tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47844159038136462242024-01-09T14:22:56.306+04:00The MessengerLive news updates and expert analysis from the Republic of Georgia's most trusted newspaper.Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-85170166102757989992008-10-08T17:22:00.003+04:002008-10-08T17:29:42.331+04:00An update, a plea and a word of thanksThank you to everyone who has expressed concern for Temuri, me, and the families of Giga Chikhladze and Sasha Klimchuk.Anyone reading this blog knows full well that this war left tens of thousands of victims -- the killed, the injured, the homeless and the bereaved.Giga and Sasha are two of those victims. They were killed on August 8 when an Ossetian patrol opened fire on us. Brave and competent Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-56689285101808637682008-08-12T16:08:00.003+04:002008-08-12T17:29:32.614+04:00Update on our journalistsAs we have just been informed, both of our journalists are free and trying to find a safe route back to Tbilisi, Georgia.Winston Featherly has a serious lower leg injury and he is not able to walk. He needs special transportation.We are actively seeking the safest and shortest route for their return.Please stay tuned.UPD: As we see, there is no safe exit from the locations our people are right The Messengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18255330792863697352noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-89737364698349472802008-08-12T14:58:00.003+04:002008-08-12T15:05:52.922+04:00News on our journalistsAccording to the latest information we have, both Winston Featherly and Temuri Kiguradze are in North Ossetian capital of Vladikavkaz.Winston sustained a leg injury, and Temuri has a light arm injury.We have no information on the nature and severity of Winston's leg injury, but we know he has been operated in Vladikavkaz military hospital and his life is not under threat.They are relatively safe The Messengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18255330792863697352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-32134227001435243522008-08-12T14:53:00.002+04:002008-08-12T14:58:19.687+04:00AnnouncementDear Messenger Readers,Due to rumors and panic around Tbilisi, publishing house workers fled and we weren't able to print newspaper issues.We are deeply sorry that we were not able read our today's paper.Situation has relatively calmed down as of now, so we expect to print the paper tomorrow with all the latest news and analysis.The Messengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18255330792863697352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-44847295557189088702008-08-11T13:52:00.004+04:002008-08-11T14:13:48.750+04:00Borders OpenWe have just been contacted by the Border Police spokesperson, who said all control points on the Georgian state border are open.Citizens of all countries can freely cross the Georgian State border and proceed toward any country.The Messengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18255330792863697352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-70872966157385265742008-08-10T13:57:00.004+04:002008-08-10T14:01:25.420+04:00Two of our war journalists, Winston Featherly and Temuri Kiguradze are currently in Tskhinvali at a safe location with other journalists.They have contacted us here in Tbilisi only twice, last time yesterday afternoon and reportedly they are waiting for a safe corridor to return back to Gori and Tbilisi with other journalists.Here at Georgian Messenger, we wish them safety and a safe return backThe Messengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18255330792863697352noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-13557547520435917302008-08-08T20:25:00.003+04:002008-08-09T10:42:30.734+04:00Russia suspends the air flights with GeorgiaAccording to Interfax.ru on the decision of Russian Ministry of Transport the air flights between Georgia and Russia are to be suspended from August 9, 00:00.The Messengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18255330792863697352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-63775773592212977052008-08-08T16:05:00.004+04:002008-08-08T16:42:16.261+04:00Gunfire in TskhinvaliGunfire in Tskhinvali; Buildings on fire, according to our reporter in the conflict area, at least seven buildings are on fire.The Messengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18255330792863697352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-66278250211944393962008-08-08T15:16:00.005+04:002008-08-08T15:52:24.843+04:00Georgian authorities declare moratoriumGeorgian government declared moratorium untill 18.00 Gigi Ugulava, Tbiliji mayor declared this in a televized address, who offered Tskhinvali separatist regime complete immunity. He also said that Tskhinvali residents would be safely transported to Gori. Dmitry Sanakoyev, head of the alternative South Ossetian administration, addressed the Ossetian population: "The Georgian government declares The Messengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18255330792863697352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-71357063631095663312008-08-08T13:00:00.002+04:002008-08-08T13:04:23.146+04:00Georgians take separatist villagesReports last night of Georgian troops seizing Tskhinvali were premature, though information continues to suggest that there is fighting in the de facto secessionist capital.Georgian forces have seized a number of villages controlled by South Ossetian separatists for the last 16-17 years.The Georgian government says Russian warplanes have bombed Georgian territory, but without causing casualties. Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-80349084048335543272008-08-08T02:00:00.002+04:002008-08-08T02:07:48.278+04:00Georgian troops take Tskhinvali -- reportsGeorgia's Rustavi 2 television station, citiing Russian news reports, just announced that Georgian troops have taken Tskhinvali.Meanwhile the Georgian government said hundreds of fighters have passed through a Russian-controlled border checkpoint into South Ossetia.There are no reports of Russian peacekeepers fighting Georgian troops.Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-81540499246670756002008-08-08T01:37:00.003+04:002008-08-08T01:38:46.068+04:00Abkhaz convene security councilThe separatist leadership of Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia, have convened their national security council in response to the South Ossetia fighting, reports Interfax.Abkhaz officials have previously vowed to give assistance to the South Ossetians if full-scale conflict breaks out, but it was never made explicit what form that assistance would take.Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-38044061484001576622008-08-08T00:32:00.003+04:002008-08-08T00:37:21.926+04:00Georgian commander: We are restoring order in South OssetiaMamuka Kurashvili, commander of the Georgian peacekeepers, said Georgian forces will "restore constitutional order" in South Ossetia.This all but declares that Georgian troops will attempt to retake Tskhinvali.Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-10566365870068262422008-08-08T00:28:00.002+04:002008-08-08T00:32:15.965+04:00Georgia "declared war" -- Russian commanderRussia's Interfax reports that the commander of the Russian said he was informed that Georgian forces have begun directing fire on the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali.The South Ossetian separatist press committee says the town is under attack from Grad rocket systems, with blasts hitting the city center.Georgian reports confirm the attack.Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-7872096951582797532008-08-08T00:22:00.002+04:002008-08-08T00:25:47.467+04:00South Ossetia on brink of warBelow is our article in tomorrow's edition on secessionist South Ossetia, which is just a few steps away from full-scale war. Keep reading this blog or http://www.civil.ge for updates.South Ossetia on edge of warBy Temuri Kiguradze and Winston FeatherlyDiplomats are pushing urgent peace talks between Georgian and South Ossetian officials to avert all-out war as heavy fighting in the region killedWinston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-1404653294549302192008-07-10T18:40:00.004+04:002008-07-10T18:57:48.205+04:00State Minister: Georgia is "already into low-intensity conflict"In an interview with the Messenger today, State Minister for Reintegration Issues Temur Iakobashvili said Georgia is already in a state of "low-intensity conflict."The Messenger: You said in May that Georgia "literally had to avert war." How close is Georgia to war now?State Minister Iakobashvili: I would say that where we are at now, it is more not [a case of being] in danger of war but we are Alexander Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513494524509528158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-29409400458289964482008-07-08T20:39:00.002+04:002008-07-08T20:41:29.941+04:00South Ossetia releases Georgian soldiersSeparatist authorities in South Ossetia have released four Georgian servicemen detained late last night, the Georgian Defense Ministry confirmed.The men are being taken to Gori, a town near breakaway South Ossetia.President Mikheil Saakashvili had ordered the Interior Ministry to "immediately start preparations to use all legal means available" to free the four men in a security council session Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-46682978552416109942008-06-11T01:22:00.001+04:002008-06-11T01:23:27.776+04:00A calm summer at homeWe think the domestic unrest is over, for now:"The opposition lost its momentum, lost its unity and lost the contest. But the government victory is ultimately a Pyrrhic one."Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-12314386959014763402008-06-07T10:03:00.003+04:002008-06-07T10:17:11.967+04:00Low turnout, low impact for opposition picketMPs-elect are gathered inside parliament for the first session.Less than a hundred opposition supporters were standing in front of parliament when the first group of MPs arrived at about 7:30 a.m.The mostly older crowd spent time debating whether the men in suits who could be seen entering parliament from behind were in fact MPs, and if so, whether they were supposed to stop them.A pair of Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-68151605364606738272008-06-07T03:36:00.003+04:002008-06-07T03:40:28.385+04:00Opposition attempting 'blockade' of first parliament sessionThere are a couple hundred of opposition supporters outside parliament, some dozing on the ground as they await daybreak and the first session of the newly-elected parliament.The crowd is sparse and low-key. The street is open to passing cars.One opposition leader said their goal is a "blockade of parliament."Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-34078933253804806082008-05-26T15:30:00.004+04:002008-05-26T15:34:16.341+04:00Opposition rally ends, leaders try to muster supportThe demonstration outside parliament has ended.United Opposition leader Levan Gachechiladze is calling on supporters from the regions to join demonstrations in Tbilisi over the next few days. They seem to be hunkering down for another extended campaign; leaders vow to prevent parliament from convening later this summer.Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-64426626978112893272008-05-26T15:11:00.003+04:002008-05-26T17:20:54.356+04:00CEC: No big announcements todayA CEC spokesman, speaking a briefing aired live by Rustavi 2, said there will be no significant results or decisions announced this afternoon.That is a quick effort to undercut any rationale for marching on the Central Election Commission, as the opposition have suggested may happen following a 4 p.m. meeting there.Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-73122344016907415762008-05-26T14:38:00.005+04:002008-05-26T14:48:52.633+04:00UNOMIG: Russian jet shot down Georgian droneIn other news, UNOMIG's team wrapped up its investigation into the April 20 downing of an unmanned Georgian spy plane over Abkhazia. Tbilisi released a video of the encounter, showing what Georgian officials claimed was a Russian jet shooting down their drone.Based on the evidence, UNOMIG agreed:Citing extensive analysis of the radar records and video footage, the UNOMIG team reported today that:Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-39790957090393266282008-05-26T14:25:00.003+04:002008-05-26T14:30:26.258+04:00Opposition to form alternative parliamentAround ten thousand opposition supporters are gathered outside parliament. Most have been peaceful.New Rights leader Davit Gamkrelidze says they will form an alternative parliament. Before him, Levan Gachechiladze vowed not to let the incoming official parliament convene.They earlier announced an ultimatum: annul the results of last week's parliamentary elections by 4 p.m.Riot police fell back Winston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784415903813646224.post-9136242082724436902008-05-26T05:01:00.002+04:002008-05-26T16:28:14.015+04:00Little incentive for a big campaignThe United Opposition say they will rally to push for new elections, but they lack momentum and incentive.The first 16 on the United Opposition’s party list were elected to parliament last week; that represents key leadership of all member parties, most of which are vehicles for their top personalities.They’ve fallen short of turning out the sitting government, but can make much of their positionWinston Featherlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17750980512344360293noreply@blogger.com0