Following President Saakashvili’s 23 Nov pledge not to use force to restore Georgian territorial integrity, Abkhazian and South Ossetian (SO) de facto leaders 6 Dec in separate statements expressed doubt in Saakashvili’s sincerity, but affirmed own commitment to non-use of force. Russia greeted overtures as sign of “equal relations”, continued to insist it is not party to conflict and will not make similar pledges as demanded by Tbilisi. EU, UN and OSCE co-chairs of Geneva international discussions cautiously welcomed declarations as creating “new context”, but achieved no substantial outcomes at fourteenth round of talks 16 Dec. Police 6 Dec arrested 6 for series of explosions in Tbilisi and west over past months; said suspects acted on instructions of Abkhazia-based Russian military officer. Reports early month of Russian Smerch rocket artillery unit deployed in SO, new FSB border base opened in Gali (Abkhazia). Russia announced plans to open total of 18 similar bases. De facto SO leader Kokoity 7 Dec adopted decree invalidating property rights of ethnic Georgians in Akhalgori district; dozens reportedly requested to vacate houses.

NATO leaders at summit in Lisbon 19-20 Nov reiterated decision of 2008 Bucharest summit that country will become Alliance member once it meets criteria. U.S. President Obama 20 Nov held first bilateral meeting with President Saakashvili on sidelines of summit; reaffirmed support for country’s territorial integrity, discussed strategic partnership, U.S. “reset” of relations with Russia. Speaking before European Parliament Saakashvili 23 Nov expressed readiness to engage in comprehensive political dialogue with Russian counterpart, committed to non-use of force unless attacked. Govt 5 Nov arrested 13 suspected of spying for Russian military intelligence service; Moscow denied claims, calling them provocation aimed to discredit Russia ahead of summit. 2 blasts in Tbilisi 28 Nov, 1 close to offices of Labour party, left 1 dead. Followed series of explosions in capital in Oct, including near U.S. embassy. Authorities claim no suspects yet.

Parliament 15 Oct approved by strong majority amendments to constitution, curtailing presidential powers in favour of PM, marginally increasing role of parliament. Changes to come into force in Dec 2013, viewed by some as means to extend President Saakashvili’s rule after end of his last presidential term should he seek PM office. Govt 11 Oct announced lifting of visa requirements for North Caucasus residents for short term stays in Georgia; Russia called move “provocation”. Following agreement at 13th round of international talks in Geneva, Russia 18 Oct pulled out troops from Georgian village of Perevi, only remaining area outside South Ossetia under Russian control.

Parliament in emergency session 24 Sept approved draft amendments to constitution largely rejecting proposals made by Council of Europe Venice Commission in their preliminary assessment 17 Sept. Changes to constitution, denounced by opposition, will allow President Saakashvili to run for PM post and retain leadership of country after end of second and last term as president. Abkhaz de-facto VP Aleksandr Ankvab 23 Sept survived fourth assassination attempt since 2005; motive, perpetrator of attack unclear.

Russian President Medvedev 8 Aug visited Abkhazia on second anniversary of Aug 2008 Georgia-Russia war, promised full political, economic and security relations with breakaway republic. U.S. officials 11 Aug claimed Russia had S-300 air-defence missiles stationed in Abkhazia for past 2 years; followed Russian announcement same day of missile deployment. FM Vashadze 25 Aug accused Russia of deploying S-300 missiles in South Ossetia; Russia denied. In sign of economic recovery after war, govt announced 5.5-6% growth in first half of year.

U.S. Sec State Clinton 5 July, French FM Kouchner 15 July in Tbilisi voiced strong support for country’s territorial integrity. President Saakashvili 7 July held meetings with Ukrainian President Yanukovych, ex-President Yushchenko in Kyiv; 16 July met Belarusian President Lukashenka, using diplomatic gestures to express appreciation for their non-recognition of Abkhazia, South Ossetia (SO). Several incidents of brief detention of ethnic Georgians for alleged illegal crossing of administrative borders with Abkhazia, SO over month. Abkhaz de facto authorities 23 July reversed June decision to withdraw from international talks in Geneva over failure to sign agreement with Georgia on non-resumption of hostilities. Abkhaz leader Bagapsh mid-month expressed openness towards EU policy of “engagement but non-recognition”. EU High Rep Ashton in Tbilisi 15 July announced start of talks on association agreement to lead possibly to visa-free travel and free-trade regime. EU 26 July extended mandate of monitoring mission in country until Sept 2011. Amid strong resistance by opposition parties, constitutional commission established by President Saakashvili 21 July submitted for parliamentary approval new draft constitution to create parliamentary republic, opening way for Saakashvili to run for PM post and retain leadership of country after end of second and last term as president.

Abkhaz de facto authorities 23 June announced temporary withdrawal from international talks in Geneva citing lack of tangible progress. 11th round of talks since August 2008 war held 8 June, reached agreement only on date of next round. Reports early June of EU High Rep Ashton’s plans to abolish post of EU Special Representative for South Caucasus triggered protest by officials in region fearing downgrading of EU engagement.

Incumbent mayor of Tbilisi and ruling party candidate, Gigi Ugulava, set for landslide victory according to preliminary results of 30 May local elections. Outcome of mayoral contest in Tbilisi, home to 1/3 of country’s population, believed to foretell results of 2013 presidential elections. OSCE monitoring mission said vote transparent, approaching international standards, but marked by systemic irregularities, uneven playing field. Russian PM Putin 8 May said Moscow ready for dialogue with “constructive political forces” in Georgia at ceremony to inaugurate World War II memorial in Moscow, replicating one blown up by Georgian govt in Kutaisi in Dec 2009. Ex-parliamentary speaker Nino Burjanadze and ex-PM Zurab Nogaideli attended ceremony. After series of releases, new detentions of Georgians by South Ossetia (SO) over month, 12 Georgians currently in prison in SO for allegedly illegally crossing administrative border.

Russia 7 Apr signed 49-year renewable agreement with South Ossetia (SO) on stationing permanent Russian military base in territory; 5 Apr adopted joint border protection agreements with SO, Abkhazia assuming authority to secure their borders. Abkhaz de-facto leader Bagapsh 29 Apr stated international observers will not be allowed in Abkhazia. Campaigning for 30 May Georgian local elections started early Apr. Poll due to elect for 1st time mayor of Tbilisi, previously government appointee.

Fictitious report on pro-govt IMEDI TV simulating new Russian invasion of Georgia 13 March caused widespread panic; triggered international rebuke of perceived Georgian provocation. Opposition figures denounced their depiction in report, accused govt of setting up TV report ahead of May local elections to discredit opposition as supportive of Russian belligerence. Following Feb cooperation agreement between opposition leader and former PM Noghaideli and United Russia party leader Gryzlov, former parliament speaker Burjanadze 4 March met with Russian PM Putin and FM Lavrov in Moscow. 6 Ossetians, reportedly only remaining detainees since Aug 2008 war, released 29-31 March. After more than 3-year shutdown, Russia, Georgia 1 March reopened Verkhny Lars border crossing, only land crossing between countries not located in separatist regions; visa restrictions and Russian embargo on Georgian products remain. EU Special Rep for South Caucasus Semneby 12 March visited Abkhaz capital Sukhumi to discuss engagement with de facto authorities.