Latest Articles about Georgia
BAGAPSH IN MOSCOW CONFIRMS GOAL OF SECESSION FROM GEORGIA
On August 17 in Moscow, Abkhaz leader Sergei Bagapsh openly confirmed the political program of Abkhazia's secession from Georgia and de facto merger with Russia. Speaking at a specially organized, widely covered news conference, he outlined a set of legislative, economic, and military measures to... MORE
TBILISI, SUKHUMI, MARK WAR ANNIVERSARY
Georgia and its separatist region of Abkhazia have marked the 13th anniversary of their civil war in understandably different ways. This difference, accompanied by challenging statements and moves from the Abkhaz leadership, suggests that a mutually acceptable conflict settlement remains a very remote prospect. Last... MORE
“PEACEKEEPERS” IN ABKHAZIA ARE OTHERWISE ENGAGED
Lt.-General Valery Yevnevich, responsible for "peacekeeping" operations as deputy commander-in-chief of Russia's Ground Forces, commented on the withdrawal from Georgia, "Russia does not withdraw, it consolidates." While Yevnevich is posted in Tbilisi to oversee the first phase of that withdrawal, his immediate subordinates in Russia's... MORE
SAAKASHVILI-YUSHCHENKO “BORJOMI DECLARATION” BROADENS EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION VISION
On August 12 in Borjomi, Georgia, Presidents Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia and Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine signed a declaration broadening the horizon of European and Euro-Atlantic integration to the entire "Baltic-Black Sea-Caspian" area, and called on the leaders of all countries within this area who... MORE
ABKHAZ DERAIL RAILROAD TALKS
Abkhaz leaders have derailed the tripartite talks on rehabilitating the railroad between Russia and Georgia in Abkhazia that were scheduled to begin in Sukhumi on August 9. The group of nine Georgian railroad experts had to return to Tbilisi after the Abkhaz authorities unexpectedly refused... MORE
ANTI-SAAKASHVILI OPPOSITION STRIKES ELECTION DEAL
The month-long negotiations among Georgia's opposition parties about fielding common candidates in the forthcoming parliamentary by-elections on October 1 have produced an agreement. On August 5, leaders of the Conservative, Labor, Tavisupleba (Freedom), and the New Right parties signed a memorandum about holding preliminary primaries... MORE
TENSIONS SIMMERING IN GEORGIA’S JAVAKHETI REGION
The recent anti-terrorist operations in Georgia (see EDM July 25, 29) have overshadowed coverage of anti-Georgian developments flaring in Georgia's turbulent Javakheti region, a southern area predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians. On July 17, Armenian residents of Samsar blocked efforts by students and nuns from... MORE
RUSSIAN FORCES BEGIN WITHDRAWAL FROM GEORGIA, DIG HEELS IN MOLDOVA
Presented with flowers and Georgian champagne by demonstrators cheering their withdrawal, Russian soldiers set out from the Batumi base at dawn on July 30 in a convoy bound for Russia. The move marks the beginning of Russia’s implementation of the agreement, signed May 30 by... MORE
TBILISI ACCUSES MOSCOW OF SPONSORING TERRORISM
This week the Georgian special services celebrated breakthroughs in two high-profile criminal cases. Shortly after arresting a man accused of throwing a hand grenade at U.S. President George W. Bush in May (see EDM, July 25), the Georgian Interior Ministry made arrests in connection with... MORE
ABKHAZ RHETORIC CALCULATED TO STALL TALKS WITH TBILISI
Abkhaz authorities are derailing political talks with Tbilisi, ostensibly in protest against Georgian actions in a July 3 maritime incident and in its wake. On that day, Georgia's coast guard stopped a Turkish cargo vessel off Pitsunda en route to an Abkhaz port, impounded the... MORE