By empty (2/18/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Meeting in emergency session on 17 February, deputies approved the composition of the new cabinet by a vote of 165 to five. Its members are Zurab Zhvania (prime minister); Tamar Beruchashvili, Goga Khaindrava, Djambul Bakuradze and Guram Absandze (deputy prime ministers responsible for relations with the EU, conflict resolution, small business and investments, and national reconciliation, respectively); Tedo Djaparidze (foreign affairs); Gela Bezhuashvili (defense); Giorgi Baramidze (internal affairs); Zurab Nogaideli (finance); Irakli Rekhviashvili (economy); Eteri Astemirova (refugee affairs); Zurab Adeishvili (state security); Giorgi Papuashvili (justice); David Shervashidze (agriculture and food); Giga Tsereteli (health); Tamar Sulukhia (infrastructure and development); Nikoloz Gilauri (fuel and energy); Kakha Lomaya (education); Giorgi Gabashvili (culture, protection of monuments, and sport); and Tamar Lebanidze (environment and natural resources). \"Nezavisimaya gazeta\" commented on 18 February that the cabinet is the youngest in Europe, with an average age of 35; there is not a single holdover from the former government of President Eduard Shevardnadze.

By empty (2/18/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Embattled Adjar Supreme Council Chairman Aslan Abashidze said on 18 February that he will travel to Tbilisi on 20 February to meet with President Saakashvili only if the Georgian authorities begin an objective investigation of alleged attempts by the previous Georgian leadership to assassinate Abashidze. Saakashvili said earlier on 18 February that Abashidze \"can and must\" come to Tbilisi. Saakashvili said he will not travel to Batumi to meet with Abashidze there if the latter refuses to come to Tbilisi.

By empty (2/17/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Rebel attacks killed five Russian soldiers and two policemen in Chechnya over the past day, an official in the Kremlin-backed administration in the warring republic said Thursday. Three of the soldiers died and 10 were wounded in attacks on Russian military positions, the official said on condition of anonymity. Two other soldiers were killed when a military truck was blown up near the village of Nozhai-Yurt and two policemen died when assailants opened fire in the Chechen capital Grozny, he said.