Latest Articles about The Caucasus
RUSSIA CONTINUES TO PRESS GEORGIAN WINE INDUSTRY
After banning imports of Georgian wine and some other food products last month (see EDM, March 28), Russian authorities now say the ban might extend to Georgia's famous "Borjomi" mineral water. Following an order from Gennady Onishchenko, Russian chief sanitary inspector, about 1 billion liters... MORE
GOVERNMENT INFIGHTING HERALDS START OF ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN ARMENIA
Armenia's governing coalition is beset with fresh infighting between the two largest political parties loyal to President Robert Kocharian, which could have repercussions for next year's parliamentary election. The Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) Party of parliamentary speaker Artur Baghdasarian has publicly denounced Prime Minister... MORE
ARMENIA’S GIVEAWAYS TO RUSSIA: FROM PROPERTY-FOR-DEBT TO PROPERTY-FOR-GAS
Armenian critics describe the government's new agreement with Russia, giving up infrastructure property for moderately priced gas, as the equivalent of giving up the family's milch cow -- or at least selling the cow for the price of milk. The preliminary Armenian-Russian sale-and-purchase agreement, first... MORE
ALIYEV’S INVITATION TO THE WHITE HOUSE: A BLESSING OR A CURSE?
Officials in Baku are rejoicing. Three years after his election, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has received an official invitation to visit the White House and meet with U.S. President George W. Bush. In a press release issued by the White House on April 10, the... MORE
BAKU PREPARES FOR NEW PHASE IN U.S.-AZERBAIJANI STRATEGIC RELATIONS
As Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliev prepares to visit the United States at the end of April, several high-ranking officials from Azerbaijan have already toured Washington and explored ways to strengthen U.S.-Azerbaijan relations. On March 29, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov arrived... MORE
GEORGIAN GOVERNMENT QUESTIONED ABOUT SECRET FUNDS
Questions are flying about how the Georgian government operates two special bank accounts earmarked for developing the army and law-enforcement agencies. The funds were established shortly after the November 2003 Rose Revolution. Specifically, Georgian media mogul Badri Patarkatsishvili publicly charged the authorities with forcing Georgian... MORE
ADYGEI LEADER CONTINUES TO CHALLENGE KREMLIN
Last weak Adygeya was rocked by the unexpected announcement of the local president's resignation, followed quickly by an even more surprising reversal. On April 4 the president of Adygeya, Khasret Sovmen, announced his resignation during a session of the republican parliament. Although his press service... MORE
BLESSING ARMENIA’S DEBT SERVITUDE
On March 31 in Moscow, the Foundation for the Orthodox Peoples' Unity bestowed its annual award on Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Russia's Gazprom company for their support to Russian spiritual and religious values (Noyan Tapan, March 31). By fortuitous coincidence, Gazprom doubled the price... MORE
WILL ABKHAZIA COME UNDER UN GOVERNANCE?
During a March 29 news conference at UN headquarters in New York, Revaz Adamia, Georgia's permanent representative to the United Nations, stated that Georgia would not oppose temporary UN governance for Abkhazia. His comment likely is a trial balloon to test the reaction of the... MORE
U.S. ANNOUNCES MAJOR NEW AID PACKAGE FOR ARMENIA
The United States has officially committed itself to providing $235.65 million in additional economic assistance to Armenia, in a further indication of its deepening ties with the South Caucasus country. The sum, substantial by Armenian standards, is to be provided over the next five years... MORE