Search

Examines the development of the Caspian region into the latest zone of Russian-American conflict. Indications that the conflict will be centered on Azerbaijan; Doubts over Rear Admiral Vladimir Lomakin's public explanation for the Russian warships' call at Baku harbor in Azerbaijan; Promotion of a U.S. program to establish a rapid-response force to be known as the Caspian Guard.

An abstract is presented of the article "Oligarch's Moustache Pasted on the Opposition," published in the "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" Russian periodical's October 10, 2007 issue.

The article reports on the efforts made by Georgian and Moldovan authorities to reject Russian government's mediation over the conflict zones in the Commonwealth of Independent States. It points out that Georgia and Moldova don't need Russia's mediatory services and they would prefer mediations from other countries and organizations.

Reports on the speech of Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov of Russia before the nongovernmental Council Foreign Relations in New York in which he stressed the defense interest of his country in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Concern of Russia over the growing revolutionary tendencies in the CIS countries; Focus of the speech on the Russian military presence in post-Soviet countries; Reaction of Georgian Parliament speaker Nino Burdzhanadze to the statements of Ivanov regarding the limitations of Georgian participation in peacekeeping operations.

Reports on the emergency meeting of the South Ossetian government in Tskhinvali, Georgia. Hostilities in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone; Maintenance of neutrality by the peacekeepers; Conflicts in South Ossetia.

Reports on the declaration of state of emergency in Batumi, Georgia. Preparations to repulse an invasion by Georgian government forces; Enforcement of the state of emergency by personnel from the Batumi internal troops administration; Deployment of armored personnel carriers with full armament.

Reports that the Georgian Parliament, with prompting from President Mikhail Saakashvili, has introduced into law amendments aimed at eradicating corruption and embezzlement. Confiscation of properties of corrupt officials; Changes in the criminal prosecution of public officials; Changes in the code of criminal procedure; Rise in the country's foreign debt; Arrest of officials involved in bribe-taking.

Reports on the U.S. government's opposition to Georgian and Azerbaijani cooperation with the Russian Federation in the natural gas sector in 2003. Contracts being considered by Georgia and Azerbaijan with Russia's Gazprom; Implications of a possible natural gas cooperation on U.S. interests in the region; U.S. concern over the potential appearance of Gazprom in the Georgian market.

Reports that the Georgian National Security Council has denied rumors that units of the American military force fighting in Iraq might eventually be stationed in Georgia. Commentary of Georgy Mzhavanadze, deputy secretary of the council; Agreement under which the Georgian side undertook to put its military installations at the Americans' disposal and gave them permission to cross the border without visas.

Focuses on the relations between Russia and Georgia. Concessions made regarding Tbilisi issue; Enhancement of border protection and cooperation; Debate over the extradition of Chechen rebels to Russia.

Updates the demonstration conducted by Georgian people against the Russian peacekeepers along Georgian-Abkhaz confrontation line. Increase of crowd joining the demonstration; Strategies used by the crowd in the rally; Stance of the United Nation on the protest.

An excerpt from the article "Abkhazia Given Guarantees," by Anatoly Gordiyenko that was published on January 22, 2009 is presented.

The article reports on the decision of Georgia to withdraw from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). President Mikhail Saakashvili claimed that the republic leadership had adopted a decision which is to bid farewell to the Soviet Union. Saakashvili reported that the Georgian leadership is set to denounce all previous decisions regarding the Russian peacekeeping mission.

The article discusses the formation of a new government as voted by the Georgian Parliament. Observers think that the new government, which is comprised of 12 ministers and six state ministers, is not really a new government but rather a change of personnel albeit the officials are still chosen by President Mikhail Saakashvili. The opposition agrees with the analysts adding that they do not consider the present government as legitimate.

The article reports on the call of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the Georgian authorities to relocate a patriotic youth camp away from the border with Abkhazia. The statement is said to earn a negative reaction to President Mikhail Saakashvili. According to Paata Zakareishvili of the Center for Development and Cooperation, the president has the right to set up the camps in any part of the country, but the issue is more of a political nature.

Reports on the effort of Georgia state minister Georgy Khaindrava to seek for international intervention to settle the issue about Russia's abetment on the conflicts between South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both in Georgia. Appearance of heavy armored vehicles at a military parade; Accusation that Russia is arming Abkhaz military; Speech of Khaindrava.

Reports that U.S. President George Bush has signed the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 which calls for a number of harsh financial and economic measures against the present regime as well as specific measures directed against president Vladimir Lukashenko personally. Statement of the American administration against Lukashenko; Anti-American campaign being broadcast over the state-owned mass media; Reaction by Russia on the U.S. policy toward Belarus.

Reports on the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarussian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Sochi, Russia. Duration of the meeting; Topics discussed between the presidents; Significance of the meeting in resolving the problems between the two countries in the natural gas sector.

Reports on a meeting of foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan in April 2004 to work out a Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.

Reports that Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili's main demand of Aslan Abashidze, his opponent in Batumi, is that he immediately and unconditionally disarm the autonomous republic's militia. Declaration of President Saakashvili; Impact on the attempt to juggle the results of the parliamentary election on the central government and the autonomous entity.

Reports on the international peacekeeping operations in Georgia. Deployment of Georgian units to Iraq; Support of Georgian peacekeepers for the U.S. in its global fight against terrorism; Other countries that have agreed to assist the U.S. in military or police operations in Iraq.

Reports on the position of the Russian State Duma on the military cooperation between the U.S. and Georgia. Conferral of diplomatic immunity to U.S. servicemen on Georgian territory; Demand by Russia for an explanation from the Georgian leadership; Reaction of Georgia to the intervention of Russia.

Focuses on the protest demonstration in Georgia against the Russian peacekeepers. Purpose of the protest; Duration of the demonstration; Stance of Georgia President Eduard Shevardnadze on the protest.