The Messenger #148 (1415)

Monday, August 6, 2007, #148 (1415)

Press Scanner

Headline: Jondi Bagaturia demands an increase of pensions to GEL 118
Jondi Bagaturia, leader of Kartuli Dasi (Georgian Troupe), plans to protest for an increase in pensions, Akhali Taoba reports. He took thousands of signatures of support to City Hall last week. As no officials seemed to notice his efforts, he says it's better to take a more active approach in promoting the cause.

Bagaturia's demand for increasing pension to GEL 118 is supported, he says, by 31 125 signatures. After presenting the petition to City Hall, he promised that a parliamentary committee would review the document.

Observers believe that while a rise to GEL 118 is an ambitious goal, the government may soon increase pensions by GEL 10. Pensions are now around GEL 40 a month.

Headline: Bagapsh is sure of Abkhazia's independence
De facto president of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh spoke to Russian media last week, Akhali Taoba writes. He blamed Georgia for Abkhazia's continuing problems and mentioned the region's ambitions to join the EU and UN. He also expressed his irritation with foreign diplomats who visit Upper Abkhazia, warning them to stop travelling to Kodori Gorge.

Upper Kodori Gorge is the only Tbilisi-controlled area of the breakaway region, and a sore point for the de facto Abkhaz government.

Bagapsh claimed that the Abkhazian government-in-exile, despite being officially relocated to Kodori in July 2006, rarely operates there.

He reiterated that any talks with Tbilisi would have to be preceded by a withdrawal of Georgian forces from Kodori.

Saakashvili apparently has no plans to meet Bagapsh either.

Headline: 64 dead so far this year in Georgia's prisons
Opposition parties held a press conference August 3 at the Ortachala prison, Sakartvelos Respublika. They signed a memorandum on the problems in Georgia's prison system.

"The Georgian court and penitentiary system are in an alarming state. According to data from July 3, 18 138 persons are locked up in a system designed to accommodate 15 040. In 2006, 92 prisoners died while incarcerated. Since this January, 64 have died. Prisoners requiring medical attention receive none, and prison cells lack basic hygienic conditions," the statement read.

Opposition party leaders took turns addressing media.

"We have gathered here to remind our government of its duty to improve the situation and create decent conditions for all prisoners. Every person in government is responsible for solving this problem," said Salome Zurabichvili, leader of Georgia's Way.

"We demand the rights of prisoners be defended; for food, medicine and other essentials to be provided. We want our government to let the public know what it's going to do to improve the situation," Tina Khidasheli of the Republican Party declared.

Headline: Conservatives promise to help repressed citizens
A law to recognize people repressed under the presidency of former president Eduard Shevardnadze-passed in 2005 at the initiative of the Conservative Party-is due to come into effect, Sakartvelos Respublika reports.

The Conservative Party has promised juridical aid to people who were repressed during Shevardnadze's rule. Conservative Party leader Kakha Kukava announced that centers will be opened in Zugdidi and Tbilisi to serve those seeking legal advice.

Kukava claimed the number of people repressed under Shevardnadze's regime is between 5 000 and 7 000.

Giorgi Rekhviashvili was killed during a protest at Didube metro station in 1992. His mother, Jana Rekhviashvili, has been informed she will receive a GEL 50 monthly pension.

Commenting on Rekhviashvili's situation, Kukava said, "This shows the Georgian government has acknowledged the political repressions of Shevardnadze's draconian regime. In this case, it's not only about securing financial aid. Politically and morally the government's position is very important."