Besuch in einem Land, das es eigentlich nicht gibt
Abchasien in den starken Armen Russlands
2008 hat sich die abtrünnige georgische Provinz Abchasien für unabhängig erklärt. Restlos glücklich sind die Abchasen mit ihrer neuen Freiheit nicht.
Klaus-Helge Donath, Suchumi
Hoch über Suchumi, hinter einer subtropischen Pflanzenwelt, findet sich einer der Belege, warum die Republik Abchasien längst ein souveräner Staat ist. Und dies auch zu Recht verdient, wie das zumindest die Mitarbeiter des Instituts für Experimentelle Pathologie sehen, das hier beheimatet ist. Nach dem Sezessionskrieg gegen Georgien von 1992 bis 1993 verhängte die internationale Gemeinschaft einen Bann über die Schwarzmeer-Republik. Das Institut forschte trotzdem weiter. «Wir bauen einen neuen Staat, und dafür sind Universität und Wissenschaft unerlässlich», sagt Institutsdirektor Wladimir Barkaja.
Der ganze Artikel >>>
Swanetien – ein noch unbekanntes Trekking-Dorado
Vom kaukasischen «Matterhorn» Uschba nach Uschguli – Wehrtürme, Gletscher und eine Liebesgeschichte
Swanetien ist wohl die ursprünglichste Region Georgiens. Ein Trekking in diesem touristisch noch wenig erschlossenen Gebiet des Zentralkaukasus ist eine Reise in die Vergangenheit.
Eberhard Neubronner
Adischi, Georgien. Zu diesem Dorf führt ein Karrenweg. Doch oft ist er durch Erdrutsche oder Schnee blockiert, weshalb man den Steig über die Berge nimmt, so wie seit Jahrhunderten. Denn im Kaukasus darf niemand stur sein. Die Umwelt lehrt: Wer gegen mich kämpft, hat schon verloren.
Muchran Avaliani ist Anfang vierzig – korpulent, aber muskulös. Seine Augen sind hell. Wenn der Mann horcht, reisst er sie auf. Avaliani sagt: «Tut mir leid, bei uns fehlt es an Komfort. Das ändert sich. Hier . . .» (schnelle Drehung zum Hof, wo gefleckte Ferkel laut quieken) «. . . seht ihr mein Material für ein Badezimmer.» Muchrans Frau, die temperamentvolle Nargisa Afrasidse, lächelt und schweigt.
Der ganze Text >>>
Friday, November 06, 2009
BUCH: Sana Krasikov: In Gesellschaft von Männern. Erzählungen. (nzz.ch)
Aus dem Amerikanischen von Silvia Morawetz. Luchterhand-Verlag, München 2009. 286 S., Fr. 14.90.
Männergeschichten
Sana Krasikov besichtigt den Osteuropäer in der Emigration
Ulrich M. Schmid - Für Sana Krasikov markiert der Mann in Darwins Evolutionskette einen Ausrutscher nach unten: Unrasiert mogelt er sich durch das Leben und lässt dabei die zumeist weiblichen Opfer seines Leichtsinns achtlos am Wegrand liegen. Während also bereits der Durchschnitt der Herren der Schöpfung relativ leicht zu schlagen ist, liegt die Messlatte in Osteuropa noch tiefer. Zur selbstverliebten Arroganz bei tiefer Performance kommen hier noch ein besonderer Starrsinn und die ständige Trunkenheit.
Emigrantinnen
Sana Krasikov (geb. 1979) muss wissen, wovon sie schreibt: Sie wurde in der Ukraine geboren und wuchs in Georgien in einer jüdischen Intelligenzia-Familie auf, bevor sie in die USA emigrierte. Sie hatte deshalb reichlich Gelegenheit, die Spezies Mann in verschiedenen Ländern zu besichtigen. In ihren Erzählungen beschreibt sie nicht nur den Kulturkampf zwischen Ost und West, sondern überlagert diesen Konflikt zusätzlich noch mit dem Krieg der Geschlechter. Sana Krasikovs Heldinnen sind meistens Emigrantinnen aus Georgien, die sich in Amerika mehr schlecht als recht über Wasser halten. Sie lassen sich von älteren, alleinstehenden Männern aushalten, arbeiten als Pflegerinnen für gebrechliche Damen, werden von ihren untreuen Ehemännern betrogen oder sehnen sich nach einer Schwangerschaft.
full text >>
AmazonShop: Books, Maps, Videos, Music & Gifts About The Caucasus
Männergeschichten
Sana Krasikov besichtigt den Osteuropäer in der Emigration
Ulrich M. Schmid - Für Sana Krasikov markiert der Mann in Darwins Evolutionskette einen Ausrutscher nach unten: Unrasiert mogelt er sich durch das Leben und lässt dabei die zumeist weiblichen Opfer seines Leichtsinns achtlos am Wegrand liegen. Während also bereits der Durchschnitt der Herren der Schöpfung relativ leicht zu schlagen ist, liegt die Messlatte in Osteuropa noch tiefer. Zur selbstverliebten Arroganz bei tiefer Performance kommen hier noch ein besonderer Starrsinn und die ständige Trunkenheit.
Emigrantinnen
Sana Krasikov (geb. 1979) muss wissen, wovon sie schreibt: Sie wurde in der Ukraine geboren und wuchs in Georgien in einer jüdischen Intelligenzia-Familie auf, bevor sie in die USA emigrierte. Sie hatte deshalb reichlich Gelegenheit, die Spezies Mann in verschiedenen Ländern zu besichtigen. In ihren Erzählungen beschreibt sie nicht nur den Kulturkampf zwischen Ost und West, sondern überlagert diesen Konflikt zusätzlich noch mit dem Krieg der Geschlechter. Sana Krasikovs Heldinnen sind meistens Emigrantinnen aus Georgien, die sich in Amerika mehr schlecht als recht über Wasser halten. Sie lassen sich von älteren, alleinstehenden Männern aushalten, arbeiten als Pflegerinnen für gebrechliche Damen, werden von ihren untreuen Ehemännern betrogen oder sehnen sich nach einer Schwangerschaft.
full text >>
AmazonShop: Books, Maps, Videos, Music & Gifts About The Caucasus
Thursday, November 05, 2009
HISTORY: Wie die Berge zu ihren Namen kamen ... (derstandard.at)
Eine liebenswürdige Ausnahme im Nomenklaturenkrieg ist eine Namensschenkung im Kaukasus. 1903 war die Bergsteigerin Cenzi von Ficker, Tochter einer Tiroler Gelehrtenfamilie, Mitglied einer erfolgreichen Expedition zum Südgipfel des Uschba (4737 Meter) im Kaukasus. Ihr schenkte - beeindruckt von der attraktiven Alpinistin - der Fürst der kaukasischen Region Swanetien, Tatarchan Dadeschkeliani, urkundlich beglaubigt den Berg Uschba. Cenzi von Ficker gelang zum Abschluss der Expedition noch die Erstbesteigung eines bis dahin namenlosen 3860 Meter hohen Gipfels, der seither als "Tsentsi Tau" im Register des Alpine Club of London vermerkt ist.
Der ganze Text >>>
photo by Natia Zhorzheta, Ushba in Svaneti
Der ganze Text >>>
photo by Natia Zhorzheta, Ushba in Svaneti
NEWS: RFE/RL Caucasus Report 11/5/2009 (rferl.org)
11/5/2009 5:15:53 PM A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about the countries of the South Caucasus and Russia's North Caucasus region. For more stories on the Caucasus, please visit and bookmark our Caucasus page .
Georgian Opposition Wants U.S. To Renounce Recognition Of Kosovo The chairman of Georgia's opposition Labor Party is in Washington to discuss Georgian-U.S.-Russian relations and the recognition of Kosovo and Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, RFE/RL's Georgian and Russian services report. More
Russia Is Dying To Learn Its Census Data The news that the next Russian census will be held in 2010 is welcome news indeed. There had been considerable speculation that the census had been delayed largely for political reasons, and it is encouraging to think that the opinions of experts who say the census information is crucially needed were heeded in this case. More
Commander's Testimony Fails To Substantiate Mukhrovani Coup Allegations Testifying in court in the ongoing trial of military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the Georgian leadership, the commander of Georgia's land forces could not confirm that two of the charged officers were pursuing any broader political objective. Nor could he say positively that three other men identified as the masterminds of the alleged coup were present at the Mukhrovani military base on the crucial morning of May 5. More
Has Armenia's Economy Bottomed Out? Official statistics suggest that after seven consecutive months of negative economic growth, the Armenian economy has begun to recover. But some prominent former officials are skeptical. More
Jailed Armenian Journalist To Run For Parliament Jailed Armenian opposition newspaper editor Nikol Pashinian says he will run as a candidate for parliament, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
Campaign To Discredit Exiled Chechen Leader Intensifies Over the past year, Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov has repeatedly said he would welcome the return to Chechnya from London of Akhmed Zakayev, who heads the Chechen Republic Ichkeria (CHRI) leadership in exile. But last week, Kadyrov abruptly changed tack, branding Zakayev a liar and a hypocrite and accusing him of misrepresenting the present situation in Chechnya. More
RFE/RL Begins Russian-Language Program To South Ossetia, Abkhazia RFE/RL's first Russian-language news program to the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia began today. More
EU Envoy Hopes Turkey-Armenia Protocols OK'd Soon The European Union's special representative to the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, said he hopes the rapprochement protocols signed by Armenia and Turkey will be ratified soon, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
Russia To Build New Nuclear Plant In Armenia The Armenian government says Russia will build a nuclear power plant in Armenia that will nearly triple the country's current levels of nuclear energy production, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
New Bone Of Contention Emerges Between Georgian Opposition, Government Even before the putative date (May 30) of next year's Georgian municipal elections has been confirmed, opposition parties are expressing concern that amendments to the election law proposed by the authorities will give President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement (ENM) an unfair advantage over its opposition rivals. More
Karachais Join Balkar Protest In Moscow A group of Balkars launched a series of public pickets in Moscow on October 26 to protest perceived discrimination at the hands of the predominantly Kabardian leadership of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic (KBR) and the failure of the federal authorities to implement the 1991 law on the rehabilitation of ethnic groups deported by Stalin from the North Caucasus in 1943-1944. More
Violence Pervades Ingushetian President's First Year In Office Since being named president of Ingushetia a year ago, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov's greatest achievement over the past year is arguably that he is still alive, having made a remarkable recovery from injuries sustained in an assassination attempt in June. But he also secured financial aid from Moscow to kick-start the republic's moribund economy, and has made every effort to reach out to, and win the trust of, a population alienated and disgusted by corruption and inefficiency. More
Georgia Braces For ‘Provocations’ On Border With Russia Georgian parliamentarians met on October 28 with top national security officials to discuss the implications of recent Russian allegations that international terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda are transiting Georgia en route to join the ranks of the North Caucasus resistance. More
Georgian Public Broadcaster ‘Unable’ To Grant Patriarchate Air Time In the wake of last week's scandal surrounding the internet footage showing Patriarch Ilia II, the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, apparently denigrating Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Ilia's press secretary Mikael Botkoveli has addressed a formal request to the Georgian Public Broadcaster to air a debate on the issue. More
Massacre In Armenian Parliament Still Echoes On October 27, 1999, armed men stormed the Armenian parliament and killed eight people, including the prime minister and speaker. Ten years later, lawmakers and other officials say the tragedy permanently changed the emerging institutions in post-Soviet Armenia. More
EU Reviews Cooperation With The South Caucasus Foreign ministers of the three South Caucasus countries today met with an EU troika of top officials in Luxembourg. The routine meeting takes place yearly under the aegis of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements the EU has with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The EU is offering all three countries an upgrade to an Association Treaty, which could eventually bring with it free trade and visa-free travel, but would not open the door to EU membership. More
Biden: Trip Has Laid Eastern Europe's 'Reset' Fears To Rest U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has just wrapped up a three-day visit to Eastern Europe. In an exclusive interview with RFE/RL, Biden said he believes he has successfully allayed fears that U.S. efforts to improve relations with Russia could come at the expense of Washington's Eastern European allies. More
Georgian Opposition Wants U.S. To Renounce Recognition Of Kosovo The chairman of Georgia's opposition Labor Party is in Washington to discuss Georgian-U.S.-Russian relations and the recognition of Kosovo and Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, RFE/RL's Georgian and Russian services report. More
Russia Is Dying To Learn Its Census Data The news that the next Russian census will be held in 2010 is welcome news indeed. There had been considerable speculation that the census had been delayed largely for political reasons, and it is encouraging to think that the opinions of experts who say the census information is crucially needed were heeded in this case. More
Commander's Testimony Fails To Substantiate Mukhrovani Coup Allegations Testifying in court in the ongoing trial of military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the Georgian leadership, the commander of Georgia's land forces could not confirm that two of the charged officers were pursuing any broader political objective. Nor could he say positively that three other men identified as the masterminds of the alleged coup were present at the Mukhrovani military base on the crucial morning of May 5. More
Has Armenia's Economy Bottomed Out? Official statistics suggest that after seven consecutive months of negative economic growth, the Armenian economy has begun to recover. But some prominent former officials are skeptical. More
Jailed Armenian Journalist To Run For Parliament Jailed Armenian opposition newspaper editor Nikol Pashinian says he will run as a candidate for parliament, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
Campaign To Discredit Exiled Chechen Leader Intensifies Over the past year, Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov has repeatedly said he would welcome the return to Chechnya from London of Akhmed Zakayev, who heads the Chechen Republic Ichkeria (CHRI) leadership in exile. But last week, Kadyrov abruptly changed tack, branding Zakayev a liar and a hypocrite and accusing him of misrepresenting the present situation in Chechnya. More
RFE/RL Begins Russian-Language Program To South Ossetia, Abkhazia RFE/RL's first Russian-language news program to the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia began today. More
EU Envoy Hopes Turkey-Armenia Protocols OK'd Soon The European Union's special representative to the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, said he hopes the rapprochement protocols signed by Armenia and Turkey will be ratified soon, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
Russia To Build New Nuclear Plant In Armenia The Armenian government says Russia will build a nuclear power plant in Armenia that will nearly triple the country's current levels of nuclear energy production, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
New Bone Of Contention Emerges Between Georgian Opposition, Government Even before the putative date (May 30) of next year's Georgian municipal elections has been confirmed, opposition parties are expressing concern that amendments to the election law proposed by the authorities will give President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement (ENM) an unfair advantage over its opposition rivals. More
Karachais Join Balkar Protest In Moscow A group of Balkars launched a series of public pickets in Moscow on October 26 to protest perceived discrimination at the hands of the predominantly Kabardian leadership of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic (KBR) and the failure of the federal authorities to implement the 1991 law on the rehabilitation of ethnic groups deported by Stalin from the North Caucasus in 1943-1944. More
Violence Pervades Ingushetian President's First Year In Office Since being named president of Ingushetia a year ago, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov's greatest achievement over the past year is arguably that he is still alive, having made a remarkable recovery from injuries sustained in an assassination attempt in June. But he also secured financial aid from Moscow to kick-start the republic's moribund economy, and has made every effort to reach out to, and win the trust of, a population alienated and disgusted by corruption and inefficiency. More
Georgia Braces For ‘Provocations’ On Border With Russia Georgian parliamentarians met on October 28 with top national security officials to discuss the implications of recent Russian allegations that international terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda are transiting Georgia en route to join the ranks of the North Caucasus resistance. More
Georgian Public Broadcaster ‘Unable’ To Grant Patriarchate Air Time In the wake of last week's scandal surrounding the internet footage showing Patriarch Ilia II, the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, apparently denigrating Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Ilia's press secretary Mikael Botkoveli has addressed a formal request to the Georgian Public Broadcaster to air a debate on the issue. More
Massacre In Armenian Parliament Still Echoes On October 27, 1999, armed men stormed the Armenian parliament and killed eight people, including the prime minister and speaker. Ten years later, lawmakers and other officials say the tragedy permanently changed the emerging institutions in post-Soviet Armenia. More
EU Reviews Cooperation With The South Caucasus Foreign ministers of the three South Caucasus countries today met with an EU troika of top officials in Luxembourg. The routine meeting takes place yearly under the aegis of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements the EU has with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The EU is offering all three countries an upgrade to an Association Treaty, which could eventually bring with it free trade and visa-free travel, but would not open the door to EU membership. More
Biden: Trip Has Laid Eastern Europe's 'Reset' Fears To Rest U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has just wrapped up a three-day visit to Eastern Europe. In an exclusive interview with RFE/RL, Biden said he believes he has successfully allayed fears that U.S. efforts to improve relations with Russia could come at the expense of Washington's Eastern European allies. More
TIPP: The Georgian Photographer Beso Uznadze
Times ago I had seen the photos from Beso Uznadze ... but today I read a blog. There I could read the writer and photographer Collin Pantall was impressed about his work. And for me it was gso awesome that I could see the photos - abvove all the portraits again. This time I will publishing all links here on georgien.blogspot.com. Enjoy this amazing work!
Besos Website is here www.besouznadze.com
BJP International Photography Prize
Beso Uznadze wins BJP's International Photography Award
Great Photodocumentation: Disappearing Villages
The loss of culture in the post-Soviet Georgia. By Beso Uznadze
On April 9th, 1991, following a national referendum, the Georgian Supreme Soviet declared the independence of Georgia from the Soviet Union. Within weeks, Zviad Gamsaxurdia, Georgia’s first popularly elected President, promised a brighter future for this fledgling mountainous republic. Twelve years later, Georgians tell a story of fear of civil war, economic collapse and impoverishment.
Besos Website is here www.besouznadze.com
BJP International Photography PrizeBeso Uznadze wins BJP's International Photography Award
Great Photodocumentation: Disappearing Villages
The loss of culture in the post-Soviet Georgia. By Beso Uznadze
On April 9th, 1991, following a national referendum, the Georgian Supreme Soviet declared the independence of Georgia from the Soviet Union. Within weeks, Zviad Gamsaxurdia, Georgia’s first popularly elected President, promised a brighter future for this fledgling mountainous republic. Twelve years later, Georgians tell a story of fear of civil war, economic collapse and impoverishment.
CALL FOR PAPERS: "The Balkans and the Caucasus." - New Europe College, Romania (nec.ro)
Besides its intrinsic interest, this symposium is also the opening event of a new program starting at the New Europe College in October 2010, the Black Sea Link.
The symposium is scheduled to take place on 12-13 April 2010, on New Europe College's premises, 21 Plantelor str., 023971 Bucharest, Romania. Our aim is to bring together scholars from prestigious research institutes and universities in Europe as well as outside it, who work on such topics. Should you be interested to take part in this symposium, we kindly ask you to send us the title of your contribution and a short abstract (200-300 words), together with a
one-page CV (including title, positions, institution, degrees, awards, main publications) until January 15, 2010. The selection committee will inform you about their decision in due time (by the end of February at the latest).
The working language of this international symposium will be English.
The organizers will cover travel and accommodation expenses.
Submissions should be sent to: applications@nec.ro
When sending the submission by email, please include in the Subject entry of the message the following: "Black Sea Symposium". Contact person: Ana Buculei.
New Europe College
Phone: (+4) 021 307 9910,
Fax: (+4) 021 327 0774
Mailing address: str. Plantelor 21, 023971 Bucharest, Romania
www.nec.ro
NEWS: 28 Oct 09 | Caucasus Reporting Service 517 until 16 Oct 09 | Caucasus Reporting Service 515 (iwpr.net)
Special Report: Opposition in south Caucasus
Opposition Battles Bias, Indifference to Change
Governments of south Caucasus mostly left with a clear run despite allegations of repression. By IWPR staff in south Caucasus (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Georgian Street Protesters Ponder Next Move
They considers new tactics after having little to show for months of demos. By Tea Topuria in Tbilisi (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Limited Scope for Different View in Abkhazia
Statelet’s opposition struggles with lack of ideas, resources. By Anaid Gogoryan in Sukhum (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Bickering Undermines Azeri Opposition Credibility
They have an uphill task but disunity gives the government an easy ride. By Shahin Rzayev and Samira Ahmedbeyli in Baku (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Fear of Police Curbs Armenian Dissent
Opposition say they are subjected to police persecution and their business supporters are intimidated. By Gegham Vardanian in Yerevan (CRS No. 517, 29-Oct-09)
Karabakh Government Faces Little Competition
Tiny Karabakh’s opposition moribund, lacks issues to fight on.By Anahit Danelian in Stepanakert (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Project Highlights
Caucasus: Sept ‘09
IWPR runs practical war reporting exercise with journalists from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. By IWPR staff (28-Oct-09)
Reporting Impact
Caucasus: Sept ‘09
IWPR events help activist groups in Armenia and Georgia communicate refugee concerns to government officials. By IWPR staff (28-Oct-09)
Photo Essay
Learning About Risk
Photographs by IWPR staff (04-Oct-09)
Ankara and Baku Put Up United Front
Turkey and Azerbaijan seek to soothe anger over Armenia deal. By Kenan Guluzade in Baku (CRS No. 516, 23-Oct-09)
Georgia Accused of Holding Political Prisoners
Activists cite cases where they claim members of opposition convicted in totally - or partially - fabricated trials. By Tea Topuria in Tbilisi (CRS No. 516, 23-Oct-09)
Armenia: Turkey Accord Rings Alarm Bells
Armenians do not share world’s joy over protocols, fear Ankara has a hidden agenda. By Naira Melkumian and Gayane Mkrtchian in Yerevan, and Karine Ohanian in Stepanakert (CRS No. 514, 16-Oct-09)
Turkey’s Caucasus Allies Ponder Armenia Deal
Azeris say Turkey’s border accord with Armenia is a betrayal of their alliance. By Kenan Guluzade in Baku (CRS No. 514, 15-Oct-09)
Zurich Ceremony Baffles Armenians
Live TV feed interrupted by Armenia v Spain football game, as last minute hitches delay signing of historic deal with Turkey. By Seda Muradyan in Yerevan (CRS No. 514, 16-Oct-09)
Grim Month for Azeri Journalists
Jailings and detentions raise fresh concerns over fairness of country’s defamation laws. By Idrak Abbasov in Baku (CRS No. 514, 16-Oct-09)
IWPR Comment
Why Turkey Should Confront its Past
By Seda Muradyan, IWPR’s Armenian country director (20-Oct-09)
Opposition Battles Bias, Indifference to Change
Governments of south Caucasus mostly left with a clear run despite allegations of repression. By IWPR staff in south Caucasus (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Georgian Street Protesters Ponder Next Move
They considers new tactics after having little to show for months of demos. By Tea Topuria in Tbilisi (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Limited Scope for Different View in Abkhazia
Statelet’s opposition struggles with lack of ideas, resources. By Anaid Gogoryan in Sukhum (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Bickering Undermines Azeri Opposition Credibility
They have an uphill task but disunity gives the government an easy ride. By Shahin Rzayev and Samira Ahmedbeyli in Baku (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Fear of Police Curbs Armenian Dissent
Opposition say they are subjected to police persecution and their business supporters are intimidated. By Gegham Vardanian in Yerevan (CRS No. 517, 29-Oct-09)
Karabakh Government Faces Little Competition
Tiny Karabakh’s opposition moribund, lacks issues to fight on.By Anahit Danelian in Stepanakert (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Project Highlights
Caucasus: Sept ‘09
IWPR runs practical war reporting exercise with journalists from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. By IWPR staff (28-Oct-09)
Reporting Impact
Caucasus: Sept ‘09
IWPR events help activist groups in Armenia and Georgia communicate refugee concerns to government officials. By IWPR staff (28-Oct-09)
Photo Essay
Learning About Risk
Photographs by IWPR staff (04-Oct-09)
Ankara and Baku Put Up United Front
Turkey and Azerbaijan seek to soothe anger over Armenia deal. By Kenan Guluzade in Baku (CRS No. 516, 23-Oct-09)
Georgia Accused of Holding Political Prisoners
Activists cite cases where they claim members of opposition convicted in totally - or partially - fabricated trials. By Tea Topuria in Tbilisi (CRS No. 516, 23-Oct-09)
Armenia: Turkey Accord Rings Alarm Bells
Armenians do not share world’s joy over protocols, fear Ankara has a hidden agenda. By Naira Melkumian and Gayane Mkrtchian in Yerevan, and Karine Ohanian in Stepanakert (CRS No. 514, 16-Oct-09)
Turkey’s Caucasus Allies Ponder Armenia Deal
Azeris say Turkey’s border accord with Armenia is a betrayal of their alliance. By Kenan Guluzade in Baku (CRS No. 514, 15-Oct-09)
Zurich Ceremony Baffles Armenians
Live TV feed interrupted by Armenia v Spain football game, as last minute hitches delay signing of historic deal with Turkey. By Seda Muradyan in Yerevan (CRS No. 514, 16-Oct-09)
Grim Month for Azeri Journalists
Jailings and detentions raise fresh concerns over fairness of country’s defamation laws. By Idrak Abbasov in Baku (CRS No. 514, 16-Oct-09)
IWPR Comment
Why Turkey Should Confront its Past
By Seda Muradyan, IWPR’s Armenian country director (20-Oct-09)
ANALYSIS: CAUCASUS ANALYTICAL DIGEST No. 10 (res.ethz.ch)
The EU Investigation Report on the August 2008 War and the Reactions From Georgia and Russia
Newsletter, 2 November 2009 / No. 10
CAD is a monthly internet publication jointly produced by the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Tbilisi, the Research Centre for East European Studies at the University of Bremen, the Jefferson Institute in Washington, DC and the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich with support from the German Association for East European Studies (DGO). The Caucasus Analytical Digest analyzes the political, economic, and social situation in the Southern Caucasus within the context of international and security dimensions.
THE EU INVESTIGATION REPORT ON THE AUGUST 2008 WAR AND THE REACTIONS FROM GEORGIA AND RUSSIA
To download this issue or subscribe to the CAD newsletter please click here: http://www.res.ethz.ch/analysis/cad/index.cfm
From the Editors:
The Report of the International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia
Analyses:
The Longer "Countdown to War": Growing Confrontation between Georgia and Russia 2004–2008, by Uwe Halbach, Berlin
Initial Military Operations during the War in Georgia in August 2008, by Wolfgang Richter, Berlin
euGeorgia on the EU Mind, by Antonio Missiroli, Brussels
The Aggression by the Russian Federation against Georgia, by Temuri Yakobashvili, Tbilisi
The South Caucasus in the International Spotlight, by Fyodor Lukyanov, Moscow
Opinion Poll:
Cui Bono? Opinions of the Population of the South Caucasus States on the August War
Chronicle:
From 15 September to 27 October 2009
We welcome feedback on CAD topics or any comments you may have on our publication. To send your comments, please visit our website at http://www.res.ethz.ch/analysis/cad/letters.cfm and click on “Submit a Letter”.
Newsletter, 2 November 2009 / No. 10
CAD is a monthly internet publication jointly produced by the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Tbilisi, the Research Centre for East European Studies at the University of Bremen, the Jefferson Institute in Washington, DC and the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich with support from the German Association for East European Studies (DGO). The Caucasus Analytical Digest analyzes the political, economic, and social situation in the Southern Caucasus within the context of international and security dimensions.
THE EU INVESTIGATION REPORT ON THE AUGUST 2008 WAR AND THE REACTIONS FROM GEORGIA AND RUSSIA
To download this issue or subscribe to the CAD newsletter please click here: http://www.res.ethz.ch/analysis/cad/index.cfm
From the Editors:
The Report of the International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia
Analyses:
The Longer "Countdown to War": Growing Confrontation between Georgia and Russia 2004–2008, by Uwe Halbach, Berlin
Initial Military Operations during the War in Georgia in August 2008, by Wolfgang Richter, Berlin
euGeorgia on the EU Mind, by Antonio Missiroli, Brussels
The Aggression by the Russian Federation against Georgia, by Temuri Yakobashvili, Tbilisi
The South Caucasus in the International Spotlight, by Fyodor Lukyanov, Moscow
Opinion Poll:
Cui Bono? Opinions of the Population of the South Caucasus States on the August War
Chronicle:
From 15 September to 27 October 2009
We welcome feedback on CAD topics or any comments you may have on our publication. To send your comments, please visit our website at http://www.res.ethz.ch/analysis/cad/letters.cfm and click on “Submit a Letter”.
BOOK: Adrienne Mayor, The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates (nationalbook.org)
Adrienne Mayor, The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates
Princeton University Press
Interviewed by Meehan Crist >>>
Adrienne Mayor (stanford.edu) is an independent folklorist/historian of science who investigates natural knowledge contained in pre-scientific myths and oral traditions. Her research looks at ancient "folk science" precursors, alternatives, and parallels to modern scientific methods. Mayor's two books on pre-Darwinian fossil traditions in classical antiquity and in Native America have opened up a new field within geomythology, and her book on the origins of biological weapons uncovered the ancient roots of biochemical warfare. The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome's Deadliest Enemy is Mayor's latest book. It is a 2009 National Book Award Finalist! It is the first biography in a century of the world's first experimental toxicologist, the brilliant rebel leader of a Black Sea empire who challenged Roman imperialism in the first century BC. Mayor is active in classical folklore, and is also a Visiting Scholar in Classics. Her research has been featured on NPR and BBC, the History Channel, and other popular media, most recently in the New York Times and National Geographic; her books are translated into Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Hungarian, Polish, and Modern Greek. For fun: the History Channel's "Ancient Monster Hunters" is based on Mayor's first book, and popular novelists frequently draw on her findings, for example, Helen of Troy and Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George; The Gryphon's Skull by H. Turteltraub; Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom; and Brad Thor's thriller Blowback. Current project: a study of Amazons, ancient women warriors in history and legend.
Books
Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates the Great, Rome's Deadliest Enemy (Princeton University Press, 2009)
Fossil Legends of the First Americans. Princeton University Press, 2005.
Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World. Overlook Press, 2003. rev ed 2008, new introduction.
The First Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times. Princeton University Press, 2000.
AmazonShop: Books, Maps, Videos, Music & Gifts About The Caucasus
Princeton University Press
Interviewed by Meehan Crist >>>
Adrienne Mayor (stanford.edu) is an independent folklorist/historian of science who investigates natural knowledge contained in pre-scientific myths and oral traditions. Her research looks at ancient "folk science" precursors, alternatives, and parallels to modern scientific methods. Mayor's two books on pre-Darwinian fossil traditions in classical antiquity and in Native America have opened up a new field within geomythology, and her book on the origins of biological weapons uncovered the ancient roots of biochemical warfare. The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome's Deadliest Enemy is Mayor's latest book. It is a 2009 National Book Award Finalist! It is the first biography in a century of the world's first experimental toxicologist, the brilliant rebel leader of a Black Sea empire who challenged Roman imperialism in the first century BC. Mayor is active in classical folklore, and is also a Visiting Scholar in Classics. Her research has been featured on NPR and BBC, the History Channel, and other popular media, most recently in the New York Times and National Geographic; her books are translated into Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Hungarian, Polish, and Modern Greek. For fun: the History Channel's "Ancient Monster Hunters" is based on Mayor's first book, and popular novelists frequently draw on her findings, for example, Helen of Troy and Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George; The Gryphon's Skull by H. Turteltraub; Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom; and Brad Thor's thriller Blowback. Current project: a study of Amazons, ancient women warriors in history and legend.
Books
Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates the Great, Rome's Deadliest Enemy (Princeton University Press, 2009)
Fossil Legends of the First Americans. Princeton University Press, 2005.
Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World. Overlook Press, 2003. rev ed 2008, new introduction.
The First Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times. Princeton University Press, 2000.
AmazonShop: Books, Maps, Videos, Music & Gifts About The Caucasus
VIDEO: Deutsche Häuser für Kriegsflüchtlinge (zdf.de)
Video >>>
ZDF heute in europa, 02.11.2009
Flüchtlingshilfe: Deutschland hat in der georgischen Stadt Gori 300 winterfeste Fertighäuser für Vertriebene aus Südossetien gebaut. Die Unterkunft bietet Wohnraum für bis zu 1300 Personen.
ZDF heute in europa, 02.11.2009
Flüchtlingshilfe: Deutschland hat in der georgischen Stadt Gori 300 winterfeste Fertighäuser für Vertriebene aus Südossetien gebaut. Die Unterkunft bietet Wohnraum für bis zu 1300 Personen.
MAGAZIN: Georgien-Special (berliner-journalisten.com)
52 Georgien ist keine Pufferzone
Reportage von Jutta Rabe und Bernd Lammel über das Kaukasusland 20 Jahre nach dem Ende des Kalten Krieges
58 Bauchschuss im ‚friendly fire‘
Über einen Trainingskurs für Journalisten bei der Berichterstattung in Kriegs- und Krisengebieten
62 Georgischer Frühling
Ein Magnum-Fotoband über den heutigen Alltag in Georgien
siehe Heft 22 >>>
Reportage von Jutta Rabe und Bernd Lammel über das Kaukasusland 20 Jahre nach dem Ende des Kalten Krieges
58 Bauchschuss im ‚friendly fire‘
Über einen Trainingskurs für Journalisten bei der Berichterstattung in Kriegs- und Krisengebieten
62 Georgischer Frühling
Ein Magnum-Fotoband über den heutigen Alltag in Georgien
siehe Heft 22 >>>
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
E-BOOK: Padraic Colum (1881–1972). The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived before Achilles. 1921. (bartleby.com)
CONTENT
Part I. The Voyage to Colchis
Chapter XII. The Mountain Caucasus
THEY rested in the harbor of Thynias, the desert island, and sailing from there they came to the land of the Mariandyni, a people who were constantly at war with the Bebrycians; there the hero Polydeuces was welcomed as a god. Twelve days afterward they passed the mouth of the River Callichorus; then they came to the mouth of that river that flows through the land of the Amazons, the River Thermodon. Fourteen days from that place brought them to the island that is filled with the birds of Ares, the god of war. These birds dropped upon the heroes heavy, pointed feathers that would have pierced them as arrows if they had not covered themselves with their shields; then by shouting, and by striking their shields with their spears, they raised such a clamor as drove the birds away.
They sailed on, borne by a gentle breeze, until a gulf of the sea opened before them, and lo! a mountain that they knew bore some mighty name. Orpheus, looking on its peak and its crags, said, “Lo, now! We, the Argonauts, are looking upon the mountain that is named Caucasus!”
When he declared the name the heroes all stood up and looked on the mountain with awe. And in awe they cried out a name, and that name was “Prometheus!”
further >>>
Part I. The Voyage to Colchis
Chapter XII. The Mountain Caucasus
THEY rested in the harbor of Thynias, the desert island, and sailing from there they came to the land of the Mariandyni, a people who were constantly at war with the Bebrycians; there the hero Polydeuces was welcomed as a god. Twelve days afterward they passed the mouth of the River Callichorus; then they came to the mouth of that river that flows through the land of the Amazons, the River Thermodon. Fourteen days from that place brought them to the island that is filled with the birds of Ares, the god of war. These birds dropped upon the heroes heavy, pointed feathers that would have pierced them as arrows if they had not covered themselves with their shields; then by shouting, and by striking their shields with their spears, they raised such a clamor as drove the birds away.
They sailed on, borne by a gentle breeze, until a gulf of the sea opened before them, and lo! a mountain that they knew bore some mighty name. Orpheus, looking on its peak and its crags, said, “Lo, now! We, the Argonauts, are looking upon the mountain that is named Caucasus!”
When he declared the name the heroes all stood up and looked on the mountain with awe. And in awe they cried out a name, and that name was “Prometheus!”
further >>>
Monday, November 02, 2009
VIDEO: Fingers Theatre - Georgian Dance (youtube.com)
comments to fingers_theatre@qnt.cc
Following to successful completion of several sketches by director Besso Kupreishvili in Batumi during 1988 in Children's Art Studio "Mtiebi" (Leader N. Nijaradze) the idea of founding the Finger Theatre was established. On June 7, 1991 in "Actor's House" adult theatre-studio "99+2" was presented with performance "Extravaganza". The performance was presented with new, unique way and established closer contact with the audience by means of costumed fingers, which had an impressive influence on the spectators with its creativity. That is the reason theatre-studio was called as "Finger Theatre" and despite its varying and wide range of performances it carries the same name up till now and the performance "Extravaganza" became its "visit card". "Finger Theatre" is one of the first underground theatres in Georgia, which became prominent as soon as it was established and occupied its own place in Georgian Theatrical space.
In 1993 based on scenic novels, which were created as a result of studio type working, the director B. Kupreisvili presented to audience the performance called "Permanence". The performance is nonverbal, where the human life the philosophical side and importance of relationships are exposed permanently, but with single standpoint.
In 1993 Children's Art Studio "Mtiebi" and theatre-studio presented B. Korostilov's "Pirosmani" (Director B. Kupreishvili, Artist N. Nijaradze, B. Beselia, Musical Design I. Bardanashvili). Together with actor B. Mikautidze young 8-12 years old actors took part in the performance, which gave it more sincerity, attraction and emphasized the truthfulness of main hero's (Pirosmani) creative work.
In 1993 Batumi audience witnessed the performance called "Lively Pictures" with the participation of adolescent actors (Director and Musical Design B. Kupreishvili, Artist N. Nijaradze). This performance is also nonverbal, where the famous paintings and pictures are actualized on stage by movement and plastic arts, which gives them more significance and are provided to the audience as on fixed moment of human life.
In 1994 theatre-studio invited director D. Matskhonashvili, who offered to audience "Eskorial" by Michel de Calderode.
In 1994 B. Kurpeishvili tries his skills in the field of absurdity. He presented the "Simply". Come and Go"(come and 96) by S. Bacath. Participation of senior stage masters gave the performance entirely unexpected and modern tension and showed to audience the awareness to meet the last minutes of life, transformation into the new world and feeling of life's vanity.
In 1995 together with actors Z. Sturua and M. Abuladze, B. Kupreishvili presented "A&B" by Maty Unt, which in the same year was awarded the nomination - "The most daring idea and its realization".
Therefore "Finger Theatre's" work was not bounded only by studio type performances or directed only in single course, however together with completed performances the studio type working was continued and in 1994-1995 theatre-studio offered Batumi several street performances ("Palmando", "Bolero", "Globe"), by means of which it became possible to hold the public ceremony.
Since 1995 till 2000 due to movement to new building and its reconstruction "Finger Theater" temporarily stopped studio-based work and mainly was engaged in the following tours:
2009 Morocco."BIENALLE INTERNATIONALE DES THEATRES DU MONDE"
2009 Iran."International Fedjr Festival."
2008 Lithuania.Staging the perfprmance "My Hamlet"(by William Shakespeare)
2008 Tour around Lithuania:Vilnius,Klipeda,Kaunas,paneveji,Shauliai,etc.
2007 Egypt.International Festival of Experimental Theatres
2007 Lithuania."Druskininkai"Festival
2007 Kazakhstan.Cultural days of Georgia
2006 Yerevan."High Fest"
2005 Turkey.Cultural Days Of Georgia
2003 Reshon-Lesion, Israel.
2001 Scarborough, Bristol, Edinburgh, London - United Kingdom.
2000-2001 Trabzon, Turkey. Theatrical Festival of Black Sea Countries.
1999 - Baku, Azerbaijan. Georgian Culture Days.
1998 - Di, FranceGeorgian Culture Days.
1997 - Charleville -Messier, France. The World Festival of Puppet Theatres.
2000 - The performance "Matrioshka" by Turkish playwright Tunjur Gugenoglus was staged (Director M. Lebanidze, Actors: Eka Chavleishvili and Zaza Goguadze).
2001 - The project "FESTIvali"-t was completed.
2003 - The project "Caucasus Aleatory" took place.
February 6, 2006 - the official presentation of "Fingers Theatre" took place in Tbilisi.
Since 2007 till present the performances and the rehearsals of "FINGERS THEATRE" take place in "MARJANISHVILI STATE DRAMA THEATRE".
In 1993 based on scenic novels, which were created as a result of studio type working, the director B. Kupreisvili presented to audience the performance called "Permanence". The performance is nonverbal, where the human life the philosophical side and importance of relationships are exposed permanently, but with single standpoint.
In 1993 Children's Art Studio "Mtiebi" and theatre-studio presented B. Korostilov's "Pirosmani" (Director B. Kupreishvili, Artist N. Nijaradze, B. Beselia, Musical Design I. Bardanashvili). Together with actor B. Mikautidze young 8-12 years old actors took part in the performance, which gave it more sincerity, attraction and emphasized the truthfulness of main hero's (Pirosmani) creative work.
In 1993 Batumi audience witnessed the performance called "Lively Pictures" with the participation of adolescent actors (Director and Musical Design B. Kupreishvili, Artist N. Nijaradze). This performance is also nonverbal, where the famous paintings and pictures are actualized on stage by movement and plastic arts, which gives them more significance and are provided to the audience as on fixed moment of human life.
In 1994 theatre-studio invited director D. Matskhonashvili, who offered to audience "Eskorial" by Michel de Calderode.
In 1994 B. Kurpeishvili tries his skills in the field of absurdity. He presented the "Simply". Come and Go"(come and 96) by S. Bacath. Participation of senior stage masters gave the performance entirely unexpected and modern tension and showed to audience the awareness to meet the last minutes of life, transformation into the new world and feeling of life's vanity.
In 1995 together with actors Z. Sturua and M. Abuladze, B. Kupreishvili presented "A&B" by Maty Unt, which in the same year was awarded the nomination - "The most daring idea and its realization".
Therefore "Finger Theatre's" work was not bounded only by studio type performances or directed only in single course, however together with completed performances the studio type working was continued and in 1994-1995 theatre-studio offered Batumi several street performances ("Palmando", "Bolero", "Globe"), by means of which it became possible to hold the public ceremony.
Since 1995 till 2000 due to movement to new building and its reconstruction "Finger Theater" temporarily stopped studio-based work and mainly was engaged in the following tours:
2009 Morocco."BIENALLE INTERNATIONALE DES THEATRES DU MONDE"
2009 Iran."International Fedjr Festival."
2008 Lithuania.Staging the perfprmance "My Hamlet"(by William Shakespeare)
2008 Tour around Lithuania:Vilnius,Klipeda,Kaunas,paneveji,Shauliai,etc.
2007 Egypt.International Festival of Experimental Theatres
2007 Lithuania."Druskininkai"Festival
2007 Kazakhstan.Cultural days of Georgia
2006 Yerevan."High Fest"
2005 Turkey.Cultural Days Of Georgia
2003 Reshon-Lesion, Israel.
2001 Scarborough, Bristol, Edinburgh, London - United Kingdom.
2000-2001 Trabzon, Turkey. Theatrical Festival of Black Sea Countries.
1999 - Baku, Azerbaijan. Georgian Culture Days.
1998 - Di, FranceGeorgian Culture Days.
1997 - Charleville -Messier, France. The World Festival of Puppet Theatres.
2000 - The performance "Matrioshka" by Turkish playwright Tunjur Gugenoglus was staged (Director M. Lebanidze, Actors: Eka Chavleishvili and Zaza Goguadze).
2001 - The project "FESTIvali"-t was completed.
2003 - The project "Caucasus Aleatory" took place.
February 6, 2006 - the official presentation of "Fingers Theatre" took place in Tbilisi.
Since 2007 till present the performances and the rehearsals of "FINGERS THEATRE" take place in "MARJANISHVILI STATE DRAMA THEATRE".
Website: www.fingers-theatre.net
REVIEW: IS TURKEY TURNING EAST? By Nasimi Aghayev (cria-online.org)
Caucasus Update No. 53 - Caucasian Review of International Affairs (CRIA)
For some time, there have been fears that Turkey has begun moving away from its traditional Euro-Atlantic orientation, towards the Middle East and the Muslim world. Turkey’s condemnation of Israel’s attack on Gaza in January was followed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s walk-out during a debate with Israeli President Shimon Peres at the World Economic Forum.
In early October, Turkey vetoed Israel’s participation in a joint air-force exercise, again citing its conduct in Gaza. In the same week Turkish TV aired a show portraying Israeli soldiers as child- killers, provoking fury in Tel Aviv.
On a recent visit to Iran, the Turkish premier signed a gas deal and several economic cooperation agreements (Press TV, October 28). Before the visit, Mr Erdogan defended Iran’s right to nuclear energy and accused those countries which oppose Tehran’s atomic program of hypocrisy (Guardian, October 26). Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was understandably delighted, and pundits in the West were understandably shaken.
The New York Times argued that lack of progress on EU membership was driving Turkey away (NY Times, October 27). The Christian Science Monitor called it ‘worrisome’ (Christian Science Monitor, October 29). Overall, the assumption seems to be that Turkey’s growing clout, and disillusionment with its EU membership talks, is leading it towards a closer relationship with autocratic Middle Eastern states like Iran and Syria.
So are Europe and America ‘losing’ Turkey? Probably not. The evidence in support of this theory is disjointed and selective, and ignores other key facts. On Israel, for instance, this argument assumes that Turkey’s fury over Gaza is in some way manufactured, that it is designed entirely to win support on the ‘Arab street’ (and indeed the Persian street).
Although Turkey’s leaders are not blind to the credit that this will earn them in the Muslim world (also, within Turkey itself), there is little doubt that their anger is genuine. Turkey has been attempting to encourage progress on the Arab-Israeli peace process for years, and saw its fragile gains destroyed during Operation Cast Lead. Rightly or wrongly, Ankara sees Israel as mainly responsible. As for the TV program, it would be absurd to assume that the Turkish government was responsible for the content and the timing.
It is also odd to link Turkish anger at Israel with turning away from the EU. For all its links with Brussels and Washington, the Jewish state is not an integral part of ‘the West’, geographically or politically. Ankara is quite capable of opposing Israel’s actions without abandoning its EU membership application. And although the reputation of that process is heavily tarnished, and there is significant frustration amongst ordinary Turks over European hostility to Turkish membership, EU integration remains a priority of the AKP Government.
Senior Turkish officials have made this plain in recent days. They also poured cold water on the whole idea that Turkey is turning East – “Is it so easy to change direction?” asked President Abdullah Gul rhetorically (Today’s Zaman, October 30).
This statement hints at the heart of the matter. Complex states do not have a single geopolitical ‘direction’. President Gul visited Serbia on October 26th, but this hardly means that Ankara is seeking to re-establish Ottoman influence in the Balkans, as some seem to believe it is doing in the Middle East. To take another parallel, no-one would seriously believe that increased US diplomacy towards China would be a sign of abandoning NATO and Europe.
Ankara’s foreign policy, now more than ever, is famously focused on ‘zero problems with neighbours’ (RFE/RL, October 30). Given Turkey’s unique position at the confluence of so many different regions, this policy is bound to involve dealing with states whom the West distrusts – Iran, Russia, and Syria, for instance.
Expecting Turkey to suspend cooperation with Tehran is an easy judgement to make in Washington or Brussels, but not so in Ankara. An otherwise hostile Wall Street Journal acknowledged this on October 30, recognising that “nations do not have the luxury of picking their neighbours” (Wall Street Journal, October 30). Turkey needs Iran to cooperate: on energy, trade, and on containing Kurdish militants.
In any case, Turkey has absolutely no interest in a nuclear Iran. What most commentaries fearing a Turkish-Iranian alliance ignore is that, just a few weeks ago, Ankara ordered advanced Patriot missile batteries from the US (Eurasia Daily Monitor, September 16). It was keen to insist that this was not due to any threat, but the move is obviously in response to Iran’s strategic missile programme. Mr Erdogan’s praise of President Ahmadinejad was, given this context, simple diplomacy, made before a visit in which he hoped to secure extensive trade and energy deals. It would have been surprising, and contrary to Turkey’s foreign policy, to have prepared for his visit by thundering against the country’s nuclear program.
The ‘losing Turkey’ argument – which assumes that, given the AK Party’s Islamist past, Turkey is also becoming more Islamic in nature - also ignores moves such as the thaw with Christian Armenia. This was also undertaken in the framework of the same “zero problems” concept.
Assuming that Turkey is somehow moving away from the West, towards the Middle East, or towards some kind of pact with Iran, is a narrow view. It ignores historic rivalry between them, fails to recognise Turkish fears of an Iranian nuclear weapon (whatever Mr Erdogan might say in public), and conflates Israel with the EU or NATO. Most importantly, it underestimates Ankara’s foreign policy. Turkey is smart enough to be able to look East and West at the same time.
For some time, there have been fears that Turkey has begun moving away from its traditional Euro-Atlantic orientation, towards the Middle East and the Muslim world. Turkey’s condemnation of Israel’s attack on Gaza in January was followed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s walk-out during a debate with Israeli President Shimon Peres at the World Economic Forum.
In early October, Turkey vetoed Israel’s participation in a joint air-force exercise, again citing its conduct in Gaza. In the same week Turkish TV aired a show portraying Israeli soldiers as child- killers, provoking fury in Tel Aviv.
On a recent visit to Iran, the Turkish premier signed a gas deal and several economic cooperation agreements (Press TV, October 28). Before the visit, Mr Erdogan defended Iran’s right to nuclear energy and accused those countries which oppose Tehran’s atomic program of hypocrisy (Guardian, October 26). Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was understandably delighted, and pundits in the West were understandably shaken.
The New York Times argued that lack of progress on EU membership was driving Turkey away (NY Times, October 27). The Christian Science Monitor called it ‘worrisome’ (Christian Science Monitor, October 29). Overall, the assumption seems to be that Turkey’s growing clout, and disillusionment with its EU membership talks, is leading it towards a closer relationship with autocratic Middle Eastern states like Iran and Syria.
So are Europe and America ‘losing’ Turkey? Probably not. The evidence in support of this theory is disjointed and selective, and ignores other key facts. On Israel, for instance, this argument assumes that Turkey’s fury over Gaza is in some way manufactured, that it is designed entirely to win support on the ‘Arab street’ (and indeed the Persian street).
Although Turkey’s leaders are not blind to the credit that this will earn them in the Muslim world (also, within Turkey itself), there is little doubt that their anger is genuine. Turkey has been attempting to encourage progress on the Arab-Israeli peace process for years, and saw its fragile gains destroyed during Operation Cast Lead. Rightly or wrongly, Ankara sees Israel as mainly responsible. As for the TV program, it would be absurd to assume that the Turkish government was responsible for the content and the timing.
It is also odd to link Turkish anger at Israel with turning away from the EU. For all its links with Brussels and Washington, the Jewish state is not an integral part of ‘the West’, geographically or politically. Ankara is quite capable of opposing Israel’s actions without abandoning its EU membership application. And although the reputation of that process is heavily tarnished, and there is significant frustration amongst ordinary Turks over European hostility to Turkish membership, EU integration remains a priority of the AKP Government.
Senior Turkish officials have made this plain in recent days. They also poured cold water on the whole idea that Turkey is turning East – “Is it so easy to change direction?” asked President Abdullah Gul rhetorically (Today’s Zaman, October 30).
This statement hints at the heart of the matter. Complex states do not have a single geopolitical ‘direction’. President Gul visited Serbia on October 26th, but this hardly means that Ankara is seeking to re-establish Ottoman influence in the Balkans, as some seem to believe it is doing in the Middle East. To take another parallel, no-one would seriously believe that increased US diplomacy towards China would be a sign of abandoning NATO and Europe.
Ankara’s foreign policy, now more than ever, is famously focused on ‘zero problems with neighbours’ (RFE/RL, October 30). Given Turkey’s unique position at the confluence of so many different regions, this policy is bound to involve dealing with states whom the West distrusts – Iran, Russia, and Syria, for instance.
Expecting Turkey to suspend cooperation with Tehran is an easy judgement to make in Washington or Brussels, but not so in Ankara. An otherwise hostile Wall Street Journal acknowledged this on October 30, recognising that “nations do not have the luxury of picking their neighbours” (Wall Street Journal, October 30). Turkey needs Iran to cooperate: on energy, trade, and on containing Kurdish militants.
In any case, Turkey has absolutely no interest in a nuclear Iran. What most commentaries fearing a Turkish-Iranian alliance ignore is that, just a few weeks ago, Ankara ordered advanced Patriot missile batteries from the US (Eurasia Daily Monitor, September 16). It was keen to insist that this was not due to any threat, but the move is obviously in response to Iran’s strategic missile programme. Mr Erdogan’s praise of President Ahmadinejad was, given this context, simple diplomacy, made before a visit in which he hoped to secure extensive trade and energy deals. It would have been surprising, and contrary to Turkey’s foreign policy, to have prepared for his visit by thundering against the country’s nuclear program.
The ‘losing Turkey’ argument – which assumes that, given the AK Party’s Islamist past, Turkey is also becoming more Islamic in nature - also ignores moves such as the thaw with Christian Armenia. This was also undertaken in the framework of the same “zero problems” concept.
Assuming that Turkey is somehow moving away from the West, towards the Middle East, or towards some kind of pact with Iran, is a narrow view. It ignores historic rivalry between them, fails to recognise Turkish fears of an Iranian nuclear weapon (whatever Mr Erdogan might say in public), and conflates Israel with the EU or NATO. Most importantly, it underestimates Ankara’s foreign policy. Turkey is smart enough to be able to look East and West at the same time.
source: cria-online.org
Saturday, October 31, 2009
REPORT: European Council On Foreign Relations to Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Southcaucasus (ecfr.eu)
PHOTOREPORTAGE: GEORGIA: LUXURY HOTEL GOES UP ON STALIN-ERA SECRET PRISON SITE (eurasianet.org)
By Molly CorsoSecret prison cells from the Stalin era have been discovered on a Tbilisi construction site for a $90-million luxury hotel for the international Kempinski Hotel chain. The cells, located in the city’s former Institute of Marxism and Leninism, are believed to be the first of their kind to be found in Georgia since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Construction workers stumbled upon the cells in September when they were demolishing the Institute’s basement for construction of the Kempinski Hotel on the site, said site security manager Davit Kvikvelidze.
Made up of several cage-like structures inserted into the walls of an underground area located beneath the basement, the cells were not visible on the building’s blueprints and did not come to light during an earlier inspection of the building, said a representative of the hotel developers, the United Arab Emirates-based Abu Dhabi Group. Workers also came upon another unsavory discovery -- cemetery gravestones used to build the Institute’s interior walls and columns. The gravestones are believed to come from three Tbilisi cemeteries destroyed during the 1920s and 1930s.
Giorgi Seturidze, the chief executive officer of the Abu Dhabi Group in Georgia, called the discovery "a shock." The Geneva-based Kempinski Hotel chain, which will manage the 240-room facility when it is completed in 2012, would not comment on the discovery.
full text and all photos >>>
ARTICLE: 'World's oldest gold mine' uncovered in Georgia (mediacentre.gold.org)
The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.
Friday, 30th October 2009 (95 views)
Experts have claimed to have found the oldest gold mine in the world.
Located 46 metres below ground level, the mine was first found by archaeologists near the Georgian capital of Tbilisi in 2005, China Central Television reports.
Recent tests have suggested that it could date back to the third millennium BC.
The discoverers of the mine found grooved tools indicating that the mine once held gold, although questions remain over what happened to the precious metal at the site.
Head of the excavation works Irina Gambashidze said tests had been carried out on two pieces of ceramics that were found at the mine, which dated them to the Kura-Araxis period.
"Afterwards, we did radio carbon dating of the charcoal collected here, which corresponded to the age of ceramics and thus we could say these findings represented the early Bronze Age," she explained.
Ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Persians placed great importance on gold, with evidence suggesting that the Egyptians in particular were familiar with the precious metal as far back as 2600 BC.
source: mediacentre.gold.org
Friday, 30th October 2009 (95 views)
Experts have claimed to have found the oldest gold mine in the world.
Located 46 metres below ground level, the mine was first found by archaeologists near the Georgian capital of Tbilisi in 2005, China Central Television reports.
Recent tests have suggested that it could date back to the third millennium BC.
The discoverers of the mine found grooved tools indicating that the mine once held gold, although questions remain over what happened to the precious metal at the site.
Head of the excavation works Irina Gambashidze said tests had been carried out on two pieces of ceramics that were found at the mine, which dated them to the Kura-Araxis period.
"Afterwards, we did radio carbon dating of the charcoal collected here, which corresponded to the age of ceramics and thus we could say these findings represented the early Bronze Age," she explained.
Ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Persians placed great importance on gold, with evidence suggesting that the Egyptians in particular were familiar with the precious metal as far back as 2600 BC.
source: mediacentre.gold.org
PUBLICATION: Tagliavini Commission Report Awakens an Extinct Protest Volcano in Georgia (jamestown.org)
By: Koba Liklikadze
The name of the Swiss diplomat Heidi Tagliavini may soon be used as a flagship for a new protest movement in Georgia. The implacable Georgian opposition, who previously ran three-month long protest rallies which commenced in April, have reiterated their calls for pre-term elections in the country (www.civil.ge, October 2). Nino Burjanadze, the former parliamentary speaker and leader of the Democratic Movement-United Georgia party asserted that President Mikheil Saakashvili should be held responsible for his policies and has attempted to rally opposition parties to consider how “to set Georgia free of Saakashvili’s regime, so that the people can elect a truly national, accountable and state-minded leadership” (Interpress News, October 2).
full article >>>
The name of the Swiss diplomat Heidi Tagliavini may soon be used as a flagship for a new protest movement in Georgia. The implacable Georgian opposition, who previously ran three-month long protest rallies which commenced in April, have reiterated their calls for pre-term elections in the country (www.civil.ge, October 2). Nino Burjanadze, the former parliamentary speaker and leader of the Democratic Movement-United Georgia party asserted that President Mikheil Saakashvili should be held responsible for his policies and has attempted to rally opposition parties to consider how “to set Georgia free of Saakashvili’s regime, so that the people can elect a truly national, accountable and state-minded leadership” (Interpress News, October 2).
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BLOG: Farewell to Tbilisi (roger-in-tbilisi.blogspot.com)
Most of the international visitors left Tbilisi after the performance of Doiashvili's Macbeth (or Sturua’s Hamlet) on Monday night. I was in a bar with the cast of Macbeth and other friends, including the Minister of Culture, until 5.00am so my last morning in Tbilisi was spent in bed!
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