Diplomatic Standoff over Georgia Heads to Kyiv, Dushanbe Aug 28, 2008
Instead, it docked 80 kilometers south in Batumi. The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi originally said the "Dallas" would be joined in Poti by a U.S. warship, the "USS McFaul," which docked in Batumi on August 24. (EurasiaNet.org)
U.S. warships due to arrive in disputed Georgian port Aug 28, 2008
Coming to Poti would mark a change in American military posture since Sunday, when the USS McFaul, a naval destroyer, the first U.S. warship to bring relief goods to Georgia, anchored off the coast of Batumi, a smaller port 50 miles to the south and far from any Russian checkpoints ... The U.S. Navy said that the McFaul left Batumi Tuesday morning and was conducting "routine operations" off the Georgian coast ... Crews in Batumi offloaded 55 tons of relief supplies from the McFaul but U.S.... (Anchorage Daily News)
Georgia: Russia condemned by West over breakaway regions Aug 28, 2008
US humanitarian aid is unloaded in the Georgian port of Batumi. President Medvedev accused the US of disguising arms shipments to Georgia as humanitarian aid Photo: REUTERS. (Telegraph.co.uk)
NATO ships cause alarm in Moscow Aug 28, 2008
The policy has left American and Russian naval vessels maneuvering in close proximity off the western coast of Georgia, with the Americans sailing near the southern port of Batumi and the Russians the central port of Poti ... The Dallas, however, docked instead at Batumi, to the south ... The U.S. guided missile destroyer McFaul, for example, docked over the weekend in Batumi to deliver humanitarian aid. (International Herald Tribune)
U.S. ship carrying aid docks at Georgian port Aug 28, 2008
BATUMI, GEORGIA A U.S. military ship carrying humanitarian aid docked at the Georgian Black Sea port of Batumi on Wednesday, avoiding the port of Poti, which is still controlled by Russian forces ... Batumi, where the Coast Guard cutter Dallas docked, is well south of the zone of fighting in this month's war between Russia and Georgia ... Then early Wednesday, the embassy said that plans had changed, and the ship would dock at Batumi. (Globe and Mail)
Russia frees 12 Georgians, gets rejected by China Aug 28, 2008
Sergei Grits A U.S. sailor stands on guard aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas, as Georgians wave their flags, during a welcome ceremony in Georgia's Black Sea port of Batumi on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008. The U.S. military ship on Wednesday docked at the Georgian port of Batumi to bring humanitarian aid following a devastating war with Russia earlier this month ... Sergei Grits Commander of the U.S. task force carrying aid to Georgia, John Moore, left, shakes hands with Georgians at... (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Russia slams NATO 'aid' Aug 28, 2008
Georgians wave their national and US flags to welcome the US Coast Guard cutter Dallas in the Black Sea port of Batumi, western Georgia ... In the Georgian port of Batumi, the second of three ships sent by Washington arrived with aid for some of the 100000 people estimated to have been displaced in the conflict in South Ossetia and in other areas entered by Russian troops and accompanying irregular militias. (iAfrica.com)
Georgia recalls most diplomats from Russia Aug 28, 2008
A second U.S. naval ship -- U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas -- arrived in Georgia's Black Sea port of Batumi on Wednesday with aid to Georgia, including hygiene items, food, milk and juices. A previous vessel -- the USS McFaul -- docked earlier at the same port bringing aid. (Xinhuanet, China)
The New (Old) Russian Imperialism Aug 28, 2008
The Black Sea, for example, is not big enough for all the military power congregating in it now the Russian forces occupying the Georgian port of Poti; the NATO "humanitarian" naval task force at the Georgian port of Batumi; and most formidably, the navy of Turkey (a NATO member), which is three times larger and stronger than what is left of the Russian Black Sea fleet. Any kind of confrontation there is likely to be messy, with no guarantee of any party coming out a winner. (Time.com)
Russia turns to Asia amid Western fury over Georgia Aug 28, 2008
In the Georgian port of Batumi, the second of three ships sent by Washington arrived with aid for some of the 100,000 people that the UN refugee agnecy estimates have been displaced in the conflict. Moscow argues that it recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia to protect their citizens after Russian forces poured into Georgia earlier this month to repel a Georgian attack on South Ossetia. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Russian President Says He's Not Afraid of Cold War Aug 27, 2008
Angering Russia, the United States sent the missile destroyer USS McFaul to the southern Georgian port of Batumi, well away from the conflict zone, to deliver 34 tons of humanitarian aid on Sunday. The McFaul left Batumi on Tuesday but would remain in the Black Sea area, said Commander Scott Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet in Naples, Italy. (Fox News)
US: Plan canceled to dock ship with aid in Georgia Aug 27, 2008
But Embassy spokesman Stephen Guice says the vessel instead will dock in Batumi, a port well south of the zone of fighting in this month's war between Russia and Georgia. Guice says he did not have information on why the plan was changed. (WSJA.com, AL)
* Russia recognizes Abkhazia, South Ossetia Aug 27, 2008
Tensions were running high in the Black Sea after the destroyer USS McFaul carrying humanitarian aid left the Georgian port of Batumi en route to the Georgian port of Poti, where Russian troops are stationed. US President George W. Bush warned Medvedev not to take the step of recognition, saying it would undercut a French-brokered ceasefire agreement to end the fighting and violate UN resolutions. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Russia-Georgia conflict raises Black Sea tensions Aug 27, 2008
Instead it docked 80 km (50 miles) south in Batumi ... (Additional reporting by Yuri Kulikov in Kiev, Margarita Antidze in Tbilisi, Niko Mchedlishvili in Batumi, Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow). (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
High tension as Russia talks up Cold War Aug 27, 2008
The ship will now dock in Batumi, a port south of the zone of fighting, an embassy spokesman told AP.. The turnback is seen as an attempt to defuse tensions as Mr Medvedev has accused the US of shipping arms to Georgia under the cover of "humanitarian aid". (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
US, Russian ships dock at competing Georgian ports Aug 27, 2008
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas, carrying 34 tons of humanitarian aid, docked in the Black Sea port of Batumi, south of the zone of this month's fighting between Russia and Georgia. The arrival in Batumi avoided Georgia's main cargo port of Poti, which is still controlled by Russian soldiers ... Meanwhile, the Russian missile cruiser Moskva and two smaller missile boats anchored at the port of Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, some 180 miles north of Batumi. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
US, Russia anchor military ships in Georgian ports Aug 27, 2008
BATUMI, Georgia (AP) -- A U.S. military ship loaded with aid docked at a southern Georgian port Wednesday, and Russia sent three missile boats to another Georgian port as the standoff escalated over a nation devastated by war with Russia ... The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas, carrying 34 tons of humanitarian aid, docked in the Black Sea port of Batumi, south of the zone of this month's fighting between Russia and Georgia ... Meanwhile, Russia's missile cruiser, the Moskva, and two smaller... (New York Post -- News)
Russian military concerned by larger NATO presence in Black Sea Aug 26, 2008
The McFaul unloaded 55 tons of humanitarian aid in the Georgian port of Batumi on Sunday, with two more U.S. Navy ships due in port later this week. The Polish, Spanish and German ships also entered the Black Sea on Friday. (Yahoo News -- Russia)
Georgia president plans to rebuild, reunify Aug 26, 2008
In the Georgian Black Sea port of Batumi, the first American naval vessel arrived Sunday to distribute humanitarian aid. A train carrying oil cars exploded while traveling near Gori, the city in central Georgia that Russia had occupied for about 10 days. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Russia Recognizes Georgian Regions Aug 26, 2008
On Sunday, a U.S. Navy destroyer loaded with humanitarian aid reached Georgia's Black Sea port of Batumi, bringing baby food, milk, bottled water and a message of support for an embattled ally. The guided missile cruiser, carrying about 55 tons of humanitarian aid, was the first of three American ships scheduled to arrive this week. (Time.com)
NEWSWEEK International Editions: Highlights and Exclusives, September 1, 2008 Issue Aug 25, 2008
During a press tour last year to the resort town of Batumi, he told the journalists to call him "Misha." But for all of Misha's openness and seeming sophistication, his actions betrayed a naivete about Georgia and its relationship with the world. Yes, Georgia boomed economically, but U.S. backing was far from unconditional. (PR Newswire)
US warship reaches Georgian port Aug 25, 2008
A US warship has arrived in the Georgian port of Batumi carrying the first delivery of aid supplies by sea. Russian forces are still in control of the military port of Poti, to the north of Batumi, after Moscow withdrew most of its combat troops from the country ... The track runs through the capital Tbilisi before splitting and running to the Black Sea ports of Poti and Batumi and south-west towards the Turkish border. (BBC News -- Americas)
US navy arrives in Georgia Aug 25, 2008
BATUMI: A US navy warship delivered humanitarian aid on Sunday for victims of Georgias brief war with Russia while Moscow ignored Western demands to pull its remaining troops from the Caucasus countrys heartland ... A Reuters reporter in Batumi, 80 km (50 miles) south of the port of Poti where Russian troops are still present, saw a giant crane unload 55 tonne of aid from the USS McFaul. (India Times)
US warship docks in Black Sea port with Georgia aid Aug 25, 2008
BATUMI, Georgia, Aug 24 (Reuters) - A U.S. warship pulled into Georgia's Black Sea port of Batumi on Sunday, delivering humanitarian aid in a gesture of support for the ex-Soviet republic in its conflict with Russia ... The Stars and Stripes flying from its stern, the McFaul dropped anchor in waters just off Batumi, 80 km (50 miles) south of the small oil shipment port of Poti, where Russian soldiers have been digging in for days ... "The United States is our great friend," Georgian Defence... (AlertNet)
U.S. ship delivers water, support to Georgians Aug 25, 2008
ABOARD THE USS MCFAUL A U.S. Navy destroyer loaded with humanitarian aid reached Georgia s Black Sea port of Batumi Sunday, bringing baby food, bottled water and a message of support for an embattled ally. Before the warship arrived, a Russian general suggested U.S. ships moving across the Black Sea would worsen tensions already driven to a post-Cold War high by a short but intense war between Russia and Georgia. (New Haven Register, CT)
Russian MPs back regions' independence Aug 25, 2008
The USS McFaul dropped anchor off Batumi, 50km south of the Russian-occupied port of Poti, the first of three ships carrying aid to help. Georgia deal with an estimated 100,000 displaced people. (The Age)
Russian president asked to back 2 Georgia regions Aug 25, 2008
On Sunday, a U.S. Navy destroyer loaded with humanitarian aid reached Georgia's Black Sea port of Batumi, bringing baby food, bottled water and a message of support for an embattled ally ... A U.S. official said the American ship anchored in Batumi, Georgia's main oil port on the Black Sea, because of concerns about damage to the Georgian port of Poti. (USA Today -- News)
U.S. Navy warship sails into Georgia with aid Aug 25, 2008
ABOARD THE U.S.S. MCFAUL A U.S. Navy warship carrying humanitarian aid anchored at the Georgian port of Batumi on Sunday, sending a strong signal of support to an embattled ally as Russian forces built up around two separatist regions ... At dockside in Batumi, with the McFaul anchored offshore, U.S. Navy officials in crisp white uniforms were met Sunday by Georgian officials, including Defence Minister David Kezerashvili. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Russian meddling not over Aug 25, 2008
Video:An American warship has arrived in Georgia's main Black Sea port of Batumi to deliver aid supplies ... A US warship with humanitarian aid for Georgia anchored in the southern Georgian port of Batumi yesterday. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Russia urged to quit Georgia port Aug 24, 2008
It was not immediately clear where the USS McFaul would arrive but some reports say this is likely to be the port of Batumi in the south. A further two US ships are due to arrive later. (BBC News)
* Georgians wary as Russian troops exit Aug 24, 2008
Another Russian position was seen on the edge of a forest on the road leaving Poti for Batumi to the south. I will only celebrate when they are all gone, Yani said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
U.S. navy arrives in Georgia Aug 24, 2008
A U.S. navy warship arrived in a Georgia's main Black Sea port of Batumi on Sunday with humanitarian aid as Russia ignored Western demands to remove its remaining troops from Georgia's heartland ... In Batumi, 80 kilometres (55 miles) south of another port of Poti, where Russian troops are still present, the USS McFaul arrived with aid for the tens of thousands displaced by the conflict that erupted on August 7-8. (International Herald Tribune)
Russian forces at Georgian port despite pullback Aug 23, 2008
Georgia's busiest port for oil and oil products is to the south in Batumi, but Poti can load up to 100,000 barrels per day of oil products, which arrive by rail from Azerbaijan. Poti is also a major gateway for merchandise bound not only for Georgia but for other Caucasus republics and Central Asia. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Defiant Russia still entrenched in Georgia Aug 23, 2008
Russian soldiers backed up by four tanks were still in place on a bridge on the road heading from Poti to the city of Senaki further west and Batumi to the south, an AFP correspondent reported. Some 500 Georgians expressed outrage over the continued presence of Russian troops in Poti, going up to the post waving Georgian flags and shouting "Russians go home!". (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Georgia: Russia Tightens Control over Occupied Territory Aug 22, 2008
"The civilian port is still operational, but the port authorities told us that American aid will probably be redirected to Batumi port [some 60 kilometers to the south on Georgia s Black Sea coast] because of what the Russians are doing here now.". The US Embassy said that two US navy ships and a US Coast Guard cutter carrying humanitarian aid are likely to sail into Batumi s port "in a couple of days.". (EurasiaNet.org)
Oil Gains a Third Day on US-Russia Tensions, Gasoline Supply Aug 21, 2008
Georgian Black Sea ports are running out of crude and oil- products to export as Russian troops block railways, a shipping agent in Batumi said yesterday. BP Plc's Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the Baku-Supsa system that run through the country remain closed. (Bloomberg)
Georgia: Russians "Digging Into" Poti for the Long Haul Aug 21, 2008
The city, he noted, does not face food shortages since it is supplied by goods from the southern Georgian port of Batumi and Turkey ... Reports of Russian armored vehicles cruising the coastal highway running between Batumi and Poti have had a chilling effect on local residents. (EurasiaNet.org)
Amid War, Georgias Tourism Industry Down, but Not Out Aug 21, 2008
Their armored vehicles often cruise the seaside highway linking Poti with Georgia s main Black Sea tourism hub, Batumi, scaring away both Georgians and foreigners from the west coast s most favored vacation spots ... The resilience of international hotel chains that had launched ventures in Batumi and Tbilisi is another source of hope for tourism officials. (EurasiaNet.org)
UNHCR begins aid distribution Aug 21, 2008
But on Tuesday, UNHCR flew in 200 tents, 15,000 blankets, 3,000 kitchen sets and 6,000 jerry cans to the town of Batumi. The agency has already distributed aid to tens of thousands of displaced people in the Tbilisi area, including on Wednesday. (AlertNet)
Aid agencies press Russia for access to S. Ossetia Aug 20, 2008
An aid flight landed on Tuesday at Batumi airport in western Georgia, carrying supplies flown into Tbilisi which could not be put on land convoys for distribution to the displaced due to insecurity, the U.N. refugee agency said. "The major concerns are ensuring safe food, water and sanitation is provided to the displaced to prevent outbreaks of any communicable diseases. As yet we have seen no reports of any communicable diseases outbreaks," said Paul Garwood, spokesman of the World Health... (AlertNet)
Georgia chaos halts nuclear security effort Aug 19, 2008
A team from the US Nuclear Security Administration was providing Georgian authorities with radiation equipment and training at key border crossings and the Batumi airport on the country's Black Sea coast when Russia invaded two weeks ago. The advisers were forced to flee the country within days, according to a spokesman from the Department of Energy. (Boston Globe)
BP says Azeri oil exports by rail to Georgia halted Aug 18, 2008
The railway line runs from Tbilisi, through the Georgian town of Gori, before splitting in three and running to the Black Sea ports of Poti and Batumi and southwest to just short of the Turkish border ... It can carry between 50,000 barrels per day and 70,000 bpd of Azeri oil to the port of Batumi, Wine said. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
ISU News and Notes: Emeritus professor helped set up college in Georgia Aug 18, 2008
" The new college in Gori was the first of seven community college programs the group planned to establish in Georgia, including sites in Tblisi, the Georgian capital; and Batumi, the main vacation area along the Black Sea. Maney said her collaborative group has trained teachers and brought textbooks and programming to the other sites, but Gori is the only school that taught students thus far. Additional information on the Georgia Connection project is available atwww.georgiaconnection.net/.... (Ames Daily Tribune, IA)
The bear is back Aug 16, 2008
On July 15" Last week, Georgia recalled its ambassador in Moscow to protest the Russian overflights, while Russia said they were aimed at preventing Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili from launching a military operation against the separatist South Ossetia region. So by the beginning of August, the Russian intelligence services had a fair idea of both Georgia's intentions and its likely tactics, but still no firm evidence of timing. A week of war The Russian 58th Army with its headquarters... (Asia Times Online)
Separatistsgrab land Aug 14, 2008
Further south, along the road to the port city of Batumi, about 50 vehicles were parked. Later in the day, a Georgian official said the Russians had left Zugdidi. (MSNBC -- International)
Victim of pipeline politics Aug 13, 2008
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan had ambitious plans to expand rail traffic, pipelines and terminals in Georgia, both at Kulevi and the southwestern port of Batumi. These may now be in question. (BBC News)
Oil in troubled mountains Aug 13, 2008
Meanwhile, the Azeri state energy company SOCAR has ceased shipments to the Georgian Black Sea ports of Batumi and Kulevi and will probably declare force majeure to limit its liabilities. As from Sunday, ships of Russia's Black Sea fleet were blockading Georgia's Black Sea coast, after Russian military planes had bombed and significantly damaged the oil loading terminal at Poti, which serves the Baku-Supsa line that had been used for so-called "early oil" before the BTC entered into service and... (Asia Times Online)
Russia orders halt to Georgia military action but fighting continues Aug 13, 2008
About four miles outside Poti, a dozen armored vehicles guarded a bridge and the road to Batumi, another Black Sea port. The troops, who spoke Russian and wore patches indicating that they were paratroopers, said they were peacekeepers. (International Herald Tribune)
A war long in the making Aug 13, 2008
2007: The last remaining Russian military base in Georgia, in the southwestern city of Batumi, is evacuated. 2008: NATO turns down a U.S.-backed proposal for Georgia to join the alliance, fearing that such a move would anger Russia. (Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ)
Georgian bloggers tell their story Aug 13, 2008
Mishka is asleep, my little boy, he kept turning around, asking: "They aren't bombing Batumi [another city], are they?". No one is going to back out at this point -- they'll be eating us hot. (CNN -- World)
'Launches cyber war'... Aug 12, 2008
Everyone is fleeing Batumi near Turkey because it is under attack from Russian air and special forces. There is fear that Russia will land forces on the coast. (The Drudge Report)
Georgia 'overrun' by Russian troops; full-scale ground invasion begins... Aug 12, 2008
The head of Azerbaijan's state oil company warned that exports had already been halted via the Georgian ports of Batumi and Kulevi due to the fighting. The announcement came shortly after Russian warplanes staged a raid near the 1,109-mile BTC pipeline, the world's second longest. (The Drudge Report)
Prayer request from Georgia sent out to Parkland Aug 12, 2008
They are in Batumi where they ve been visiting family and the last text message I got from her was at 2 a.m. today, said Darlene. She said they cannot sleep because they are hearing Russian planes overhead and they re bombing throughout the night. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Oil falls to 14-week low on US slowdown Aug 12, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Skip directly to: Search Box, , , Text Version. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Oil falls despite Russia-Georgia conflict Aug 12, 2008
Vienna's JBC Energy cited the Azeri company SOCAR as saying shipments from the two Georgian ports, Batumi and Kulevi, had ceased during the weekend, adding that the company could declare force majeure on its exports from the two ports. Force majeure frees oil companies from liabilities if a catastrophe or other major event it cannot control stops them from meeting their obligations. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Azerbaijan halts oil exports Aug 10, 2008
BAKU: Azerbaijan has halted oil exports via the Georgian ports of Batumi and Kulevi due to clashes between Russia and Georgia, the head of the state oil company said Saturday. "Since last night the import and export of oil through the Georgian ports of Kulevi and Batumi have been halted," said Rovnag Abdullayev, the head of the Azeri state oil company SOCAR, in televised comments. (India Times)
BP Pipeline in Eastern Turkey Is Still Burning, Delaying Start of Repairs Aug 9, 2008
Some crude is being transported in rail cars to the port of Batumi in Georgia, according to BP.. Halted Shipments. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Abkhazia Prepares for Olympics with a Little Help from Its Friends Jul 30, 2008
While a boom similar to the building frenzy gripping Tbilisi or Batumi has not yet taken hold, economist Baratelia says that Abkhazia s real estate market is already beginning to percolate for the Olympics. "The situation in Abkhazia has changed since the Sochi announcement," he said. (EurasiaNet.org)
US Pushes for Talks between Leaders of Georgia and Abkhazia Jul 29, 2008
Subsequent consultations were held in Batumi with Georgia s President Mikheil Saakashvili, State Minister for Territorial Reintegration Temur Iakobashvili, Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili and Deputy Foreign Minister Giga Bokeria. "Our goal now . . . is to try to bring the positions of Sukhumi and Tbilisi together and re-launch a vigorous settlement process to the Abkhaz conflict," Bryza told reporters. (EurasiaNet.org)
Down on the Farm: Georgia Struggles to Open EU Market for Agricultural Exports Jul 24, 2008
While agriculture still employs more than 55 percent of Georgia s work force, rampant rural poverty has forced many farmers in recent years to migrate to large towns, especially Tbilisi and Batumi. Those farmers who remain in the countryside generally work small plots that cannot provide the output volume needed to boost production levels or to take the vast European market by storm. (EurasiaNet.org)
* Georgia rejects key parts of peace plan for restive region Jul 19, 2008
AFP, BATUMI, GEORGIA Saturday, Jul 19, 2008, Page 6. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili rejected key elements of a German plan on Thursday aimed at ending a dangerous dispute with Russia over the separatist Georgian region of Abkhazia. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* German official on trip to float Georgia peace plan Jul 18, 2008
Steinmeier was bound first for Tbilisi and later the Black Sea city of Batumi to hold talks with the Georgian government and opposition figures before traveling today to Abkhazia, where he was expected to meet local leaders. The trip will then take him to Moscow for talks with his Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Georgia: Government Outmaneuvers Opposition with Parliaments Kick-Off Session Jun 10, 2008
But ongoing delays over naming a date had sparked speculation that parliament might convene outside of Tbilisi even in a boat off the coast of Batumi in a bid to avoid a clash between opposition protestors and riot police. With the opposition s protest schedule announced, the government apparently decided to get the jump on their plans. (EurasiaNet.org)
Georgia: Saakashvili and Medvedev Meet, Nothing Happens Jun 7, 2008
At a June 5 press conference in the Georgian port city of Batumi, Saakashvili said that he would push for the withdrawal of additional Russian peacekeeper troops and railway troops from Abkhazia, and the revocation of an April 16 decree that established direct ties between Russia and the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia ... "We need a European civilized and soft approach today as never before," Saakashvili said at a joint press conference with Solana in Batumi. (EurasiaNet.org)
Observers Give Cautious Thumbs-Up to Georgias Vote May 23, 2008
In the Black Sea coastal town of Batumi, the opposition Republican Party candidate Davit Berdzenishvili claimed that a convoy of soldiers had been transported to the city on election day for such a purpose. Rustavi-2 television aired footage of the convoy Berdzenishvili had recorded with his cell phone. (EurasiaNet.org)
