The Messenger #156 (1423)

Thursday, August 16, 2007, #156 (1423)

News in Brief

Kosovo discussed in Moscow-Washington-Tbilisi media videoconference
Analysts and politicians were invited for a video-linked roundtable between Tbilisi, Moscow and Washington, held in the Tbilisi offices of the RIA Novosti news agency. The discussion centered on whether recognizing Kosovo's independence set a legal precedent.

Dr. Edward Joseph of Johns Hopkins University argued that recognizing Kosovo's independence would resolve the problems surrounding the disputed region. Russian MPs Vladimir Ryzhkov and Natalya Narochnitskaya took a different line, speaking of the broader threats that would arise from recognition of sovereignty.

Georgia was represented by head of the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee Kote Gabashvili and political analysts Giorgi Khutsishvili and Ramaz Sakhvarelidze.

In comparing the Kosovo case with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Gabashvili pointed out that it is internationally acknowledged that genocide was committed by the Serbs against the Kosovo population, whereas in Abkhazia ethnic cleansing was carried out by Abkhaz towards ethnic Georgians.

The conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia left behind more than 300 000 internal refugees in Georgia.

All sides participating in the videoconference acknowledged the importance of dialogue in the issue.

"We should talk and not bomb," Gabashvili said.
(Messenger staff report)

Teen faces seven years' sentence for stealing scrap metal
Gocha Djokhadze, 16, may be sentenced to seven years in prison for stealing scrap metal.

The NGO Center for Human Rights told news agencies that the Prosecutor's Office is also demanding a two month pre-trial detention for Djokhadze.

The parents of the accused told the Center for Human Rights that Djokhadze took several sheets of brass, worth a total of about GEL 24, from an abandoned house six months ago, but that the owner had been reimbursed.

The police have not commented.
(Prime News)

IDPs evicted from Hotel Kakheti in Telavi
The Interior Ministry evicted refugees from Hotel Kakheti in Telavi on Wednesday evening.

The NGO Center for Human Rights said that ambulances tended to injured residents at the hotel.

The police removed refugees' possessions from the building. About 300 people were left homeless as a result, and said they would demonstrate outside the local administration building for Kakheti province. They claimed they had not been compensated for their losses.
(Prime News)

15 illegal Georgian migrants arrested in Crimea
Police in Simferopol arrested 15 illegal immigrants from Georgia, the press office of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine announced on August 14.

The Georgian citizens were apparently working on the construction of a trade complex and a bar in the center of Simferopol. They could not produce official work or residence permits, and will be deported.
(Black Sea Press)

English Lord takes prize in London-Tbilisi motor rally
English Lord Patrick James Gilford claimed first prize in a London-Tbilisi motor rally, reports Imedi TV.

Georgian wine producer Bagrationi 1882 JSC organized the rally. The company head, Levan Vasadze, presented Gilford with the award.
(Black Sea Press)

Repair work begins on Kekhvi-Tamarasheni water pipeline
On August 15 Georgian technicians began repairs in the Kekhvi-Tamarasheni water pipeline in the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone. OSCE observers are to work with the Georgian repair team, reports Rustavi 2.

Water supplies to Tskhinvali have been disrupted recently and de facto South Ossetian authorities put this down to leakages in the pipeline.

Yesterday, pipeline sections situated in Georgian-controlled villages were to be inspected.
(Black Sea Press)

Orthodox Church commemorates the nine brothers Kherkheulidze
On August 16 the Orthodox Church of Georgia will commemorate the nine brothers Kherkheulidze along with their mother and sister, as well as 9 000 Georgians who died at the Marabda battle in 1625.

The Civil Registry Agency stated there are 127 people with the surname Kherkheulidze, aged 16 and over, currently living in Georgia.