Press Scanner
Compiled by Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Friday, August 14
Alasania is to create new faction in parliament
Akhali Taoba reports that Irakli Alasania may create a new faction in Parliament but at present hasn’t the resources to do so. A recognised faction must contain at least 6 Deputes and Alasania does not yet have this many supporters in Parliament.
MPs Karlo Kopaliani and Gia Tsagareishvili are known to have a good relationship with Alasania. Tsagareishvili doesn’t hide his relationship with Alasania but prefers not to specify whether he will participate in Alasania’s new faction.
Georgian Young Lawyers Association unhappy with GPB decision
Rezonansi reports that the Georgian Young Lawyers Association has made a statement about the appointment of Giorgi Chanturia as new Georgian Public Broadcaster General Director.
“In spite of the fact that all the procedures were conducted correctly the GPB Board did not satisfy the wish of the other candidates and part of society that the candidates’ interviews be broadcast live.”
GPB Board Aprasidze has declared on air that “when all the proper procedures have been followed we should accept a decision which has been made and try to live with it.” GYLA says that it believes the appointment process was conducted legally but underlines the importance of ethical principles.
On January 13 GYLA protested against Giorgi Chanturia’s statement about ethnic intolerance published in the magazine Hot Chocolate. It also mentioned that Giorgi Chanturia had refused to attend a meeting with NGOs on 4 August concerning his candidacy for GPB General Director.
Will the Patriarchs meet in Sokhumi?
Rezonansi reports that the date of the meeting between the Georgian and Russian Patriarchs is still unknown. Mikheil Botkoveli, Press Secretary of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, says that Patriarch Kiril of Russia is intending to meet Ilia II in Sochi, Sokhumi or Vladikavkaz, but the details have not been worked out yet.
Georgian political analysts consider this meeting very important as communication between the Georgian and Russian Churches is the only means of conducting Georgian-Russian relations at present. Ramaz Klimiashvili thinks that the meeting will bring positive results for Georgia. Irakli Sesiashvili says that if the meeting is held in Sokhumi this will have great political connotations, but it is believed that the de facto Abkhaz Government doesn’t want the Georgian Patriarch in Abkhazia. Ramaz Sakvarelidze says that if Ilia II meets the Russian Patriarch in Sokhumi this will indicate that the Russian Church recognises Georgia’s territorial independence.
The time will come when Abkhaz and Georgians struggle together -Irakli Alasania
Versia reports that Irakli Alasania has said: “Our aim today is to prevent further conflict in the region. We should organise an international security mechanism on the administrative borders which will preserve us from conflict. However while Mikheil Saakashvili is our President positive steps can’t be taken in this direction.
“This is why each of us should maintain our contacts with the breakaway regions’ citizens. This relationship will have vital importance when a new political reality emerges. We should show the de facto regions’ citizens that we never resolve problems by force. I am experienced in conducting relationships with the Abkhaz people, and believe me, the time will come when Abkhaz and Georgians struggle together for a common future in Europe and reject Russian occupation” states Alasania.
Akhali Taoba reports that Irakli Alasania may create a new faction in Parliament but at present hasn’t the resources to do so. A recognised faction must contain at least 6 Deputes and Alasania does not yet have this many supporters in Parliament.
MPs Karlo Kopaliani and Gia Tsagareishvili are known to have a good relationship with Alasania. Tsagareishvili doesn’t hide his relationship with Alasania but prefers not to specify whether he will participate in Alasania’s new faction.
Georgian Young Lawyers Association unhappy with GPB decision
Rezonansi reports that the Georgian Young Lawyers Association has made a statement about the appointment of Giorgi Chanturia as new Georgian Public Broadcaster General Director.
“In spite of the fact that all the procedures were conducted correctly the GPB Board did not satisfy the wish of the other candidates and part of society that the candidates’ interviews be broadcast live.”
GPB Board Aprasidze has declared on air that “when all the proper procedures have been followed we should accept a decision which has been made and try to live with it.” GYLA says that it believes the appointment process was conducted legally but underlines the importance of ethical principles.
On January 13 GYLA protested against Giorgi Chanturia’s statement about ethnic intolerance published in the magazine Hot Chocolate. It also mentioned that Giorgi Chanturia had refused to attend a meeting with NGOs on 4 August concerning his candidacy for GPB General Director.
Will the Patriarchs meet in Sokhumi?
Rezonansi reports that the date of the meeting between the Georgian and Russian Patriarchs is still unknown. Mikheil Botkoveli, Press Secretary of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, says that Patriarch Kiril of Russia is intending to meet Ilia II in Sochi, Sokhumi or Vladikavkaz, but the details have not been worked out yet.
Georgian political analysts consider this meeting very important as communication between the Georgian and Russian Churches is the only means of conducting Georgian-Russian relations at present. Ramaz Klimiashvili thinks that the meeting will bring positive results for Georgia. Irakli Sesiashvili says that if the meeting is held in Sokhumi this will have great political connotations, but it is believed that the de facto Abkhaz Government doesn’t want the Georgian Patriarch in Abkhazia. Ramaz Sakvarelidze says that if Ilia II meets the Russian Patriarch in Sokhumi this will indicate that the Russian Church recognises Georgia’s territorial independence.
The time will come when Abkhaz and Georgians struggle together -Irakli Alasania
Versia reports that Irakli Alasania has said: “Our aim today is to prevent further conflict in the region. We should organise an international security mechanism on the administrative borders which will preserve us from conflict. However while Mikheil Saakashvili is our President positive steps can’t be taken in this direction.
“This is why each of us should maintain our contacts with the breakaway regions’ citizens. This relationship will have vital importance when a new political reality emerges. We should show the de facto regions’ citizens that we never resolve problems by force. I am experienced in conducting relationships with the Abkhaz people, and believe me, the time will come when Abkhaz and Georgians struggle together for a common future in Europe and reject Russian occupation” states Alasania.