Tuesday, August 7, 2007, #149 (1416)

Press Scanner

Headline: South Ossetia in exchange for Engurhesi hydroelectric power station?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies suggestions that Georgia has a lobbying arangement with Russia on South Ossetia, writes Sakartvelos Respublika.

Various news sources reported that Russia held negotiations with Georgia over the South Ossetian issue. It was alleged that Georgia offered to sell the Engurhesi power station to Russia in exchange for Moscow ceasing its involvement in South Ossetia.

"This kind of information is a product of fantasy. Unfortunately, some journalists and 'experts' create their own versions of events that do not correspond to reality," read the Foreign Affairs Ministry's statement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the dangers of speculation over such sensitive issues as the breakaway region of South Ossetia, pointing out that discussion of conflict issues requires a certain amount of responsibility from media agencies.

Headline: Greens demand a ban on swimming in the Black Sea
Leader of Georgia's Green Party Giorgi Gachechiladze said the Georgian government has a duty to ban swimming in the Black Sea, according to Akhali Taoba.

Gachechiladze warned of the health risk presented by the sewer systems of Kobuleti, Guria, Poti and Batumi, which dispose of waste into the Black Sea.

He criticized deputy Health Minister Davit Meskhishvili for saying at the beginning of the holiday season that "the Black Sea is clean."

"In any country, to lie to the public like that would be punishable according to criminal law, but that does not apply in Georgia," said the Green Party leader.

Meskhishvili insists that bathing in the Black Sea is absolutely safe. Tests were conducted at the beginning of the season, he said.

"The examination of the water proved that it's clean and won't create any problems for people,"
Meskhishvili said.

He also said that tests are carried out regularly throughout the whole season to ensure the water remains safe.

Headline: Abkhaz journalists demand the de facto government stop chasing media
A group of journalists in the breakaway region of Abkhazia addressed the de facto authorities there to demand they stop harassing the media, reports Akhali Taoba.

The briefing was given after a round table meeting held by the journalists union in Sokhumi.

"Unfortunately, press freedom has been threatened by those whose very duty it is to defend this constitutional norm," the statement read.

"The government never likes critics but today this unsatisfactory mood towards journalists is obvious," it was declared.

The journalists said they had to decide between openly expressing their opinions on the situation, or continuing as if there were no problems.

"We are sure that the Abkhaz people would prefer the first option, as to express one's opinion is clearly one of the most important rights we achieved after the ten-year war for independence," the statement concluded.

Headline: Sulkhan Molashvili confronts the Ministry of Justice
Former Chamber of Control head Sulkhan Molashvili is bringing suit against Justice Ministry officials for violating his rights as a prisoner, Akhali Taoba reports.

The former auditing agency head, who was convicted for embezzlement and abuse of power, alleges that the government has violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in its policy on family visits for prisoners.

"According to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and European law, prisoners must be given opportunities to have contact with the outside world. The Ministry of Justice stubbornly refuses to address this issue by European standards," read Molashvili's press statement.

Molashvili demanded reform to laws limiting visits by family to prisoners, saying he will take the issue to Strasbourg.


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