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“We will not support radical demands of some political parties, which affects state interests of Georgia,” reads the statement.

The statement, signed by Otar Zurabishvili, president of the organization, reads that Georgian Diaspora supports and stays devoted to fundamental principles such as sovereignty of Georgia and freedom of speech and calls on the state, Georgian people and democratic oppositional parties for dialogue.

Mamuka Katsitadze, the member of parliamentary faction “New Rights” declared about that after the completion of meeting with Nino Burjanadze, Chairwoman of the Parliament of Georgia.

“The signature of newly elected president is required for the fulfillment of the above-mentioned decision,” noted Katsitadze.

Irakli Batiashvili was detained for displaying intellectual support to rebelled Emzar Kvitsiani. He was sentenced to seven-year imprisonment.

Issue Of Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship In OSCE To Be Discussed At OSCE Ministerial In Madrid

“NATO is following closely and with concern events in Georgia. The imposition of Emergency Rule, and the closure of media outlets in Georgia, a Partner with which the Alliance has an Intensified Dialogue, are of particular concern and not in line with Euro-Atlantic values,” reads the statement of the Secretary General of the NATO.

Bezhuashvili Informed German Colleague On Situation In Georgia

The Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia Ilia II told journalists after meeting with the opposition today that the president undertook all steps to release tension in the country.

The Patriarch noted that representatives of the opposition and government expressed their will to release tension during the meeting with him.

He expressed hopes that dialogue between the sides would resume and end with positive result.

Parliament Approved State Of Emergency In Georgia For 15 Days

Nika Gvaramia, Deputy Prosecutor General, stated at the briefing today that Arkadi (Badri) Patarkatsishvili is suspected of conspiracy to overthrow the government (315 article of the Criminal Code of Georgia).

“All the necessary legal proceedings will be undertaken to summon Patarkatsishvili for an interrogation in a status of a suspect,” Gvaramia stated.

International search on businessman will be presumably announced via Interpol tomorrow.

Opposition Reckons Expedient To Hold Dialogue With Government With Participation Of Patriarch

“At the same time, the Government bears a responsibility to take necessary measures to protect national security, in particular to prevent the actions aimed at the violent overthrow of the democratically elected government, especially when the secret services of a neighboring country are actively involved in this process,” reads the statement of the Foreign Ministry of Georgia.

“There is no human rights crisis in Georgia. The declaration of the state of emergency is a practice common in the whole world, whereas an extreme measure is being taken for the provision of the public order and national security. In this particular case, the state of emergency has been declared in full accordance with the country’s constitution, the relevant legislation and international norms,” the statement reads.

“The decision announced by the President and the reaction to it of the Georgian political spectrum, have clearly proven that the Georgian leadership and whole society firmly stand at protection of the democratic principles and possess significant political resources to solve any problem,” states the foreign Ministry of Georgia.

According to the Foreign Ministry of Georgia, the criticism related to human rights situation in Georgia on the part of the Russian Federation is inadequate, taking into account the dismal record of human rights situation and other democratic rights and freedoms in this country.

“It should be underlined that this dismal human rights situation is largely acknowledged by the democratic international community. It would be more appropriate if more attention was paid in Russia to the human rights situation inside the country rather than

“At the same time, we urge the Government of Georgia to lift the state of emergency and restore all media broadcasts. These are necessary steps to restore the democratic conditions for the election and referendum. We call on all parties to maintain calm, respect the rule of law, and address their differences through serious discussions to strengthen Georgia’s democratic political system. These discussions should take place in a spirit of compromise and in support of Georgia’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and commitment to human rights,” reads the statement of the U.S. Department of State.

Co-rapporteurs Of CoE To Visit Georgia

According to the opposition, it is a victory of the whole country and points to resolution of political crisis.

“We offered Saakashvili to hold elections in spring, but stubbornness of Saakashvili and his surrounding and their inadequate reaction to peaceful demonstration tensed the situation. I think it is the most optimal solution of the president and it is good both for the country and the president,” David Usupashvili, leader of the “Republican party”, stated after the meeting of leaders of the united opposition.

Giorgi Tsagareishvili, member of the party “Movement for the United Georgia” evaluated president’s initiative as victory of people and stated that they should bring it to the end by winning the presidential elections on January 05.

Mikheil Saakashvili, president of Georgia, appointed presidential elections in Georgia on January 05, 2008. His presidential term expires in 2009. Saakashvili noted that he had reduced his presidential term for the second time, thus he expressed hope to be elected by the people again.

Dialogue Between Opposition And Government To Resume Today

At the press conference today, Manjavidze responded to the claims by Yuri Popov, saying that the session of the Joint Control Commission for Georgian-South Ossetian Conflict Resolution (JCC) had failed owing to the Georgian party.

According to Manjavidze, the Russian party had forwarded the issue on Dimitri Sanakoev at the first day of the JCC session itself. Continue reading “Georgian Side Accused Popov Of Misinformation”

Russian mass media informs about that referring to Yuri Popov, Envoy at large of the Russian Foreign Ministry, co-chairman of the JCC from the Russian side.

According to him, the sides will discuss issues on resolution of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict.

“We will discuss security issues, work of the Russian peacekeepers, optimization of checkpoints, possible fortifications, cooperation of the law enforcement bodies,” stated Popov. Continue reading “JCC Session To Be Held In Tbilisi On October 23-24”

The statement released by the Press and Information Committee of the unrecognized republic South Ossetia that with this step “The international community, including the OSCE, has been trying its best to legalize a puppet administration of Dimitri Sanakoev, Head of the Provisional Administrative-Territorial Entity on the Territory of Former Autonomous District South Ossetia”. Continue reading “De Facto Government Of Tskhinvali Criticizes OSCE”

Nino Burjanadze, Chairwoman of the Parliament of Georgia, announced the names of the fined MPs at the special plenary session held on Thursday.

MPs Kakha Getsadze, Kakha Rusia, Tsezar Chocheli and Rezo Sarjveladze will have to pay fine.

Nino Burjanadze warned the MPs that sanctions might become even stricter in the case of manipulation with control panels. Continue reading “Four Members Of Parliament Fined”

Koka Guntsadze, the member of the “Movement for Unified Georgia” stated at the briefing held on Thursday that the decision taken by Irakli Okruashvili was preconditioned by his difficult moral and physical condition. Guntsadze added that Irakli Okruashvili’s allies lay no claims to him.

ccording to the statement of Koka Guntsadze, they met with Irakli Okruashvili on Wednesday.

“After two-hour long meeting with Okruashvili, it became clear that it is extremely difficult for him to talk about the details,” Guntsadze said. “Irakli Okruashvili has done his job. He managed to unite the opposition and spoke truth and broke the fear. Under the current condition, at this stage, Irakli Okruashvili is quitting the politics.”

According to the statement of Koka Guntsadze, their team will continue fight against the acting government of Georgia. Opposition parties plan a mass protest rally in Tbilisi on November 02. Continue reading “Irakli Okruashvili Quits Politics”

Shalva Natelashvili stated at the press conference organized on Thursday that the whole Georgia was waiting for the moment when the government of Georgia realizes its crime and leaves illegally occupied posts.

“It’s time to resign, be the first president, who without any dispute and bloodshed hand over leadership to another power,” the leader of the “Labour Party” addressed Georgian President today. Continue reading ““Labourists” Call For Mikheil Saakashvili To Resign”

Kareli told journalists about that at the support action of high-ranking officials who were detained in Gori today.

“When authorities preach democracy in the country, such facts are a shame,” Kareli noted and stated that he would make concrete decision in several days.

Kareli reckons that it is inadmissible that MPs of local council are not allowed to enter administrative building for holding a session. Continue reading “Mikheil Kareli Presumably To Resign From His Position”

Four candidates have submitted their applications for the position so far. Thus, according to preliminary information, some candidates will appeal for the post till the end of the day including Robert Chkheidze, Vice Mayor of Batumi city.

Batumi city Mayor’s post became vacant two weeks ago after Irakli Tavartkiladze was appointed Ambassador of Georgia to Greece. Continue reading “Four Candidates Appeal For Batumi City Mayor Post”

Prime-News was told at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia that the sides focused on the process of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

Special mention was made of the Pentagon’s support for Georgia’s movement to a qualitatively new level of integration into the Alliance – Membership Action Plan. The US side gave an especially positive assessment to the Georgian contingent deployed in Iraq and the ongoing reforms in the defense field in Georgia.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the US Secretary of Defense discussed some aspects of military-technical cooperation between the two countries. Continue reading “Gela Bezhuashvili Met With Robert Gates”

Prime-News was told at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia that within the frameworks of the visit Bezhuashvili will hold meetings with Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, Robert Gates, the US Secretary of Defense, Stephen Hadley, National Security Advisor to the US, Tom Lantos, president Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Lithuania’s President Valdas Adamkus (L) shakes hands with Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gela Bezhuashvili during their meeting at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, 13 September, 2007. AFP PHOTO / PETRAS MALUKAS (Photo credit should read PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Continue reading “Bezhuashvili Pays Official Visit To USA”

Prime-News was told at the Parliament of Georgia that within the frameworks of the visit guests would meet Mikheil Saakashvili, president of Georgia, Zurab Noghaideli, Prime Minister of Georgia, and Giorgi Baramidze, State Minister of Georgia for integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Representatives of the CoE’s monitoring committee will also hold meetings with David Bakradze, State Minister of Georgia for conflict resolution, Giorgi Arveladze, Minister of Economic Development of Georgia, Eka Tkeshelashvili, Minister of Justice of Georgia, representatives of parliamentary opposition parties, Mikheil Machavariani, Vice Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Kote Kublashvili, Chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia, Giorgi Manjgaladze, Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia, Eka Zghuladze, Deputy Interior Minister of Georgia, representatives of NGOs and mass media. Continue reading “Representatives Of CoE’s Monitoring Committee To Arrive In Georgia”

“The detention of the three peacekeepers of the North Ossetian Peacekeeping Battalion is a rough violation of trilateral agreement,” reads an official statement disseminated by the headquarters.

The Headquarters of Joint Peacekeeping Forces call on the OSCE mission and demand the conduction of trilateral monitoring.

The Georgian law enforcement bodies detained Valiev and Khachirov on Wednesday. They kidnapped the journalists of the broadcasting company the “Rustavi 2” – Levan Jorbenadze, Archil Nikoleishvili and Davit Gvenetadze – and the “Mze” TV – Maka Gigauri, Zaza Kapanadze and Gela Alazashvili, while they were gathering data on detention of Davit Galegashvili, Kakha Brolidze and Dato Kvaratskhelia. Continue reading “Headquarters Of Joint Peacekeeping Forces Object To Detention Of Peacekeepers”

Mikheil Saakashvili told journalists that the government of Georgia is a united, strategic team that implements agreed, stable policy.

“The major difference between our cabinet and the governments of some other countries is that our cabinet is a united team. The government of Georgia is orientated on result,” stated the President of Georgia.

Zurab Noghaideli, Prime Minister of Georgia, named new composition of the cabinet of ministers on Thursday.

Zurab Noghaideli declared at a special breifing on Thursday that on the basis of the decision taken by the President of Georgia Lekso Aleksishvili, acting Minister of Finance of Georgia, will be presented on the post of the President of Georgian National Bank. The candidature of Lekso Aleksishvili will be approved in September, after acting President Roman Gotsiridze quits the post.

The candidature of Nika Gialuri, acting Minister of Energy, is presented on the post of the Mnister of Finance. Aleksandre Khetaguri, President of Georgian Oil and Gas Cooperation, will replace Nika Gilauri on the post of the Mnister of energy of Georgia.

Zurab Noghaideli admitted that Aleksandre Khetaguri occupied the post of Deputy Minister of Energy in previous years and is acquainted with energy system.

Gia Kavtaradze, acting Minister of Justice, failed to retain his post. According to Zurab Noghaideli, Gia Kavtaradze has taken decision to return back to business. The candidature of Eka Tkeshelashvili is presented on the post of the Minster of Justice of Georgia.

Zurab Noghaideli noted that further staff reshuffle was not expected. He will present revised cabinet of ministers and a new program to the parliament of Georgia for approval in two days.

Lado Chipashvili, Minister of Labour, Healthcare and Social Affairs of Georgia, left his post in consequence