By empty (12/25/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Acting Georgian President Nino Burdjanadze held talks in Moscow on 24 December with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and, the following day, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov. Upon her return to Tbilisi, Burdjanadze described her talks with Putin as open, sincere, and a step toward overcoming mutual hostility between the two countries. Topics discussed reportedly included Russia\'s suspension of its visa requirement for residents of Georgia\'s Adjar Autonomous Republic, bilateral trade and economic cooperation, and the closure of the Russian military bases in Georgia.

By empty (12/24/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Breakaway Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev has claimed two suicide attacks carried out this month in southern Russia and Moscow and warned other attacks would follow, according to the pro-independence website kavkazcenter.com. \"Our martyrs\' fighting brigade carried out two attacks under our operation Boomerang in Yessentuki (Ingushetia) and in Moscow, aimed at forcing the Russians to make peace,\" Basayev said.

By empty (12/24/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

After reportedly suffering a heart attack, David Mirtskhulava was taken on 24 December to a hospital from the Prosecutor-General\'s Office, to which he had been summoned for questioning about the embezzlement of some $2.2 million intended to pay for electricity supplied to Georgia by Armenia. Georgian presidential candidate Mikhail Saakashvili said Mirtskhulava was arrested because he planned to flee to Russia via Abkhazia.