TBILISI, DFWatch – During a speech at Georgetown University in Washington, Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili said that his first presidential salary was 40 dollars and the state treasury was completely empty when he came to government in what is called the
In brief
Russia-Georgia border hit by bad weather
TBILISI, DFWatch – Snowfall and strong winds are making trouble for people all over Georgia. More than 72 000 were without electricity Thursday morning. The biggest distributor, Energo-Pro, said they had brought down the number of customers without power from 64 000 to around 49 000 by early afternoon. Motorists are heavily affected. Sections of … Read more
Saakashvili's account of Obama meeting challenged
TBILISI, DFWatch – The Georgian president says the results of his meeting with U.S. president Barack Obama exceeded his expectations. President Mikheil Saakashvili said the issues he discussed with Obama at the White House Monday represent “a new and higher level of cooperation between the two countries; on the one hand military security and on … Read more
U.S. to take more active role in building Georgia's defense
TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili says that his country’s military cooperation with the United States is moving into a new phase. According Saakashvili’s press spokesperson, America no longer only prepares Georgian forces for tasks like anti-terrorism or the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, but takes an active role in building Georgia’s military capability. According … Read more
Obama and Georgia's Saakashvili did not discuss Iran
TBILISI, DFWatch – According to the Georgian president’s administration, Iran was not on the agenda of Monday’s meeting between U.S. president Barack Obama and president Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia. Before the meeting many had been speculating that the two would be discussing the increased tension between Iran and the U.S., especially in light of how … Read more
Georgia hopeful about new 'Swiss' border checks
TBILISI, DFWatch – The Georgian Speaker of Parliament Davit Bakradze hopes that Switzerland will be able to fully monitor the flow of goods across the border between Georgia and Russia. Bakradze said this at a meeting with the delegation of the Swiss Foreign Affairs Department. Russia occupied parts of Georgia’s territories after the war in … Read more
Georgia answers Medvedev's invitation: 'Any time'
TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgia’s foreign minister says his country never refused to restore negotiations with Russia. Grigol Vashadze made the statement during a session of the Council of Europe’s parliamentary assembly, while answering a question from an MP from the Netherlands. After a speech by Vashadzem the Dutch MP wanted to know what his views … Read more
Medvedev wants to restore diplomatic relations with Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch – Russian president Dimitry Medvedev says he wants to restore diplomatic relations with Georgia. But the president adds, only if he won’t have to shake hands with one person. That one person is understood to be Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili. Diplomatic relations with Russia and Georgia suspended after the war in 2008, when … Read more
Saakashvili to also meet Biden and Boehner
TBILISI, DFWatch – The Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili plans to meet other top people while he’s over to talk with President Obama, including the Vice President and the House Speaker. While in Washington, President Saakashvili will have meetings with other top people both in the U.S.’s legislative and executive branch, including Vice President Joe Biden … Read more
Georgian president questions Human Rights Watch report
TBILISI, DFWatch – The Georgian president, Mikheil Saakashvili, says through his press speaker that he may not agree with everything Human Rights Watch (HRW) is writing about his country. HRW’s World Report 2011 is sharp in its criticism of the situation in Georgia, much of which revolves around the police operation to clear a peaceful … Read more





