CONFERENCE SPEAKERS Larry Diamond Director of CDDRL at Stanford University
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The Russian-Georgian War: Implications for the Un and Collective Security
OAKA Cilt:4, Sayı: 7, ss. 29-43, 2009 THE RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN WAR: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UN AND COLLECTIVE SECURITY RUSYA-GÜRCİSTAN SAVAŞI’NIN KOLLEKTİF GÜVENLİK VE BM ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİLERİ Roman MUZALEVSKY 1 ABSTRACT This paper examines UN’s involvement in Georgia following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and analyzes implications of the 2008 Russian-Georgian War for the international state system, the UN itself and collective security. It presents definitions of humanitarian intervention, self-defense, sovereignty and territorial integrity promoted by the UN as correct notions in theory but frequently conflicting concepts in practice. The war between Russia and Georgia, along with the cases of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, serves as a case study demonstrating the difficulties of regional dispute resolution when international principles conflict and geopolitics comes into play. The paper shows that the UN’s role in providing for international security after the Russian-Georgian war has been undermined and that there is a clear need for reforms within the UN, realignment of its vision, purposes, and especially principles. Better reconciling, legally and practically, the frequently exclusive conceptions of territorial integrity and self-determination, state sovereignty and humanitarian intervention is essential to help prevent or mitigate breaches of international law and collective security the UN positions but not quite serves as a sole guarantor of. Key Words: UN, Russia, Georgia, Security, International Law ÖZET Bu çalışma Sovyetlerin dağılmasını takiben Birleşmiş Milletler’in Gürcistan’a yönelik politikalarını incelemekte ve 2008 Rus-Gürcü Savaşı’nın uluslararası devlet sistemi, kollektif güvenlik ve Birleşmiş Milletler açısından etkilerini analiz etmektedir. Makale Birleşmiş Milletler tarafından desteklenen insancıl müdahale, meşru müdafaa, egemenlik ve bölgesel bütünleşme gibi kavramları teoride doğru ancak pratikte sık sık çatışan nosyonlar olarak değerlendirmektedir. -
Russian Hybrid Tactics in Georgia
Russian Hybrid Tactics in Georgia Niklas Nilsson SILK ROAD PAPER January 2018 Russian Hybrid Tactics in Georgia Niklas Nilsson © Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program – A Joint Transatlantic Research and Policy Center American Foreign Policy Council, 509 C St NE, Washington D.C. Institute for Security and Development Policy, V. Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka, Sweden www.silkroadstudies.org “Russian Hybrid Tactics in Georgia” is a Silk Road Paper published by the Central Asia- Caucasus Institute and Silk Road Studies Program, Joint Center. The Silk Road Papers Series is the Occasional Paper series of the Joint Center, and addresses topical and timely subjects. The Joint Center is a transatlantic independent and non-profit research and policy center. It has offices in Washington and Stockholm and is affiliated with the American Foreign Policy Council and the Institute for Security and Development Policy. It is the first institution of its kind in Europe and North America, and is firmly established as a leading research and policy center, serving a large and diverse community of analysts, scholars, policy-watchers, business leaders, and journalists. The Joint Center is at the forefront of research on issues of conflict, security, and development in the region. Through its applied research, publications, research cooperation, public lectures, and seminars, it functions as a focal point for academic, policy, and public discussion regarding the region. The opinions and conclusions expressed in this study are those of -
Georgia: What Now?
GEORGIA: WHAT NOW? 3 December 2003 Europe Report N°151 Tbilisi/Brussels TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................. i I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 II. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................. 2 A. HISTORY ...............................................................................................................................2 B. GEOPOLITICS ........................................................................................................................3 1. External Players .........................................................................................................4 2. Why Georgia Matters.................................................................................................5 III. WHAT LED TO THE REVOLUTION........................................................................ 6 A. ELECTIONS – FREE AND FAIR? ..............................................................................................8 B. ELECTION DAY AND AFTER ..................................................................................................9 IV. ENSURING STATE CONTINUITY .......................................................................... 12 A. STABILITY IN THE TRANSITION PERIOD ...............................................................................12 B. THE PRO-SHEVARDNADZE -
Foreign Affairs 3
NEWS DIGEST ON GEORGIA September 26-29 Compiled by: Aleksandre Davitashvili Date: September 30, 2019 Occupied Regions Abkhazia Region 1. 26 years passed since fall of Sokhumi The Georgian government and parliament members, leaders of various political parties gathered at Memorial of Heroes in Tbilisi to commemorate those, who died in the struggle for Georgia’s territorial integrity. Wreaths are laid at the memorial. Military confrontation in Abkhazia began on August 14, 1992. Military activities lasted for 13 months and 13 days and ended with the fall of Sokhumi on September 27, 1993. Russian, North Caucasian and Cossack units stormed the building of the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia early on September 27 and captured Zhiuli Shartava, head of the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia, the Mayor of Sokhumi and 27 employees of the Council of Ministers. The captured people who did not leave Sukhumi were shot dead (1TV, September 27, 2019). 2. Giorgi Gakharia: September 27 is most difficult and painful day for every citizen of Georgia “For all citizens of today’s Georgia, regardless of their age, this day, September 27, marks the day when Sokhumi fell 26 years ago. Of course, both we and Abkhazians have learned a lot and have grown since. We share many bonds, and what binds us is the understanding and acknowledgment that the war was the most devastating tragedy. And that is the foundation allowing us to say that peace is critically important to both Georgians and Abkhazians. Consequently, it is important for every citizen to understand that war is not a solution, and that tireless efforts 24/7 building the country and democratic institutions, and a strong and unified Georgia is what we must serve together.”, – Giorgi Gakharia said (1TV, September 27, 2019). -
Georgia: Background and U.S
Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy Updated September 5, 2018 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45307 SUMMARY R45307 Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy September 5, 2018 Georgia is one of the United States’ closest non-NATO partners among the post-Soviet states. With a history of strong economic aid and security cooperation, the United States Cory Welt has deepened its strategic partnership with Georgia since Russia’s 2008 invasion of Analyst in European Affairs Georgia and 2014 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. policy expressly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Georgia is a leading recipient of U.S. aid in Europe and Eurasia. Many observers consider Georgia to be one of the most democratic states in the post-Soviet region, even as the country faces ongoing governance challenges. The center-left Georgian Dream party has more than a three-fourths supermajority in parliament, allowing it to rule with only limited checks and balances. Although Georgia faces high rates of poverty and underemployment, its economy in 2017 appeared to enter a period of stronger growth than the previous four years. The Georgian Dream won elections in 2012 amid growing dissatisfaction with the former ruling party, Georgia: Basic Facts Mikheil Saakashvili’s center-right United National Population: 3.73 million (2018 est.) Movement, which came to power as a result of Comparative Area: slightly larger than West Virginia Georgia’s 2003 Rose Revolution. In August 2008, Capital: Tbilisi Russia went to war with Georgia to prevent Ethnic Composition: 87% Georgian, 6% Azerbaijani, 5% Saakashvili’s government from reestablishing control Armenian (2014 census) over Georgia’s regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Religion: 83% Georgian Orthodox, 11% Muslim, 3% Armenian which broke away from Georgia in the early 1990s to Apostolic (2014 census) become informal Russian protectorates. -
Puzzles of State Transformation : the Cases of Armenia and Georgia
PUZZLES OF STATE TRANSFORMATION : THE CASES OF ARMENIA AND GEORGIA Nicole Gallina ∗∗∗ Abstract The problems of weak state structures, including state territoriality, in the South Caucasus has highly influenced political developments and the building of a democratic state. This paper explains the difficulty of recovering statehood in the cases of Armenia and Georgia, both in the context of post–Soviet state transformation and post–conflict state-rebuilding. It argues that recovering statehood in the South Caucasus meant at once maintaining the status quo within the state structures and managing the highly volatile political and ethnic relations (culminating in armed conflict). In the cases of conflict, elite management impeded conflict solution. In this context, this paper finds that elite power slowed the construction of a democratic and effective state. In particular, elite fragmentation has led to serious impediments for state development and the consolidation of territoriality. In sum, elite-led state development and conflict management hindered the successful consolidation of state territoriality. Keywords: Armenia, Georgia, state-building, frozen conflicts, elite fragmentation Introduction In the South Caucasus, questions of state reform and state territoriality have dominated the post- Soviet situation. In particular, the insufficient consolidation of state territoriality has had a great impact on the overall state capacities, often characterized by large military budgets and low social spending. Instable territoriality and separatist tendencies led to military conflicts in both Armenia and Georgia – most recently in Georgia in August 2008. The example of Georgia has clearly shown the importance of territorial questions in post-Soviet political development. The first hot conflict phase in the early 1990s resulted in the heavy destruction of infrastructure and in the degradation of living conditions . -
Regulating Trans-Ingur/I Economic Relations Views from Two Banks
RegUlating tRans-ingUR/i economic Relations Views fRom two Banks July 2011 Understanding conflict. Building peace. this initiative is funded by the european union about international alert international alert is a 25-year-old independent peacebuilding organisation. We work with people who are directly affected by violent conflict to improve their prospects of peace. and we seek to influence the policies and ways of working of governments, international organisations like the un and multinational companies, to reduce conflict risk and increase the prospects of peace. We work in africa, several parts of asia, the south Caucasus, the Middle east and Latin america and have recently started work in the uK. our policy work focuses on several key themes that influence prospects for peace and security – the economy, climate change, gender, the role of international institutions, the impact of development aid, and the effect of good and bad governance. We are one of the world’s leading peacebuilding nGos with more than 155 staff based in London and 15 field offices. to learn more about how and where we work, visit www.international-alert.org. this publication has been made possible with the help of the uK Conflict pool and the european union instrument of stability. its contents are the sole responsibility of international alert and can in no way be regarded as reflecting the point of view of the european union or the uK government. © international alert 2011 all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without full attribution. -
Country of Origin Information Report Republic of Georgia 25 November
REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT Country of Origin Information Service 25 November 2010 GEORGIA 25 NOVEMBER 2010 Contents Preface Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................ 1.01 Maps ...................................................................................................................... 1.05 2. ECONOMY ................................................................................................................ 2.01 3. HISTORY .................................................................................................................. 3.01 Post-communist Georgia, 1990-2003.................................................................. 3.02 Political developments, 2003-2007...................................................................... 3.03 Elections of 2008 .................................................................................................. 3.05 Presidential election, January 2008 ................................................................... 3.05 Parliamentary election, May 2008 ...................................................................... 3.06 Armed conflict with Russia, August 2008 .......................................................... 3.09 Developments following the 2008 armed conflict.............................................. 3.10 4. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS .......................................................................................... -
Chronicle: the Caucasus in the Year 2009
Chronicle: The Caucasus in the year 2009 January 2 January 2009 Greece, which takes over the OSCE chairmanship from Finland, declares diplomatic efforts will continue to reach a consensus on the extension of the OSCE mission in Georgia 4 January 2009 Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs says Georgian police post was attacked in the village of Ganmukhuri at the Abkhaz administrative border 6 January 2009 Azerbaijan Democratic Party condemns the closure of foreign radio stations in Azerbaijan 6 January 2009 Georgian public TV announces Georgia’s participation in the Eurovision song contest in Moscow in May 8 January 2009 An inter-agency anti-corruption council is set up in Georgia to upgrade the national anti-corruption strategy and action plan 9 January 2009 US and Georgian officials sign a bilateral charter on strategic partnership 9 January 2009 Transit of Russian gas to Armenia is halted after a gas pipeline is damaged in Southern Georgia 10 January 2009 Russian state-controlled electricity trader Inter RAO signs a memorandum of understanding with Georgia on the exploitation of the Enguri hydro power plant (HPP) 12 January 2009 Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava rules out early elections 12 January 2009 Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey visits Georgia to sign agreement with Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze on the protection of Georgia’s interests in Russia by Switzerland 12 January 2009 Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves visits Azerbaijan 13 January 2009 Opposition parties in Georgia criticize the government for striking -
Abkhazia to Be Included in Even More Distant
caucasus analytical caucasus analytical digest 07/09 digest rity? Which flexible arrangements are conceivable for zia, whether in the framework of a common state or the issuing of visas for Abkhaz holders of Georgian as two cooperating independent states, have become passports that would allow Abkhazia to be included in even more distant. The same is true to an even greater European education and exchange programs? extent for the possible integration of both into a “polit- Which measures would allow the EU to enhance ical Europe” expanded to include the Black Sea region. the efficiency of its necessary long-term engagement on Nevertheless, that seems to be the only alternative to the behalf of political and legal reforms in Georgia? The suc- development that currently seems to be the most likely cess of these reforms is a precondition for the country’s one, namely a factual annexation of the small Abkhaz peaceful domestic consolidation and thus also for greater state by Russia in a Southern Caucasus that will likely flexibility towards the secessionist republics. be afflicted by geopolitical confrontation and instabil- Since the events of August 2008, the prospects of ity for a long time to come. peaceful reconciliation between Georgia and Abkha- Translated from German by Christopher Findlay About the Author Walter Kaufmann is an independent analyst and the former director (2002–2008) of the Heinrich Böll Foundation South Caucasus. Opinion Georgia’s Relationship with Abkhazia By Paata Zakareisvili, Tbilisi Abstract The August 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russia fundamentally changed the situation regarding the separatist territories in Georgia, fundamentally strengthening Russia’s position. -
CG37(2019)24 7 July 2020
ACTIVITY REPORT (Mid-October 2019 – June 2020) s part of its monitoring of local and regional democracy in Europe, the Congress maintains a regular dialogue with A member states of the Council of Europe. The Committee of Ministers, which includes the 47 Foreign Ministers of these states, the Conference of Ministers responsible for local and regional authorities, as well as its Steering Committees are partners in this regard. Several times a year, the President and the Secretary General of the Congress provide the representatives of the 47 member states in the Committee of Ministers with a record of its activities. www.coe.int/congress/fr PREMS 082820 [email protected] ENG The Council of Europe is the continent’s leading human rights organisation. It comprises 47 member states, including all Communication by the Secretary General members of the European Union. The Congress of Local and of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Regional Authorities is an institution of the Council of Europe, www.coe.int responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy 1380bis meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies in its 47 member states. Composed of two chambers – the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions – 8 July 2020 and three committees, it brings together 648 elected officials representing more than 150 000 local and regional authorities. Activity report of the Congress (October 2019 – June 2020) CG37(2019)24 7 July 2020 Activity Report of the Congress (October 2019 – June 2020) Communication by the Secretary General of the Congress at the 1380bis meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies 8 July 2020 Layout: Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Print: Council of Europe Edition: July 2020 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Communication by Andreas KIEFER, Acting Secretary General of the Congress ........ -
2 0 1 8 a N N U a L R E P O
A N N U A L R E P O R T R E P O R T B Y 2 0 1 8 T H E A T L A N T I C T R E A T Y A S S O C I A T I O N A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 A publication of Atlantic Treaty Association Club Prince Albert Rue des Petits Carmes, 20-24 B- 1000 Bruxelles Tel: +32 2 502 31 60 Email: [email protected] Web: www.atahq.org 1 CONTENTS MISSION & VISION FOREWORDS ATA President ATA Secretary General NATO PUBLICATION GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUCHAREST ATA MEMBERS Albania Italy Armenia Lithuania Austria Montenegro Azerbaijan Netherlands Bosnia & Herzegovina North Macedonia Bulgaria Norway Canada Portugal Croatia Romania Estonia Serbia Georgia Slovakia Germany Slovenia Greece Spain Hungary Ukraine Iceland United States (US) Israel 2 MISSION & VISION The Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA) is an organization of 37 national chapters that, since 1954, has been conducting research, analyses, training, education, and information activities on foreign policy, security and defense issues relevant to the Atlantic Alliance. Relying on its extended and highly qualified network, ATA produces top- notch knowledge on strategic themes and promotes a variety of programs and events. ATA initiatives draw together government and institutional authorities, political leaders, decision-makers, diplomats, civilian and military officers, academics, economic actors, media representatives, as well as young professionals and researchers, in an effort to further a cooperative approach to security and international relations. 3 ATA has established cooperation programs with likeminded organizations in countries of the NATO Partnership for Peace, Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.