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Compiled by Messenger Staff
Tuesday, September 14
Hague Criminal Court to discuss Georgia vs. Russia

The International Criminal Court in The Hague will start hearing the lawsuit Georgia vs. Russia, which was filed on August 12, 2008, 24 Hours reports. Deputy Minister of Justice Tina Burjaliani and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nino Kalandadze have already left for the Hague.

In the case, Georgia alleges that Russia conducted, encouraged and supported the racial discrimination against ethnic Georgians facilitating their deportation from Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

As Burjaliani told the journalists, the lawsuit is supported with all of the necessary evidence, which confirms that Russia should be held accountable for ethnic cleansing in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.

According to her, Georgia demands that Russia stops ethnic cleansing and discrimination in the occupied territories, as well as allowing IDPs to return to their homes.

The court will hear the arguments of the Russian side only tomorrow, the complainant party will also present its allegations.

Georgia took a lawsuit against Russia in Hague court after Russian aggression in August 2008.



Zurab Abashidze: Our society has Black and white view

Political analyst Zurab Abashidze in his interview to Kviris Palitra states that there is a lack of objective analysis in Georgia. “I think that in our society as well as among experts, there is a tendency to view current events in black and white. One part says that everything is all right and we are the second country in the world, and the second part claims that genocide of Georgian people is being carried out. Between those two positions there is a huge gap. Authorities have more resources and opportunities to present their positions, while the opposition is limited in that respect. The fact is that radicalism is one of the features of Georgian society, it is hard for us to see an objective picture. Something is either black or white, good or bad,” Abashidze said.

“Whatever the authorities do, they will always be an object of criticism and any kind of critical voices are unacceptable and unpleasant for the authorities. However, we should not be pessimistic and must admit that many things have changed for the better. During the last 20 years our society has realized many important things,” Abashidze concluded.



Kobalia off to the USA

The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Vera Kobalia, has left for the USA, 24 Hours writes.

The Minister's mission will be to try and interest investors in Georgia.

A USA – Georgia Business Forum will open in San-Francisco today. The main target of the Forum is to strengthen business relationships between Georgia and USA, the Minister said.

New-York is the next city Vera Kobalia is due to visit where she will meet an investor who is going to invest funds in the development of tourism in Georgia, the identity of whom is still unclear.