| GEORGIA: Timetable on Recent History |
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Last reviewed: 22-08-2008 [Reuters AlertNet] 1801 - Russian Empire swallows up large area of modern-day Georgia 1991 - Georgian people vote overwhelmingly for independence in a referendum. Georgia leaves Soviet Union Gamsakhurdia elected president of Georgia 1992 - Fighting breaks out in Tbilisi between government and opposition troops. Gamsakhurdia deposed and Eduard Shevardnadze [former Soviet Foreign Minister] takes power. Separatist troops in Abkhazia engage Georgian forces 1993 - Georgian troops driven out of Abkhazia after fierce fighting 1994 - Ceasefire signed between Tbilisi and Abkhaz separatists. Russian peacekeepers begin to patrol the disputed region 2001 - Georgia and Abkhazia sign an agreement against the use of force in their dispute, but series of skirmishes later in the year 2003 - Peaceful "Rose Revolution" leads to Shevardnadze's ouster 2004 Jan - Mikheil Saakashvili wins presidential elections. Result not recognised by the autonomous southwestern area of Ajaria, whose leader Aslan Abashidze reacts by destroying bridges connecting the area to the rest of Georgia. Saakashvili orders Abashidze to disarm his forces or face removal. Abashidze resigns May - Tbilisi refuses to recognise parliamentary elections held by South Ossetia. Tensions rise after Georgian troops take part in anti-smuggling manoeuvres in the disputed area Aug - Clashes between Georgian and South Ossetian soldiers. Abkhazia also holds elections, which are again unrecognised by Tbilisi 2005 - South Ossetia rejects Georgian offer of autonomy. Saakashvili tells Abkhazia that no similar offer will be considered unless Georgian refugees are allowed to resettle in their former homes 2006 Jan - Main pipeline delivering Russian gas to Georgia damaged by explosion on the Russian side of the border. Saakashvili blames Moscow and later accepts gas from Iran Feb - Georgian parliament votes unanimously for international peacekeepers to replace Russian forces in South Ossetia Mar - Georgia announces compensation package for displaced people who lost their property during South Ossetia crisis May - Georgian and Abkhaz officials hold first meeting of the U.N.-chaired joint Coordinating Council in Tbilisi since 2001. During the meeting, the Abkhaz side hands a new peace plan to Georgian side. Georgians submit their own Abkhaz peace plan to parliament June - International donor conference in Brussels pledges 10 million euros ($12.6 million) toward rebuilding infrastructure in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone and adjacent areas Nov - South Ossetia holds referendum intended to reaffirm independence from Georgia. West calls vote illegal, but Russia says it should be respected 2007 Mar - Abkhazia holds parliamentary election, again condemned by Tbilisi as illegal. The results of the poll are inconclusive, electing only 18 members of the 35-seat parliament 2008 Apr - Abkhazian and Georgian troops come close to war Jul - Heightened tension between Georgia and Russia, with several explosions in Abkhazia Aug - Georgian troops and warplanes pound separatist forces in South Ossetia in bid to re-take control. Russia sends in troops and invades Georgia. |
