The News in Brief
Wednesday, April 6
Shimon Peres Asks Georgia President to Release Detained Israeli Businessmen
Israel President Shimon Peres has asked his Georgian counterpart Saakashvili to set the detained Israeli businessmen free. The statement was made by Fucs’ and Frenkiel’s daughters with the newspaper. According to them, their fathers are allowed to make three telephone calls a month. However, the prison administration doesn’t follow the regulation. Frenkiel is frequently sending letters to Israel but many officials in Georgian government read them before they reach the addressee.
The two Israeli businessmen were detained in October 2010 after offering bribes to the Deputy Finance Minister of Georgia. Fucs is serving a 7-year jail term, Frenkiel a 6-year one. (Interpressnews)
Georgian MFA Assesses Recruitment of Russian Servicemen for Special Unit of Abkhazia Is Provocation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia released information about the Recruitment of Russian servicemen and officers for the special unit of the occupied territory of Georgia, Abkhazia. The Georgian MFA informs that this is another provocative example of the militarization of Georgia’s occupied territory.
“Not content with building military bases and deploying multiple-launch rocket systems in these occupied territories, the Kremlin is now increasing its military presence under the guise of the so-called Abkhazian Defence Ministry's special unit - the recruitment and material needs of which will be financed by the Russian federal budget”, the statement reads.
According to the statement of Georgia’s Foreign Ministry, any attempt by the Kremlin to legitimize their occupation of the inalienable territories of Georgia in any way is bound to fail, and a process of de-occupation will inevitably take place.
Russian internet publication Life News reports that the occupation regime of Abkhazia is recruiting Russian servicemen and officers for a special unit of the so called Abkhazian Ministry of Defense. According to the source, servicemen-contractors will be paid 50, 000 Russian Roubles (approximately 1,800 USD) and they number about 500. At the same time, Russian media outlets have indicated that the local budget cannot afford such salaries, and that the latter will therefore be paid out of the Russian state budget. (Interpressnews)
Paata Davitaia asks for debates on Ombudsman’s report
Paata Davitaia, vice-Spokesman, leader of the opposition party said the 2010 report delivered by Ombudsman should be discussed and debated.
"Some period of time indeed is necessary for the study of document and we welcome the debates on the report in Parliament, "- Davitaia said.
Many questions should be discussed concerning refugees and the opposition's opinions in this respect.
The Public Defender's report was presented at Parliament on March 31. Committees were given one month for review and it will be discussed on the plenary sitting at the beginning of May. (GHN)
Giorgi Asanidze: Russia intends to turn Abkhazia into “small Las Vegas”
The Russian authorities are intending to construct a "small Las Vegas" in Gagra region for 2014 Olympics, GHN reports.
"We got information that on the territory nearby Gagra (a town in the northern part of Abkhazia), on 160 squire kilometers, the Russian Federation intends to construct casinos, hotels and different leisure centers, this is contrary to the Olympic Charter, "- Giorgi Asanidze, chair of Parliamentary Committee for sports said to GHN.
He said Tbilisi will react appropriately to this issue, taking into account the use of construction materials from Abkhazian land. "If the Olympics will turn into the political games, they will not take place, "- he said. (GHN)
Traffic rules changed in Tbilisi
Traffic rules will be changed in Tbilisi - the green light on traffic lights will light after the red without the yellow `get ready` sign.
The officials of the municipal government confirmed that the drivers were not waiting for the green light and began to drive on the yellow light, which resulted in frequent accidents. The new rules are already in force on 175 cross roads and soon all traffic lights will work according to the new rule. (Rustavi 2)
Local authorities count damage in Samegrelo
The regional administration is counting the cost of damage inflicted to Samegrelo Region by strong winds Monday. The speed of the wind exceeded 30 meters per second. The wind has damaged eight villages, as it unroofed houses, schools and other buildings. The windstorm was followed by heavy rain, due to which the rescuers had to cover the unroofed houses with special covers and evacuate people to temporary dwellings.
Local government will provide assistance to the owners of the damaged houses after assessing the damage. (Rustavi 2)
Decision of doctors` council
The Council of Doctors Professional Responsibility discussed sixty cases of doctors` activities and deprived a doctor of the Aversi Clinic in Tbilisi of his license. The doctor was accused of negligence while carrying out a tonsil surgery to a five year old child, who died during the operation.
The council suspended the license of fifteen doctors and 33 were given a written warning. Several cases have been sent to the prosecutor's office for investigation. (Rustavi 2)
Israel President Shimon Peres has asked his Georgian counterpart Saakashvili to set the detained Israeli businessmen free. The statement was made by Fucs’ and Frenkiel’s daughters with the newspaper. According to them, their fathers are allowed to make three telephone calls a month. However, the prison administration doesn’t follow the regulation. Frenkiel is frequently sending letters to Israel but many officials in Georgian government read them before they reach the addressee.
The two Israeli businessmen were detained in October 2010 after offering bribes to the Deputy Finance Minister of Georgia. Fucs is serving a 7-year jail term, Frenkiel a 6-year one. (Interpressnews)
Georgian MFA Assesses Recruitment of Russian Servicemen for Special Unit of Abkhazia Is Provocation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia released information about the Recruitment of Russian servicemen and officers for the special unit of the occupied territory of Georgia, Abkhazia. The Georgian MFA informs that this is another provocative example of the militarization of Georgia’s occupied territory.
“Not content with building military bases and deploying multiple-launch rocket systems in these occupied territories, the Kremlin is now increasing its military presence under the guise of the so-called Abkhazian Defence Ministry's special unit - the recruitment and material needs of which will be financed by the Russian federal budget”, the statement reads.
According to the statement of Georgia’s Foreign Ministry, any attempt by the Kremlin to legitimize their occupation of the inalienable territories of Georgia in any way is bound to fail, and a process of de-occupation will inevitably take place.
Russian internet publication Life News reports that the occupation regime of Abkhazia is recruiting Russian servicemen and officers for a special unit of the so called Abkhazian Ministry of Defense. According to the source, servicemen-contractors will be paid 50, 000 Russian Roubles (approximately 1,800 USD) and they number about 500. At the same time, Russian media outlets have indicated that the local budget cannot afford such salaries, and that the latter will therefore be paid out of the Russian state budget. (Interpressnews)
Paata Davitaia asks for debates on Ombudsman’s report
Paata Davitaia, vice-Spokesman, leader of the opposition party said the 2010 report delivered by Ombudsman should be discussed and debated.
"Some period of time indeed is necessary for the study of document and we welcome the debates on the report in Parliament, "- Davitaia said.
Many questions should be discussed concerning refugees and the opposition's opinions in this respect.
The Public Defender's report was presented at Parliament on March 31. Committees were given one month for review and it will be discussed on the plenary sitting at the beginning of May. (GHN)
Giorgi Asanidze: Russia intends to turn Abkhazia into “small Las Vegas”
The Russian authorities are intending to construct a "small Las Vegas" in Gagra region for 2014 Olympics, GHN reports.
"We got information that on the territory nearby Gagra (a town in the northern part of Abkhazia), on 160 squire kilometers, the Russian Federation intends to construct casinos, hotels and different leisure centers, this is contrary to the Olympic Charter, "- Giorgi Asanidze, chair of Parliamentary Committee for sports said to GHN.
He said Tbilisi will react appropriately to this issue, taking into account the use of construction materials from Abkhazian land. "If the Olympics will turn into the political games, they will not take place, "- he said. (GHN)
Traffic rules changed in Tbilisi
Traffic rules will be changed in Tbilisi - the green light on traffic lights will light after the red without the yellow `get ready` sign.
The officials of the municipal government confirmed that the drivers were not waiting for the green light and began to drive on the yellow light, which resulted in frequent accidents. The new rules are already in force on 175 cross roads and soon all traffic lights will work according to the new rule. (Rustavi 2)
Local authorities count damage in Samegrelo
The regional administration is counting the cost of damage inflicted to Samegrelo Region by strong winds Monday. The speed of the wind exceeded 30 meters per second. The wind has damaged eight villages, as it unroofed houses, schools and other buildings. The windstorm was followed by heavy rain, due to which the rescuers had to cover the unroofed houses with special covers and evacuate people to temporary dwellings.
Local government will provide assistance to the owners of the damaged houses after assessing the damage. (Rustavi 2)
Decision of doctors` council
The Council of Doctors Professional Responsibility discussed sixty cases of doctors` activities and deprived a doctor of the Aversi Clinic in Tbilisi of his license. The doctor was accused of negligence while carrying out a tonsil surgery to a five year old child, who died during the operation.
The council suspended the license of fifteen doctors and 33 were given a written warning. Several cases have been sent to the prosecutor's office for investigation. (Rustavi 2)