Scolded for traditional orientation 2010-02-09 17:48 Once again, pro-Russian politicians in Georgia are proclaimed traitors. The first one to be scolded was Zurab Nogaideli arriving in Moscow today on a three-day visit. The “northward orientation” is considered a crime by the nationalistic democrats. Still US envoys like James Steinberg are greeted with obsequious servility. Shuttle diplomacy is gathering pace.

Okruashvili’s factor in the Georgian policy 2010-02-08 22:51 The ghost of the former Minister of Defense Irakli Okruashvili is again looming in the Georgian public arena. Why the ghost? The point is that precisely a year ago, when the spring confrontation was just being mentioned, Tbilisi started speaking about the return of the “Hawk” (that was Irakli Kobaevitch’s nickname for his warlike character and the relevant statements – I.P.). However, he never ventured to come back to the banks of Kura. Head of the Georgian MIA Vano Merabishvili promised to welcome the former comrade “according to the law”: a criminal case was opened against Okruashvili, and the authorities are sure that “Irakli should be locked up”.

A compulsive contest 2010-02-08 18:14 The subject of the Russian aggression remains urgent in Georgia. This topic is constantly mentioned by the Georgian politicians, both the ruling party representatives and the majority of the oppositional leaders, in their public statements. The same topic is a subject for films, plays, and literature compositions and music. However, all these things are done by the grown-up full-aged people; perhaps, by those who saw the Russian armor entering the Georgian villages and the bombarded Gori with their own eyes. Although, among the common citizens, there are few witnesses of the “Russian aggression”, that is, the Russian servicemen’s aggressive actions, such as the beating and killing of the citizens, plunder and pillage.

Mimino to fly to Baku, not Moscow 2010-02-07 16:27 Vakhtang Kikabidze, the Georgian star of Soviet cinema is going to see his fans in Baku timing concerts with his 70th birthday he celebrated in 2008, the year of war in South Ossetia and had no time to mark with a jubilee tour. Buba doesn’t turn up in Moscow distantly confessing love for Russian fans.

The opposition is expecting a dialogue with Moscow 2010-02-05 23:24 Georgia is receiving guests from America and Europe: they are the US State Secretary James Steinberg and Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon. They have already met with the representatives of the authorities and the opposition. According to the media, the States promised to financially support the democracy development in the country, which is shaking with political squabbles.

Georgian president attacked on all fronts 2010-02-05 12:36 During the years of his rule Mikhail Saakashvili has more than once found himself in most complicated situations. Whatever the attitude of his opponents might be, being a professional PR expert, Mikhail Nikolaevitch always found a way out and turned the obvious minuses into pluses, even if they were doubtful. This was the way he acted after the August 2008 war and the spring political crisis that followed. And now Saakaashvili is facing several challenges at once. If we ignore his open confrontation with the Kremlin we will see that he is being attacked on all fronts: he is criticized by the oppositionists, the West and Europe. Will Mikhail Nikolaevitch be able to settle the current situation?

Will Saakashvili keep his promise? 2010-02-05 08:46 Contrary to forecasts and fears Georgia has no intention to send monitors to the second round of presidential election in Ukraine. According to Mikheil Saakashvili Tbilisi won’t do it since Georgia is not going to intervene in Ukraine’s domestic affairs. However, there is a long list of historical facts when the Georgian leader easily went back on his word. Will it be history repeating and can Saakashvili be trusted in this situation?

Preventive protests 2010-02-05 08:44 The impression that Georgia has put up with the necessity of getting along with Mikhail Saakashvili until 2013 is rather deceptive. The spring hormones are again pushing the opposition into the streets. Although there are no demands of the president’s resignation this year, the April action will again be aimed against the ruling regime. The action should warn the authorities against the attempts of stealing the coming elections of the Mayor of Tbilisi. Or, is there anything else it should do?

A memorial to Georgian heroes: let it be 2010-02-03 23:45 This spring, in April or May, a memorial to the Georgian heroes who died during the Great Patriotic War will be erected on the Hill of Respectful Salutation in Moscow. The monument will be put instead of the Glory Memorial exploded in December 2009 in Kutaisi by the decision of the Georgian authorities.