By empty (2/2/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Speaking at a press conference in New York on 1 February, Revaz Adamia, who is Georgia\'s ambassador to the UN, accused the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia of engaging in genocide and ethnic cleansing during the 1992-93 war, and he condemned the participation in that conflict of Russian mercenaries and regular troops, according to a UN press release. He also repeated earlier Georgian allegations that Abkhazia harbors terrorists and condones money laundering and arms smuggling. On 2 February, Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh denied Adamia\'s genocide allegations, saying he has \"a warped imagination,\" Caucasus Press reported.

By empty (2/2/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

A new bilateral memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation was signed in Tehran on 2 February during the latest session of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission. The new accord formally endorsed plans for the construction of the second section of the Iran-Armenia natural-gas pipeline, for a third electrical-power transmission line, and regarding the modernization of the fifth unit of Armenia\'s Razdan power station. The meeting produced a further agreement on the establishment of cultural and education centers in each country.

By empty (2/2/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Regime changes brought about through color revolutions in a number of former Soviet republics are aimed at weakening Russia, not at the strengthening of the CIS, head of the Antisoros organization Maya Nikoleishvili said at a press conference in Tbilisi on Thursday. \"Saakashvili\'s coming to power with the support of Soros and his policy is a vivid example of attempts to discredit Russia in the international arena,\" she said. The Antisosros organization has conducted a poll dealing with Tbilisi residents\' attitudes to Soros\' activity in Georgia in January, she said.