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Compiled by Messenger Staff
Monday, February 21
Georgian ancient monuments in bad conditions

The condition of Georgian historic monuments in Tao-Klarjeti (now in Turkey), a historic south-western Georgian principality, is catastrophic and needs immediate care’, said Giorgi Gagoshidze, head of the monitoring service of the national agency for cultural heritage, 24 Hours reports.

A 28-member delegation returned from Tao-Klarjeti last week.

According to Gagoshidze, what he saw in Tao-klarjety was a tragedy, and rehabilitation is to be started immediately.

The delegation, made up of experts, architects, journalists, restorers, and historians, have been studying the state of the Georgian monuments in Tao-Klarjeti since 17 February.

The delegation will again leave for Tao-Klarjeti in the spring in order to study the state of monasteries which could not be monitored at this stage.

Some experts say an inter-state treaty should be signed between Georgia and Turkey which will allow the Georgian side to preserve its heritage on the Turkish territories.



Main Thing is to Make Saakashvili Step down - Nino Burjanadze

‘The main priority is to make Saakashvili step down and hold democratic elections’, Nino Burjanadze, leader of the Democratic Movement, said in her interview with Ukrainian outlet Corespondent.net during her visit to Ukraine, 24 Hours reports.

The statement was made by Nino Burjanadze after the journalist asked her when she would become president.

‘It will be decided by the Georgian people after a revolution and fair elections’, Burjanadze noted.

In the interview, Burjanadze touched upon Obama’s address to the authoritarian leaders, saying the address was important for Georgia too.

‘We need help not only in terms of the economy, but also in democracy. Obama’s statement means the US is not going to close its eyes to undemocratic developments in the country notwithstanding the strategic partnership’, Burjanadze said.