The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University, invites you to:

"Georgia’s Crisis: what’s behind it and where to go from here?"

December 6, 2007
5-7 PM
The Rome Auditorium, Rome Building
1619 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036

Panelists:

Mr. Vladimir Socor, Senior Fellow, Jamestown Foundation; political analyst, author, contributor of daily articles to Eurasia Daily Monitor, a Jamestown Foundation publication

Dr. Svante Cornell, Research director, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program Joint Center.

Comments by H.E. Mr. Vasil Sikharulidze, Ambassador of Georgia to the Unites States


Four years after the Rose revolution, Georgia faced its first major internal challenge in early November. Even as large-scale demonstrations against the government were petering out, they resulted in violent clashes between police and die-hard demonstrators. The government announced a state of emergency and closed down an opposition-controlled television channel.  Meanwhile, President Saakashvili announced he would step down for snap presidential elections, while putting the date of parliamentary elections up to public referendum.

What does this mean for Georgia’s development as the poster-child of reform and democracy in the post-Soviet space? What were the causes of the crisis and its handling? What are its implications for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, its tense relations with Russia, and its unresolved conflicts?

Light refreshments will be served at 5PM.  The program will begin promptly at 5:30 PM and conclude at 7PM sharp. RSVP for this event is mandatory and will NOT be accepted after 10 AM on the day of the event. To RSVP please send an email with your name and affiliation to caci2@jhu.edu or call 202-663-7721.

The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute was founded in 1996 and has grown to be the primary institution in the Washington area for the study of the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Caspian Region. The Institute forms part of a Joint Center with the Silk Road Studies Program at the Institute for Security and Development, Stockholm. The Institute sponsors impartial research on the region, acts as a forum for policymakers both in Washington and abroad, shares information concerning the region and provides access for its sponsors in business to relevant expertise on the region. Additional information about the Institute is available at www.silkroadstudies.org.