Suchergebnisse

The article is devoted to the study of diplomatic relations between Georgia and the United States during the first period of the presidency of Mikhail Saakashvili in Georgia in 2004-2007. The history of the formation, strengthening and deepening of diplomatic relations between the countries, developments in domestic and foreign policy, as well as diplomatic successes achieved as a result of frequent meetings of high-ranking officials of the two countries have been highlighted in details. The foreign policy approaches of the US President George W. Bush's administration to Georgia, in particular, from the Rose Revolution to the end of 2007, as well as the problems that arose for Armenia as a result of the changes that took place in Georgia, have been identified and studied. The specifics of President Bush's visit to Tbilisi (May 2005), expected changes in the region and Georgia's tendencies to become an "exporter" of democracy have been comprehensively considered. The role and significance of bilateral documents signed by the parties have been analyzed. Various facts have been considered that have contributed to the development of bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relations between Georgia and the United States. Particular attention has been paid to identifying the real reasons for the deterioration of diplomatic relations between Georgia and the Russian Federation. A special attention has been paid in the article to the study of the goals of the US financial and active support for holding fair and transparent snap elections in Georgia. ; Հոդվածը նվիրված է Վրաստանում Միխեիլ Սաակաշվիլիի նախագահության առաջին շրջանում՝ 2004-2007 թթ., Վրաստան-ԱՄՆ դիվանագիտական հարաբերությունների ուսումնասիրությանը: Մանրամասնորեն լուսաբանված են կողմերի միջև դիվանագիտական հարաբերությունների ձևավորման, խորացման և ամրապնդման պատմությունը, ներքին ու արտաքին քաղաքական զարգացումները, ինչպես նաև երկու երկրների բարձրաստիճան պաշտոնյաների հաճախակի հանդիպումների արդյունքում ձեռքբերված դիվանագիտական հաջողությունները: Վերհանվել և ուսումնասիրվել են ԱՄՆ նախագահ Ջորջ Բուշ Կրտսեր վարչակազմի արտաքին քաղաքական մոտեցումները Վրաստանի նկատմամբ, մասնավորապես Վարդերի հեղափոխությունից մինչև 2007 թ. վերջերը, ինչպես նաև Վրաստանում կատարվող փոփոխությունների հետևանքով ՀՀ-ի համար առաջացած խնդիրները: Ամբողջապես քննության առարկա են դարձել նախագահ Բուշի (2005 թ. մայիսին)՝ Թբիլիսի կատարած այցի առանձնահատկությունները, տարածաշրջանում սպասվող փոփոխությունները և Վրաստանը ժողովրդավարություն «արտահանող» երկրի վերածման միտումները: Վերլուծվել են կողմերի միջև ստորագրված երկկողմ փաստաթղթերի դերն ու նշանակությունը: Դիտարկվել են տարաբնույթ փաստեր, որոնք նպաստել են Վրաստանի և Միացյալ Նահանգների միջև երկկողմ ու բազմակողմ դիվանագիտական հարաբերությունների զարգացմանը: Առանձնակի ուշադրություն է դարձված Վրաստանի և Ռուսաստանի Դաշնության միջև դիվանագիտական հարաբերությունների վատթարացման իրական պատճառների բացահայտմանը: Հոդվածում կարևոր տեղ է հատկացված նաև Վրաստանում արտահերթ ընտրությունների արդար ու թափանցիկ կազմակերպման համար ԱՄՆ ֆինանսական և գործուն աջակցության նպատակների ուսումնասիրությանը: ; Статья посвящена исследованию дипломатических отношений между Грузией и США в первый период президентства Михаила Саакашвили в Грузии в 2004-2007 гг. Подробно освещена история формирования, укрепления и углубления дипломатических отношений между странами, развития во внутренней и внешней политике, а также дипломатические успехи, достигнутые в результате частых встреч высокопоставленных официальных лиц двух стран. Выявлены и изучены внешнеполитические подходы администрации президента США Джорджа Буша к Грузии, в частности, от «революции роз» до конца 2007 года, а также проблемы, которые возникли для Армении в результате изменений, имевших место в Грузии. Были всесторонне рассмотрены особенности визита президента Буша в Тбилиси (май 2005 г.), ожидаемые изменения в регионе и тенденции Грузии стать «экспортером» демократии. Проанализированы роль и значение двусторонних документов, подписанных сторонами. Были рассмотрены различные факты, способствовавшие развитию двусторонних и многосторонних дипломатических отношений между Грузией и США. Особое внимание было уделено выявлению реальных причин ухудшения дипломатических отношений между Грузией и Российской Федерацией. Особое место в статье отведено изучению целей финансовой и активной поддержки США для проведения справедливых и прозрачных внеочередных выборов в Грузии.

In the days of the Soviet Union, Georgia was one of the most flourishing Soviet republics due to its protected tea and wine market and its attractive Black Sea resorts. The breakup of the U.S.S.R., the opening by the FSU republics of their borders to broad imports following the "parade of sovereignties," and wars within the country led to a sharp decline in Georgia's economic indicators, but in recent years the situation has begun to improve Nevertheless, living standards in Georgia remain low. Official unemployment is around 13% of the working age population. But independent experts believe that from 2003 to the beginning of 2005 unemployment rose by 20% to around 47% of the working age population. Most large industrial enterprises remain at a standstill or operate at less than full capacity. During the years of independence, over 1 million people -the most employable and active part of the population-have left the country. A significant proportion of Georgia's population subsists, for the most part, on remittances from relatives working abroad. Experts estimate the annual amount of remittances from Georgian "guest workers" living in Russia alone at $1-2 billion. According to an IMF analytical report on the economic prospects of the Middle East and Central Asia, remittances from abroad in 2005 accounted for over 5% of Georgian GDP. The country's Minister of State Kakha Bendukidze estimates this amount at 4% of GDP. In the opinion of analysts, the business environment in Georgia is not conducive to a reduction or elimination of existing investment risks, while the political situation impedes socioeconomic development. Thus, although small and medium enterprises make up 97% of all active companies, their share of Georgia's GNP is only around 10% (compared to 60% in EU countries). The government has taken some steps to improve the country's regulation and auditing systems: health inspectors no longer "cruise" around cafes and restaurants, and it is possible to start a business even without prior registration. Nevertheless, international standards are still a long way off, which is why small business is mostly concentrated in trade.

By ordering the military takeover of the secessionist region of South Ossetia on August 7, did the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili fall into a trap set by the Kremlin? Was he too confident in the United States, expecting more concrete support? Did he believe that it would help his country along the road to integration in Europe or NATO? Whatever the case, the result of this operation is disastrous for Georgia. Its army was swiftly defeated by Russia; many civil infrastructures were destroyed: & South Ossetia, together with the other secessionist region Abkhazia, seem definitively lost. This episode demonstrates the real power balance in the Caucasus, where Russia reigns supreme. Will Georgia once again find itself under Moscow's control? It's not totally impossible. Adapted from the source document.

Discusses resignation of President Shevardnadze following "revolution of the roses" in Nov. 2003, political prospects of opposition party leader and reformer Mikhail Saakashvili, and US assistance to the new government.

Interview with President Mikhail Saakashvili on Georgia's economic difficulties since its independence in 1991, the country's unity threatened by secessionist regions of Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia, and geopolitical implications of its strategic location at the crossroads of the Russian, Turkish, and Iranian worlds and on the route of oil pipes running from the Caspian Sea. Summaries in English and Spanish p. 471 and 485.

The 5 January, 2008 snap poll was the first ever truly competitive presidential election in Georgia. The incumbent, Mikhail Saakashvili, just managed to retain his seat, narrowly avoiding a run-off with the main opposition candidate, Levan Gachechiladze. According to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Georgia, and the exit polls commissioned by government controlled television companies, Saakashvili received between 50.8 and 54 percent of votes, while Gachechiladze stayed below 30 percent. Local and international observers have noted numerous irregularities, but overall they have endorsed the elections as democratic. Opposition parties, however, have been less than convinced in fairness of the results as they have insisted that the current outcome is, indeed, a result of the noted irregularities. The snap presidential poll is a step forward for Georgian democracy, with credible opposition now emerging in the country. Both Saakashvili and the main opposition camps have made some gains. The main set-back for democracy was the suppression of Imedi TV, the only nongovernment controlled nationwide television channel. The January 2008 poll was the culmination of a very tense stand-off between the government and the opposition, which started in September 2007 with shocking revelations from a former defense minister Okruashvili. The stand-off reached its climax on 7 November, 2007, when the special forces of the Ministry of Interior brutally dispersed a mass rally in the center of Tbilisi, and the government imposed the state of emergency, suspending all news broadcast by TV and radio media, and closing down all but a couple television and radio channels. The November 2007 events demonstrated a huge erosion of popular support to once widely admired Georgian President Saakashvili. The latter, who was swept into power by similar mass rallies four years earlier, won his previous poll with more than 90 percent of the vote. The 2003 mass rallies, which was subsequently dubbed as the Rose Revolution, saw the resignation of then President Shevardnadze, followed by the snap January 2004 presidential elections, which Saakashvili won with overwhelming popular support. Since then, U.S.-educated Saakashvili has been billed a revolutionary pro-Western reformer, whose fiery anti-Russian rhetoric has appealed to many in Georgia. To save his regime from a complete isolation and collapse, Saakashvili had no other logical choice but to call for a snap poll, either presidential or parliamentary. He opted for the former, as his National Movement, which currently holds majority of seats in the parliament is even less popular than him, and besides, it was the spring parliamentary elections the organizers of the mass rallies in Tbilisi were calling for in the first place. Saakashvili's gamble has won him a short respite and some credibility, but in the long run he will likely be a lame duck of Georgian politics.

Many things have changed in Georgia after the Rose Revolution of November 2003. Certain changes are very positive and praiseworthy, such as the abolition of deeply corrupt and universally hated traffic police, and its replacement with the Western style patrol police. Reforms in the armed forces are also heading toward a positive direction. However, the economy does not seem to be the new government's priority. The leader of the Rose Revolution and the current president of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili has made it clear a number of times that he was not interested in solving economic problems of the country as much he was interested in dealing with security and defense issues. When presenting a newly composed government in February 2005, Saakashvili was quoted by saying: "I can build the army, I can build the police, but development of the economy is up to the entire society." Prior to that President of Georgia voiced similar sentiments at his address to the country's parliament. Indeed, compared to reforms in the military and law enforcement agencies economic reforms in Georgia have fallen far behind. This was partially acknowledged by Saakashvili in his above-mentioned address to the Parliament. According to Mr. Demur Giorkhelidze, a Georgian economist, no one in the Georgian government has an idea whether the country has a general program dealing with the economy or not. Instead, some government officials have "fragmented" views about certain issues related to the economy. The government of Georgia has no master plan for economic development and rehabilitation. In any case, it has no published plan or program whatsoever.

Following the war between Georgia and Russia in the summer of 2008, Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili seemed to be in a very delicate situation. Moscow officially proclaimed the Georgian head of state a "political corpse" and refused to hold any discussions with him. His Western allies kept their distance. The two separatist regions of Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, had officially declared their independence. And to top it off, domestic protests were on the rise. Despite all that, two years later Mr. Saakashvili is still the President of Georgia. What's his secret? In this exclusive interview with Politique Internationale, he explains his strategy and defends his past and future policies with his usual fire. According to Saakashvili, his country was the victim of outrageous aggression by its neighbor Russia, and has right on its side. Despite the bellicose attitude of Moscow, Tbilisi is still in favor of discussions to settle their many bilateral issues. And the country is more than ever committed to its heavily Euro-Atlantic flavored policy. Adapted from the source document.

The municipal elections in Georgia were held against the background of the return of ex-President Mikhail Saakashvili to the country and his subsequent arrest. 4 criminal cases have been opened against Saakashvili, in two of which he was sentenced to 3 and 6 years in prison. Saakashvili's hopes to inspire the opposition electorate with his presence failed to become justified. The ruling Georgian Dream party won both the first and second rounds of voting, in which mayors of 20 major cities were elected. Nevertheless, Saakashvili's return has put the Georgian leadership in a difficult position both from the point of view of domestic and foreign policy.

This article analyzes the difficulties encountered in reaching democracy in Georgia. President Mikheil Saakashvili has been successful in eliminating low-level official corruption & has built a strong state for his people. Even though, Georgian society & Georgians' personal lives are free from state interference, Saakashvili believes that no potential political power can be allowed to remain independent. The actions of the Georgia government have a semblance to the old Soviet leadership & the problems blocking democracy are: 1) the use of power in order to gain wealth; 2) the absence of the rule of law; & 3) the passivity of citizens. Adapted from the source document.

Search for Geopolitical Strategy for Georgia means finding a special road to a civilized future that will be in line with the country's historical and cultural specificity and uniqueness. After the unfavorable conditions, there was created a short but very profitable term implementing its geopolitical and geostrategic interests. Everything depended on the ability of the Georgian politicians, how much they would you be able to determine, understand and mobilize the situation. In this case Georgian diplomacy was appropriate. The government which was in a very difficult position soon clarified the situation and was able to use this chance as much as possible. Accordingly, the country received an impressive geopolitical dividend. Georgian diplomacy achieved great success in the geopolitical context. The factor of the President of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze, played a major role, he created a desirable background for Western politics in Georgia with his authority in world politics and great political activity. ; Search for Geopolitical Strategy for Georgia means finding a special road to a civilized future that will be in line with the country's historical and cultural specificity and uniqueness. After the unfavorable conditions, there was created a short but very profitable term implementing its geopolitical and geostrategic interests. Everything depended on the ability of the Georgian politicians, how much they would you be able to determine, understand and mobilize the situation. In this case Georgian diplomacy was appropriate. The government which was in a very difficult position soon clarified the situation and was able to use this chance as much as possible. Accordingly, the country received an impressive geopolitical dividend. Georgian diplomacy achieved great success in the geopolitical context. The factor of the President of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze, played a major role, he created a desirable background for Western politics in Georgia with his authority in world politics and great political activity.