The News in Brief
Wednesday, July 7
US Ambassador invites foreign diplomats to Embassy
In conjunction with the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Georgia US Ambassador John Bass invited members of the diplomatic corps to the US Embassy on June 5.
"The United States has been a friend and a partner of Georgia throughout its independence. But it is especially significant that when the challenges arising from the invasion and occupation occurred, the Embassy here was extraordinary stalwart. I know some of you stayed and worked and really made major contributions to getting a ceasefire drawn up and trying to stabilise a very difficult and dangerous situation.
"The United States believes in a very strong partnership, not only with the Georgian Government but with civil society and the Georgian people. And your work is absolutely essential to that. I mean, we can talk about how much we care about what you do when sitting in Washington, but you do it every single day. And even during the days of the conflict, you were working. And it was just amazing, the stories of people refusing to give up, and who kept going under extraordinarily challenging circumstances," the Ambassador said in his speech to diplomats. (Rustavi 2)
Interim ID cards for residents of occupied regions
The Georgian Government will give the residents of occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali the right to take Neutral Status ID cards, which will help them travel abroad and gain foreign visas as citizens of Georgia.
"We are going to legalise interim ID documents, which will allow our compatriots residing in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region to have a Georgian ID document along with Russian and Abkhazian passports, which will allow them to get visas and travel abroad without problems," Vice Speaker Mikheil Machavariani said, adding that this proposal would be submitted to Parliament for discussion in September. (Rustavi 2)
NGO reports details of convict`s rights violation
The Chair of NGO Solidarity with Illegal Prisoners has reported the details of a violation of the rights of convict Merab Tsiklauri.
Eka Beselia told journalists yesterday that Tsiklauri was a disabled prisoner who could not move independently and was being held in the Gldani Prison Hospital. She asserted that the prisoner was beaten up by the Deputy Director of the prison and its Governor.
Eka Beselia has called upon the prosecutor to investigate this case and punish the people who beat up the convict. The case of Merab Tsiklauri will soon be sent to the European Court of Human Rights. (Rustavi 2)
Refugees from Abkhazia evicted from Hotel Rustavi
Refugees from Abkhazia are being evicted from the Hotel Rustavi located in that city.
The eviction began yesterday morning, however 25 families are categorically refusing to leave the area.
The process is being observed by police. Staff of the Kvemo Kartli, Kakheti and Mtskheta-Mtianeti departments of the Ministries of IDPs and Refugees and Accommodation are at the scene. (Interpressnews)
International conference on the development of mountain resort centres opens
An international conference on the development of mountain resort centres was opened by Minister of Economy Vera Kobalia at the Sheraton Metekhi Palace hotel on July 6.
Prime News was informed by the Ministry that the conference was initiated and organised by the Department of Tourism and Resorts.
The aim of the conference is to share Innsbruck, Austria’s experience in the spheres of marketing, planning and management of mountain tourist resorts. (Prime News)
In conjunction with the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Georgia US Ambassador John Bass invited members of the diplomatic corps to the US Embassy on June 5.
"The United States has been a friend and a partner of Georgia throughout its independence. But it is especially significant that when the challenges arising from the invasion and occupation occurred, the Embassy here was extraordinary stalwart. I know some of you stayed and worked and really made major contributions to getting a ceasefire drawn up and trying to stabilise a very difficult and dangerous situation.
"The United States believes in a very strong partnership, not only with the Georgian Government but with civil society and the Georgian people. And your work is absolutely essential to that. I mean, we can talk about how much we care about what you do when sitting in Washington, but you do it every single day. And even during the days of the conflict, you were working. And it was just amazing, the stories of people refusing to give up, and who kept going under extraordinarily challenging circumstances," the Ambassador said in his speech to diplomats. (Rustavi 2)
Interim ID cards for residents of occupied regions
The Georgian Government will give the residents of occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali the right to take Neutral Status ID cards, which will help them travel abroad and gain foreign visas as citizens of Georgia.
"We are going to legalise interim ID documents, which will allow our compatriots residing in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region to have a Georgian ID document along with Russian and Abkhazian passports, which will allow them to get visas and travel abroad without problems," Vice Speaker Mikheil Machavariani said, adding that this proposal would be submitted to Parliament for discussion in September. (Rustavi 2)
NGO reports details of convict`s rights violation
The Chair of NGO Solidarity with Illegal Prisoners has reported the details of a violation of the rights of convict Merab Tsiklauri.
Eka Beselia told journalists yesterday that Tsiklauri was a disabled prisoner who could not move independently and was being held in the Gldani Prison Hospital. She asserted that the prisoner was beaten up by the Deputy Director of the prison and its Governor.
Eka Beselia has called upon the prosecutor to investigate this case and punish the people who beat up the convict. The case of Merab Tsiklauri will soon be sent to the European Court of Human Rights. (Rustavi 2)
Refugees from Abkhazia evicted from Hotel Rustavi
Refugees from Abkhazia are being evicted from the Hotel Rustavi located in that city.
The eviction began yesterday morning, however 25 families are categorically refusing to leave the area.
The process is being observed by police. Staff of the Kvemo Kartli, Kakheti and Mtskheta-Mtianeti departments of the Ministries of IDPs and Refugees and Accommodation are at the scene. (Interpressnews)
International conference on the development of mountain resort centres opens
An international conference on the development of mountain resort centres was opened by Minister of Economy Vera Kobalia at the Sheraton Metekhi Palace hotel on July 6.
Prime News was informed by the Ministry that the conference was initiated and organised by the Department of Tourism and Resorts.
The aim of the conference is to share Innsbruck, Austria’s experience in the spheres of marketing, planning and management of mountain tourist resorts. (Prime News)