The News in Brief
Friday, November 1
Foreign Ministry: Tbilisi will demand explanation from Moscow
At the upcoming talks in Geneva, Georgia will raise the question as to why Russian servicemen prevented people living in the breakaway regions from voting during the presidential election on October 27th.
Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani told the media that this issue will be included in the agenda of the next meeting in Geneva, to be held on November 5-6.
"Despite the promise made at the last meeting to prevent tension in the village of Ergneti in South Ossetia, it was broken and our citizens did not have an opportunity to vote in the election because they were not allowed to leave the occupied territory." Zalkaliani said. (Trend)
Igor Giorgadze plans to return to Georgia
Former Minister of Security Igor Giorgadze plans to return to Georgia after over 18 years of absence. The former minister says there is no criminal case against him in Georgia and he is trying to arrange his safe passage back to Georgia. Giorgadze, who was accused and tried for a 1995 assassination attempt on President Eduard Shevardnadze, says he will arrive in Georgia after Giorgi Margvelashvili's inauguration. (Rustavi 2)
Georgia to sue Russian telecom company MTC
The Georgian government is preparing to sue the Russian communications network MTC.
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said at a press conference on Monday that he received information from the Polish journalists that the area near the de facto border with South Ossetia is being serviced by MTC. Whenever someone approaches the Russian-imposed border, the mobile phone shows that it is connected to MTC.
Ivanishvili says it is unclear if the Russian government knows about MTC's activities in South Ossetia but stressed the Russian-based company will be prosecuted.
“There will be a strict reaction to this, and we will demand answers from the Russian government why MTC is operating on territory that is not Russia's. This is Georgian territory.” Ivanishvili said. (Democracy & Freedom Watch)
Moscow is optimistic about new Georgian president
Moscow is optimistic about developing relations with the Georgian president-elect Giorgi Margvelashvili, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin told the Russian media.
"Russia always hopes for the best and tries to establish the best possible relationship with its neighbors, including Georgia. We carefully observed Georgia’s presidential election and I think that they were transparent and fair. A new government is being formed and this is an important moment in the history of any country." Karasin said.
In addition, Karasin touched upon the Geneva talks and hoped that this discussion will continue in the current format. The next round of the Geneva talks is scheduled for November 5-6. (IPN)
Statement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs'
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has described President Saakashvili's recent pardons as "irresponsible" and "extremely concerning". The ministry released a special statement after the president pardoned over two hundred convicts, all of whom had been convicted of felonies such as rape, murder and armed robbery. (Rustavi 2)
At the upcoming talks in Geneva, Georgia will raise the question as to why Russian servicemen prevented people living in the breakaway regions from voting during the presidential election on October 27th.
Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani told the media that this issue will be included in the agenda of the next meeting in Geneva, to be held on November 5-6.
"Despite the promise made at the last meeting to prevent tension in the village of Ergneti in South Ossetia, it was broken and our citizens did not have an opportunity to vote in the election because they were not allowed to leave the occupied territory." Zalkaliani said. (Trend)
Igor Giorgadze plans to return to Georgia
Former Minister of Security Igor Giorgadze plans to return to Georgia after over 18 years of absence. The former minister says there is no criminal case against him in Georgia and he is trying to arrange his safe passage back to Georgia. Giorgadze, who was accused and tried for a 1995 assassination attempt on President Eduard Shevardnadze, says he will arrive in Georgia after Giorgi Margvelashvili's inauguration. (Rustavi 2)
Georgia to sue Russian telecom company MTC
The Georgian government is preparing to sue the Russian communications network MTC.
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said at a press conference on Monday that he received information from the Polish journalists that the area near the de facto border with South Ossetia is being serviced by MTC. Whenever someone approaches the Russian-imposed border, the mobile phone shows that it is connected to MTC.
Ivanishvili says it is unclear if the Russian government knows about MTC's activities in South Ossetia but stressed the Russian-based company will be prosecuted.
“There will be a strict reaction to this, and we will demand answers from the Russian government why MTC is operating on territory that is not Russia's. This is Georgian territory.” Ivanishvili said. (Democracy & Freedom Watch)
Moscow is optimistic about new Georgian president
Moscow is optimistic about developing relations with the Georgian president-elect Giorgi Margvelashvili, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin told the Russian media.
"Russia always hopes for the best and tries to establish the best possible relationship with its neighbors, including Georgia. We carefully observed Georgia’s presidential election and I think that they were transparent and fair. A new government is being formed and this is an important moment in the history of any country." Karasin said.
In addition, Karasin touched upon the Geneva talks and hoped that this discussion will continue in the current format. The next round of the Geneva talks is scheduled for November 5-6. (IPN)
Statement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs'
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has described President Saakashvili's recent pardons as "irresponsible" and "extremely concerning". The ministry released a special statement after the president pardoned over two hundred convicts, all of whom had been convicted of felonies such as rape, murder and armed robbery. (Rustavi 2)