Wednesday, October 24, 2007, #203 (1470)

News in Brief:

Gela Bezhuashvili pays official visit to Israel
Gela Bezhuashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is on an official visit to Israel from October 22–24.
He met with Speaker of the Knesset Dalia Itzik to discuss relations between Israel and Georgia, as well regional security and the process of Georgia’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.
Bezhuashvili also met with the chair of the Israel-Georgia Friendship Association, Avraham Michaeli, and briefed the Israeli parliament on the democratic and economic advances being made in Georgia.
Later in the day a meeting was held with opposition leader Benyamin Netanyahu.
(Black Sea Press)

Georgian killed in Turkey
A Georgian citizen died in a bar when its owner opened fire on customers, according to Imedi TV.
The woman, named as Irma Chanchaleishvili, 36, was in the Olimpi Hotel bar in Antalya when its owner apparently opened fire.
A representative from the Georgian foreign office said the embassy in Turkey would provide support to the victim’s family in retrieving the body.
(Black Sea Press)

Sozar Subari visits youths detained in rally 
Human Rights Ombudsman Sozar Subari will visit four youths who were detained during a protest rally organized on October 16.
The police detained five members of a new organization, Youth Against Violence, for obstructing traffic on Rustaveli Avenue.
One was released later the same day and the remaining four were sentenced to 20 days imprisonment.
(Prime News)

Nino Burjanadze leaves for Turkey
Nino Burjanadze, Speaker of Parliament, is due to leave today on a three-day working visit to Turkey.
The parliament’s press department announced that Burjanadze will deliver a speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) summit in Ankara. She is the current chair of the Parliamentary Assembly.
She is also scheduled to meet with top Turkish officials on the visit.
(Prime News)

Kukava calls on government to hold parliamentary elections in April 
Kakha Kukava, of the Democratic Front parliamentary faction, appealed to the government to hold earlier parliamentary elections and to begin a dialogue with the opposition.
Kakha Kukava told MPs at yesterday’s parliamentary session that holding parliamentary elections next spring, not in late 2008—as currently planned after constitutional amendments last year extended parliamentarians’ terms by six months to coincide with presidential elections—would defuse the current political crisis.
“People elected us for a four-year term and the elections ought to be held after the expiration of this term,” Kukava said.
He called on President Mikheil Saakashvili to intervene and change the date set for parliamentary elections.
“Do not oppose the will of people. We suggest you defuse the crisis with democratic elections.”
Nino Burjanadze, Speaker of Parliament, commented that the administration was ready for constructive dialogue.
(Prime News)

Interior Ministry Academy becomes member of Association of European Police Colleges
In summer 2007, the Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs applied for membership of the Association of European Police Colleges (AEPC), which forms a network of 44 police colleges throughout Europe.
Membership status has recently been approved for the Georgia police force.
The AEPC Governing Board meeting was held in Antalya on 20 October 2007, where the appropriate paperwork was signed, affirming membership.
(Black Sea Press)



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