28.01.2009
Eurasia: News In Review
Central Asia and Eastern Europe
and their Relations with Russia
Dec, 2008 - Jan, 2009The following resource is meant to give readers a quick overview of recent events in Eurasia and outside Russia. Much of the news here concerns how Russia and/or the US are affected by these generally small but politically, economically, and/or militarily important nations. For more reviews, see the newsletter for this corresponding month. To receive the free monthly newsletter and obzori by email, simply sign up. General Issues Russia's relations with gas transit states
Russia holds the world's largest gas reserves and is the biggest gas exporter but tense relations with the states across which it pumps the fuel to western Europe have alarmed many customers over the last few winters. Electoral Rot Nearby? The Russians Don’t See It
The Kremlin under Vladimir V. Putin has sought to bolster authoritarian governments in the region that remain loyal, and these election monitoring teams — 400 strong in Belarus alone — are one of its newer innovations. Russians Join Debate On Elections Near and Far
Western monitors believe that elections in Belarus and several other former Soviet republics are often far from fair. The Kremlin's own monitors disagree, saying that the West scrutinizes these elections more closely than those elsewhere. Report Says Decline In Freedom Accelerates Across Former Soviet Union
The latest "Freedom in The World" report by the U.S.-based rights watchdog Freedom House indicates that authoritarian regimes across a broad geographical range are stepping up their suppression of freedom. Ex-Soviet States Weigh Israel Ties, Popular Anger
As Israel widens its offensive in the Gaza Strip, demonstrations in some mainly Muslim former Soviet states have put some governments in difficult positions. Central Asia
Region-Wide Issues Democracy in the South Caucasus
This issue of the Caucasus Analytical Digest examines the relation between Azerbaijan's failed attempt at democratization and government control of the country's petroleum industry. Also information on public opinion and events in Georgia. EU May Help Finance Nabucco Project
The European Union may provide about 200 million euros ($265 million) in initial funding for the proposed Nabucco natural-gas pipeline as the bloc steps up efforts to reduce its reliance on Russian supplies. Caspian energy states moving toward West
The governments of energy-producing states in the Caspian region are moving closer to Europe in its bid to diversify oil and gas corridors, an analysis says. The Caucasus: A Broken Region
The Caucasus region is a small and troubled place. It should be a common endeavour for its small and diverse nationalities in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as the Russian North Caucasus to work together to build an integrated region. In gas crisis, aftershocks of Soviet collapse rumble on
Following the war between Russia and Georgia last summer, the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute is yet another reminder that the aftershocks from the collapse of the Soviet Union have yet to subside. Turkmenistan
Some Reforms and Gas Dealings Turkmenistan's Cult-Era Papers Renamed
Newspapers and magazines in Turkmenistan are removing references to the country's late president, Saparmurat Niyazov, and his relatives from their titles, Russian media said on Monday. Turkmen Leader Fires Top Officials
Energy-rich Turkmenistan's president has fired almost one-third of his Cabinet and the head of the state oil company in a large-scale reshuffle reminiscent of his eccentric predecessor's frequent purges. Turkmenistan mulling over Nabucco
The EU wants to find additional source of gas for the Nabucco pipeline in Turkmenistan, but the country is still mulling over this project, local experts say. Foreign Relations of Turkmenistan in 2008
President Berdymuhamedov made 15 trips abroad on state, official and working visits. He visited Russia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Romania, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Germany and Austria. Library Internet centre to promote reforms in Turkmenistan
The U.S. believes that opening of the first Internet-centre in Turkmenistan's national library is a contribution in achievement of reforms of President Gurbanguly Berimuhamedov , the U.S. embassy in Turkmenistan said. Turkmenistan's Animal Farm Plans
As the Turkmen authorities make efforts to boost livestock farming, NBCentral Asia commentators say the first step needs to be obtaining accurate data on the current state of this sector. Kyrgyzstan
Opposition Targeted, Graft in Education Kyrgyzstan is under a massive denial of service attack
Three of four ISPs have been taken down, and their upstream providers in Russia, and Kazakhstan are refusing to pass traffic because of the scale of the attacks. Kyrgyz Restrict Religion
Kyrgyzstan has adopted an amended law that will strengthen state control over religious groups, government media reported Tuesday. No Kyrgyz Base Closure
The United States has no plans to close its military airbase in Kyrgyzstan, the U.S. regional military chief said Saturday. Opposition Leader Released
Kyrgyz police have released a prominent opposition leader who was detained on January 17 and accused of trying to organize an illegal rally. Islamic Schools in the Spotlight
Islamic schools are coming under increased official scrutiny since the harsh response to a religious disturbance in southern Kyrgyzstan last autumn. The authorities say madrasas flout the law, while some Islamic educators charge that public schools are not meeting the growing demand for religious education. Government Targets Opposition
As Kyrgyzstan's feeble opposition unites into a new coalition, its leaders are coming under increasing pressure from the authorities. Corruption in the Kyrgyz Education System
Nearly four years ago, Kurmanbek Bakiyev declared corruption Kyrgyzstan's "greatest evil." Within the country's higher education system, graft continues to flourish. Kazakhstan
Anti-Crisis Measures Taken Kazakhstan May Be Next to Devalue Currency, Say UniCredit, RBC
Kazakhstan may follow Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in devaluing its currency as local banks and companies struggle to refinance debt and a recession looms, according to UniCredit SpA and RBC Capital Markets. OSCE Backs Kazakh Editor
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe urged Kazakhstan on Wednesday to free journalist Ramazan Yesergepov, arrested on the charge of divulging state secrets. Kazakhs Change Election Law After Facing Western Pressure
Kazakh lawmakers approved legislation Thursday to guarantee at least two political parties are represented in parliament, a move designed to improve the Central Asian nation's tarnished democratic credentials. Kazakh leaders take on corruption
Government authorities and other leaders in Kazakhstan participated in a workshop Monday on countering corruption in the country. Kazakhstan to boost liquidity at major banks
The Kazakh government will deposit $1 billion in each of two leading banks as part of efforts to restore liquidity to the country's troubled lending sector, the country's prime minister said Tuesday. Kazakhstan Repeals Oil Tariff
The tariff was introduced in April 2008 at $109.91 per ton of crude oil. At its most expensive in September, the rate stood at $204 per ton of crude, or about $30 per barrel. By December it had been reduced to $140 per ton with a promise to review the tax rate monthly instead of quarterly to make allowances for the instability of global oil prices. Other Central Asian States Uzbekistan Pledges Gas to Russia
Uzbek President Islam Karimov pledged Friday to support a new trans-Russian gas pipeline, easing Moscow's fears that it would succumb to European pressure to bypass Russia with its energy supplies and reduce its influence in the region. Central Asia's Cheap Gas Era Comes To A Close
Uzbekistan has increased the gas prices it charges neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan by 60 percent. Pipeline Damage in Georgia Halts Russian Gas Supply to Armenia
Transit of the Russian gas to Armenia has been suspended after the pipeline was damaged in southern Georgia, the Energy Ministry said on January 9. OPEC, Russia, Azerbaijan Agree To Cut Oil Production
OPEC members agreed to cut output by about 2 million barrels per day. Russia and Azerbaijan, meanwhile, have said they would cooperate with production cuts of about 300,000 barrels per day each. Eastern Europe
Major Unrest as Crisis Spreads 15 Injured, 80 Detained in Lithuanian Clashes
Violent political protests sweeping parts of Eastern Europe have spread to Lithuania, where police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at a rock-throwing mob attacking Parliament. Riots in Latvia Leave Dozens Injured
Latvia's government and opposition politicians blamed each other Wednesday for rioting in the capital that left more than 40 people injured in the worst violence since the country split from the Soviet Union in 1991. Feeling the pinch. Uncomfortable echoes of uncomfortable times
"Economic collapse undermines national security". Two years ago, when the script for "December Heat", Estonia's lavishly produced new historical thriller, was being written, that seemed a theme from the past, not the future. Now it looks uncomfortably prescient—if not yet for Estonia, certainly for its southern Baltic neighbours Latvia and Lithuania. Time to change the rules
The EU is asking too much of the ex-communist states that want to join the euro. Banks ask for crisis funds for eastern Europe
Leading international banks operating in central and eastern Europe have clubbed together to lobby the European Union and the European Central Bank to extend their anti-crisis policies to ease the credit crunch in the region. To the barricades. Economic pain brings political ructions
In intensive care but angry: that describes Latvia's economy after its dramatic rescue by the IMF and other foreign lenders. Now the question is whether the tough conditions imposed by the bail-out are politically tolerable. A riot in Riga, in which more than 40 people (including 14 police officers) were hurt and 106 arrested, suggests there is a bumpy ride ahead. Slovaks Look to Restart Nuclear Reactor Due to Shortage of Gas
Slovakia will restart a nuclear power plant unit it shut down at end-2008 to comply with its EU accession agreement because cuts in Russian gas supplies threaten to cause power blackouts, officials said on Saturday. Russia "Not Considering" Belarus Loan
Russia is not interested in lending Belarus 100 billion roubles ($3.05 billion) as part of a move to carry out bilateral trade in roubles, Deputy Finance Minister Dmitry Pankin said late on Friday. "Shock therapy" had no adverse effect on life expectancy in eastern Europe
Sir, Your report "'Shock therapy' sell-offs blamed for 1m deaths" (January 15) refers to a new study in The Lancet which purports to show that "shock therapy" is the cause of a surge in mortality in countries that undertook the transition from communism. I am taken to task in the Lancet paper. Rapid privatisation worsened unemployment and death rates
Sir, Professor Jeffrey Sachs' criticisms of our Lancet paper showing that those ex-communist countries that pursued mass privatisation had greater increases in deaths (Letters, January 19) are factually incorrect. Moldovan province longs for Mother Russia
In a softly lit room, giggly teenagers rise from their desks and sing a hymn. Then the leader of the youth group starts a detailed reading of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's state of the nation address. A Lasting Poison
Liberated from the complexity of knowing too much about the cruel past, the young people of Eastern Europe's post-communist generation seem uninterested in what their parents and grandparents endured. Serbia Plays Key Role In Russian Gas Pipeline Plans
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had reason to look pleased when he met Serbian President Boris Tadic in Moscow on Christmas Eve. The two leaders finalized an agreement for Gazprom, Russia's behemoth state gas monopoly, to buy a controlling interest in Serbia's state oil and gas industry. Ukraine
One Crisis After Another... The Gas War
This heavily-covered event is covered by a seperate obzor on our site. Russian Art to Have Its Day in Kiev
Victor Pinchuk, a billionaire known for his collection of western artists such as Damien Hirst and Andreas Gurksy, is turning to Russia for his latest show. Ukrainian Ship's Crew Unwell
Some crew members of a Ukrainian ship hijacked off Somalia with 33 tanks on board have fallen sick, a local businessman said. Politics Dark days for Ukraine after 'Orange' revolution
In January 2005, Viktor Yushchenko placed his hand on the Bible and pledged to take Ukraine towards EU membership, as he was sworn in as president after ousting pro-Russian leaders from power. Ukraine PM says crisis over, vows new blood in govt
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on Wednesday pronounced Ukraine's political crisis over and vowed to bring in 'new people' to a strengthened government team to tackle the effects of the world financial crisis in the country. Ukraine's PM tells president to quit
Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's prime minister, has called for an investigation into President Viktor Yushchenko's inner circle after accusing individuals of profiting from bets against the currency last week as the country struggled to avoid financial meltdown. Foreign Relations How the Gas War was Reported to Russians
SRAS provides here a breakdown of some of the major reports that appeared on Russian television news in December and January. Major disputes between Russia and Ukraine
A war of words between Moscow and Kiev over a gas supply cut escalated Saturday, but energy is not the only issue the two ex-Soviet neighbours have argued about since Ukraine's 2004 "Orange Revolution" that incensed Russia. Russia - Ukraine Gas Dispute: What Next?
Russia has threatened to cut gas supplies to Ukraine on January 1st if a $2 billion gas debt is not resolved, and both countries stand to lose if they fail to reach a settlement in time. Carnegie experts in Washington and Moscow discuss the implications of the dispute for regional stability, European energy security, and Russia's relations with the West. US, Ukraine look to strengthen ties
The United States and Ukraine are looking for ways to strengthen cooperation in a rejection of Moscow's claim to a sphere of influence along its borders. How the West Won Ukraine
In Brussels last week, NATO foreign ministers met to hash out details on whether Ukraine and Georgia should be allowed into the military alliance, and to figure out how even to make that decision without appearing to appease or provoke Russia, which has bitterly opposed it. No More Superpower Playoffs
For centuries, Ukraine's Cossacks were able to play off the superpowers of their time: The Turks against the Russians, or the Poles against both. Some would argue that the survival of the Ukrainian nation depended on a 'flexible' foreign policy. Russia Terminated Armament Projects with Ukraine
Russia has terminated a number of armament projects with Ukraine in the wake of supplies of Ukrainian weapons to Georgia, said Valery Konovalyuk, who heads the Ukrainian parliament's commission for investigating illegal weapon supplies. Economy Ukrainians protest economic meltdown
About 1,000 angry Ukrainians rallied in the Ukrainian capital Thursday, protesting price increases, wage delays, utility cutoffs and other effects of the economic crisis gripping this ex-Soviet nation. After Bailout, Ukraine Steps Closer to Default
Four years after Ukraine embraced the West with the election of President Viktor Yushchenko in the Orange Revolution, the former Soviet nation's economy is collapsing and investors expect the country to default. Ukraine: Buy Now, Pay – When?
Russians who have the misfortune of sticking to the old, Soviet-era routine of spending their summer vacation on the Crimean Black Sea coast, bring back funny tales of the behavior of Ukrainian traffic cops: they see Russian license plates, they stop the car and demand payment just on principle, for nothing. Ukraine will pay its $2 billion Russian gas bill
Ukraine said Tuesday that will avoid a Kremlin cutoff in gas supplies. European gas customers breathed sighs of relief. Georgia Remarks on the Georgian Russian conflict of August 2008 and on Abkhazia
The fighting between Russian and Georgian troops in August of the past year was almost universally seen by the West as an alarming resurgence of Russian ambition and might. Whether this interpretation deserves credence or not is a matter that only future events will determine, though the elites in the West should take care not to wallow in self-fulfilling fears. Dmitry Medvedev, Russia had no option
On August 25, Russia recognised the independence of the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It was not a step taken lightly. But all possible outcomes had to be weighed against a sober understanding of the situation - the histories of the Abkhaz and Ossetian peoples, their freely expressed desire for independence, and inter-national precedents for such a move, writes Dmitry Medvedev. Mikheil Saakashvili, Moscow wants to redraw the map
Any doubts about why Russia invaded Georgia have now been erased. By illegally recognising the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's president, made clear that Moscow's goal is to redraw the map of Europe using force. Georgian roulette
Central to this debate is how Georgia imagines itself and what it aspires to be. That Britain, France, or Germany has misgivings about bringing Georgia into the Western alliance signals an uncertainty about not only their own capacities and inclinations but Georgia's, too. Saakash vili, one suspects, is aware of as much. Letter from Georgia
The would-be border between South Ossetia and Georgia is being entrenched. Will the Georgian government own up to its role in the war and help the displaced return home? Marching Through Georgia. Has Mikheil Saakashvili overreached?
ABSTRACT: PROFILE of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. During and after Georgia's five-day war with Russia this August over the breakaway region of South Ossetia, Saakashvili spent long days receiving Western dignitaries and he spent his nights rallying foreign journalists to Georgia's side. Grigory Karasin (Deputy Foreign Minister), Russia Acted Reasonably in Georgia
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's op-ed is riddled with misinformation and false accusations in a desperate attempt to deny the truth that is already emerging from independent observers. Numerous accounts of how the conflict began have condemned Georgia's claims that it was acting defensively in its brutal attack on Tskhinvali. Georgia after the war. A hard winter
Political recriminations still fly over responsibility for the war with Russia. Georgia Lags in Its Bid to Fix Army
The Georgian military, which was routed in August during a brief war with Russia, suffers from widespread mismanagement and unqualified leadership, and is in need of extensive reforms to become a modern fighting force, according to a classified Pentagon assessment conducted this fall. Internal Politics Russia Aside, Georgia Chief Is Pressed at Home
On Dec. 20, the eve of his 41st birthday, President Mikheil Saakashvili was racing around western Georgia shaking hands. He told miners that his "heart hurt" when he saw their city suffer, and promised to build a ski resort in the village of Gomardul. Georgian Opposition from New York
The opposition Republican Party and New Right plan to announce the formation of a bloc, which can demand early parliamentary and presidential elections. Georgia's Energy Minister Is Assailed for Deal With Russia
Opposition members of Georgia's Parliament grilled the country's energy minister on Tuesday about a deal that would allow a Russian state energy company joint control over the hydroelectric plant that supplies almost half of the country's electricity. Report Disqualifies Georgia from Electoral Democracy List
Georgia remains among "partly free" countries, but it has been downgraded to non-electoral democracy, according to an annual report by the U.S.-based rights group, Freedom House. Georgian opposition says Saakashvili family embezzled $90 mln
A member of Georgia's opposition Labor Party on Tuesday accused the family of President Mikheil Saakashvili of embezzling some $90 million from the state budget. Opposition Figure Calls for Saakashvili's Resignation
Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia's former foreign minister and a leader of opposition party, Georgia's Way, has joined calls for President Saakashvili's resignation and holding early elections. New Opposition Alliance Set Up
Two opposition parties – the Republican and New Rights – announced on December 8 about setting up of an alliance with an ambition to create a viable "alternative force" to challenge the authorities. Gas War in Georgia Moscow condemns OSCE, EU for inaction on S.Ossetia gas cutoffs
The Russian Foreign Ministry accused on Wednesday the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Union of inaction on Georgia's gas cutoff for its breakaway Republic of South Ossetia. Damaged S.Ossetia Gas Pipe Not Fully Repaired – Minister
It will be able to resume gas supply to breakaway South Ossetia after the damaged pipeline is fully restored, Alexandre Khetaguri, the Georgian energy minister, said on January 6. Georgia's own mini-gas war
Russia and Ukraine aren't the only sides currently at loggerheads over gas supplies. In the Caucasus, South Ossetia is also without gas as Georgia doesn't seem too eager to resume supplies cut off before the August invasion. Company Authorized to Supply Gas to Tskhinvali
Itera-Georgia, one of five gas distributor companies in Georgia, has received a permission from the Georgian government to supply gas to breakaway South Ossetia. US-Georgia "Agreement" Bakradze on U.S.-Georgia Charter
Davit Bakradze, the Parliamentary Chairman, said on January 8, that planned U.S.-Georgia charter on strategic partnership did not envisage deployment of the U.S. bases in Georgia. US offers Georgia road map for deeper ties
Georgia is hailing a new U.S. blueprint for cooperation as a sign that Russia has failed to impede its integration with the West. But it is unclear that the document, which Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed Friday, makes Georgia any safer from Russian aggression. Signing Ceremony for the United States and Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership
Georgia is a very important partner of the United States, a valued partner. Our relationships rest, of course, on shared values of democracy, on security, on economic prosperity. And this Charter underscores the principles and outlines a way to advance our relationship and our cooperation in defense, trade, energy security, strengthening democratic institutions, people-to-people contacts, and cultural exchanges. Saakashvili Hails Charter with U.S
President Saakashvili hailed the Georgia-U.S. Charter on Strategic Partnership as a step forward towards the west and confirmation of Georgia's democratic achievements. Washington and Tbilisi Sign Strategic Pact Sure to Irk the Kremlin
The United States and Georgia officially became "strategic partners" under a charter signed by the two governments on January 9. While Georgian officials are hailing the document as a guarantee of Washington's support for Tbilisi, analysts are divided on what kind of impact the agreement will actually have. Many believe the only certainty is that the pact will rile Russia. Strategic partners for what?
The United States once based alliances on national interest. No longer. Unable to convince its NATO partners to bring Georgia into the alliance, Washington plans to sign an agreement with Tbilisi establishing a "strategic partnership." For what, one wonders? Seven Questions: Georgia's Special Relationship
Georgia's new foreign minister tells FP what his country needs from the United States. US - Other Issues Questions of KGB ties for activist
A foreign activist lobbying in Washington to draw American attention to a war over a Russian-backed breakaway region has had frequent meetings and conversations with a high-level KGB agent there, she acknowledged to The Associated Press. Moscow accuses Washington of backtracking on Georgia
Russia's foreign minister accused the United States on Tuesday of reneging on a promise not to allow Georgia membership in NATO if it ventured to attack breakaway South Ossetia. U.S. Official on State of the Georgian Army
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Daniel Fried, said on December 18 "many problems" identified in the New York Times article about the state of the Georgian army were "real." U.S., Georgia Intend To Build New Southern Route To Diversify Energy Deliveries To Europe
The United States and Georgia intend to boost the physical security of energy transit through Georgia to European markets, according to the U.S.-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership signed on January 9 in Washington. Does the United States expect a new war?
The U.S. administration decided to insure American merchant vessels in the Black Sea against military risks until next March. Many analysts saw this as a sign of a possible early armed conflict in the Black Sea region. Ossetian Peace Activists Visit Washington
A delegation of six human rights advocates from South Ossetia today began a week-long series of meetings with U.S. policymakers here. The members of the Association of South Ossetian Women for Democracy and Human Rights will provide first-hand accounts about the impact of Georgia's Aug. 7 surprise attack on South Ossetia. South Ossetians in the US: will anyone listen?
A group of peace activists from South Ossetia has arrived in the U.S. capital, Washington DC, to give American politicians their accounts of the August war in the republic. That Was No Small War in Georgia -- It Was the Beginning of the End of the American Empire
The war in Georgia will be remembered as the place where the American Empire fell on its face. Relations with Russia Medvedev: Sanctions For Arming Georgia
President Dmitry Medvedev empowered the Russian government to impose economic sanctions on countries that sell arms to Georgia, with which Russia fought a five-day war in August. Switzerland to Represent Russia in Georgia
Moscow and Tbilisi have agreed with Switzerland that the latter will stand for Russia in Georgia.
Georgia seeks to bridge gap with Russia via mediators
Georgia's president is moving to gradually restore ties with Russia after it was denied access to the NATO membership action plan, a Russian daily said on Tuesday citing a mediator. Georgia Says Russia Has Much to Answer For in Security Talks
Russia hasn't withdrawn its forces from Georgia as required under a European Union-brokered agreement and must explain its failure in security talks that begin tomorrow in Geneva, Georgia's foreign minister said. Moscow concerned by Georgian buildup near S.Ossetia, Abkhazia
Russia is concerned by the buildup of Georgian forces near the borders of the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday. New FM on Ties with Russia
Grigol Vashadze, the Georgia's new foreign minister, said Georgia's "strategic vector" of foreign policy, involving Euro-Atlantic integration would not change. Head of Georgian Church Meets Medvedev
Ilia II, the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow on December 9. Russian Troops Leave Disputed Georgian Village
Russian troops have pulled back from a disputed Georgian village on the de facto border with breakaway South Ossetia, easing fears of confrontation in the area, a Georgian police source said on Friday. Russian Soldier Asks Tbilisi For Asylum
A 21-year-old Russian soldier, sitting down with a Big Mac at a McDonald's here in the Georgian capital, said Tuesday that he had changed into civilian clothes and walked across the South Ossetian border into Georgia because he was fed up with his military service there. Russian-Georgian attitudes unchanged despite conflict - survey
An opinion poll has found that Russians and Georgians have not changed their attitudes to each other despite the August war, but that opinions on their respective leaders have worsened. War Investigations Georgia Accuses Dutch TV of 'False War Report
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) accused Dutch broadcaster NOS (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting) of "a false and misleading report" on the August war and alleged that it was part of the Russia's anti-Georgian campaign. Russia accuses foreign nationals in Georgia war
Russian investigators on Tuesday charged that volunteers from the United States and a number of other countries fought on the side of Georgia in its war against Russia. NATO must discuss causes of Caucasus crisis with Russia - Lavrov
Russia and NATO must resume their dialogue starting with discussions on the causes of the August conflict between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia, Russia's foreign minister said on Friday. War Commission Chair Clarifies 'War's Start' Remarks
MP Paata Davitaia, who chaired the parliamentary commission studying the August war, said his remarks aired by the Tbilisi-based Kavkasia TV on the launch of war, were misunderstood and needed clarifications. Government to Follow War Commission Recommendations
Senior officials, including Parliamentary Chairperson, Davit Bakradze, said on December 19, that the government was strongly committed to follow recommendations laid out by the parliamentary commission, which studied the August war. Russian probe into Georgia war extended until April 2009
A probe into Georgia's aggression against its breakaway province of South Ossetia has been extended until April 2009, the head of Russia's special investigations committee said on Tuesday. Commission Report Spares Saakashvili Blame for August War
The version of events leading up to Georgia's August war with Russia outlined in a recently released report by an ad-hoc parliamentary commission jibed with the government's official line. But the report also criticized Georgian national security, defense and foreign affairs structures for failing to identify and respond to imminent threats. Georgian Lawmakers Fault Government's Handling of War
A Georgian parliamentary commission found "major flaws" in the government's handling of the August war with Russia over the separatist region of South Ossetia, while charging that Russia planned in advance to attack. Swiss Diplomat Probing War Visits Tbilisi
Heidi Tagliavini, a Swiss diplomat, who leads the EU-sponsored inquiry into the August war, and her team, met with Georgian Foreign Minister, Grigol Vashadze, in Tbilisi on December 16. All Parties Violated Laws of War
Georgian, Russian and South Ossetian forces committed numerous violations of the laws of war in the conflict in August 2008 over South Ossetia and its aftermath, causing many civilian deaths and injuries and widespread destruction of civilian property, Human Rights Watch said in a comprehensive report released today. FM: Georgia Interested in EU Inquiry into War
It is in Georgia's interests to cooperate with the EU-sponsored inquiry into the August war, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said on December 15, a day before the planned visit of Heidi Tagliavini, a Swiss diplomat, who leads the inquiry, to Tbilisi. Swiss Diplomat Probing War Visits Moscow
Heidi Tagliavini, a Swiss diplomat, who leads the EU-sponsored inquiry into the August war, met with Grigory Karasin, the Russian deputy foreign minister, on December 9. Georgia's 'Recommendations' to EU's War Inquiry
Grigol Vashadze, the Georgian foreign minister, said Tbilisi wanted the EU-sponsored inquiry mission into the August war, to take into consideration number of key issues during its work. South Ossetia and Abkhasia No Peace at Expense of Territories – Saakashvili
President Saakashvili said Georgia wanted peace, but not at the expense of the territorial integrity. It's shelter but not a home
Refugees from Georgia's war with Russia are being resettled in villages but long for their old homes and communities. Saakashvili: Georgia's Reunification Plan in Force
Georgia has a plan to unite Georgia and this plan, which lies through the country's economic development, has not dissipated anywhere, President Saakashvili said on December 11. Dozens vanish as South Ossetia and Georgia wage war by kidnap
WHEN Venera Tebilova kissed her son Alan goodbye on a warm evening last October, she expected to see him home the next day. Barely 16, Alan set off with two friends to attend a religious festival in a nearby village in their native South Ossetia. More than three months later, Alan and his friends are still missing. Georgia moves troops to S.Ossetia border
The Defense Ministry of South Ossetia said Friday Georgia was moving troops towards its border, the republic's information and press committee said. South Ossetian Politics and the Kremlin - New Combinations
After the war in Georgia and Russia's recognition of South Ossetia as an 'independent state' the domestic politics of that breakaway region politics has transformed into a confrontation between local political parties. In Search of a Missing Man in a Forgotten War
This fall, as I was preparing to travel to the Georgian breakaway region of Abkhazia, one of the cafeteria ladies in the journalism school where I teach stepped out from behind the pastry counter and asked a favor. Russian Official: 162 S.Ossetians Killed in War
Aleksandr Bastrikin, chairman of an investigative committee with the Russian prosecutor's office, said that the committee had collected full data of 162 residents of South Ossetia who had been killed in the August war, the Russian news agencies reported. Abkhazia's tentative hopes for future
It is more than four months now since Georgia and Russia went to war over South Ossetia, but memories are still fresh in Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia. Georgian province in uneasy embrace of Moscow
Russia's footprint is everywhere in this breakaway Georgian province, from billboards featuring its president, Dmitry Medvedev, to its joint military exercises with the Abkhaz navy. S.Ossetian leader says Saakashvili offered him $20 mln bribe
The president of the separatist province attacked by Georgia in August has told a Russian newspaper that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili tried several years ago to win his loyalty with a large bribe. OSCE Georgia furious as OSCE mission scrapped
Georgia has furiously accused Russia of seeking to hide "war crimes" after objections from Moscow forced Europe's OSCE security agency to wrap up an observer mission in the ex-Soviet republic. OSCE to close Georgia mission early next year
The Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe will dissolve its mission in Georgia on Jan. 1, ending its 16 year presence in the country after it was unable to resolve a deadlock with Russia over the conflicts in the separatist Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a spokesman for the organization said on Monday. Russia demands changed mandate for OSCE in Georgia
Monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe can only patrol in Georgia next year if their mandate is changed to take account of Moscow's concerns, Russia's foreign minister said on Tuesday. OSCE tries to solve Georgian mission impasse
The OSCE has put forward a new proposal on its mission deploying observers in Georgia and hopes to have a reaction from Moscow in the next five weeks, the organisation's new chair said on Thursday. Find Out More!
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