Wednesday, July 18, 2007, #135 (1402)

News in Brief:

Defense Ministry’s Third Brigade Completes Iraq Deployments
On July 16, the Defense Ministry finished deploying troops to a new base in Al-Qut, Iraq, said deputy Defense Minister Levan Nikoleishvili.
“The majority of forces have been deployed, and there are only a few units left to do so. The commander of the third brigade and other Defense Ministry representatives are now in Iraq,” he stated.
According to Nikoleishvili, troops from other countries are also being deployed to Al-Qut, where they will be under the command of the Georgian brigade.
This summer, the total number of Georgian troops in Iraq is increasing from 850 to 2000.
The 31st and 33rd battalions were previously deployed to Baakub and Baghdad, have been moved to Al-Qut.
Al-Qut is situated in the Iraqi “Red Zone.” Before Georgia’s arrival, Polish troops were deployed to the area.
(Black Sea Press)

Georgia Proposes Permanent UN Base in Kodori Gorge
Georgia has proposed that the UN establish a base in the village of Azhara in Tbilisi-controlled upper Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia, equipped with artillery, radar and unmanned aerial vehicles.
This request comes after a report by UNOMIG’s Joint Fact Finding group, which examines an attack in upper Kodori Gorge on the night of March 11.
(Black Sea Press)

US Welcomes UNOMIG Report on Kodori Gorge Rocket Attack
The US State Department issued a press release commending UNOMIG and Georgia in response to the recently released UNOMIG report on an attack on Tbilisi-controlled upper Kodori Gorge in March.
“We commend the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia for its efforts in investigating and reporting on the March 11 attack on a Georgian administration building and nearby villages in the upper Kodori valley in the Abkhazia region,” the July 16 press statement reads.
The US State Department condemned the attack on Georgian territory. The US also commended the Georgian government for “continuing restraint” during the attack, as well as for its cooperation with UNOMIG during the investigation.
The US also recommends that the opposing sides “move forward as soon as possible with the recommendations made by the UN Group of Friends of Georgia for confidence and security-building measures, including the resumption of direct dialogue at the highest levels.” 
“We hope those measures will lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflict within Georgia’s internationally-recognized borders, respecting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement concludes.
(Prime News)

Sport Academy Students and Professors Plan Hunger Strike
Students and professors of the Sport Academy are planning to go on a hunger strike in protest of the academy’s planned closing.
Participants plan to gather signatures to present to the State Chancellery. They also plan to meet with Gigi Tevzadze, Rector of Ilia Chavchavadze University, to discuss the closing.
The strike is in response to a recent decision to merge the Academy with Ilia Chavchavadze University.
The academy’s community also plans to hold rallies for several days.
(Prime News)

Georgian Labor Party Pledges to Find New Jobs for Prostitutes
The Labor Party of Georgia, if they come to power, will find new jobs for prostitutes unhappy with their profession announced the party’s secretary general Soso Shatberashvili.
“Neither Stalin nor Beria nor great emperors managed to entirely eradicate prostitution, and we know we aren’t capable of doing it either. Those wishing to engage in prostitution of their own will, let them do it, and those who are forced to earn their living this way and hate it—we will help them find other jobs,” Shatberashvili declared.
For prostitutes who prefer to continue in their line of work, the Labor Party promised to provide free and regular medical exams within the state health program.
The opposition political party also called for Georgians to not judge sexual minorities too severely, while simultaneously urging sexual minorities to go to church more often.
(Prime News)

Shevardnadze Would-Be Assassins May be Paroled
Four men convicted in a 1998 attack on ex-president Eduard Shevardnadze are being considered for parole.
The state parole board held a meeting with the parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Civil Integration yesterday.
The commission was to discuss the cases of Zurab Ejibaia, Geronti Kobalia, Bondo Todua and Sasha Zakaraia.
The four convicts are serving their sentences in Ortachala prison. Two of the ex-president’s bodyguards, Davit Kokauri and Kakha Shevardenidze, were killed in the February 9, 1998 attack on Shevardnadze’s convoy. One of the attackers was also killed.
The parole board is reviewing 184 cases, including that of a juvenile. All cases will be sent to President Saakashvili for approval.
(Prime News)



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