News in Brief
Monday, November 19
President: ordinary Georgians should not be concerned about phone tapping
President Mikheil Saakashvili called on law-abiding Georgians not to be concerned about phone-tapping on November 17.
“Many people are worried that their phone conversations may be made public… But no one should panic, I will be the first defender of human rights and the right to privacy,” Saakashvili declared.
“Ordinary people, who don’t violate the law, will encounter no problems,” he added.
He also reiterated the government’s claims that Russia is actively trying to stir chaos in Georgia, and said phone tapping was necessary for national security.
“If some one wants to destroy our homeland, or to commit a crime, they should not be upset by the fact that the state will protect itself,” Saakashvili said. (Black Sea Press)
Deputy Defense Minister meets with Austrian Defense Attache
Giorgi Muchaidze, deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, met with Col. Thomas Rapatz, Austrian Defense Attache to Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.
The pair discussed Georgia’s current defense reforms, as well as the country’s role in international peacekeeping operations.
They also agreed to begin bilateral cooperation on defense issues in the near future.
Col. Rapatz is based in Ukraine, but visits Georgia often to monitor developments in the Defense Ministry. (Prime News) First manual on management of cultural heritage published
The first manual on management of cultural heritage has been published in Georgia.
The Ministry of Culture, Monument Protection and Sport stated that the book contains sections on personnel management and tourism development. (Prime News) Writer Goderdzi Chokheli dies
Goderdzi Chokheli, a well-known Georgian writer and film director has died at age 53.
Chokheli was born in the village of Chokhi and graduated from Tbilisi State Theatre Institute in 1979, and went on to make a number of successful films.
He was also a successful writer, penning several novellas and collections of short stories.
Chokheli, who had been seriously ill for the past five years, died on November 16. (Prime News) Zourabichvili visits Europe
Salome Zourabichvili, leader of the Georgia’s Way opposition party and the opposition coalition’s nominee for prime minister, has left on a two-week visit of Europe.
She is due to visit France, the UK, Belgium and Germany, with the aim of informing foreign media of current developments in Georgia. (Prime News) Marjanishvili theater premier on November 20
Kote Marjanishvili State Drama Theater will host the premier of the play “Moon light, Honeymoon” on November 20.
The play is directed by Ramaz Zurabashvili and premier performances will be held on November 20 and 24. (Prime News) Deadline for 225 vacancies in police service extended
The Ministry of Justice has extended the deadline for 225 vacancies in the police service to November 22.
About 900 applications have been received so far.
The application procedure has two stages: an exam and an interview. All applicants must be between 21 to 65 years old and have higher education qualifications. (Prime News) Bulgarian PM meets opposition leaders
Bulgaria Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev met with opposition leaders at the Marriott hotel on November 16.
Opposition leaders did not say what was discussed.
Stanishev is due to visit Batumi Port, the Botanical Gardens and Old Batumi on his trip to Georgia, and will also hold talks with President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Prime News)
President Mikheil Saakashvili called on law-abiding Georgians not to be concerned about phone-tapping on November 17.
“Many people are worried that their phone conversations may be made public… But no one should panic, I will be the first defender of human rights and the right to privacy,” Saakashvili declared.
“Ordinary people, who don’t violate the law, will encounter no problems,” he added.
He also reiterated the government’s claims that Russia is actively trying to stir chaos in Georgia, and said phone tapping was necessary for national security.
“If some one wants to destroy our homeland, or to commit a crime, they should not be upset by the fact that the state will protect itself,” Saakashvili said. (Black Sea Press)
Deputy Defense Minister meets with Austrian Defense Attache
Giorgi Muchaidze, deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, met with Col. Thomas Rapatz, Austrian Defense Attache to Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.
The pair discussed Georgia’s current defense reforms, as well as the country’s role in international peacekeeping operations.
They also agreed to begin bilateral cooperation on defense issues in the near future.
Col. Rapatz is based in Ukraine, but visits Georgia often to monitor developments in the Defense Ministry. (Prime News) First manual on management of cultural heritage published
The first manual on management of cultural heritage has been published in Georgia.
The Ministry of Culture, Monument Protection and Sport stated that the book contains sections on personnel management and tourism development. (Prime News) Writer Goderdzi Chokheli dies
Goderdzi Chokheli, a well-known Georgian writer and film director has died at age 53.
Chokheli was born in the village of Chokhi and graduated from Tbilisi State Theatre Institute in 1979, and went on to make a number of successful films.
He was also a successful writer, penning several novellas and collections of short stories.
Chokheli, who had been seriously ill for the past five years, died on November 16. (Prime News) Zourabichvili visits Europe
Salome Zourabichvili, leader of the Georgia’s Way opposition party and the opposition coalition’s nominee for prime minister, has left on a two-week visit of Europe.
She is due to visit France, the UK, Belgium and Germany, with the aim of informing foreign media of current developments in Georgia. (Prime News) Marjanishvili theater premier on November 20
Kote Marjanishvili State Drama Theater will host the premier of the play “Moon light, Honeymoon” on November 20.
The play is directed by Ramaz Zurabashvili and premier performances will be held on November 20 and 24. (Prime News) Deadline for 225 vacancies in police service extended
The Ministry of Justice has extended the deadline for 225 vacancies in the police service to November 22.
About 900 applications have been received so far.
The application procedure has two stages: an exam and an interview. All applicants must be between 21 to 65 years old and have higher education qualifications. (Prime News) Bulgarian PM meets opposition leaders
Bulgaria Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev met with opposition leaders at the Marriott hotel on November 16.
Opposition leaders did not say what was discussed.
Stanishev is due to visit Batumi Port, the Botanical Gardens and Old Batumi on his trip to Georgia, and will also hold talks with President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Prime News)