South Ossetia: facing a revolution? 2010-03-19 09:52 The Mayor’s Office of Tskhinval did not allow the citizens who are not satisfied with the slow rate of the dwellings rehabilitation to hold any meetings. However, the initiators of the action are still intended to bring the people into the streets and obviously demand the resignation of President Eduard Kokoity. The authorities have already made it clear that they are not going to allow any disorder and grew suspicious of the opposition’s connections with the Georgian special services. Both parties are rather determined, so anything may be expected on March 21. GeorgiaTimes tried to figure out the reasons of the confrontation.

Is the grandmaster going to play into Saakashvili’s hands? 2010-03-16 22:27 The Georgian opposition is trying to set up a dialogue with Moscow. Meanwhile, the Russian critics from the Kremlin started frequenting Tbilisi. It is notable that the marginal opposition was the first to rush to “make friends” with the Georgian authorities. Since the beginning of the war with South Ossetia, Mikhail Saakashvili has been supported by former advisor to the Russian president and his current vehement opponent Andrey Illarionov. He was joined by Oleg Pamphilov, Yulia Latynina, Vladimir Bukovskiy and Valeria Novodvorskaya. Besides, leader of the United Civil Front Garry Kasparov arrived in Georgia yesterday. What for?

Have the “black” political strategists failed? 2010-03-16 09:39 Political analysts in Russia and Georgia provide different opinions on the Imedi broadcast from the point of view of its contents. In Moscow, the report was taken as a provocative action, while in Tbilisi some people consider a scenario of the Russian attack like this to be quite possible. Both the Russian and the Georgian political analysts share the only idea that the political strategists failed to reach all the set purposes.

Tusk-like hopes 2010-03-15 09:59 One of these days, Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk has visited Georgia. He discussed the issues of cooperation of the two countries in the fields of economy, energy, transport and tourism with the republican government. GeorgiaTimes correspondent has discussed the common points between Tbilisi and Warsaw, as well as the prospects of the Georgian-Polish dialogue, with the Russian and Georgian political analysts.

A drugs PR-test 2010-03-11 22:36 The Georgian government is going to pass a drugs test at the suggestion of the parliamentary opposition. President Mikhail Saakashvili expressed his readiness to be the first to submit to a hair test, just like in the times when he was Minister of Justice. The humiliating and extravagant way to show that the leader of the country is concerned about the social problem was commented upon by the Georgian and Russian experts.

Brothers-in-arms no more? 2010-03-10 22:59 It looks like the epoch of solid friendship between Tbilisi and Kiev is drawing to an end. Ukraine’s new president Viktor Yanukovich is expected to change the anti-Russian policies the republic has been pursuing with Yushenko. Ukraine-Georgia cool-down will most severely reflect on defense cooperation between the countries. Media have got hold of the information that the post of Ukrspetsexport CEO in charge of arms supply to Tbilisi can be offered to Valery Konovalyuk, a member of the Party of Regions, one of the toughest critics of military aid to Saakashvili regime.

Saakashvili in search of the way to Russia’s heart 2010-03-09 23:37 According to the Georgian opposition, Mikhail Saakashvili continues seeking contacts with the Kremlin. After the president’s uncle Temur Alasania’s visits to Moscow, the mediate powers were delegated to President of Armenia Serge Sargsyan. GeorgiaTimes interlocutors are commenting upon the prospects of the Armenian diplomacy.

Meetings with Putin as gesture of benevolence 2010-03-08 21:44 Georgia’s second politician was greatly honored to be received in Moscow. Ex “Rose revolutionist” Nino Burdzhanadze met with United Russia leader, PM Vladimir Putin. The talks were held behind closed doors rousing hopes in the guest’s heart that Russian-Georgian confrontation could be overcome. GeorgiaTimes’ interlocutors in Tbilisi and Moscow discuss the meaning of Kremlin’s cooperation with Georgian opposition.

Several words about Ardzinba instead of an epitaph 2010-03-05 13:57 First President of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba has died in a Moscow hospital. He was 64 years old. His life started in a family of teachers and ended with a great lesson for Georgia. A history professor, he led the people of his country through the hard times and witnessed the complete manifestation of his dream, that is, the revival of Abkhazia’s independence at the end of his life. The role of this person in the contemporary history was estimated by the interlocutors of GeorgiaTimes.