Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will ask Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili during Saakashvili June 24-26 state visit to Armenia to expedite the reopening of GeorgiaтАЩs border with Russia, an Armenian foreign ministry official has stated.
Talks are in progress about the possibility of ensuring cargo traffic from Russia to Armenia and back through the Upper Lars checkpoint,тАЭ Arminfo news agency quoted Aram Grigorian, head of the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs Department at the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as saying.
The checkpoint, essentially the only option for road communications between Armenia and its key ally Russia, was closed by Moscow, allegedly for repairs, three years ago. Moscow has conveyed its interest to Tbilisi about reopening the border, a measure that Georgian diplomats say they will consider.

 

Posted June 23, 2009 © EurasiaNet

                I wonder why it always needs an escalations of conflict in post-soviet area in order the west to pay attention, without Ukraine and Georgia afterward telling them"but we have warned you" and the west responding "did you?".

It is important to note that Ukraine and Georgia represent a somewhat different cases than the Baltic Republics or other Eastern European countries. With the exception of the Baltic states, the countries seeking NATO and EU membership in the 1990s had not been part of the Soviet Union. Moreover, they benefited from historical traditions of democratic governance and their “Europeanness” was never in doubt. Even the Baltic States, that were administered by the USSR, were perceived internationally as having certain legitimate claims to statehood throughout the Soviet period.

Ukraine and Georgia, in contradistinction to this, had to invent a modern statehood after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. These countries are weaker, poorer, and more politically problematic than the central and eastern European states. Georgia, for instance experiences much more serious security threats than any of those countries, including the Baltic states, ever did. More importantly, Ukraine and Georgia enjoy much less Western support in terms of membership prospects in the EU and NATO, than those countries did. Additionally to this we should take into consideration another important change that occurred in the 21 century: Russia has changed. In the 90s, it was a post-collapsed, weak state trying to figure out its new orientations. Now, a more powerful, nationalist, courageous and aggressive Russia is challenging the West.
        The road is especially tricky for Georgia. Russia still has not complied with key aspects of the ceasefire agreements that President Medvedev reached in August/September 2008 with French President Sarkozy in his then EU presidency role. Furthermore, Russia's 15 June Security Council veto of an extension of the sixteen-year-old UN observer mission mandate in Georgia and Abkhazia and its apparent intention to require the removal of the mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) by the end of the month are blows to regional security that will further fuel tensions.

         "Moscow is now exploiting this vulnerability in Ukraine and Georgia by demonizing democrats, aiding their opponents, and abetting separatists. The failure for democrats within those countries to work together could lead to authoritarian or anti-Western rule," - argues Christian Science Monitor in its recent opinion article. Read full article

 

History shows that budding relations between Russia and Germany are a sure sign of conflict. The Trumphet analyzes Russo-German relationship through the lances of historical experience. 

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Few weeks ago the Russian defence ministry posted a potentially inflammatory essay on its website which claimed Poland resisted Germany's ultimatums in 1939 only because it "wanted to obtain the status of a great power".Russia has accused Poland of provoking the outbreak of the Second World War by refusing to accede to the "very modest" demands of Nazi Germany. 
This I call the triumph of Cynicism!

Read an interesting and revealing article by Telegraph:
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Ten months after the “August war” between Georgia and Russia, violent incidents and the lack of an effective security regime in and around the conflict zones of South Ossetia and Abkhazia create a dangerous atmosphere in which extensive fighting could again erupt. Russia has not complied with key aspects of the ceasefire agreements that President Medvedev reached in August/September 2008 with French President Sarkozy in his then EU presidency role. Its 15 June Security Council veto of an extension of the sixteen-year-old UN observer mission mandate in Georgia and Abkhazia and its apparent intention to require the removal of the mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) by the end of the month are blows to regional security that will further fuel tensions. Most of the on-the-ground conflict resolution machinery is thus being dismantled. Moscow should review its counterproductive position and work for a reasonable compromise allowing the UN and OSCE monitors to continue their important work.
International Crisis group full report.

In August 2008 Crisis Group recommended a series of steps to resolve the conflict. Many of those recommendations remain unsatisfied but still valid. To stabilise the security situation, lessen chances for renewed major hostilities and improve the humanitarian situation, Russia should:

• re-engage fully in discussions within the Security Council so as to move beyond its 15 June veto and reach agreement on a functional security regime and implementation mechanism that will facilitate a continued role for the UN in Georgia;
• comply fully with the ceasefire agreements, in particular by withdrawing from areas its troops did not occupy before 7 August 2008 (the Akhalgori district of South Ossetia, Perevi village on the Georgian side of the administrative border with South Ossetia and the Kodori Gorge region of Abkhazia);
• allow the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) and international agencies including the UN immediate, free and unfettered access to South Ossetia to monitor security and provide humanitarian assistance;
• encourage the South Ossetian de facto authorities to announce that Georgian IDPs will be allowed back immediately and engage with donors to find funding for reconstruction in destroyed villages and other areas of South Ossetia damaged during the war;
• participate constructively in the Geneva talks; and
• accept the Greek Chairmanship’s status neutral proposal and support continuation of the OSCE Mission.

The Georgian government and the de facto authorities in South Ossetia and Abkhazia should:

• agree on joint measures, including international monitoring missions’ access to all areas, to prevent incidents and human rights violations in conflict zones and facilitate voluntary, safe, dignified IDP return;
• implement a comprehensive integration strategy to increase IDPs’ ability to fully participate in political, social and economic life;
• avoid belligerent rhetoric and false media reporting on the situation in conflict areas; and
• welcome humanitarian and reconstruction projects sponsored by Western governments or international organisations, including the OSCE, UN, and EU, and amend laws that could obstruct such work.

The EU, the U.S. and the Council of Europe and other international organisations should:

• support ongoing international investigations into the conduct of the August war and violations by all sides;
• suspend Russia’s right to vote in the PACE if it does not cooperate in reversing ethnic cleansing in South Ossetia, in particular by fulfilling its 12 August and 7-8 September commitments;
• encourage the International Olympic Committee to study whether the 2014 Winter Olympics can be safely held in Sochi, Russia, if an effective security regime has not been established in neighbouring Abkhazia;
• encourage the Security Council to remain seized of the matter, despite the UN Mission’s termination;
• urge the UN Secretary-General to continue exercising good offices by appointing a special envoy and pursuing efforts to facilitate the peace process;
• invest the EU mission with an expanded role to address the situation on the ground; and
• participate constructively in efforts to resolve immediate security and humanitarian problems, including by encouraging the parties to fully engage in the Geneva talks, as a first step towards broader conflict resolution.

 Russia, at odds with Western powers over Georgia, vetoed on Monday a Western plan to extend the mandate of a U.N. mission in the former Soviet republic, in a death blow to the 130-strong observer force. There were 10 votes in favor and four abstentions, one of which was China's. No country joined Russia in voting against. Reuter reports:

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Georgia is in favor of maintaining UN observer mission, “but not at any price,” Giga Bokeria, the Georgian deputy foreign minister, said on June 5.
UN Security Council will meet on June 12 to discuss the matter and the resolution by the Council is expected for June 15, when the current four-month mandate of UN observer mission, monitoring situation on the both sides of the Abkhaz administrative border, as well as in upper Kodori Gorge, expires.
Civil Georgia reports.

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Grigory Karasin, the Russian deputy foreign minister, reiterated Moscow’s position on the need of having two separate OSCE missions one based in Tskhinvali and another one in Tbilisi to reflect the change of realities on the ground since the August war. He told the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna that other options would keep organization member states “hostages of politicized and stalemated situation.” Civil Georgia reports.

 

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President Saakashvili said on June 5, that Georgia reacted firmly and did not “swallowed” removal of “Abkhazia, Georgia” wording from the UN Secretary General’s recent report on Abkhazia. Civil Georgia reports.

 

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Publication from Eurasia Daily Monitor
By: Vladimir Socor

Russia no longer needs to veto the U.N. Security Council's (UNSC) resolution on the mandate of U.N. observers in Georgia, which expires on June 15. Intimidated by Moscow's veto threats, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and some key UNSC members have bowed to Russian demands and agreed to change key wording in the Secretary-General's report that recommends a new mandate for the observers.
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Hürriyet Daily News reports, that Benetton Turkey, the Turkish arm of Italy’s leading manufacturer, announced the opening of a store in Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia. Benetton Turkey became the first global brand to do so, after opening up a store in Tbilisi, Georgia.
"Abkhazia is the door that opens the historical Silk Road to the sea. It has a strategic importance with its tourism and sea transportation," said Zeynep Selgur, general manager of Benetton Turkey, in a statement yesterday. "Benetton was the first global brand to open a branch in Turkey in 1985. We are proud to continue this trend in Abkhazia. We would like to continue our investments in Turkic Republics and in Cyprus."

What will be the response of Georgian government?

Congress of the refugees expressed concern on the unprecedented inadequate approach to the existing realities in Georgia in the report of UN Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council. For the first time, the UN secretary general's report does not fix that the territorial integrity of Georgia is inviolable and a traditional phrase "Abkhazia, Georgia" was removed from the text, the congress's Chairman David Gulua said at a news conference on May 25. "On the backdrop of the Russian aggression in August 2008 and occupation of the country's large parts, we accept such an approach as an attempt to hush crimes of the aggressor-country and its fifth column against humanity," he said.
The refugees' congress has sent a special address to Ban Ki-Moon, which expresses its strong protest.
"It is categorically inadmissible for us and inadequate approach to the criminal regime of Abkhazia causes surprise, which seized the power via the genocide and violence," the address said.
Congress of the refugees said that it knows the price of the negotiations well. Therefore, the congress waited patiently and with hope that the peace process under UN auspices would have made a real prospect of resolving the conflict. "But from this point of view, the UN secretary general's report - the subject of extreme concern, since called into question the integrity and the fundamental principles for which protection the UN was founded. Therefore, we believe that the approaches outlined in the report are contrary to the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law. We state with a sense of responsibility that such an attitude could lead to a new escalation of the conflict," the Congress states.
Georgia, Tbilisi, May 25 /Trend News

According Itar-Tass, The Caucasus-2009 large-scale manoeuvres of the Russian Armed Forces will be held in the territory of the whole RF North Caucasian Military District (SKVO) this June that will involve all brigades of this district, Russian First Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Kolmakov said on Tuesday. 

“The forthcoming exercise Caucasus-2009 in its scale and scope can be only compared with exercises that had been conducted during the Soviet period,” the official said reported by Itar-Tass.

What will be next?

Georgia is facing yet another political challenge. In the wake of a devastating war with Russia and continued Russian occupation of Georgian territories, a broad coalition of political parties and civic organizations is demanding political changes in the country. In fact, it is becoming clear that stability cannot be maintained in Georgia without significant reform. The U.S. interests in the region dictate the need for strong support of Georgia’s independence and territorial integrity, as well as its internal political stability. That can only be achieved through active mediation by the US and EU between the opposing political factions. ( READ MORE )</div>

The European Union extended its hand to six former Soviet republics: Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia on Thursday at a summit meant to draw them closer into the EU orbit despite Russia's deep misgivings. Presidents, premiers and their deputies from 33 nations are signing an agreement meant to extend the EU's political and economic ties.
Read further for EUOBSERVER article from  Brussels .

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Georgia managed to advance the implementation of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) action plan in some of key areas, but “less progress” was made in others, including in media freedom, according to an annual progress report released by the European Commission on April 23.
The progress report on Georgia says that despite number of “extraordinary events” in 2008, including the August war and early parliamentary and presidential elections, Georgia managed to made achievements in “the fight against corruption, reforms in the rule of law area, especially in facilitating access to justice, improving detention conditions in the penitentiary system and efforts to combat torture and inhumane and degrading treatment.”
“Georgia made less progress in the implementation of some other key objectives of the ENP Action Plan,” the report reads. “Media freedom and pluralism remain areas of concern. Injecting new momentum into political reforms, economic recovery, the effective implementation of a comprehensive national IDP strategy and more consistent alignment with the EU regulatory system as well as advancing sectoral reforms, will continue to be key challenges in 2009.”
 

First meeting in frames of incident prevention mechanisms, tentatively agreed during the recent round of talks in Geneva, was held between the representatives of the Georgian side, the South Ossetian sides, the Russian forces and OSCE and EU monitors on April 23. The meeting was held in a specially erected tent between the Georgian and South Ossetian checkpoints at the Ergneti village on the administrative border, Civil Georgia reports. 
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Both the Georgian and South Ossetian sides have reported that a shooting took place at an administrative border in south-east from Tskhinvali on April 22, Civil Georgia reports. The both sides have blamed each other of opening fire.
The Georgian Interior Ministry said that fire was opened at the Georgian police post in the village of Plavi “from various directions from the Russian-occupied South Ossetian territory” at 8:30pm on April 22. Shooting from automatic weapons lasted for several minutes, the Georgian Interior Ministry said.
The South Ossetian side, however, claimed that its village of Otrev in an immediate vicinity of the administrative border line came under fire from the Georgian side with use of automatic weapons. “The South Ossetian side has not yielded to this provocation and has not opened a response fire,” Ibragim Gassiev, the breakaway region’s deputy defense minister, said in remarks posted on website of the region’s ministry for information and press.
 

... I had a dream the other night. I dreamt about Tbilisi. The streets of the capital were full with thousands of protesters. Again? I thought to myself. What was most concerning, the capital had become a city of cells, yes cells, literally CELLS with volunteers inside, and there were people, probably organizers who had masks on their faces and were fooling people. What was most sad: these masses trusted and supported them.... I don't believe in dreams but this was a special one. I woke up all stressed and called Tbilisi. Soon I found out that it wasn't just a dream, it was what ectually has started in Georgia...
... So, from dreams back to reality. The opposition rallies continue in the capital of Tbilisi... 
If asking for my opinion, I would express my deep concern about ongoing events in Georgia and would call opposition for more constructive, diplomatic and democratic ways of solving problems. I think the time for choosing presidents by revolutions are over. Of course if we still have claims for being a democratic state with the inspiration of joining EU and NATO. Though, stating this I don't mean that people shouldn't have a right to go out and protest. I always respected Georgian citizents' high grade civil responsibility and fight for its better future. But do they really understand what for are they standing in front of the parliament today? I am afraid for the sake of some politicians' ambitions and unclear aims. The point is that ongoing protests and their leaders doesn't bring any sympathy and trust to me and if protesting, then I would claim for some reforms and would suggest particular changes and not like they do: "Georgia without Saakashvili". It seems to me that's all about personal hatred and political ambitions. Removing Saakashvili won't solve all the problems. And what if Saakashvili resines, what will be after, does this opposition have a plan? I never succeeded to get any argumentative answer on this question. 
So, you can think of me as a suporter of Georgian president or whatever, it's your right, but what I care most is the future of my country. I am deeply concerned of seeing Tbilisi as a "city of cells and tants" again and again and hearing hundreds of unacceptable speeches during these protests in Tbilisi. I am tired of hearing how foreign journalists tell my Georgian collegues, what a nice place my country is because even when there is nothing going on in the world to report, there are always some protests, rallies and revolutions in Georgia...
What I suggest? I would have advices not only for Georgian government and opposition, but for western Institutions as well. Concerning local authorities, I am for stopping this circus and starting a dialogue between the current government and the opposition. As for International community, I would call for their higher level support. You would be probably surprised and ask me "what does EU or NATO or western communities as a whole have to do with this rallies"?! Well, I will give you an answer. I recall the words of famouse professor of political sciences Svante Cornell that he published in his work "Learning from Georgia's Crisis" and this will be my response: "the consequence for the West of the August events is not that Georgia has failed the test of democracy and therefore deserves less support, but exactly the opposite: that only more substantial investments in Georgia’s security can contribute to the building of a stable and democratic Georgia, itself something in the interest of the West," - - - and another very important point - - - - "It should be abandoned the false premise that sustainable democratic development in Georgia or anywhere is possible in the absence of sovereignty and security. The events of November 2007 only reinforce the conclusion that long-term sustainable democracy is unlikely to be built in the absence of basic security. This is one area where the comparison between Georgia and the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe breaks down. Compared to the successful democratization processes in Eastern Europe in the 1990s, Georgia faces a security threat much more acute and existential in nature than any of those countries, including the Baltic states, ever did. Moreover, Georgia enjoys less Western – in particular European – support in terms of membership prospects in the EU and NATO, than those countries did. As long as that is the case, Georgia is unlikely to single-handedly develop into a consolidated and secure democracy." 
So more we go into the topic more we see that the roots of Georgia's current problems are burried somewhere on the banks of the river called "security"........!!!
In the end, I want to recall the words of a friend of mine who once told me in a very optimistic way: "don't worry, this is a normal process and everything, including those mass rallies are part of this wide process of screening and purification of Georgian politics...". As a final remark, I would like to finish my letter in the same optimistic mood as my friend while sharing his ideas with me: "And I totally agree with him", but I more feel for "And I hope events proove he was right"... 
 

Latvia will not take part in the NATO military exercise in Georgia, which will take place from May 6 till June 1. Airis Rikveilis, the head of the Latvian defense minister's office, told BNS that Latvia does not plan to participate in this exercise. "The situation is that we cannot send any additional people there. The military exercise plan has already been approved and this exercise is not in the plan," he said, adding that the financial situation is not the reason this time.
As you already know, earlier kazakhstan  refused to take part in NATO exercises.  Still Kazakhstan’s decision hasn'r had an effect on another member of the Russia-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization. Armenia remains on the list of exercise participants, and will "definitely take part" in the exercise, a Defense Ministry spokesperson in Yerevan told Interfax. 


 

Russia will pull out of a meeting with senior NATO military officials to protest what its envoy described Monday as "provocative war games" planned by the alliance in Georgia. "If there will be no reaction (to a Russian complaint about the exercises) we will take certain measures. I can reveal one of them now: the meeting of the commanders of the general staffs of Russia and NATO, planned for May 7, will not take place,"  the envoy, Dmitry Rogozin, said in an interview with Vesti-24 television, quoted by the Interfax news agency. Read  AFP full report.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan refused to take part in NATO-organized war games in Georgia in a show of support for Russia.  "No, we will not take part," Defense Minister Danial Akhmetov told reporters "We are too busy. Yes, it's our final decision."-  Reuters reports. Interestingly, While keeping close contacts with Russia, Kazakhstan has promoted its role as Washington's key ally in Central Asia. Kazakhstan allowed overflights of its territory during the U.S.-led war in nearby Afghanistan and has sought to forge closer ties with NATO by holding joint military exercises and suggesting it could buy military hardware from NATO countries. Even more, kazakhstan backed Russia's actions in Georgia during the August war but refused to follow Moscow in recognizing the independence of Georgia's rebel regions.
In Brussels, NATO said that it had not been informed about Russia's plan to cancel the meeting of top military brass and that it would push on with the exercises in Georgia. "As far as NATO is concerned, nothing has changed. The chiefs of defence meeting will take place and Russia remains invited. It is their decision to attend or not," a NATO spokesman said, AFP reports.
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The tensions are growing in post-war Georgia. Ten persons, nine of them affiliated with former parliamentary speaker Nino Burjanadze’s party, have been arrested on charges of illegal purchase of firearms.  Read civil.ge report about this event:

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Temur Iakobashvili, the Georgian state minister for reintegration, has strongly denied reports that President Saakashvili issued an order authorizing launch of military operations on August 7 “to restore constitutional order” in breakaway South Ossetia. Iakobashvili said the report was “part of series of lies and misinformation” by Russia, which aimed at misleading EU-funded war inquiry mission, led by Swiss diplomat, Heidi Tagliavini.
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Britain will propose creating a NATO rapid deployment force to defend mainland Europe while alliance troops serve further afield, in an effort to persuade member states to do more in Afghanistan. Reuter is reporting.
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let's agree from the beggining that Eurovision is a political song contest. And if so, then why doesn't it deserve a political song?!
This year, it takes place in Moscow, so for Georgia it got double-political meaning to make a decision of taking part in it. Not that I was for it, but anyways I wondered what kind of song would we choose and I wasn't surprised seeng final results. We don't wanna PUT IN... negative mood, I mean hahah!!! With such provocative and mocking song Stefane & 3G will represent Georgia in the First Semi-Final of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held on May 12th in Moscow.
Btw, here is the chorus of this song ;)


"Don’t Wanna put in
The negative move,
Is killin’ the groove.
I’m o try to shoot in
Some disco to night
Boogie with you"

After a long break, I am finally back! 

It always takes too much of my emotions, time and strength to come back to Georgia even for a short period.... It takes me all...
Want to know my impressions about my post-war-conflict-crisis Georgia? Then follow my blog again....

So, 
Finally back

Dear reader,
Looking back I realize that this year was a very good year and a very bad year at the same time. 2008 offered me the worst and the happiest emotions during a year, it was full of victories, successes and wars and violances. They say you start respecting what you've got after you loose it. So did we. Georgians lost peace this summer, so did other nations around the world who experienced and still are experiencing wars. they also say life is a constant change of ups and downs. Let's hope 2009 will be the beggining of those long wished ups!!!!!
So, happy new year my dear friends! Wish you peace, love, health, faith, optimism, victories, success, unexpected positive surprises and a strength to solve all the coming problems and conflicts!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

with best wishes
Diana Chachua 

Picture of the rally for Georgia, held in Brussels (Belgium) on August 16th, 2008. Brussels famous landmark "Manneken pis" had been in traditional Georgian clothes for this event !
Thanks to Jean Boris Urban for this photo and not only... for support he demonstrated during those difficult August days..... thanks not only to him but to everybody trying to spread the word about any violances and conflicts around the word!!!! 

Many western scholars complaint the lack of good scholarly works on the South Caucasus region. However, one recent book seems to have a chance  to contribute for the better understanding of contemporary Caucasus, - "The Ghost of Freedom: A History of the Caucasus" By Charles King. This book provides an analysis of the region's turbulent history since the late 18th century; offers exploration of how the Caucasus has been imagined by outsiders and gives an overview of contemporary conflicts and developments in the region.
Before buying this book you can read a book review written by Nina Caspersen who is a lecturer in politics and international relations, Lancaster University, and the author of several articles on the Caucasus. "The Ghost of Freedom provides an excellent analysis of the region's turbulent history since the late 18th century; offers a rich exploration of how the Caucasus has been imagined by outsiders; and gives a good overview of contemporary conflicts and developments in the region. While illuminating, this is also highly complex and those unfamiliar with the Caucaus may at times find it difficult to grasp." - this is what Nina Caspersen is telling us. 
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