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The News in Brief

Wednesday, November 30
Abkhazia disapproves of Georgia-Russia agreement on WTO

The Abkhazian regime is dissatisfied with the agreement signed by Georgia and Russia regarding the latter`s accession to the World Trade Organization. The leaders of the oppositional Forum of the National Unity of Abkhazia says the reason of this protest is the status of Abkhazia in the agreement, as it is not mentioned as a side, neither is any obligation made to it.

`If we consider the fact that Abkhazia is mentioned as a trade corridor in this agreement and not a participant side, our government is fully authorized to ignore its terms, ` Forum leader Raul Khajimba told local media. (Rustavi 2)



Maestro TV founders release special statement

The founders of the TV Company Maestro have accused Erosi Kitsmarishvili the managing director of the holding company managing Maestro of interference in the editorial work of the television. The founders have released a special statement in this regard Tuesday.

`On November 28, 2011, the founders of the TV Company Maestro were informed that the founder of Maestro's holding company, The Rustavi Media Management Company, Erosi Kitsmarishvili, held a meeting with journalists and the producers of the company without agreement with the managers and the founders of the company. We assess this as an interruption in the editorial work of the company. In addition, we are aware that the company has serious arrears to several of its partners, which is a serious danger for the normal operation of the company. We call upon the director general of Maestro TV Ilia Kikabidze to make adequate response to this fact so that the editorial independence of the company is guaranteed as it has been so far,` says the statement signed by Ekaterina Akobia, Maka Asatiani, Giorgi Ebralidze, Mamuka Ghlonti and Levan Chikvaidze. (Rustavi 2)



Pirosmani`s "Shepherd" sold for GBP 600,000

Niko Pirosmani`s painting `Shepherd` was sold for 600,000 pounds (around USD $1 mln) at an auction held in London, "Kakheti" News Center quotes Pirosmani`s House Museum director Anzor Madzgarashvili as saying.

Madzgarashvili stated that for many years the painting had been kept by famous painter David Kakabadze`s family, but several years ago the family gave the painting away to a private collection in Riga.

The report that the painting would be among the lots at the auction was made this summer. The identity of the current owner of the painting is as yet unknown. (Rustavi 2)



Meeting at Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance

Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance, Khatuna Kalmakhelidze, introduced the details of the government`s ten-point strategic development plan to ministry staff Tuesday. Kalmakhelidze spoke about completed reforms, novelties, ongoing reforms and plans for the future.

`The government`s strategic plan aims at creating new jobs and giving professional education to convicts,` the minister said.

So-called education houses are already functioning at several prisons. Within the 10-piont strategic development plan, the government also plans to improve the service of legal assistance for the convicts. (Rustavi 2)



London Arbitration Court to consider Georgian government’s suit against Rony Fuchs

A London arbitration tribunal will consider the Georgian government’s suit against Rony Fuchs, an Israeli businessmen detained in Georgia. The Georgian government is appealing the decision of the World Bank International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, which commissioned Georgia to pay 100 million dollars.

The Georgian authorities allege the Israeli businessman acquired investment permission in the 1990s through bribery. The trial will last till 7 December. (Interpressnews)



Daughter of Joseph Stalin passes away in United States

Svetlana Alliluyeva, the daughter of Joseph Stalin, passed away in the United States at the age of 85, the New York Times reported on Monday .The newspaper reported that she died of colon cancer in Richland, Wisconsin, on November 22, but the authorities announced the news of her death on Monday. The only daughter of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, she was born on February 28, 1926 under the name of Svetlana Stalina. After her father died in 1953, she took her mother’s last name Alliluyeva. In the 1970s she moved to the United States, married an American and since then she lived under the name of Lana Peters. (Interpressnews)