The messenger logo

The News in Brief

Monday, December 27
First forum of Abkhaz and Georgian peoples opens in Batumi

The first forum of Abkhaz and Georgian peoples opened in the Black Sea resort of Batumi on Sunday. The event was brokered by the Abkhaz nationals living in Batumi. Families who have arrived from Georgia`s occupied region of Abkhazia, the exiled Abkhaz intelligentsia and professors of Sukhumi University. 500 people in total participated in the forum.

Organizers of the event said the forum is supposed to play the role of mediator between the Georgians and the Abkhazians.

Participants of the forum also talked about the difficult conditions they must deal with while living in the occupied territory.
(Rustavi 2)



Russian occupants detain Chinese businesspersons

Russian occupants have detained four Chinese businesspersons close to the so-called border of Georgia's occupied region of Abkhazia, urging them to pay a ransom for their release. A Georgian translator was also accompanying the Chinese businesspersons during the incident.

The captured persons have a wooden furniture business and are importing the production to China. Before being been abducted, they were in the village of Muzhava, where they intended to construct a new factory.

The detainees are being held at the police department in the town of Gali now. The aggressors accuse them of illegally crossing the so-called border and demand a certain amount of money from them in return for their release.

Only the driver of the vehicle, the businesspersons were traveling with was able to escape from the occupants forces.
(Rustavi 2)



Free Democrats Disapprove 2011State Budget

An opposition party “Our Georgia - Free Democrats has disapproved the 2011 state budget.

According to the statement of party members, made at a briefing on December 24th, their position is result of the government’s unprofessional fiscal policy for the country’s economic sector has reached a deadlock, the number of unemployed persons has increased and the flow of investments has declined.

The party also considers that the permanent growth in prices of foodstuffs have made people’s living conditions harder and unbearable.
(Prime-News)



Georgia And Central African Republic Established Diplomatic Relations

Georgia and the Central African Republic have signed a protocol for the establishment of diplomatic relations.

According to the signed protocol, in their mutual relations the sides will be guided by principles of sovereign equality, friendly relations, territorial integrity and non-violability of state borders.

From the Central African Republic, the document was signed by Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic to UN, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Fernand Poukre-Kono and from Georgia - by Permanent Representative of Georgia to the UN, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Alexander Lomaia.

The signing ceremony was held at Georgia's Permanent Representation to the UN in New York. In compliance with the international practice, the sides informed the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the establishment of diplomatic relations.
(Prime-News)



Health condition of teenager injured in explosion remains uncertain

The health conditions of a 13-year old who was injured in explosion on December 25, remains unclear. He underwent medical surgery in the Iashvili clinic on Saturday night. The teenager has lost an eye and a hand.

Doctors say, they are will have to perform several more surgeries on the teenager. As reported, the Iashvili clinic and the healthcare ministry pledge to cover all costs for the surgeries.

The other teenager, who was also injured in the incident is in the Zhvania clinic and is relatively better health condition now.

The teenagers found an explosive device at a cemetery on Saturday (December 25) and tried to defuse it in the yard, when it suddenly exploded.
(Rustavi 2)



New Year Gifts Presented To Schoolchildren Of Chiatura Boarding-School

The director of the National Center for Teacher Professional Development Gia Mamulashvili and center representatives visited the ¹12 Chiatura boarding-school.

Gia Mamulashvili wished the schoolchildren and the teachers a happy New Year and presented the school with a computer and the schoolchildren with sweets and gifts.

According to Gia Mamulashvili, the National Center will continue holding charity campaigns in future and will pay particular attention to the Chiatura school. At present 31 children with limited abilities study there.

The charity event was held with support from the company “Alta” and the shop “Babilina”.
(Prime-News)