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On November 18, 2008, Jade Music and the Georgian Association in the United States Bring You
SACRED GEORGIAN CHANTS
By The Georgian Harmony Choir
(Sherman Oaks, CA) On November 18, 2008, Jade Music with the support of the Georgian Association in the United States is proud to release the first US album by The Georgian Harmony Choir.
Sacred Georgian Chants, a compilation of songs and chants from the war-torn region, reflects the vigor and beauty of polyphonic chants from one of the oldest Christian countries. In today's uncertain political climate preserving the Georgian musical heritage in Georgia itself and around the world has become of incomparable importance.
10% of the proceeds will go to the Georgian Association in the United States of America, Inc., the oldest nonpartisan nationwide membership organization of Georgian-Americans and friends of Georgia. The Association strives to strengthen the Georgian- American community on a national level, and supports an independent, democratic and prosperous Georgia.
Chant expert Dr. Jean-Claude Larchet wrote extensive liner notes on the history of Georgian Chant and its peculiarities.
Georgian Chant
Georgian religious choir chant seems to have reached its apogee between the ninth and 10th centuries, when it developed considerably. It was codified as much inside the country (particularly in the monasteries of the Tao-Klarjeti region) as it was in many Georgian monasteries or those with a significant Georgian presence located in Palestine, in the Sinai desert, at Mount Athos and in Bulgaria.
Under its basic and normative form, Georgian religious chant is a three-voice polyphony (called mzakhr, zhir and bam as early as the sixth century in a treatise by Ioane Petritsi), characterized by particular vocal techniques and the use of close tones. Usually the highest voice provides the melody and is supported by two other voices.
Contemporary Georgian liturgical chant is a witness of its fidelity to the tradition of polyphonic chant and its various variations, but also of its ability to innovate within traditions.
The Georgian Harmony Choir
The Georgian Harmony Choir was founded in 2006 by Nana Peradze. Its members are passionate amateurs and professionals from Georgia. Its vocation is to raise the awareness of religious and popular Georgian chant following tradition and authenticity. The Choir has performed in Belgrade (Serbia), Tbilisi (Georgia), where it participated in the international music festival "Chveneburebi," and Paris.
Nana Peradze
Nana Peradze was born into an Orthodox family in Georgia. She received a chant and piano education and pursued theological studies. She took part in many piano concerts and won several national contests. Since 1984, she has actively taken part in the religious rebirth of Georgia under communism, creating choirs in several monasteries and churches.
From 1993 to 1997 she taught music in several religious schools and was the head of the choir at the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Tbilisi and at various churches in the Margveti region. In 1998 she went to France to pursue choir-conducting studies at the National Conservatory of Paris. In 2002 she founded the religious choir of the Georgian church in Paris before becoming the head conductor of Saint Simeon's Choir, at "Saint Sava" Serbian Cathedral, in Paris, where she still sings today.
She currently conducts the Georgian Harmony Choir and is still studying Byzantine chant, of which she has considerable knowledge.
The Georgian Association in the United States of America
The Georgian Association in the United States advocates for Georgia and Georgian issues in the United States. The Association was founded in 1932 by Georgian immigrants following Russia's occupation of Georgia in 1921. In 1960, it became a non-profit charitable US 501(c)(3) corporation. Since then, GA has assisted in maintaining public awareness of the Georgian nation and preserving Georgia's identity and culture. The Association has provided a forum for discussing Georgian issues and has been a unifying entity for Georgian concerns.
Jade Music
Jade Music has a proven dedication to releasing quality classical and sacred music for more than 20 years. Its catalog includes works by the world-renowned Byzantine Choir of Greece and Lycourgos Angelopoulos, the choirs of Saint-Wandrille, Notre-Dame De Ganagobie, and Saint-Madeleine du Barroux, among others.
It has also established itself as the premiere record label of the choir of the abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos, Spain. In 2007, Jade Music released the first US album of Serbian singer Divna Ljubojevic, Divna in Concert.
Jade Music, an independently owned operation with offices located in Sherman Oaks, California and Paris, France is distributed by Ryko Distribution in the United States, Universal Music in France, JVC in Japan, and Warner Music International in the rest of the world.
Track listing:
1. Easter Processional
2. Matins Stichera
3. O come, let us worship
4. Thou art the Vineyard
5. Troparion of the Cross
6. Trisagion (Thrice Holy)
7. Kontakion of Saint Nino
8. As many of you who have been baptized into Christ
9. Alleluia
10. O Heavenly King
11. Christmas Chant
12-13. Cherubic Hymn
14. Litany for the Deceased
15. Easter Troparion
To stream the record, please visit http://milanrecords.com/jbox/jademusic/
For photos, music, and additional information about the album, the Georgian Harmony Choir and Nana Peradze, please contact Stefan Karrer:
Stefan Karrer
Jade Music / Milan Entertainment, Inc.
14724 Ventura Blvd. Suite 910
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: (818) 849-3349
Fax: (818) 849-3341
stefan@jade-music.com
www.jade-music.com
www.milanrecords.com/spiritual
www.youtube.com/jademusic54
For additional information about the Georgian Association, Georgian musical culture in the United States, please contact Maka Gabelia:
Maka Gabelia
Executive Director
Georgian Association in the United States
2300 M Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 234-2441
georgianassociation@gmail.com
Russia Continues Bombing Georgia
August 10, 2008
Georgia’s existence is under attack by an authoritarian and imperial Russia that has flouted international law by bombing the country, slaughtering civilians and occupying its territory. This is a situation that the West has encountered numerous times in the past – in Czechoslovakia in 1938 and 1968, in Hungary in 1956 and in Afghanistan in 1979. We have seen the failure of appeasement before, and while international condemnations of Russia have proliferated, they will not prevent further dominoes from falling. Concrete actions must be taken.
If Russia fails to cooperate with calls for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of its troops from Georgia, we urge the United Nations, United States, European Union and NATO to consider taking the following actions to prevent further aggression and preserve global stability:
Immediately Recall US Ambassador to Russia
Grant Georgia MAP for NATO
Remove Russia from the G-8
Strip the 2014 Sochi Olympics from Russia
Freeze Russian assets abroad
Enact economic sanctions on Russia
Continue to block Russian membership in the WTO
This is a decisive moment for the West and the world more broadly. The Georgian Association in the United States hopes that the global community clearly recognizes the danger to its stability that Russian actions present.
Georgian Association in the United States of America, Inc.
GEORGIA UNDER ATTACK
August 9, 2008
Georgia is under attack by an authoritarian power that refuses to recognize international law. This is a situation that Western powers have encountered many times before in Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Afghanistan. The US must take the lead in fiercely condemning Russian aggression, which is a threat not only for Georgian independence but for many other Russian neighbors such as Ukraine and the Baltic states where Russia also has territorial disputes. The issue before the world community not only concerns Georgian democracy and respect for national sovereignty, but how to control the growth of a dangerous imperial and authoritarian regime in Russia. Should Russia pursue its war with impunity, we can expect continuing instability in the Caucasus for decades to come. No new democracy will be safe or able to thrive on Russia's borders.
This is a decisive moment for Western policy toward Russia. Do we allow a Russian military victory in Georgia which will reinforce Russian militarism and further weaken its democratic forces (the Russian media is already a propaganda machine for the state), or do we take the proper action that will reinforce democracy and international law.
The Georgian Association appeals to the US government to:
Demand the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia from Russia
To take the diplomatic lead and dispatch US envoys to the EU, Russia and Georgia to coordinate international action
To demand an immediate ceasefire and the end of civilian targeting by Russian planes
The establishment of a new international peace keeping regime in South Ossetia to replace the failed Joint Control Commission controlled by Russia.
If Russia fails to cooperate and continues bombing of Georgia and occupation of the parts of its territory, the international community must take the appropriate action including measures to ensure the diplomatic isolation of Russia. This is a decisive moment for Western powers and the Georgian Association hopes that both the USA and EU clearly recognize the danger to political stability in Europe that Russian actions present.
.
The Georgian Association in the USA Inc.
Statement of Senator Obama on Tensions in the Caucasus Region Between Georgia and Russia.
July 23, 2008
Chicago, IL -- "Over the last several weeks, Russia and Georgia have been engaged in a steadily more dangerous confrontation over two secessionist regions of Georgia -- South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Although these territories are located within Georgia's internationally-recognized borders, the Russian government seems determined to challenge Georgia's territorial integrity in both places. Developments took an especially provocative turn several days ago when four Russian warplanes violated Georgian airspace close to the Georgian capital for forty minutes.
All parties -- Russia first and foremost -- must now reduce tensions, avoid the risks of war, and reengage in peaceful negotiations.
As I stated in April of this year, I am committed to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. This commitment has long been a fundamental building block of U.S. policy, and it will not change under an Obama Administration. I also affirm Georgia's right to pursue NATO membership. This aspiration in no way threatens the legitimate defense interests of Georgia's neighbors.
Only a political settlement can resolve the conflicts over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia needs to roll back the aggressive actions it has taken in the last three months. The Georgian government must resist the temptation to be drawn into a military conflict. All parties must make clear that they are committed to a diplomatic settlement and will not seek to resolve this dispute by force.
The international community must become more active in trying to defuse this confrontation. The fact that Russia has become a party to the conflict means that Russia is not qualified to play the role of a mediator. The visit to Georgia by German Foreign Minister Steinmeier this week was a positive, important step towards establishing a larger role for the European Union. The Euro-Atlantic community must speak with one voice in helping to promote peace in this volatile region. As part of the de-escalation process, a multilateral peacekeeping force must eventually replace the Russian peacekeeping force currently deployed in Abkhazia."
Posted on 5/28/2008
Fishing Georgia
Posted on 4/30/2008
INVITATION TO THE CELEBRATION COMMEMORATING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF GEORGIA'S INDEPENDENCE
Posted on 4/19/2008
Statement by the Georgian Association In USA, Inc to Russian Decision of April 16th.
PRESS RELEASE
For more information contact:
Contact: Maka Gabelia
Tel: (202) 234-2441
THE GEORGIAN ASSOCIATION ORGANIZES FIRST LADY’S VISIT TO CAPITAL BREAST CANCER CENTER IN WASHINGTON, DC.
March 20, 2008
CBCC provides breast cancer screening services and breast health education to women who do not have health insurance or other means to pay for mammograms.
Breast and cervical cancers are the leading causes of death among Georgian women. The First Lady of Georgia dedicates much of her time to the work in health care. She chairs the reproductive Health Council under the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia. The Council made it possible to establish the first breast cancer screening center in Tbilisi. At this center, women between the ages of 40-69 who live in Tbilisi receive free mammograms and consultations. The aim of the program is to ensure access for the target population, make the services acceptable and appropriate to the needs of eligible persons, maximize early detection of breast cancer, and therefore, help reduce mortality from breast cancer. Also, First Lady is Founder and Director of SOCO, a charitable organization, which works to improve reproductive health and child welfare in Georgia (www.soco.ge).
CBCC Executive Director Amari Sokoya Pearson-Fields, MPH, and Medical Director Jennifer Eng-Wong, MD, MPH, hosted the meeting. They shared with Roelofs valuable information about breast cancer prevention activities, patient support mechanisms, funding challenges, and creative ways to raise awareness about importance of annual breast screenings. Dr. Levan Jugheli, the Medical Director of the Tbilisi Breast Cancer Screening Center, and wife of the American Ambassador in Georgia accompanied first lady at CBCC. They, also, met with representatives of March of Dimes, the Susan Comen Foundation, and visited the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during this visit to the United States.
First Lady Roelofs hopes that the Tbilisi Breast Cancer Screening Center can serve as a blueprint for similar facilities in rural areas of Georgia, where the need for cancer screening services for women is urgent.
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PRESS RELEASE
For more information contact:
Contact: Maka Gabelia
Tel: (202) 234-2441
THE GEORGIAN ASSOCIATION MEETS WITH SENATOR MCCAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY AND NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISORS.
March 14, 2008
Washington, DC—On Thursday, March 13, 2008, Senator John McCain’s senior campaign advisors met with the Georgian Association and colleagues from the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC), to discuss policy issues that are important to Georgia and the coalition’s ancestral countries. Randy Scheunemann, Director of Foreign Policy and National Security, Stephen E. Beigun, Campaign Advisor and Aaron Manaigo, National Coalitions Director represented the Senator.
The discussion focused on key areas of concern for the Georgian Association: NATO enlargement, Russian actions against Georgia and Ukraine and other Central and East European countries, and energy security and diversification of supply. Mr. Scheunemann assured the meeting participants that Senator McCain is a strong supporter of NATO enlargement, and has been actively lobbying Congress for this issue since the 1990s, during the first round of enlargement. The Senator does not believe that Georgia’s membership in NATO should be tied to the resolution of the so-called “frozen conflicts” of Tskhinvali and Sokhumi. He fears that this conditionality will only give Russia an incentive to keep the conflicts unresolved.
As a President of the United States, Senator McCain would enhance transatlantic relationships with Europe. He would raise the issue of a more cohesive policy toward Russia with European allies, and elevate issues such as MAP for Georgia and Ukraine. The Senator believes that the United States must hold Russian leaders accountable for their policies inside and outside of Russia.
Mr. Scheunemann voiced Senator McCain’s concern over Russia’s use of energy for political leverage, and his support for the development of a common energy policy with Europe to avoid Russian monopolization of European energy supply. Senator McCain believes this important issue is a matter of national security for the United States.
Senator McCain’s advisors expressed confidence that their presidential candidate would continue his deep commitment to resolving the issues of concern to Georgia and other Central and East European countries.
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PRESS RELEASE
For more information contact:
Contact: Mamuka Tsereteli
Tel: (202) 234-2441
THE GEORGIAN ASSOCIATION MEETS WITH OBAMA CAMPAIGN ADVISORS.
March 4, 2008
Washington, DC-On Friday, February 29, 2008, Mamuka Tsereteli, President of the Georgian Association and Nino Japaridze, Board Member of the Georgian Association, along with representatives of the Central and East Europe Coalition (CEEC) met with Anthony Lake, Ph.D., senior foreign policy advisor for Senator Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Joining Dr. Lake, and facilitating the meeting, was Mark Brzezinski, also a well-known foreign policy expert. In his opening remarks, Anthony Lake touched on many important issues of concern to the member organizations of the CEEC.
Among the topics of discussion were NATO enlargement (especially in light of the upcoming Bucharest Summit in April 2008) and the backsliding of democratic trends in the Russian Federation. In regards to NATO, Lake clearly stated that the enlargement process "reinforces democracy in all nations of Europe," and brings all European nations together. Anthony Lake described the process itself as "not just of strategic importance [to the United States], but of morality, as well."
Russia's recent trend of more authoritarian control also sparked a few comments from Lake. Having expressed concern for the current government policies of President Vladimir Putin, Lake stressed, "We must engage them [the Russians] on issues of mutual interest and concern, but at the same time broaden our relations with the Russian people, not just the Russian government."
"This meeting gave the Georgian Association the opportunity to discuss issues of mutual concern and interest and we look forward to working closely with policymakers in Washington on these key issues for our community," Mamuka Tsereteli noted.
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PRESS RELEASE
For more information contact:
Contact: Nino Japaridze
Tel: (301) 263-0808
THE GEORGIAN ASSOCIATION DISCUSSES POLICY WITH FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT.
March 4, 2008
Washington, DC-On Wednesday, February 27, 2008, the Georgian Association in the USA along with its colleagues from the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC), representing more than 22 million Americans, discussed a range of policy issues with presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton's advisor, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Also present at the meeting was Lee Feinstein, Senator Clinton's Campaign National Security Director. The Georgian Association was represented by Mamuka Tsereteli (President), Maka Gabelia (Executive Director), Zacharia Kiknadze (Member) and Nino Japaridze (Board Member). One hour long discussion was moderated by Nino Japaridze.
The meeting focused on key areas of concern for the Georgian Association, including Russia's actions against Georgia and Ukraine and other Central and East European countries, energy security and diversification, and NATO enlargement. Secretary Albright fondly remembered her collaboration with General John Shalikashvili as she recalled her work on NATO enlargement. "NATO enlargement, the removal of the divide between East and West Europe, opened up a new chapter in the history of Europe. John and I stood side-by-side during this momentous time," Albright noted.
 Secretary Albright speaking on behalf of Senator Clinton reaffirmed Senator's support for NATO's "open door" policy. She welcomed Ukraine's and Georgia's aspirations for full NATO membership. Secretary Albright made it clear that the Membership Action Plan (MAP) criteria constitute a roadmap for full NATO membership, and MAP will be the measure determining the timeline of the actual membership in NATO for Ukraine and Georgia.
Albright expressed confidence that Senator Clinton would continue to advance issues of concern to the Georgian Association and the CEEC and she urged the group to remain engaged on the issues in Washington DC.
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PRESS RELEASE
For more information contact:
Contact: Mamuka Tsereteli
Tel: (202) 234-2441
Phone Conference with Dr. Ron Asmus.
March 4, 2008
Washington, DC-Today, Mamuka Tsereteli, President of the Georgian Association and Nino Japaridze, Board Member of the Georgian Association, along with few colleagues from the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) spoke via conference phone with Dr. Ron Asmus, foreign policy adviser to Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign. The discussion, which was a follow-up to a meeting with Secretary Madeline Albright and Senator Clinton's Campaign National Security Director, Lee Feinstein held last week in Washington, DC, touched upon numerous issues of concern to the Georgian Association and the CEEC.
The questions posed to Dr. Asmus touched on issues such as energy security in Europe and the United States, stability in the Baltics and the Caucasus, fostering of U.S. ties with the Central and East European region, as well as the assessment of Russia's presidential elections.
Dr. Asmus noted the importance of diversifying energy supplies to Europe and the United States and equated the importance of the Blue Stream and Nabucco projects to the significance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Dr. Asmus said "Russia aggressively uses its energy resources as a weapon." Asmus added that both the United States and the European Union should "tame Gazprom," and apply competitive open market rules to Russian companies. The Blue Stream and Nabucco projects will act as catalysts in making Russia "play by open market rules." "The oligarchic structures of Russia's energy system must undergo liberalization," Asmus stated. Asmus believes that real U.S.-EU cooperation will help "chip away at the current energy problems." Asmus stressed Senator Clinton's view of the importance of more active U.S.-EU collaboration in dealing with these ongoing energy security issues.
Many members of the CEEC expressed their disappointment with the White House's reaction to the Russian presidential elections. Asmus explained that new policies are needed to deal with Russia. According to Asmus, "Washington's Russian policy has exhausted itself. Current policy is not working as Russia is becoming more authoritarian. The Bush Administration has not placed enough focus on Russia. As a result, Russia continues to bully neighboring countries and challenge U.S. interests in the Central and East European region. Russia's violations of Baltic air space is a useful illustration of Russia's aggressiveness." Asmus believes the next U.S. president will need to form new policies toward Russia.
Asmus opined that the right policy towards Russia will include progress on Ukraine's and Georgia's desire to join NATO. Asmus indicated that a "democratic and secure Ukraine anchored in the West is the best thing for Russia." He noted that Ukraine's and Georgia's membership in NATO should not be threatening to Russia. He believes the United States must assist former Soviet countries in their consolidation of democracy.
Asmus said that strong U.S.-EU ties are needed to secure peace in Europe. Frank Koszorus, President of the American Hungarian Federation, expressed concern about Kosovo's recent independence and its potentially negative effect on stability in Vojvodina. Russia's support of Serbia has already caused ethnic tensions between minorities and Slavs. Asmus responded by saying "the U.S. made a mistake by taking its eyes off the Balkans."
Dr. Asmus emphasized to members of the CEEC that Senator Clinton and her team will continue to keep Central and East Europe and Russia in focus and expressed desire for a continued dialogue with our communities. The CEEC members present thanked Dr. Asmus for his candid discussion today.
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GEORGIA: COMMERCIAL NEWS UPDATE.
December 2007
Click here for full text.
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WORLD BANK REPORT "DOING BUSINESS 2008": GEORGIA.
Click here for full text.
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A new Senate Resolution (S.Res.391) on the Latest News page under the title "The United States Senate Calls on the President of the United States to Engage in an Open Discussion with the Leaders of the Republic of Georgia".
Click here for full text.
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BAM presents the New York premiere of State Ballet of Georgia during its 2008 Spring Season
Performances to feature celebrated ballerina -and State Ballet of Georgia artistic director-Nina Ananiashvili; program includes a world premiere ballet by choreographer Alexei Ratmansky
Brooklyn, NY/June 29, 2007 - Brooklyn Academy of Music is proud to present the State Ballet of Georgia, led by Artistic Director Nina Ananiashvili, in its New York premiere engagement on February 27 & 29 and March 1 & 2, 2008. Included in the company's programs at BAM's Howard Gilman Opera House will be George Balanchine's Chaconne; a work by San Francisco Ballet choreographer-in-residence/former Bolshoi Ballet dancer Yuri Possokhov (featuring a live Georgian male choir), and two ballets by Bolshoi Ballet artistic director/choreographer Alexei Ratmansky - Dreams About Japan (featuring percussionists from the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra) and a yet-untitled world premiere. Ms. Ananiashvili will perform in two ballets on each date of the BAM engagement. Additional spring 2008 U.S. performances will take place in Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Chicago, Iowa City, and Minneapolis.
World renowned dancer and Georgian Nina Ananiashvili took the helm of Georgia's dormant state ballet company in 2004 at the invitation of Mikhail Saakashvili, president of the newly-independent republic. Seeking to revitalize the nation, Saakashvili asked Ananiashvili to build a ballet company that would re-ignite Georgia's artistic pride. Ananiashvili, who continues an active international performing schedule of her own, has in three years created a highly respected company of 100 dancers. According to The New York Times, "…[Ananiashvili] has established a high standard of achievement," and Dance magazine has called the company's rebirth "…a triumph." State Ballet of Georgia's repertoire under Ananiashvili's direction has featured 23 new ballet productions from leading choreographers including Stanton Welch, Alexei Ratmansky, and Trey McIntyre. Their repertoire has also included Ashton's La Fille Mal Gardée; Lavrovsky's Romeo and Juliet; Bournonville's Conservatoriat; Swan Lake and Don Quixote - both staged by Alexei Fadeyechev (State Ballet of Georgia's associate director and former director of the Bolshoi Ballet); and 10 ballets by Georgian native George Balanchine (né Balanchivadze). Two ballets by Jiri Kylian will be added next season. Ananiashvili has created a diverse repertoire of works by classical, neo-classical, and contemporary choreographers. She has also been charged with the establishment of a first-rate ballet school, based at the company's home at Tblisi's Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Details on the complete program at BAM will be forthcoming. Subscription tickets for the BAM Spring Season will go on sale in late October, 2007; single tickets for State Ballet of Georgia will go on sale in January, 2008.
For information contact: Sandy Sawotka at 718.636.4129 x1 or ssawotka@bam.org.
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Zedashe Ensemble begins its U.S. tour in October, bringing us folk music and dance from Georgia.
To find a performance near you, please click here.
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Documentary Film about Vachtang "Botso" Korisheli
An American film crew is working on a production of a feature-length, non-profit documentary film on the life and legacy of Vachtang "Botso" Korisheli. Mr. Korisheli is a Georgian composer, teacher and sculptor who lives in California.
The filmmakers will finish the production of "BOTSO: The Passion of Music, The Passion of Art" by the end of 2008. The documentary will explore the life and philosophy of Botso Korisheli. Also, it will showcase life in Georgia and the Georgian culture.
For more information about Mr. Korisheli and this film, please visit www.aspectstudios.com/botso.
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PRESS RELEASE
For more information contact:
Contact: Maka Gabelia
Tel: 202-234-2441
E-mail: Georgianassociation@gmail.com
GEORGIAN ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY ON CAPITOL HILL
On May 21, 2007 the Georgian Association hosted a reception at the Senate Russell building in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Georgian Association in the United States, and to celebrate the National Independence Day of the Republic of Georgia. The Independence Day is officially recognized on May 26th.
At the reception, the Georgian Association honored Senator Richard Lugar (R - Indiana, Committee on Foreign Relations) for his continued support of issues important to the Country and people of Georgia. Following brief remarks by Mamuka Tsereteli, President of the Association, the Senator was presented a Georgian icon of Saint George. The icon, set in walnut wood, represents historical religious traditions, and modern artistry.
This event brought together Association members, friends of Georgia, U.S. and Georgian government representatives and business leaders, and the Georgian diplomatic community. Among these guests were Ambassador Sikharulidze, Ambassador Alasania, Archbishop Nicolas of Samtskhe Javakheti, Georgian Minister of Environment and Natural Resource Protection - David Tkeshelashvili, and Frank P. Greinke, the newly appointed Honorary Consul of Georgia in California.
(Click here for Senator Richard G. Lugar's Address at the 75th Anniversary of the Georgian Association)
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Senate Passes NATO Freedom Consolidation Act of 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
The U.S. Senate approved S.494, U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar's bill that endorses further enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by voice vote last night. The "NATO Freedom Consolidation Act of 2007" would facilitate the timely admission of Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia, and Ukraine to NATO.
The House passed a similar version of the bill on March 6; a technical difference must be resolved between the bills before it can become law.
"The goal of this bill is to reaffirm United States support for continued enlargement of NATO to democracies that are able and willing to meet the responsibilities of membership. In particular, the legislation calls for the timely admission of Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia, and Ukraine to NATO and authorizes security assistance for these countries in Fiscal Year 2008. Each of these countries has clearly stated its desire to join NATO and is working hard to meet the specified requirements for membership," Lugar said.
"I believe that eventual NATO membership for these five countries would be a success for Europe, NATO, and the United States by continuing to extend the zone of peace and security. Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have been making progress on reforms through their participation in the NATO Membership Action Plan since 2002. Unfortunately, Georgia and Ukraine have not yet been granted a Membership Action Plan but nevertheless have made remarkable progress. This legislation will provide important incentives and assistance to the countries to continue the implementation of democratic, defense, and economic reforms.
"Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has been evolving to meet the new security needs of the 21st century. In this era, the threats to NATO members are transnational and far from its geographic borders. There is strong support among members for NATO's operation in Afghanistan, and for its training mission in Iraq. NATO's viability as an effective defense and security alliance depends on flexible, creative leadership, as well as the willingness of members to improve capabilities and address common threats," Lugar said.
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Research Georgian Biographies Online
The online Dictionary of the Georgian National Biography is the first English-language compilation of some 400 biographies of individuals, whose lives have influenced the Georgian culture and history. This resource provides information about people of every ethnic background, who contributed to the cultural diversity of the Georgian society. You may access this resource at http://www.georgianbiography.com
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A New Historical Dictionary of Georgia is Available Now
Historical Dictionary of Georgia by scholar Alexander Mikaberidze will be released in the United States on March 28, 2007. To our knowledge, it will be the first publication of its kind in English language. To order a copy of the book please follow this link - www.scarecrowpress.com/ISBN/0810855801
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 St. Herman Releases the First Translation of Qartvel Tsmindanta Cxovreba
Entitled "The Lives of the Georgian Saints", the book encompasses seventeen hundred years of Orthodox Christianity in Georgia. For more information and to order a copy of the book, please visit this site: http://www.sainthermanpress.com/catalog/chapter_five/
Lives_of_the_georgian_saints.htm
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PRESS RELEASE
For more information contact:
Mr. Mamuka Tsereteli at 202-413-7136
Georgian Association in the USA Expresses Deep Concern About The
UN Resolution 1716
Washington, DC. The Georgian Association in the USA was dismayed by some of the provisions of the recent UN resolution on Georgia. On October 13th, 2006, the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1716 which prolongs the mandate of UNOMIG (the United Nations Organization Mission in Georgia) in the Abkhazian region of Georgia. UNOMIG was set up in August 1993 following an agreement to end the armed secessionist conflict in Abkhazia and currently has 121 military observers and 12 civilian police officers in place, as well as nearly 300 civilian staff members.
The Georgian Association objects not to the extension of UNOMIG's mission, which the Georgian government and the majority of the Georgian people support, but to the distorted information contained in the resolution. Furthermore, the US government's participation in the drafting of the resolution suggests to us and the rest of the world that the US administration has shifted its policy towards tolerance for Russia's de facto annexation of Georgian territory.
The resolution declares that the "new and tense situation" in Georgian-Abkhazian relations resulted "at least in part, from the Georgian special operation in the upper Kodori Valley", a part of Abkhazia still under Georgian government control. In fact, the Georgian government reduced tensions in the Valley by its special operation which ended the lawless rule of Georgian bands there this July. Since October, the Georgian government has permitted Russian dominated CIS peacekeeping troops to monitor the situation in the Upper Kodori Valley. Such monitoring was not possible before the Georgian operation. The one-sidedness of UNSC resolution 1716 is reflected in its condemnation of the Georgian government for "militant rhetoric and provocative actions" and its praise for the CIS peacekeeping troops and their "stabilizing role." In reality, the CIS peacekeepers have proved completely ineffective at protecting the local Georgian population and have regularly participated in anti-Georgian actions in Gali and other regions of Abkhazia. This is why the Georgian government is asking for the replacement of CIS peacekeepers with an international force.
This resolution is a step backwards and a disappointment to the Georgian people who have come to expect US government support for its attempt to protect Georgia's sovereign rights and its citizens in the territory of Abkhazia. This resolution comes at a time when the Russian government is persecuting Georgian citizens and Russian citizens of Georgian origin in Russian cities following the Georgian government's arrest - and later return - of Russian spies this October. This anti-Georgian campaign orchestrated by the Russian government has led to the closure of Georgian businesses in Russia, the illegal and often forced entry into Georgian homes by Russian officials, pressure on the Russian Ministry of Education to supply information on Georgian pupils, and the forced deportation of Georgians. It is a dangerous policy of cleansing that reflects the anti-democratic and authoritarian policies of the Russian government. US support of UNSC resolution 1716 condones Russian de facto annexations abroad and ignores Russian discriminatory policies at home.
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