Mikheil Saakashvili მიხეილ სააკაშვილი
President of Georgia
Incumbent
Assumed office  20 January 2008
Prime Minister	Lado Gurgenidze
Preceded by	Nino Burjanadze (Acting)
In office 25 January 2004 – 25 November 2007
Prime Minister	Zurab Zhvania Zurab Noghaideli Lado Gurgenidze
Preceded by	Nino Burjanadze (Acting)
Succeeded by	Nino Burjanadze (Acting)
Born	21 December 1967 (1967-12-21) (age 40) Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union
Political party	ENM
Spouse	Sandra E. Roelofs
Children	Eduard Saakashvili Nikoloz Saakashvili
Residence	Tbilisi, Georgia
Alma mater	Columbia University George Washington University
Religion	Georgian Orthodox Church

Mikheil Saakashvili (Georgian: მიხეილ სააკაშვილი) (born December 21, 1967) is a Georgian politician, the President of Georgia and leader of the ENM. The President of Georgia (საქართველოს პრეზიდენტი is the Commander-in-chief of Georgia. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Vladimer "Lado" Gurgenidze (ვლადიმერ (ლადო გურგენიძე (born December 17, 1970) is a Georgian Politician Nino Burjanadze (nɪnɔ bʊrdʒanadzɛ Georgian: ნინო ბურჯანაძე (surname sometimes transliterated in English as Burdzhanadze Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Zurab Zhvania ( Georgian: ზურაბ ჟვანია ( December 9[[ 963]] &ndash February 3 2005) was a prominent Georgian politician Zurab Noghaideli (ზურაბ ნოღაიდელი (born 22 October 1964) is a Georgian businessman and a retired politician who served Vladimer "Lado" Gurgenidze (ვლადიმერ (ლადო გურგენიძე (born December 17, 1970) is a Georgian Politician Nino Burjanadze (nɪnɔ bʊrdʒanadzɛ Georgian: ნინო ბურჯანაძე (surname sometimes transliterated in English as Burdzhanadze Nino Burjanadze (nɪnɔ bʊrdʒanadzɛ Georgian: ნინო ბურჯანაძე (surname sometimes transliterated in English as Burdzhanadze Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Tbilisi (ˌtbiˈliːsi in Georgian: თბილისი is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (საქართველოს საბჭოთასოციალისტური რესპუბლიკა The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 United National Movement (ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა, Ertiani Natsionaluri Modzraoba, ENM is the largest political organisation Sandra Elisabeth Roelofs (born December 23, 1968) is the Dutch -born First Lady of Georgia, the wife of President of Georgia Tbilisi (ˌtbiˈliːsi in Georgian: თბილისი is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval Columbia University is a private University in the United States and a member of the Ivy League. The George Washington University ( GW or GWU) is a private coeducational university located in Washington D Christianity in ancient and feudal Georgia According to tradition when the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world the Apostle Georgian (ka ქართული ენა kartuli ena) is the Official language of Georgia, a country in the Caucasus. Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. The Georgians (ქართველები kartvelebi) are a Nation and Ethnic group originating in the Caucasus, the oldest group of the A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person The President of Georgia (საქართველოს პრეზიდენტი is the Commander-in-chief of Georgia. United National Movement (ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა, Ertiani Natsionaluri Modzraoba, ENM is the largest political organisation Saakashvili was elected to replace President Eduard Shevardnadze, who stepped down in Georgia's 2003 bloodless Rose Revolution, led by Saakashvili and his major political allies, Nino Burjanadze and Zurab Zhvania, and took office on 25 January 2004. Eduard Amvrosiyevich Shevardnadze (ედუარდ შევარდნაძე ɛduɑrd ʃɛvɑrdnɑdzɛ (born 25 January 1928 in Mamati, Lanchkhuti The "Revolution of Roses quot (often translated into English as the Rose Revolution) (ვარდების რევოლუცია - vardebis Nino Burjanadze (nɪnɔ bʊrdʒanadzɛ Georgian: ნინო ბურჯანაძე (surname sometimes transliterated in English as Burdzhanadze Zurab Zhvania ( Georgian: ზურაბ ჟვანია ( December 9[[ 963]] &ndash February 3 2005) was a prominent Georgian politician Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Saakashvili resigned from his position on 25 November 2007 in order to re-run for the early Georgian presidential election, of 5 January 2008, and was reelected as President with the majority of votes. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A presidential election was held in Georgia on January 5, 2008, having been brought forward by President Mikheil Saakashvili Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common

Some non-Georgian sources spell Saakashvili's name via the Russian as Mikhail. Russian ( transliteration:,) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages In Georgia, he is commonly known as "Misha," a hypocorism for Mikheil. A hypocoristic, hypocorism, or hypochorisma (from Greek el ὑποκορίζεσθαι el-Latn hypokorizesthai, "to use child-talk" It is also transliterated Mixeil Saakašvili.

He is married to Sandra E. Roelofs, of Dutch origin, and has two sons, Eduard and Nikoloz. Sandra Elisabeth Roelofs (born December 23, 1968) is the Dutch -born First Lady of Georgia, the wife of President of Georgia The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Apart from his native Georgian, he is reported to be fluent in English, French, Russian and Ukrainian. Georgian (ka ქართული ენა kartuli ena) is the Official language of Georgia, a country in the Caucasus. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Russian ( transliteration:,) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages Ukrainian (in Ukrainian украї́нська мо́ва ukrayins'ka mova,) is a language of the East Slavic subgroup of the Slavic languages.

Early life and career

Mikheil Saakashvili was born in Tbilisi, capital of what was then the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic in the Soviet Union, to a Georgian intelligentsia family. Tbilisi (ˌtbiˈliːsi in Georgian: თბილისი is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (საქართველოს საბჭოთასოციალისტური რესპუბლიკა The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 For the coffee shop company often called Intelligentsia for short see Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea. His father, Nikoloz Saakashvili, is a physician who still practices medicine in Tbilisi and directs a local Balneological Center. Balneotherapy (from Latin balneum "bath" the treatment of Disease by Bathing. His mother, Giuli Alasania, is a historian who lectures at Tbilisi State University. Giuli G Alasania ( Georgian გიული გ ალასანია (born November 11, 1946, in Tbilisi) a Georgian Tbilisi Ivane Javakhishvili State University, better known as Tbilisi State University ( TSU) (თბილისის ივანე ჯავახიშვილის

Saakashvili graduated from the School of International Law of the Kiev State University (Ukraine) in 1992. Kiev University or officially the National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv (Київський національний університет ім Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. He briefly worked as a human rights officer for the interim State Council of Georgia following the overthrow of President Zviad Gamsakhurdia before receiving a fellowship from the United States State Department (via the Edmund S. Muskie/FREEDOM Support Act (FSA) Graduate Fellowship Program). Human rights refers to the "basic Rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled Zviad Gamsakhurdia ( Georgian: ზვიად გამსახურდია, ( March 31, 1939 — December 31, 1993 Edmund Sixtus "Ed" Muskie ( March 28, 1914 – March 26, 1996) was an American Democratic Politician

He received an LLM from Columbia Law School in 1994 and Doctor of Laws degree from The George Washington University Law School the following year. The Master of Laws is an advanced Academic degree, or research degree and is commonly abbreviated LL Columbia Law School, located in New York City, is one of the professional schools of Columbia University, a member of the Ivy League. Doctor of Laws ( Latin: Legum Doctor, LLD) is a Doctorate -level Academic degree in Law. The George Washington University Law School, commonly referred to as GW Law, is the Law school of The George Washington University. In 1995, he also received a diploma from the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. Strasbourg (Strasbourg stʁazbuʁ Alsatian: Strossburi,; Straßburg) is the capital and principal City of the Alsace région This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics.

After graduation, while working in the New York law firm of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler in early 1995, Saakashvili was approached by Zurab Zhvania, an old friend from Georgia who was working on behalf of President Eduard Shevardnadze to recruit talented young Georgians to enter politics. The City of New York Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP ( aka "Patterson" or "PBWT" founded in 1919 is a Law firm headquartered in New York City Zurab Zhvania ( Georgian: ზურაბ ჟვანია ( December 9[[ 963]] &ndash February 3 2005) was a prominent Georgian politician Eduard Amvrosiyevich Shevardnadze (ედუარდ შევარდნაძე ɛduɑrd ʃɛvɑrdnɑdzɛ (born 25 January 1928 in Mamati, Lanchkhuti He stood in the December 1995 elections along with Zhvania, and both men won seats in parliament, standing for the Union of Citizens of Georgia, Shevardnadze's party. Parliament of Georgia (საქართველოს პარლამენტი is the supreme Legislature of Georgia. The Union of Citizens of Georgia (also known as the Citizens' Union of Georgia or Georgian Citizens' Union) is a political party established by Eduard

Saakashvili soon made a name for himself as chairman of the parliamentary committee charged with creating a new electoral system, an independent judiciary and a non-political police force. He achieved a high degree of public recognition, with opinion surveys finding him to be the second most popular person in Georgia, behind Shevardnadze. He was named "man of the year" by a panel of journalists and human rights advocates in 1997. In January 2000, Saakashvili was appointed Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe (Conseil de l'Europe is the oldest International organisation working towards European integration, being founded in 1949

On October 12, 2000, Saakashvili became Minister of Justice for the government of President Shevardnadze. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. He initiated major reforms in the decrepit, corrupt and highly politicised Georgian criminal justice and prisons system. This earned praise from many international observers and human rights activists. But in mid-2001 he became involved in a major controversy with the Economics Minister Ivane Chkhartishvili, State Security Minister Vakhtang Kutateladze and Tbilisi police chief Ioseb Alavidze, accusing them of profiting from corrupt business deals.

Saakashvili resigned on September 5, 2001, saying that "I consider it immoral for me to remain as a member of Shevardnadze's government. Events 1590 - Alexander Farnese 's army forces Henry IV of France to raise the siege of Paris. " He declared that corruption had penetrated to the very centre of the Georgian government and that Shevardnadze lacked the will to deal with it, warning that "current developments in Georgia will turn the country into a criminal enclave in one or two years. "

In the United National Movement

Further information: Rose Revolution

Having resigned from the government and quit the Shevardnadze-run Union of Citizens of Georgia party, Saakashvili founded the United National Movement (UNM) in October 2001, a left-of-center political party akin to the Social Democrats in Europe with a touch of nationalism, to provide a focus for part of the Georgian reformists leaders. The "Revolution of Roses quot (often translated into English as the Rose Revolution) (ვარდების რევოლუცია - vardebis United National Movement (ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა, Ertiani Natsionaluri Modzraoba, ENM is the largest political organisation Social democracy is a Political ideology of the left and centre-left The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation In June 2002, he was elected as the Chairman of the Tbilisi Assembly ("Sakrebulo") following an agreement between the United National Movement and the Georgian Labour Party. The Tbilisi Sakrebulo (თბილისის საკრებულო tbilisis sakrebulo) is a representative body in the city government of Tbilisi, The Georgian Labour Party ( Sakartvelos Leoboristuli Partia, საქართველოს ლეიბორისტული პარტია is a Political party This gave him a powerful new platform from which to criticize the government.

Georgia held parliamentary elections on November 2, 2003 which were denounced by local and international observers as being grossly rigged. Parliamentary elections were held in the Republic of Georgia on November 2 2003. Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Saakashvilli claimed that he had won the elections (a claim supported by independent exit polls), and urged Georgians to demonstrate against Shevardnadze's government and engage in nonviolent civil disobedience against the authorities. Civil disobedience is the active refusal to obey certain Laws demands and commands of a Government, or of an occupying power, without resorting to physical Saakashvili's UNM and Burdjanadze-Democrats united to demand the ouster of Shevardnadze and the rerun of the elections.

Massive political demonstrations were held in Tbilisi in November, with over 100,000 people participating and listening to speeches by Saakashvili and other opposition figures. The Kmara ("Enough!") youth organization (a Georgian counterpart of the Serbian "Otpor") and several NGOs, like Liberty Institute, were active in all protest activities. Kmara (კმარა is a civic Resistance movement in the republic of Georgia which undermined the government of Eduard Shevardnadze. Serbia (Србија Srbija) officially the Republic of Serbia (Република Србија Republika Srbija) is a Landlocked Country Otpor! (Отпор! in English: Resistance!) was a youth movement in Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which has been widely credited for leading the eventually Liberty Institute is Georgian non-profit Non-partisan, liberal public policy advocacy foundation After an increasingly tense two weeks of demonstrations, Shevardnadze bowed to the inevitable and resigned as President on November 23, to be replaced on an interim basis by parliamentary speaker Nino Burjanadze. Eduard Amvrosiyevich Shevardnadze (ედუარდ შევარდნაძე ɛduɑrd ʃɛvɑrdnɑdzɛ (born 25 January 1928 in Mamati, Lanchkhuti Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Nino Burjanadze (nɪnɔ bʊrdʒanadzɛ Georgian: ნინო ბურჯანაძე (surname sometimes transliterated in English as Burdzhanadze While the revolutionary leaders did their best to stay within the constitutional norms, many called the change of government a popular coup dubbed by Georgian media as the Rose Revolution. The "Revolution of Roses quot (often translated into English as the Rose Revolution) (ვარდების რევოლუცია - vardebis

On February 24, 2004 the United National Movement and the United Democrats had amalgamated. Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " New political movement was named the National Movement - Democrats (NMD). United National Movement (ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა, Ertiani Natsionaluri Modzraoba, ENM is the largest political organisation The movement's main political priorities include raising pensions and providing social services to the poor, its main base of support; fighting corruption; and increasing state revenue.

Presidency

First Term

Saakashvili's inauguration as President of Georgia

On January 4, 2004 Mikheil Saakashvili won the presidential elections in Georgia with more than 96% of the votes cast, making him the youngest national president in Europe. Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Saakashvili ran on a platform of opposing corruption and improving pay and pensions. He has promised to improve relations with the outside world. Although he is strongly pro-Western and intends to seek Georgian membership of NATO and the European Union, he has also spoken of the importance of better relations with Russia. The North Atlantic Treaty The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in He faces major problems, however, particularly Georgia's difficult economic situation and the still unresolved question of separatism in the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Abkhazia (Аҧсны Apsny აფხაზეთი Apkhazeti or Abkhazeti Абха́зия Abhazia) is a De facto South Ossetia ( or; Хуссар Ирыстон Xussar Iryston; Южная Осетия Yuzhnaya Osetiya; სამხრეთი ოსეთი Samxreti Abkhazia regards itself as independent of Georgia and did not take part in the elections, whilst South Ossetia favours union with its northern counterpart in Russia. The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (Респу́блика Се́верная Осе́тия–Ала́ния Ossetic: Республикӕ Цӕгат Ирыстон — Алани Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending

Saakashvili was sworn in as President in Tbilisi on January 25, 2004. Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Immediately after the ceremony he signed a decree establishing a new state flag. On January 26, in a ceremony held at the Tbilisi Kashueti Church of Saint George, he promulgated a decree granting permission for the return of the body of the first President of Georgia, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, from Grozny (Chechen Republic) to Tbilisi and renaming a major road in the capital after Gamsakhurdia. Events 1340 - King Edward III of England is declared King of France. Zviad Gamsakhurdia ( Georgian: ზვიად გამსახურდია, ( March 31, 1939 — December 31, 1993 Grozny (Гро́зный Соьлж-ГIала Sölƶ-Ġala or Соьлжа-ГIала Sölƶa -Ġala sometimes referred to as ce Джовхар-ГIала The Chechen Republic (ˈʧɛʧɨn rɪˈpʌblɨk Чече́нская Респу́блика Chechenskaya Respublika; Нохчийн Республика Noxçiyn Respublika He also released 32 Gamsakhurdia supporters (political prisoners) imprisoned by the Shevardnadze government in 1993-94.

In the first months of his presidency, Saakashvili faced a major political crisis in the southwestern Autonomous Republic of Adjara run by an authoritarian regional leader, Aslan Abashidze, who largely ignored the central Georgian government and was viewed by many as a pro-Russian politician. The Ajaria crisis refers to a political crisis in Georgia ’s Ajarian Autonomous Republic then led by Aslan Abashidze, who refused to obey the central authorities An autonomous republic is a type of Administrative division similar to a Province. Aslan Abashidze (ასლან აბაშიძე (born Batumi, July 20, 1938) was the leader of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic in western The crisis threatened to develop into an armed confrontation, but Saakashvili's government managed to resolve the conflict peacefully, forcing Abashidze to resign on May 6 2004. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Success in Adjara encouraged the new president to intensify his efforts towards bringing the breakaway South Ossetia back under the Georgian jurisdiction. The separatist authorities responded with intense militarization in the region, that led to armed clashes in August 2004. A stalemate ensued, and despite a new peace plan proposed by the Georgian government in 2005, the conflict remains unresolved. Recently, in late July 2006, Saakashvili's government managed to deal successfully with another major crisis, this time in Abkhazia's Kodori Gorge where Georgia's police forces disarmed a defiant militia led by a local warlord Emzar Kvitsiani. The 2006 Kodori crisis erupted in late July 2006 in Georgia ’s Kodori Gorge, when a local militia leader declared his disobedience to the government The Kodori Valley (also known as the Kodori Gorge, ҭҭа კოდორის ხეობა is a river valley in Abkhazia, Georgia 's breakaway Emzar Kvitsiani (born April 25, 1961, Chkhalta, Abkhaz ASSR, Georgian SSR) was a Georgian Warlord in the

Although the reforms initiated by President Saakashvili are considered to have mixed success, still the rate of corruption in the country has drastically reduced. According to the World Bank accounts, Georgia is named as the number one economic reformer in the world and the country ranks as 18 in term of ease of doing business, when most of the country's neighbours' are in the 100s of the World Bank's rank. The World Bank is an internationally supported Bank that provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for development programs (e ^[1]

In his foreign policy, Saakashvili maintains close ties with the U.S. leadership, as well as other NATO countries, and remains one of the leaders of the GUAM organization. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The North Atlantic Treaty GUAM redirects here See Guam for the Pacific island territory The Saakashvili-led Rose Revolution has been described by the White House as one of the most powerful movements in the modern history^[2] that has inspired others to seek freedom. The "Revolution of Roses quot (often translated into English as the Rose Revolution) (ვარდების რევოლუცია - vardebis See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence ^[3].

Economic policy

Saakashvili is a popular supporter of free market and believes that less government involvement in businesses is a good idea. A free market is a Market in which property rights are voluntarily exchanged at a price arranged completely by the mutual consent of sellers and buyers During his administration Georgian economy advanced to a new level and increased tax collection after lowering the tax rates. In addition, Georgia is becoming involved in International market transactions and in 2007 Bank of Georgia sold bonds at premium, when $200m five-year bond was priced with a coupon of 9 per cent at par, or 100 per cent of face value, after initially being priced at 9. JSC Bank of Georgia ( Georgian: საქართველოს ბანკი transliterated as 'sakartvelos banki' is a leading universal Georgian bank 5 per cent and investors pushed orders up to $600m. ^[4]

Foreign relations

Mikheil Saakashvili with George W. Bush. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States.

President Saakashvili sees membership of the NATO as a premise of stability for Georgia and offered an intensified dialogue with the de facto Abkhaz and Osetian authorities. The North Atlantic Treaty In addition, he is against the use of force to solve the conflicts and believes that they can be solved though diplomatic means and Saakashvili's administration initiated of doubling troops in Iraq, making Georgia one of the biggest supporters of Coalition Forces, and keeping its troops in Kosovo and Afghanistan to promote Global Security. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I, is a military command, led by the United States that is fighting the Iraq War against Iraqi insurgents or resistants Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, ^[5]

Saakashvili's government maintains solid diplomatic relations with other Caucasian states and Eastern European countries, such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania and Poland. Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. Azerbaijan ( English; Azərbaycan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası is the largest and most populous country in the South Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia ( Eesti or Eesti Vabariik) is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland In 2004, Saakashvili visited Israel to attend the official opening of the modern energy problems research center and Dr. Brenda Schaffer, the director of the center, described Saakshvili as Nelson Mandela of the 21^st century. ^[6] In August of the same year, Saakashvili, who holds an honorary doctorate from Haifa University travelled to Israel to attend the opening of the official Week of Georgian-Jewish Friendship, held under the auspices of the Georgian President, for which the Jewish leaders were invited as honored guests. The University of Haifa (אוניברסיטת חיפה is a University in Haifa, Israel. ^[7]

On the other hand, Georgia maintains good relations with the United States, a fact much disliked by the Kremlin, and the Russian tabloid Pravda published a derogatory article about Georgia titled Another Georgia to appear on the US map. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Government of the Russian Federation (Прави́тельство Росси́йской Федера́ции is an executive governmental body that brings together the principal Pravda (Правда "The Truth" was a leading Newspaper of the Soviet Union and an official organ of the Central Committee of the ^[8]

Saakashvili believes that the long-term priority for the country is to advance its membership in the European Community and during a meeting with Javier Solana, he said that in contrast with new and old European states, Georgia is an Ancient European state. The European Community (EC is one of the Three pillars of the European Union (EU created under the Maastricht Treaty (1992 Francisco Javier Solana de Madariaga, PhD (born 14 July 1942 in Madrid, Spain is the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP

Criticism

There have been some concerns about Saakashvili monopolizing power since his coming to office in 2004. However, the government's human rights record has shown improvement in many areas compared to that of the Shevardnadze era, though some problems still remain. Human rights in Georgia are guaranteed by the country's constitution. Eduard Amvrosiyevich Shevardnadze (ედუარდ შევარდნაძე ɛduɑrd ʃɛvɑrdnɑdzɛ (born 25 January 1928 in Mamati, Lanchkhuti ^[9][10][11]

Saakashvili has occasionally used aggressive language, an example of which was reported by Amnesty International around the time of the President's inauguration. Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to At a news briefing on 12 January, Saakashvili advised the then Justice Minister "to use force when dealing with any attempt to stage prison riots, and to open fire, shoot to kill and destroy any criminal who attempts to cause turmoil. We will not spare bullets against these people. " Saakashvili in his inaugural speech stated that "now it is time for the government to be afraid of people. "^[12]

In 2004 a new media law sparked controversy, with fourteen Georgian civil society leaders and Georgian experts writing an open letter to the President, published in several national newspapers, claiming "Intolerance towards people with different opinions is being planted in Georgian politics and in other spheres of social life". Civil society is composed of the totality of voluntary civic and social organizations and institutions that form the basis of a functioning Society as opposed to the force-backed A newspaper is a written Publication containing News, information and Advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called Newsprint.

On March 27 2006 the government announced that it had prevented a nation-wide prison riot plotted by criminal kingpins. The police operation ended with the deaths of 7 inmates and at least 17 injuries. Whilst the Parliamentary opposition has cast doubts over the official version and demanded an independent investigation, the ruling party has been able to vote down such initiatives. ^[13].

The conduct of the Sandro Girgvliani Murder Case has also raised eyebrows at home and abroad. The Sandro Girgvliani Murder Case is one of the most notorious criminal cases in the modern history of Georgia. Several senior Interior Ministry officials were alleged to have played active roles in the murder, yet despite a series of resignations and sackings, only four low-ranking individuals, that were directly engaged in the case have been prosecuted. In addition to this, Georgian businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili, has claimed that pressure has been exerted on his financial interests after Imedi Television broadcast several accusations against officials. Arkady "Badri" Patarkatsishvili (ბადრი პატარკაციშვილი October 31, 1955, Tbilisi, Georgian SSR Imedi Media Holding is a private television and Radio Company in Georgia. On October 25, 2007, former defence minister Irakli Okruashvili accused his former ally president in planning Patarkatsishvili's murder. Irakli Okruashvili (ირაკლი ოქრუაშვილი (born 6 November 1973) is a Georgian politician who had served on various important ^[14]. ^[15][16] However, later he said that he did so to gain some political benefit and that Badri Patarkatsishvili told him to do so. Arkady "Badri" Patarkatsishvili (ბადრი პატარკაციშვილი October 31, 1955, Tbilisi, Georgian SSR

The BHHRG has frequently claimed that the new government immediately set out to settle scores with Shevardnadze era officials. The British Helsinki Human Rights Group is an Oxford -based Non-governmental organization which monitors human rights in the 56 participating States of the Organization Many former ministers, local administrators and businessmen associated with the former regime were arrested for abuse of office. Some Western organisations were concerned by the live broadcasting of these arrests and by President Saakashvili's occasional appearances on television to denounce the suspects, before any charges were laid.

On June 30 2005 riot police and special military forces carrying machine guns violently dispersed hundreds of protesters blocking a major road in Tbilisi. Riot control refers to the measures used by police military or other forces to control, disperse and arrest civilians that are involved in a Riot, demonstration Tbilisi (ˌtbiˈliːsi in Georgian: თბილისი is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari It started as protest against the arrest of two well-known sportsmen accused in blackmail but soon grew into a demonstration against the central authorities. 25 people were arrested including 5 members of opposition parties. ^[17] In November 2007 another series of demonstrations forced Saakashvili to set the prescheduled presidential elections for January 5, 2008. The 2007 Georgian demonstrations were a series of anti-government protests in Georgia. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. ^[18]

In spite of these criticisms many European and U. S. commentators have lauded the new government for taking bold measures in the fight against corruption. In addition, the U.S. State Department noted[1] that during 2005 'the government amended several laws and increased the amount of investigations and prosecutions reducing the amount of abuse and ill-treatment in pre-trial detention facilities'. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The status of religious freedom also improved due to increased investigation and prosecution of those harassing followers of non-traditional faiths. ^[9][19]

Assassination attempt

On May 10, 2005, while U.S. President George W. Bush was giving a speech in Tbilisi's Freedom Square, Vladimir Arutinian threw a live hand grenade at where Saakashvili and Bush were sitting. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Vladimir Arutyunian was born on 12 March 1978 in Tbilisi, Georgia to a family of Ethnic Armenians. It landed in the crowd about 65 feet (20 m) from the podium after hitting a girl and did not detonate. Arutinian was arrested in July of that year, but before his capture he managed to kill one law enforcement agent. He was convicted of the attempted assassinations of Saakashvili and Bush and the murder of the agent, and given a life sentence. ^[20]

2007 crisis

Main article: 2007 Georgian demonstrations

Later in 2007, Georgia faced the worst crisis since the Rose Revolution. The 2007 Georgian demonstrations were a series of anti-government protests in Georgia. A series of anti-government demonstration were sparked, in October, by accusations of murders and corruption levelled by Irakli Okruashvili, Saakashvili's erstwhile associate and former member of his government, against the president and his allies. Irakli Okruashvili (ირაკლი ოქრუაშვილი (born 6 November 1973) is a Georgian politician who had served on various important The protests climaxed early in November 2007, and involved several opposition groups and the influential media tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili. Arkady "Badri" Patarkatsishvili (ბადრი პატარკაციშვილი October 31, 1955, Tbilisi, Georgian SSR Although the demonstrations rapidly went downhill, the government's decision to use police force against the remaining protesters evolved into clashes in the streets of Tbilisi on November 7. Tbilisi (ˌtbiˈliːsi in Georgian: თბილისი is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari The declaration of state of emergency by the president (November 7-16) and the restriction imposed on some massmedia sources led to harsh criticism of the Saakashvili government both in the country and abroad.

On November 8, 2007, President Saakashvili announced a compromise solution to hold early presidential elections for January 5, 2008. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A presidential election was held in Georgia on January 5, 2008, having been brought forward by President Mikheil Saakashvili Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common He also proposed to hold a plebiscite in parallel to snap presidential elections about when to hold parliamentary polls – in spring as pushed for by the opposition parties, or in late 2008. A binding referendum on whether to bring forward the 2008 legislative election from October 2008 to April/May 2008 was held in Georgia on 5 January Parliamentary elections were held in Georgia on May 21 2008. President Mikheil Saakashvili proposed a referendum on bringing them Several concessions in the election code were also made to the opposition. ^[21]

On November 23, 2007, the ruling United National Movement party officially nominated Saakashvili as its candidate for the upcoming elections. Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. United National Movement (ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა, Ertiani Natsionaluri Modzraoba, ENM is the largest political organisation Pursuant to the Constitution of Georgia, Saakashvili resigned on November 25 to launch his pre-election campaign for early presidential polls. ^[22]

Tass article Nov 25 2007 http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12107072

Second Term

Changes in the Cabinet

Saakashvili publicly announced about his plans of modernising the Cabinet of Georgia well before Georgian presidential elections. The Cabinet of Georgia is an Executive council of Government ministers in Georgia. A presidential election was held in Georgia on January 5, 2008, having been brought forward by President Mikheil Saakashvili Shortly after being re-elected, the president formally re-appointed the Prime Minister of Georgia Lado Gurgenidze and asked him to present a renewed cabinet to the Parliament of Georgia for final approval. The Prime Minister of Georgia is the most senior minister within the Cabinet of Georgia of the Republic of Georgia, appointed by the President of Georgia Vladimer "Lado" Gurgenidze (ვლადიმერ (ლადო გურგენიძე (born December 17, 1970) is a Georgian Politician Parliament of Georgia (საქართველოს პარლამენტი is the supreme Legislature of Georgia.

Gurgenidze changed most ministers, leaving Ivane Meabishvili, controversial Minister for Home Affairs, Defence Minister David Kezerashvili and Minister of Finance Nika Gilauri on their former positions. Gia Nodia was appointed as the Minister of Education and Science. Zaza Gamcemlidze, former director of Tbilisi Botanic Garden, took over the position of the Minister of Human Resources and Nature Protection. Famous archaeologist, and already the eldest minister in the cabinet, Iulon Gagoshidze was appointed on a newly designated position of the Minister of State for Diaporas.

Georgian-Russian relationships

In his second term, Saakashvili placed more emphasis on improving the relationships with neighbouring Russia. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending On 22 February 2008, he held an official meeting with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, in Novo Yagorovo Residence of the President of Russia. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The President of Russia (Президент России or the President of the Russian Federation, Президент Российской Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (; born 7 October 1952 in Leningrad, USSR; now Saint Petersburg, Russia was the second President of Russia The presidents discussed the issues of avia regulations between the two countries as well as the prospects of abolishing the Russian embargo which has been in effect for the last couple of years and has significantly damaged the Georgian economic system. President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. Avia is a Czech Aircraft and Automotive company notable for producing Biplane Fighter aircraft, especially the B-534 This article is for the legal term For regulation of genes see Regulation of gene expression. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending In international Commerce and politics, an embargo is the prohibition of commerce An economic system is a System that involves the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services between This was Putin's last meeting as the President of Russia, as he will now continue on in the position of the Prime Minister of Russia, having been succeeded by Dimitry Medvedev. The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, (Председатель Правительства Российской Федерации unofficially called the Prime-Minister Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev ( Dmitrij Anatol′evič Medvedev;; born 14 September 1965 is currently President of Russia, inaugurated on 7 May 2008

Elections

2004 presidential election

The 2004 presidential election were carried out on 4 January 2004. Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The election was an outcome of the bloodless Rose Revolution and a consequent resignation of President Eduard Shevardnadze. The "Revolution of Roses quot (often translated into English as the Rose Revolution) (ვარდების რევოლუცია - vardebis The President of Georgia (საქართველოს პრეზიდენტი is the Commander-in-chief of Georgia. Eduard Amvrosiyevich Shevardnadze (ედუარდ შევარდნაძე ɛduɑrd ʃɛvɑrdnɑdzɛ (born 25 January 1928 in Mamati, Lanchkhuti It is well-known for a very high level of electoral turnout and also for the number of votes cast for one particular presidential candidate - Mikheil Saakashvili (96%). Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a Ballot in an Election. All other candidates received less than 2% of the votes. In total, 1,763,000 eligible voters participated in the election.

2008 presidential election

On 5 January 2008, the presidential election was held nationwide with the exception of highland village Shatili, where the polling station was not opened due to the high levels of snowfall. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common A presidential election was held in Georgia on January 5, 2008, having been brought forward by President Mikheil Saakashvili Shatili valleyjpg|thumb|250px|The Shatili valley]] Shatili (შატილი is a historic highland village in Georgia, near the border with Chechnya. The earliest exit polls, carried out by the group of non-governmental organisations and mass-media, suggested the victory of Mikheil Saakashvili with more than half of all the votes (52. An exit poll is a poll of voters taken immediately after they have exited the polling stations "Popular press" redirects here note that the University of Wisconsin Press publishes under the imprint "The Popular Press" 5%), securing a full victory to Saakashvili, in turn, avoiding the need for the second run-off. [2]Later results of archevnebi. ge [3] showed Saakashvili had won with 53. 5% whereas other source ukMSN stated Saakashvili had gathered 53. 8% of all votes. The exit polls of all different sources reported Saakashvili's victory. Georgian opposition criticised the exit polls, as did some outside observers, declaring they were biased towards the former president. The central election commission announced that Saakaashvili had won 53. 4% of votes cast on Saturday, almost 2 times his opponent, 43-year-old wine producer Levan Gachechiladze, with 27%. Levan Gachechiladze (ლევან გაჩეჩილაძე (born July 20, 1964) is a Georgian Politician, Member of Parliament ^[23] According to Georgian Central Electoral Commission, as of 8 January 2008, which already included the votes from more polling stations than the earlier reports, Saakashvili was leading with 52. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common 21%,^[24] Gachechiladze following him with only 25. 26%^[25] Major protests occurred in the Capital Tbilisi after the election results were announced and the opposition continues to declare that the election was riddled with massive fraud. The OSCE's criticism of the Georgian elections had no impact on the government as the irregularities and mass-fraud still has not yet been investigating.

2008 parliamentary polls

Mikhail Saakashvili on May 22, 2008 announced his confident victory for his ruling party in parliamentary polls amid fears of political unrest, and rising tensions between Georgia and Russia. Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Early official results indicated his United National Movement had 63% of the votes against the opposition's 13%, with about a quarter of the 3,664 precincts. United National Movement (ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა, Ertiani Natsionaluri Modzraoba, ENM is the largest political organisation ^[26]

References

External links

• The official site of the President of Georgia
• Journal: Modern Georgia's Young Founding Fathers by Stephen Kinzer, The New York Times, June 4, 1998
• Caspian Business News article on Mrs. Stephen Kinzer is a United States Author and Newspaper Reporter. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Saakashvili-Roelofs
• BBC News Online profile of Mikhail Saakashvili
• Unprovoked Onslaught by Mikheil Saakashvili in The Wall Street Journal