troops. Second, there is a procedure on how this troop increase should happen. Third, the equipment Russians can have is limited and none of the documents talk about having artillery. When we see Russian offense forces entering Georgian territory, it is a violation of all possible agreements. We see anti-Georgian propaganda in media, we see that these troops were deployed based on false information such as Georgia having increased its troops in the Kodori valley. It is not true and this information has been verified by the UN agencies. Of course, it is very alarming.

Is the Georgian government considering military action in response to these moves?

No, the Georgian government is not considering military action as a response to these Russian deeds. We showed our restrain, we will continue to show our restrain and we still have a lot of opportunities to avert war. In this regard, important steps should be taken not only in Georgia, but also outside of Georgia, particularly by Europe.

What were the outcomes of your discussions in Brussels? What concrete steps does Georgia expect from the EU?

These steps are under discussion. Generally, the most important thing now is to avert war and second to think about new forms of negotiations and new formats for negotiations. The EU has already endorsed President Saakashvili’s new peace plan, but we have to see more concrete developments. We believe that it would be very important to deploy another type of ground operation other than Russian peacekeepers. We have several ideas. All of them are under discussion and we
will see which ones prevail.

Why do you think it is in the EU’s interest to support Georgia?

It is the EU's job to support Georgia because we are talking about the European Neighbourhood Policy, the European Energy Security Policy and all other policies that are important for the EU. In this regard, what is happening in Georgia is a clear attempt by Russia to redesign Eastern Europe. This is why I think the EU cannot remain neutral on the sidelines.

At the same time because of energy interests, the EU refrains from adopting a confrontational position towards Russia...

They do not have to confront Russia. They just have to avert Russia’s irresponsible actions.

Do you see a link between Russian actions in Abkhazia and the fact that Georgia was not granted a NATO Membership Action Plan at the Bucharest Summit?

It is a combination of different factors. The question was not only concerning Georgia’s NATO membership, but also Kosovo, domestic Russian policy and
definitely issues related to Georgia’s realistic peace plans with regards to South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The combination of these factors is bringing about the Russian behaviour we are facing today.

Do you see the new Saakashvili peace plan as a good basis for negotiations even if the Abkhaz side does not see it this way?

I do not think the Abkhaz side does not see it this way, I think the peace plan has elements that were elaborated together with the Abkhaz side over the past eight years at least. So there is an Abkhaz ownership there and in these circumstances we have to find other negotiating formats besides the UN’s Group of Friends, where the Abkhaz can and should participate.

© CAUCAZ.COM Article published in 11/05/2008 Issue By Lili DI PUPPO

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

CAUCAZ:COM: Artikel über die lage in Georgien und Armenien (eng/fran/ge)

Armenien: Ausnahmezustand nach tödlichen Zusammenstößen Von Harouniun KHACHATRIAN
Der armenische Premierminister Sersch Sarkissjan wurde offiziell zum Sieger der Präsidentenwahl vom 19. Februar erklärt. In der vergangenen Woche versuchte Sarkissjans Hauptrivale und erste Präsident des unabhängigen Armenien, Lewon Ter-Petrossjan, seine Anhänger zu mobilisieren, um die seiner Meinung nach gefälschten Ergebnisse anzufechten. Ter-Petrossjan gelang es, mehr als 10.000 Demonstranten im Zentrum Eriwans zu versammeln, wo es am 1. März...


Armenia: Government declares emergency rule after deadly clashes By Haroutiun KHACHATRIAN
Armenia's Prime Minister Serge Sargsian has officially been declared winner of the February 19 presidential elections. Last week, Sargsian's main rival Levon Ter-Petrosian, the first president of independent Armenia, attempted to rally popular support to annul the results of the election, claiming it was rigged. Ter-Petrosian managed to assemble more than 10,000 demonstrators in central Yerevan where on Saturday March 1, clashes broke out...

Arménie: l’état d’urgence est déclaré après de violents affrontements Par Haroutiun KHACHATRIAN
Le premier ministre arménien Serge Sarkissian a été officiellement déclaré vainqueur des élections présidentielles du 19 février 2008. Son principal adversaire, le premier président de l’Arménie indépendante Lévon Ter-Pétrossian, a essayé la semaine dernière de mobiliser un mouvement populaire afin d’annuler ces résultats qu’il considère biaisés. Il réussissait à rassembler plusieurs diz...

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Georgische Präsidentschaftswahlen: Langsame Annäherung an eine “normale” Politik? Von Alexandru COITA
Michael Saakaschwili ist der Gewinner der vorgezogenen Präsidentschaftswahlen vom 5. Januar 2008 in Georgien. Er hatte die Neuwahlen in der Absicht vorgeschlagen, seine Glaubwürdigkeit nach massiven Protesten der Opposition im November des vergangene...

Georgian Presidential Elections: Edging towards ‘normal’ politics? By Alexandru COITA
Mikhail Saakashvili is the winner of the January 5th 2008 snap presidential elections in Georgia. He called the elections in an attempt to shore up credibility following massive opposition demonstrations in November last year. Protests had met with a...

The Death of Badri Patarkatsishvili: From international conspiracy theories to local Georgian politics By Lili DI PUPPO
The death of Arkadi “Badri” Patarkatsishvili in London on February 12 has given rise to speculation and rumours. Despite a claim by British police and Patarkatsishvili's family that the prominent Georgian businessman died of a typical heart attac...

Mort de Badri Patarkatsichvili: entre intrigues internationales et politique géorgienne Par Lili DI PUPPO
La mort du célèbre homme d’affaires Arkadi « Badri » Patarkatsichvili à Londres le 12 février a donné lieu à de nombreuses rumeurs et spéculations. Malgré l’annonce faite par la police britannique d’u...

Les élections présidentielles en Géorgie: Vers une nouvelle « normalité » dans la vie politique ?
Par Alexandru COITA
Mikhaïl Saakachvili a été donné vainqueur des élections présidentielles du 5 janvier 2008 en Géorgie. Celles-ci se sont déroulées suite à l’annonce de la tenue d’élections anticipées faite par le prés...

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Armenien: Ter-Petrosian kehrt in die Politik zurück Von Harutiun KHATSCHATRIAN
Die Präsidentschaftswahlen in Armenien sind auf den 19. Februar 2008 angesetzt. Zwei Monate vor der Wahl zeichnet sich ab, dass die Entscheidung wahrscheinlich zwischen dem derzeitigen Premierminister, Serge Sargsian, und dem früheren Präsident Levon...

Arménie : Ter-Petrossian revient en politique avec la promesse de défier la « machine d’Etat » Par Haroutiun KHACHATRIAN
Alors que les élections présidentielles en Arménie vont se tenir le 19 février 2008, une bataille entre deux candidats, l’actuel premier ministre Serge Sargsian et l’ancien président Levon Ter-Petross...

Arménie : Ter-Petrossian revient en politique avec la promesse de défier la « machine d’Etat Par Haroutiun KHACHATRIAN
Alors que les élections présidentielles en Arménie vont se tenir le 19 février 2008, une bataille entre deux candidats, l’actuel premier ministre Serge Sargsian et l’ancien président Levon Ter-Petross...

REPORTAGE:

CauCaz.com über pipelines in Central Asien, Konflicktbearbeitung in der Region, die Radarstation von Gabala, über die Rehabilitierung der Mes’cheten in Georgien, über die Politik in Georgien

Politische Schlachten in Georgien: Kann es einen Sieger geben?
Von Lili DI PUPPO
Die Berichterstatter der Parlamentarischen Versammlung des Europarates (PACE) begrüßten im September 2007 den „bemerkenswerten Fortschritt“ Georgiens auf dem Weg der Reformen seit der Rosenrevolution und führten das Land als ein Beispiel an, das auch eine überregionale Vorbildfunktion habe. In dem Ende September von der NGO Transparency International veröffentlichten Korruptionswahrnehmungsindex wird Georgien nicht mehr zur Gruppe der Länder mit ...

Was bringt die Zukunft für die transkaspischen Pipelines nach dem „Vertrag von Turkmenbaschi“?
By Lili DI PUPPO
Ein neuer Energievertrag, der zwischen Russland und den energiereichen Ländern Zentralasiens Kasachstan und Turkmenistan unterzeichnet wurde, wirft einen Schatten auf die europäische und amerikanische Strategie der Energiediversifizierung. Der Vertra...

„Im Südkaukasus müssen wir eher von ‚Konfliktbearbeitung’ als von ‚Konfliktlösung’ sprechen.“
Von Khatuna CHANTURIA, Doktorandin an der Technischen Universität Berlin
Interview mit Uwe Halbach, Mitglied der Forschungsgruppe Russland/GUS der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik/Deutsches Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit in Berlin. Er ist Spezialist für den Kaukasus und Zentralasien....

Die Radarstation von Gabala: Russisch-amerikanisches Feilschen
Von Laurent VINATIER (Institut d’Etudes politiques, Paris)
Anfang Juni schlug der russische Präsident Wladimir Putin seinem amerikanischen Amtskollegen George W. Bush auf dem G8-Gipfel in Deutschland die gemeinsame Nutzung der russischen Radarstation von Gabala in Aserbaidschan vor. Rückblende zu den Hinterg...

Georgien: Ein neuer Gesetzesentwurf zur Rehabilitierung der Mes’cheten
Von Sophie TOURNON
Seit dem 14. Juni beschäftigt sich die georgische Öffentlichkeit mit dem Thema der Mes’cheten – einem Volk, das 1944 aus Georgien deportiert und seitdem nicht rehabilitiert wurde. Das georgische Parlament befasst sich intensiv mit der Untersuchung ei...

REPORTAGE:

CauCaz.com about renewable energy in Azerbaijan, Negotiations on the Shtokman gas in South-Caucasus, the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict and the Political Battles in Georgia


Political Battles in Georgia: Will anyone emerge as a winner?
By Lili DI PUPPO
In September 2007, the co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) praised Georgia for its “stunning progress” in its reforms since the Rose Revolution, citing the country as an example for the whole region and beyond. Last week, the NGO Transparency International announced that Georgia had moved out from the group of countries considered to have a “rampant corruption” problem, scoring an honorable 3.4 points out ...

The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Perspective of a Year-Long Deadlock
By Haroutiun KHACHATRIAN*
The recent efforts of mediators and the parties involved in the Karabakh conflict have failed to result in any progress in the settlement of one of the oldest ethnic conflicts of the former Soviet Union. The political situation in Armenia and Azerbai...

Negotiations on the Shtokman gas reserves
By Juliette LE DORE, PhD student at the ULB and specialist in EU-Russia relations
Has the suspenseful saga surrounding the future of the Russian gas reserves of Shtokman, some of the richest in the world, finally come to a conclusion? Last July 12, after a teleconference between the Russian and French presidents, an agreement was ...

Azerbaijan discovers the use of renewable energy
By Ellen KÖHRER
The first initiatives aiming to provide alternative energies to the gas and oil-producing region between the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea are still in the beginning stages. These ambitious projects could, however, see the light of day soon with the s...

NEWS:

Lilli Di Puppo has published two new articles in CauCaz.com

“The present situation concerning the South Caucasus conflicts cannot go on forever, there must be some movement.”
By Lili DI PUPPO
Interview with Ambassador Per Eklund, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Georgia and Armenia....

New foreign investors are entering the Georgian market
By Lili DI PUPPO
Since the Rose Revolution, attracting foreign investment has been the Georgian government’s number one objective. Foreign investors are expected to bring well-needed capital inflow, and contribute to the building of new infrastructure, the transfer o...

POLITIC:

CauCaz.com about the Caucasus

Georgia: The Evacuation of the Russian Military Base at Akhalkalaki Comes to a Close. By Nicolas Landru The Russian military base at Akhalkalaki, in Javakheti, must close its doors in the autumn of 2008. These are the terms of the Russo-Georgian agreement of March 31, 2005, between Salome Zourabishvili, then the Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, a...

What future for trans-Caspian pipelines after the “Turkmenbashi deal”? By Lili DI PUPPO The new energy deal Russia signed with the energy-rich Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan casts a shadow on the European and American strategies of energy diversification. The deal that was signed on May 12 in Turkmenistan’s Caspian Sea port Turkmenbashi al...

The European Union begins to think strategically about the Black Sea. By Lili DI PUPPO The European Commission has drafted a new initiative aimed at boosting cooperation ties between the Black Sea countries within the region itself and between the EU and the region as a whole. The “Black Sea synergy” will complete the “chain” of region...

Georgia: regional press at the heart of the urban-rural disparity, By Nicolas Landru: The Georgian Regional Development and Public Accountability project, initiated in 2004, is an example of what the European Commission has instituted in Georgia. The project consisted of an investigation of regional media followed by the selec...