http://georgiatimes.info/GeorgiaTimes.infohttp://www.georgiatimes.info/pix/logo100en.gifhttp://georgiatimes.info/?lang=enhttp://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/25943.htmlThe Georgian politics has long been developing on the basis of paradoxes that generally lead to conflicts. At present, another turn of confrontation is coming against the background of political lull. Unlike in spring, the opposition is calling upon the ruling majority to get down to the negotiating table to reform the electoral code and is already accusing the authorities of developing another scheme of fixing the elections.Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:31:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/25846.htmlSome Georgian teenagers will have to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Ossetian prison. Unless the international community that has stood up staunchly for them will receive a rebate. The unfairness of foreign politicians rouses indignation in Ossetian mothers. The youngest of the children kidnapped by Georgians a year ago was just 15 years old, but that crime did not draw any response of the UN, PACE and other structures of the kind. It seems that Western compassion is somewhat selective.Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:44:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/25740.htmlGeorgian parliamentarians cannot get through the history. The Parliament Committee for the Investigation of the Death of the First Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia has come to a dead-lock right after starting its activity. A deputy of the party in power Bejan Khuridze said he would stop his work if the committee was not given the status of a court of inquiry. A son of the first president Konstantin Gamsakhurdia filed the same claim before.Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:33:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/25669.htmlThe person suspected of a leakage of information about an unsuccessful provocative act made by the Georgian special services is facing a legal procedure. The point at issue is the staged shooting at Lekh Kachinski and Mikhail Saakashvili near the border of South Ossetia last November. The Prosecutor’s Office believes that the secret information was disclosed to the media by former Head of the Polish President’s Administration Peter Kovnatski (see photo).Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:42:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/25568.htmlThe story with the Georgian teenagers arrested by the law-enforcement authorities of South Ossetia is growing in details. As the GeorgiaTimes correspondent was told by the disgraced Georgian businessman with the Ossetian origin Gocha Dzasokhov, who is now heading the World Assembly of Peoples of Georgia, he started negotiating the matter with the South-Ossetian authorities.Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:44:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/25443.htmlPresident of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili is making his best to use the political lull to soften the current situation. The day before, he ordered the minister of education and minister of health to familiarize themselves with the parliamentary opposition's initiatives. As to the non-parliamentary opposition, its radical wing is about to start a new turn of struggle.Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:13:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/25375.htmlThe recently started work of the committee for investigation of death of the first Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia has stuck. One of its representatives stated that the committee should be granted the status of an investigative agency; otherwise, he will step down from office. The status would enable to interrogate the two former State Security Ministers Igor Giorgadze and Shota Kviraya.Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:55:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/25295.htmlGeorgia is known for its tendency to make public scandals. Another scandal was broken out against the background of political lull. This time, it was an informational scandal. Former Head of Adzharia Aslan Abashidze accused the Ukrainian media of provocation: they have published an interview that was never taken.Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:09:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/25290.htmlGeorgians are an artistic and inventive nation. This is hard to deny. But now this creative potential is not really in great demand. Creativity goes to politics where competition is high. Sometimes Europe and the USA are literally shocked by the "creativity" of Georgian politicians. Recently the Labor Party called on the UN to investigate the activities of the country's leader Mikheil Nikolayevich. GeorgiaTimes correspondent was trying to understand how real it is.Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:08:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/25155.htmlGeorgia is appealing to the international community with a request to bring back its "children stolen by Russia". Naturally, their pleas do not say anything about the Georgian teenagers (see photo) strolling along the streets of Tskhinval weapon in hand. The Ossetian authorities have set up pre-trial restrictions in respect of the teenagers in the form of detention in custody. Is this a cruel step? Well, seems to be no crueler than using these boys for arms traffic and making fools of them with the help of nationalistic propaganda.Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24958.htmlPensions in Georgia are going to grow by another five laris. Gradually, the government is bringing to life its promise of enlarging the pension benefit up to 100 dollars. However, there is a problem: during the implementation of the poverty-fighting program, this level fell behind the cost of living again because of inflation. The Georgian opposition believes that the five-laris escalation is simply another "lot of opium" for the people.Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:01:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24925.htmlA year and a half ago, the post-Soviet territory countries started talking about the prospect of EU membership. The notion of "associated membership" sprung almost immediately; it was supposed to confirm the right of a state for a bright future as part of European Union. Six countries started seeking this status with joining the Eastern Partnership project. In the context of the project, Tbilisi is preparing a "personal" project of "associated agreement" with Brussels.Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:10:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24804.htmlThis Saturday the Georgian opposition is planning a protest action. Though everyone in Georgia is sure it's not the right time for street politics now. The demonstration is most probably a tribute to tradition. In reality the opposition has hurled all effort into the local election. But even here the situation is ridiculously familiar. Almost all opposition parties are going to nominate their candidates for the post of Tbilisi mayor. Meanwhile opposition figures keep discussing unification.Tue, 3 Nov 2009 14:32:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24768.htmlThe Georgian Court of Appeal upheld the verdict in respect of Javakh activist Vahagn Chakhalyan sentenced for 10 years of imprisonment. The case was thoroughly watched by observer of Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France. However, the breaches of human rights were never cured. By all means, Georgia decided to keep the Armenian behind the bars for the education of those who might venture to assert the rights of national minorities.Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:02:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24746.htmlGeorgian authorities are trying their best to prove they have nothing to do with the insulting Internet videos against the Catholicos Patriarch that resulted in initiation of a criminal case after massive protest rallies. The investigation revealed the authors of the videos - a school boy and a student. They will be in charge of the anti-church campaign in Georgia.Mon, 2 Nov 2009 16:51:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24546.htmlThe Georgian oppositional activists have been talking about the necessity of mending relationship with Russia for more than a year already. However, just like the ruling majority representatives, they prefer to pay visits across the waters. Leader of the oppositional Movement for Fair Georgia Zurab Nogaideli was the first one to venture to arrive to the Russian capital after the August events. He answered the questions of the GeorgiaTimes correspondent.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24529.htmlThere is just little time left before the 6th anniversary of the Rose Revolution celebrated on November 23 as the birthday of young democracy. However over this time the image of the “beacon of democracy” has considerably decayed. Well, let’s not digress for it turns out there is no national security concept in the country. Sounds somewhat paradoxical but it’s a fact.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:25:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24363.htmlThe first session of Georgia-EU Association Council was held after publication of Tagliavini’s report. After Mikheil Saakashvili’s attack on Tskhinval was recognized as a violation of international law the attitude to the aggressor country should have been changed. However officially Europe hasn’t condemned Georgia.Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:38:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24264.htmlKonstantin Gamsakhurdia, the Freedom party leader decided to return to parliament. Today the parliamentary bureau is considering restoration of his deputy mandate. Rumors are that two more oppositionists are ready to continue their work in the country’s supreme legislative body. So it’s United National Movement winning this round, isn’t it?Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:28:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24230.htmlThe Georgian parliamentarians are eager to dot all the “i”s in Georgia’s contemporary history and gain insight into the life of the first President Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Former President Eduard Shevardnadze agreed to answer the questions of the parliament commission. One of his sons Georgiy has already mentioned the presence of a “Russian trace” in his father’s death. The GeorgiaTimes correspondent got in touch with the initiator of commission establishment Jondi Bagaturia and the first president’s elder son Konstantin (see photo) to discuss the matter.Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:59:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24148.htmlGeorgia is again trying to find a “Russian trace”. Recently the Georgian media published a list of persons that allegedly financed the opposition during April-July rallies. Most of them live and work in Russia. GeorgiaTimes correspondent has tried to understand why the Georgian authorities are casting stones in the direction of Moscow while it is so politically calm at home.Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0400http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/24014.htmlGeorgia is boiling over the Liberty Institute videos with the voice of Catholicos-Patriarch calling the whole Georgian nation to insult Mikheil Saakashvili. It’s the NGO’s criticism of Ilia II’s position on the culprits in last year’s war in South Ossetia. Georgian believers rose to defend the Church and the opposition accused the authorities of campaigning against the Patriarch.Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:29:00 +0400http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/23964.htmlThe Georgian government puts up a new list of state facilities for sale. Although the dismissed administration of Ministry of Economic Development assured that the privatization target was exceeded this year, the president managed to accelerate the pace of selling. This was hardly done in due time, for the real estate prices in Georgia remain at a low level.Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:45:00 +0400http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/23862.htmlIn November, the Georgian opposition is going to resume the street protest actions demanding Saakashvili’s resignation. As the experts assert, the repetition of the April scenario when the opponents blocked central city streets for several month does not promise any good. The opposition prepared a pig in a poke, promising to disclose some audio materials on the death of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania.Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:40:00 +0400http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/23765.htmlWhen some states quarrel, people that commit offence in one of them take a chance to seek asylum in the other. Russia (plus Abkhazia and South Ossetia) and Georgia are in the middle of the diplomatic war. Rogues prowl in both directions falling into embrace of warring authorities who for the sake of propaganda are ready to abrogate their moral principles. New examples are the stories of Imedi ex producer Badri Afanasyev and Fatima Tskua, a run-away Abkhaz woman.Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:41:00 +0400http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/23612.htmlGeorgia has never been keen on lawmaking. Just like in the whole of the post-Soviet territory, it has been following the famous truth: whatever narrow the limits of the law might be, there is always a loophole. Either out of the strong desire to start living in a European way, or out of some new fashion political experts are contemplating upon the Patriotic Act following the Economic Freedom Act that was announced by the president.Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:55:00 +0400http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/23558.htmlThe Georgian opposition is calling for the help of the White House. This time, it is the Georgian Laborites who are reckoning upon Washington’s assistance. Not only do they demand bringing Saakashvili to justice but also making relevant American officials accountable for Rose Revolution. Meanwhile, one of the encouragers of the “young Georgian democrats” Senator John McCain is starting off for Tbilisi.Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:57:00 +0400http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/23474.htmlThe Georgian authorities cheered up the Georgian people prematurely: the economic crisis has been overcome. The US optimists and the sell-side analysts in Russia just as well announced the termination of recession. However, there is nothing to rejoice so far, for the real economy sectors are still in depression, while the date of settling the credits, by which means the state enterprises managed to come out of the crisis knock-out, is approaching.Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:38:00 +0400http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/23423.htmlGeorgian opposition is calling its supporters back onto the streets. Way of Georgia party leader Salome Zurabishvili announced the date of resumption of mass protest actions. Will the citizens tired of political cataclysms take part in the rallies? Which of the numerous opposition leaders will inspire the masses to continue the struggle?Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:20:00 +0400http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/analysis/23356.htmlGeorgia is considering possible consequences of restoration of Turkish-Armenian diplomatic ties. Bilateral protocols signed in Zurich gave Georgian experts new hopes of EU accession. The documents also anticipate the opening of Turkish-Armenian border which inevitably means economic losses for Georgia and degradation of its role in South Caucasus.Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:36:00 +0400