http://georgiatimes.info/GeorgiaTimes.infohttp://www.georgiatimes.info/pix/logo100en.gifhttp://georgiatimes.info/?lang=enhttp://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25952.htmlYesterday it was reported that eight political prisoners belonging to Georgian opposition were released. The leader of the «Alliance for Georgia» Irakly Alasania thinks that it is not due to the good will of the Georgian authorities but to the insistence of American politicians. At the same time human rights organizations demand the liberation of all political prisoners and threaten with more protest actions.Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:25:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25918.htmlWho is going to be the first to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Byelorussia or Peru? The delegation from Minsk has studied the situation in Tbilisi, Sukhum and Tskhinval to submit its conclusions to the parliament. At the same time, it became known that the opposition of Peru put forward a proposal to recognize the independence of the two Caucasian republics following the example of Nicaragua and Venezuela.Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:40:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25841.htmlWhile the Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili has left for Kiev to provide personal support to Viktor Jushchenko whose electorate loyalty level has faltered, his compatriot, the Georgian «thief-in-law» Paata Tchkhartishvili a.k.a. Prince has arrived in Ukraine to establish criminal contacts and redistribute the influence in the area of illegal hard drug circulation.Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:30:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25776.htmlThe Patriot’s Act, which has long been the subject of passionate discussions of the Georgian politicians will, perhaps, be legalized despite the protest expressed by radical opposition in October when the topic of “legalizing patriotism” was touched upon. By the way, the document “concerning patriotism” was initiated in the parliament by another oppositionist from the parliamentary minority. Our correspondent has found out what Tbilisi thinks about passing such a “patriotic” document.Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:31:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25759.htmlThe message sent by the Abkhaz Church to the Georgian and Russian “sisters” was ignored. The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) did not alter its position in respect of the territory of the Georgian patriarchy, while the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) is contemplating upon an answer to such “nonsense”. Did the Abkhaz priests appeal for help in “restoring the canonical status of the Church in Abkhazia” in vain?Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:47:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25739.htmlThough Georgian opposition leaders regularly speak of a need to restore contacts with Moscow, their main hopes are still linked with Washington. There is hardly a single person who would not have visited the Department of State for consultations. In spite of a quiet political autumn, the oppositionists are attacking their American friends with appeals to influence Saakashvili who has lost the image of a democrat. Will they hear the voice of Georgian politicians on the banks of the Potomak?Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:31:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25661.htmlOn 18-20 November the Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili will make an official visit to Ukraine. The Georgian Stationery Office preferred not to make comments on the details of this visit, but the Ukrainian mass media turned out to be more informed on the program prepared for the dear Georgian guest.Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:27:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25639.htmlEvery day brings another scandal in Georgia. This time, it is the spinning-up story with the arrest of Tsotne, the son of the first Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Following her son, his mother went on hunger strike, as well as their 60 supporters. GeorgiaTimes correspondent tried to find out the details of the whole affair from the first president’s wife Manana Archvadze-Gamsakhurdia and from the Georgian politicians and human rights defenders.Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:12:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25552.htmlGeorgia is in the middle of a pre-election scandal. It’s not the parliamentary or presidential elections the opposition keeps pressing for. The storm is there for the municipal election that as politicians and experts believe will be epoch-making implying a revolution from the inside. But even here the opposition and authorities can’t reach consensus.Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:48:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25527.htmlThe NATO Parliamentary Assembly's 55th Session is taking place in Edinburgh bringing together some 340 parliamentarians from 28 member states of the North Atlantic Alliance. The session is organized as meetings of 5 specific committees that plan to discuss such issues as partnership with Russia, reinforcement of global nuclear non-proliferation in view of Teheran’s nuclear ambitions, developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Georgia’s and Ukraine’s chances to join NATO.Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:41:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25471.htmlMelpomene patronizes Georgia. It is enough to remember a galaxy of talented actors and film directors. But theatre has a soft corner in Georgian politicians' hearts, too. PR resources are the favourite weapon of the head of state and his opponents. So there is no danger of boredom for Georgians. The Maestro opposition channel is strengthening its positions. It has been headed by the ex Georgian ambassador in Russia Erosi Kitsmarishvili. The political show must go on.Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:43:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25470.htmlThe Geneva discussion participants will go on hanging about until the USA, the European Union and the NATO reconsiders their erroneous position consisting in the statement that nothing happened in August'2008... Until Tbilisi stops concealing itself under the cover of a victim, encouraged by its protectors.Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:42:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25402.htmlAmerican business magazine Forbes has published the list of the most influential people of the world. Leaders of the two currently "reloading" states, Russia and the USA that used to be severe rivals in the past have got into the first trio: Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin occupies the third place, while the president of the USA is the leader of the rating. They are separated by President of P.R.C. Hu Jintao; he represents the country with the most dynamic economic development which is soon going to compete with the dollar.Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25369.htmlAgreeing to differ - this is a not pleasing result of the eighth round of Geneva talks. After they were over the UN, EU and OSCE mediators stated the discussions were going the right way and the situation in the region had stabilized. Russia and South Ossetia contradicted saying Georgia was preparing a new aggression. Tbilisi retaliated accusing Moscow of no progress in negotiations. So only UN, EU and OSCE monitors seem to be satisfied with the debates.Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:09:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25320.htmlA story with the fight, or rather, the U.S. marines beating the two Georgian youths, which has been much talked about in the media, has got an unexpected continuation.Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:35:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25244.htmlMikheil Saakashvili took the teenager scandal to the international level. What's there to be done if the president wasn't able to take care of his poor young people and schoolchildren have to commit crimes in South Ossetia? At least he should appear interested. But why rage against Russia that is restoring order in Georgia's ex autonomy and the EU for "over-reserved" intercession?Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:59:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25225.htmlAs we have recently reported, notorious journalist Oleg Panphilov was recommended for the post of the OSCE Georgian Representative for the Matters of Freedom of Media. Mikhail Saakashvili granted him with the Georgian citizenship and a professor's rate at Tbilisian University for his "correct" coverage of the August war events.Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:04:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25216.htmlRecently a three-day session of the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly started in Georgia. At the beginning of November Kiev and Kishinev announced rehabilitation of this inert organization with Georgia backing the initiative. Azerbaijan didn't say no to participation. The countries advertised new joint projects, though the return to the idea of GUAM is driven by private interests.Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:49:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25205.htmlThe format of the new Georgian TV Channel meant to broadcast for the Russian-speaking people in the Caucasus including Northern Caucasus has not yet been confirmed. Still, the future "chiefs" of the "First Caucasian Channel" have already started a self-promoting campaign. Their names, however, speak for themselves: Oleg Panphilov, Alla Dudaeva, Zurab Dvali...Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:40:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25138.htmlPatriarchs of the Russian and Georgian Orthodox Churches have met in Baku, where they had been invited on occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Head of Islamic Administration of the Caucasus Allakhshukur Pasha-zade and his 30 years of occupying the post. However, it is not only the religious who are interested in the dialogue of Cyrill and Ilia the Second. Since recently, many people in Georgia and in Russia have been watching with hope or suspicion the way the Churches of the two countries are mending relationship suspended by the last year war.Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:53:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25125.htmlFor the US mafia's business gambling has always been on top of the list. However the US law makers - the Congress and the Senate - that serve as a specimen for "building democracy" around the globe decided to protect the middle class and marginal population from the temptation to stretch luck by placing all casinos and other gambling establishments in a desert with the mafia setting up its most glorious and most vicious flower named Las Vegas.Mon, 9 Nov 2009 15:21:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25079.htmlThe word "Moscow" means much not only to the Russian heart but to the Georgian politicians as well. Despite the breach between the two countries, all the roads still lead to the Third Rome. Some are convinced that the keys to Abkhazia and South Ossetia are kept in the Kremlin; others are calling to forget about the "evil neighbor" at all. Anyway, today, any reference to Moscow brings a storm of emotions in Georgia. Sometimes it is nothing but a storm in a teacup, like, for example, in case with the information about Burjanadze's pending visit to the Russian capital.Mon, 9 Nov 2009 09:49:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/25010.htmlByelorussia raised the issue of Abkhazia and South Ossetia once again. As was promised by President Alexander Lukashenko, the two new states' appeal for recognition is submitted for consideration of the autumn session. However, as it turned out, this does not mean that Minsk is going to assert its position by the end of the year.Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:43:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/24945.htmlLieutenant-General Alexander Shlyakhturov, Chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation told ITAR-TASS that in view of unpredictable policies of the Georgian leadership repetition of August 2008 events when Georgia launched hostilities against South Ossetia and Abkhazia is likely.Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:11:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/24839.htmlMaestro TV Channel with its Cell No. 5 live talk-show, which used to encourage the opposition in spring, is going to start a new project. The People's Court program initiated by leader of the Tetrebi (The White) movement Termur Shashiashvili is going to be launched this month. Will the accusations he has prepared mobilize the people to new protest actions?Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:25:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/24811.htmlGeorgia's new ombudsman Georgiy Tugushi is following the example of his predecessor Sozar Subari who was liberal of criticism of the authorities and turned to the opposition after he left office. The official Tbilisi did not conceal its hopes that Tugushi would not support the opposition so openly. However, judging by the ombudsman's first report, the authorities are going to face another struggle.Tue, 3 Nov 2009 15:12:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/24766.htmlDispersion of the demonstration on November 7 2007 in Tbilisi is not forgotten. The opposition plans to celebrate the date with new protest rallies. For the anniversary the aggrieved Imedi journalists are going to sue the authorities through the European Court of Human Rights. However their colleagues might very well go there too since Imedi is subject to complete transformation so that even the name couldn't remind of the way Saakashvili treated his people two years ago.Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/24743.htmlHalloween was celebrated recently. This holiday, which is alien to the Orthodox tradition, is now making its way in Georgia. The Orthodox community and Patriarchy severely criticize such novelty. What does this holiday mean and why does it have its supporters in today's Georgia?Mon, 2 Nov 2009 16:41:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/24636.htmlGeorgia will speak Russian. What other language is good for dealing with Caucasians? Surely it’s not English. From January 1 2010 the First Caucasian Channel will start operating in Tbilisi to cover the territory of Caucasus. There is a version the authorities are going to bolster anti-Russian forces in North Caucasus. GeorgiaTimes correspondent was trying to find out if the Russian-speaking channel is a new tool of the Georgian authorities in the PR war with Russia.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:35:00 +0300http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/24632.htmlThe first interview of the U.S. new Ambassador to Georgia John Bass turned out to be rather straightforward and not at all in favor of the ruling elite. In his interview to Rustavi-2 TV channel, he promised to continue the policy of non-recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; still, he also gave a bitter pill to swallow by saying that U.S. have got no plans to locate an anti-ballistic missile system in Georgia. On the same day, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Alexander Vershbow hinted at Washington having very small desire to see Georgia and Ukraine in the ranks of the North-Atlantic Alliance.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:17:00 +0300