Russian peacekeeping in Abkhazia and suicide

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Russian peacekeeping in Abkhazia and suicide: "Increased suicide rates for military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders have been reported in various countries. Although it is known that some peacekeepers are exposed to potentially traumatic events and are thus at risk of suffering from post-traumatic stress reactions, only a few studies have examined suicide rates in this group. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the suicide rate among former Russian peacekeeping personnel… In conclusion, Russian personnel serving in international peacekeeping operations show a higher suicide rate than the general population. Unique problems associated with this research area are discussed… Introduction The suicide rate in Russia has shown a steady and stable increase since …. Suicide is nevertheless the most common cause of death in Russia in the age range of …."

Russia’s Geopolitical Counter-Offensive in the Former Soviet Union

"In the last two to three years Russia has been on a geopolitical offensive in the countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union. It has been gradually regaining the ground lost in the aftermath of the American invasion of Afghanistan and the Georgian, Ukrainian and Kyrgyz revolutions. Central Asia "

President Saakashvili meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - President Saakashvili meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg: "Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili at june 9 2007 arrived in St Petersburg to attend an informal summit of CIS heads of state and a world economic forum. Within the framework of the visit he met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at Constantine Palace today. The meeting took place behind closed doors and lasted longer than had originally been planned. The presidents spoke to journalists before the meeting. "

Intelligence Brief: Russia Shifts Course on Iran

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Intelligence Brief: Russia Shifts Course on Iran: "oscow's decision against delivering nuclear fuel to Iran's Bushehr reactor demonstrates a change in Russian foreign policy. Previously, Russia has supported Iran throughout its confrontation with the United States and with the West over its nuclear research program. Russia saw relations with Iran as positive for a number of reasons: Iran is a major purchaser of Russian arms and nuclear technology; Iran's negative relationship with the United States has encouraged Moscow to support it against U.S. ambitions in the region, which Russia sees as a threat to its interests in the Middle East and to its near abroad; and Russia, along with China, has been pursuing a policy of multipolarity in world affairs, which means that Washington's attempts to limit the ambitions of regional powers should be opposed. In light of these interests, Moscow's decision on Bushehr signifies a change in its foreign policy toward Iran. The Kremlin has stated publicly that its decision to halt production of the reactor is due to a payment dispute. Tehran, however, denies that it has failed to complete its payments, and has blamed Russia's decision on 'political reasons.' Yet Reuters journalist Christian Lowe claimed that European officials had told him that Russia said it would not deliver nuclear fuel to Bushehr until Iran complies with U.N. demands to halt uranium enrichment activities."

Georgia woos NATO, angers Russia

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Georgia woos NATO, angers Russia: "BERLIN, March 15 (UPI) -- The former Soviet republic of Georgia is taking strides toward NATO membership, and European Union officials hope the country can help guarantee security in the South Caucasus and serve as a reliable energy transit country to Western Europe."

Russia and U.S.-Russia Relations

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Russia and U.S.-Russia Relations: "Chairman Biden, Ranking Member Lugar, Members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to appear before you to discuss Russia and U.S.-Russia relations. Russia is a great country, one we must work with on important issues around the world. We have significant areas of common interest and want to build on these. We also have significant differences with certain policies of the current Russian government. This hearing is well timed, because we are in a more complicated period in our relations with Russia than we've been in some time."

Russia does not recognize Dmitry Sanakoev

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Russia does not recognize Dmitry Sanakoev: "Russia does not recognize ' the alternative government ' of South Ossetia led by Dmitry Sanakoev and is not going to reject its support to the current president of the republic Edward Kokojty. This comment was released by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in response to mass media news that Moscow is planning to reconsider its position in regards to Tskhinvali , thus legitimating the on-going support to separatism in whole and particularly in South Ossetia "

“We Remember” visits Washington DC

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - “We Remember” visits Washington DC: "It is my sincerest hope that the Photo Exhibition “We Remember” will serve as a reminder of the evil that fear and prejudice can generate. Maybe then that evil can be recognized before anything like the “Georgian Massacre” ever happens again. The next update is threading on thin ice since it touches on some political and historical topics. I do not attempt to give an objective view, and I want to make it very clear that the following describes how I feel towards the Georgian-Russian relationship and is not supposed to be representative of anyone but myself. If you think about history, it doesn't surprise that the relationship between Georgia and Russia hasn't quite been the best in the past, and worsens every day."

Russian army makes society ill

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Russian army makes society ill: "Russian military prosecutors have opened 852 criminal cases, 748 of them involving crimes committed by servicemen since the beginning of the anti-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus. Large numbers of Russian peacekeepers in the Balkans had to be sent back because of their involvement in criminal activities. Discipline problems are important not only because they undercut a high level of combat readiness, but they can also lead to a serious loss of life. I shall cite a few examples: In 1993, several Russian sailors starved to death in the Far East; in 1993, an army ammunition dump blew up in the Far East with the explosive power of a nuclear weapon; in 1997, 50 soldiers were shot by their fellow servicemen, and these were only the ones on guard duty; and in 1998, four soldiers shot and killed their commanding officers. The situation became so serious that Yeltsin had to order an inspection of strategic rocket force facilities because disciplinary infractions among those soldiers were so widespread. "

Major terrorist groups operating in Abkhazia

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Major terrorist groups operating in Abkhazia: "Georgia lost over 30,000 lives to terrorism and extremism over the last 14 years in Abkhazia. This is certainly cause for alarm, and creates an image of widespread breakdown of law and order – and this is an accurate picture of breakaway parts of the country- Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Across most of its geographical expanse, however, Georgia has remained by and large free of the modern-day scourge of terrorism, as of insurgency and other patterns of extremist political violence."

How Valuable an Asset?

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - How Valuable an Asset?: "Chairman Lantos, Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen, members of the Committee, thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with you our thoughts on NATO. I will make two key points: First, I will describe how NATO is meeting current transatlantic security challenges. Second, I will highlight NATO’s transformation, perhaps halfway through. We and our allies have done much; much more remains to be done."

NATO’s Latest Enlargement and Its Implications for the United States and Russia

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - NATO’s Latest Enlargement and Its Implications for the United States and Russia: "In violent conditions of international anarchy, which is permeated by mistrust and an ever-present threat of war over “anything”, states are inclined towards a special kind of collaboration—formation of military alliances. These are most commonly viewed as a response to fear and represent the finest manifestation of organized international cooperation “in order to deal with the dilemmas of common interests (security issues).” "

Russia's Northwest Strategic Direction

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Russia's Northwest Strategic Direction: "Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth, KS. A unique set of security issues has emerged from Russia's northwest strategic direction in the post-Cold War era.[ 1 ] The conjunction of Russian transformation and crisis has recast security issues in the Baltic and Nordic regions, reducing the risk of military conflict but raising a host of issues associated with Russia's Baltic relations, especially the status of the Russian minorities in Estonia and Latvia and the dangerous legacy of a nuclearized Kola peninsula. The Western response to these issues, particularly in the Nordic countries and international institutions, has introduced a new subregional security system in Europe. "

Public Relations and Cultural Diplomacy

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Public Relations and Cultural Diplomacy: "By Ushangi Rezhinashvili, Ramaz Mitaishvili, Irakli Gagua Public diplomacy refers to diplomatic activities that directly reach out, in cooperation with the private sector, to the people and public opinions of foreign countries as opposed to traditional diplomatic activities that are conducted between governments. We witness sad and tragic things on the news every day. Does this mean that we are living lives so full of blessings that it is the unhappy things that make the news? Yes, it is probably because we are overly “blessed.” All Georgian people are living in a middling kind of way. That is what might have fostered the mentality that all Georgian are “rich” class. People have houses to live in, even if they are small houses; if you open the refrigerator door, there is always food inside. The lives that we live, in which we can take such things for granted, are surely blessings, and I think everyone has become used to this fact."

Institute "Abkhazia" tackles ethnic cleansing issue

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Institute "Abkhazia" tackles ethnic cleansing issue: "At its monthly meeting, the AISER tackled the explosive subject of anti-Georgian discrimination in Russia, country presently seeking entry into WTO. The assembly was held on Thursday, August 23 at the Glendale AISER Headquarters. Mr. Irakli Gagua said his goal is to raise awareness concerning issues affecting Georgian- Americans. 'The large Georgian-American population in the South California needs a group that will act in its interests,' he said. 'We want to reach out to other Georgian groups in an effort to bring attention to many issues that are vital to the Georgian-American community.' "

Exhibition “We Remember” and candlelight vigil set for September 27

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Exhibition “We Remember” and candlelight vigil set for September 27: "Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research with Georgian-American Community, “Tanamemamule News” in UK organizing photo exhibition on September 27, 2007 under aggie of Georgian Embassy in US and Georgian Embassy in UK to be carried out as a part of a program “We Remember” aimed to spread true about tragedy in Abkhazia which occurred 14 years ago. AISER will prepare and provide all the video, photo and printed materials. Currently Irakli Gagua, Ramaz Mitaishvili, Ushangi Rezhinashvili, Andrew Andersen, Vasili Rukhadze in US, and Zaza Meskhi in United Kingdom are preparing program of exhibition."

We Remember comes to Latvia

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - We Remember comes to Latvia: "The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of the victims of aggressive separatism in Georgia in 1992-93 and aims to spread true about tragedy in Abkhazia which occurred 14 years ago. The panels will be mount with hundreds photos taken after fall of Sukhumi by internationally acclaimed photojournalist Malcolm Linton portray genocide victims and perpetrators. Mr. Linton dedication to this issue inspires and humbles. Like so many great documentary photographers, he has put himself on the line to make others aware of injustices around the world. Its opening in Riga coincided with the launching of worldwide activities to commemorate the fourteenth anniversary of the genocide of Georgians in Abkhazia in which over 35,000 people were brutally murdered in a period of 1992-1994."

Reflection on the 1992-1994 Genocide in Abkhazia

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Reflection on the 1992-1994 Genocide in Abkhazia
Special Events will be taking place of Reflection on the 1992-1994 Genocide in Abkhazia. On September 27, 2007, commemorative events will be taking place in Washington DC (USA), London (UK), and Riga (Latvia), as well as many cities around the globe.
In Washington DC, Under-Georgian Embassy in United States, and in London Under-Embassy of Georgia in United Kingdom will represent the many foreign diplomats and some of senators at the ceremonies. In all those places, there will be a meeting, and high-level panel discussions will be held in Washington DC and London.In Washington DC, Vasili Rukhadze (AISER) will address a special one-hour commemorative meeting being held within the framework of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. The Andrew Andersen will make an important speech which will address the prevention of genocide. His speech will be made following two minutes of silence which will be observed at 12:00 noon. The speeches will be webcast. It is possibility, that photo exhibition will be held in Yerevan (Armenia), Kiev (Ukraine), Warszawa (Poland). Among invited are almost all countries representatives,including senators high rank diplomats and celebrities. A number of events to observe the Day of Reflection on the 1992- 1994 Genocide of Georgians in Abkhazia are planned at RM Global Health Headquarters in Glendale, CA. The prezident of RMGH Ramaz Mitaishvili, MD has announced that on September 27 at 12:00 noon local time, the RM Global Health (employees and contractors not involved in medical services), Abkhazia Institute of Social and Economic Reaserch, Gagua Pro, GH USC, GHCSC will observe one minute of silence in memory of the victims of the genocide

To wipe away the tears

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - To wipe away the tears: "Fourteen years after the Georgian genocide in Abkhazia in which as many as 35,000 people lost their lives, survivors of the massacre face an uncertain future due to insufficient foreign aid and a lack of judicial redress. "