FM CALMY-REY "TAKES NOTE" OF USG CONCERNS \

2007-09-11 09:44:00 07BERN881 Embassy Bern SECRET 07STATE124823 VZCZCXRO4549\ OO RUEHRG\ DE RUEHSW #0881/01 2540944\ ZNY SSSSS ZZH\ O 110944Z SEP 07\ FM AMEMBASSY BERN\ TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4460\ INFO RUCNMEU/EU INTEREST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY\ RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY 0018\ RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA PRIORITY 0010\ RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0120\ RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 0300\ RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0031\ RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 0777\ RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0553\ RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 1222\ RUEHBRC/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0133\ RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 0056\ RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0062\ RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 0858\ RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0125\ RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA PRIORITY 0038\ RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0937\ RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA PRIORITY 0038\ RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY 0011\ RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ PRIORITY 0313\ RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 0383\ RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA PRIORITY 0261\ RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY 0182\ RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0120\ RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA PRIORITY 0099\ RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 0108\ RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 0283\ RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT PRIORITY 0185\ RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0085\ RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 0073\ RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 0477\ RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE PRIORITY 0490\ RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0661\ RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0028\ RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY\ RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2758\ RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0142\ RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BERN 000881 \ \ SIPDIS \ \ SIPDIS \ \ DEPT FOR P (SGUHA),E, ISN/RA (KKESSLER),IO/T \ (HVONBEHREN),AND EUR/AGS (YSAINT-ANDRE) \ \ E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2027 \ TAGS: MNUC KNNP ETTC IR SZ SUBJECT: FM CALMY-REY "TAKES NOTE" OF USG CONCERNS \ REGARDING IRAN/IAEA AND IRAN/EGL \ \ REF: A. STATE 124823 \ \ ¶B. GUHA-CARTER E-MAIL (07SEP07) \ ¶C. BERN 860 \ ¶D. STATE 123352 \ \ Classified By: Charg d'Affaires a.i. Leigh Carter; reasons 1.4(b) and ( \ d). \ \ -------------- \ SUMMARY \ -------------- \ \ ¶1. (S) Per instructions in reftel A, CDA met FM Calmy-Rey on \ the evening of September 7 to discuss USG concerns regarding \ the handling of the Iran case at the September 10-14 IAEA \ ;Board of Governors (BOG) meeting (reftels C/D). As requested \ in ref B, CDA also took the opportunity to raise USG \ objections to a pending natural gas deal between Swiss firm \ EGL and Iran. Calmy-Rey replied that Switzerland does not, \ as a general rule, discuss the Iran "dossier" in public, \ given its broader commitments and roles in dealing with Iran \ (e.g., as "protecting power" for the USG). Regarding the EGL \ natural gas deal issue, she remarked that EGL is a private \ company, and the Iran deal is very important to it. However, \ she went on to say that she takes note of USG concerns, \ particularly with regard to the timing of the deal in the \ broader political context. Throughout the meeting, Calmy-Rey \ was cordial but succinct and generally non-committal in her \ reaction to our messages. (Meeting Participants: Poloff \ accompanied CDA as notetaker. FM Calmy-Rey, also \ concurrently the Swiss Federal President, was joined by \ Yvonne Baumann, Head of the MFA's Western Hemisphere \ Division, and by Jean-Daniel Praz, Deputy Head of the MFA's \ Nonproliferation and Arms Control Division.) End summary. \ \ -------------- \ IRAN/IAEA \ -------------- \ \ ¶2. (S) CDA delivered the message in reftel A, noting that \ Switzerland presumably would be elected to the IAEA Board of \ Governors (BOG) later this month, and emphasizing the \ importance of the international community speaking with one \ voice in insisting that Iran meet it obligations on both the \ IAEA and UNSC tracks. Calmy-Rey "took note" of USG concerns \ and said that she would study the matter. She commented that \ Switzerland was not yet on the BOG, so would not be in a \ position to make a statement at the September 10-14 BOG \ meeting. Poloff observed that public statements by \ \ BERN 00000881 002 OF 002 \ \ \ like-minded states reiterating Iran's obligations would be \ useful, even outside of the context of the BOG. Calmy-Rey \ replied that Switzerland does not, as a general rule, discuss \ the Iran "dossier" in public, given its broader commitments \ and roles in dealing with Iran (e.g., as "protecting power" \ for the USG). \ \ -------------- \ IRAN/EGL Gas Deal \ -------------- \ \ ¶3. (S) CDA underlined the points in ref B, observing that EGL \ moving ahead with the Iran natural gas deal would have a \ severe negative effect on the international community's \ efforts to keep the pressure on Tehran to achieve a \ diplomatic solution. Calmy-Rey remarked that EGL is a \ private company, and the Iran deal is very important to it. \ However, she went on to say that she takes note of USG \ concerns, particularly with regard to the timing of the deal \ in the broader political context. She concluded by saying \ that the GOS is "preoccupied" with the matter and would \ review USG concerns. \ \ -------------- \ COMMENT \ -------------- \ \ ¶4. (C) Calmy-Rey agreed to the Friday evening meeting in \ response to our request for an appointment before September \ 10 (reftel A). She was cordial but succinct and generally \ non-committal in her reaction to our messages. Post will \ continue to reiterate our concerns on these matters at \ appropriate opportunities with other Swiss officials. \ CARTER \ 121752 2007-09-11 12:50:00 07TBILISI2290 Embassy Tbilisi UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY VZCZCXRO4053\ RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA\ RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG\ DE RUEHSI #2290/01 2541250\ ZNR UUUUU ZZH\ R 111250Z SEP 07\ FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI\ TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7564\ INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TBILISI 002290 \ \ SIPDIS \ \ SENSITIVE \ \ SIPDIS \ \ WEBGRAM EXCLUDED ONLY \ \ E.O. 12958: N/A \ TAGS: MNUC KNNP ETTC IR SZ SUBJECT: REGIONAL GOVERNORS - WHO ARE THEY? \ \ \ ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. \ \ ¶2. (SBU) Summary: Following a series of scandals \ involving the misuse of public funds by newly elected \ local officials, the Georgian Parliament recently passed \ two laws that strengthen the powers of regional Governors, \ who are appointed by the President, to exercise \ "state supervision" and ensure compliance of local \ self-government bodies with the "interests, goals and \ policy" of the state. Increasing the authority of the \ Governors may help with the formulation and \ subsequent implementation of economic development of \ Georgia's undeveloped regions. However, this will need \ to be done carefully as some may claim that these new \ powers are counter to the goal of decentralizing power \ from federal to local structures. This cable \ contains a brief summary of the current regional \ Governors of Georgia, whose personalities - some of \ which tend toward that of a local prince, \ rather than an institutional manager of local \ self-governance - may prove decisive in the \ development of Georgia's regions. End Summary. \ \ Promising steps towards local self-government \ -------------- \ \ ¶3. (U) The ratification of the European Charter on Local \ Self-governance and subsequent adoption of the Law on Local \ Self-governance by the Georgian parliament in 2005 created \ the political and legal environment required for the \ development of full-fledged self-government institutions. \ The new legislation envisaged the termination of the \ existing subordination of local bodies to the central \ authorities, primarily through ensuring the separation \ of powers of state and local governments, bolstering \ the independence of local government bodies, and encouraging \ the participation of citizens in the exercise of \ self-governance. This marked an entirely new approach \ to local governance in the top-down world of the former \ Soviet Union. The legislation and subsequent local \ elections in 2006 were assessed by experts as the most \ promising advance towards local self-governance in \ Georgian history. \ \ Links to the non-transparent past \ -------------- \ \ ¶4. (U) According to the new legislation, the main entities \ of local self-government are, "a settlement (a self-governing \ city) or an amalgamation of settlements (municipality),\ which have local self-government representative and \ executive bodies." The law does not provide for the \ institution of the PresidentQs Representative in the \ regions or a Regional Governor, though it stipulates \ state supervision over local self-government bodies, which \ has been in practice since the Shevardnadze era. At that \ time, the rationale for the state supervision by the \ President's Representative was the difficult period \ of transition towards democracy, which necessitated \ presence of a "strong presidential hand" in the regions. \ Shevardnadze also established a Governor's Special Fund \ to "implement targeted programs of regional development." \ Lacking transparency, this fund has been invalidated \ by the current government, though the institution of the \ Representative is being retained. Currently, Georgia \ has nine regions with respective entities of locally \ elected governments. However, in addition, each region \ is also governed by the superimposed authority of \ the President's Representative. \ \ Links to the unclear future \ -------------- \ \ ¶5. (U) In order to address the existing legislative \ uncertainties surrounding the PresidentQs Representative, \ Georgian Parliament recently adopted two laws: Amendments \ to the Law on Structure, Authority and the Rule of Activity \ of the Government of Georgia and Law on State Supervision \ over the Activities of Local Self-government \ Bodies. The laws provide for the institution of President's \ Representative/Governor who "shall be the representative \ of the President and the Government of Georgia in \ territorial units". As stipulated by the legislation, \ the Governor, appointed and dismissed by the President, \ shall control implementation of the laws of Georgia in \ territorial units, implement regional programs of \ social-economic development, provide recommendations on \ the suspension or termination of locals council activities, \ under circumstances threatening to the sovereignty of \ \ TBILISI 00002290 002 OF 006 \ \ \ the country, or constitutional authority of state \ bodies. Most importantly, Governors shall exercise \ "state supervision" to ensure "the legality and \ expediency of the activities of local self-government \ bodies and officials", and "legal supervision" \ to ensure "compliance of the normative acts issued \ by local self-government bodies and officials with \ Georgian legislation." Beyond coordinating regional \ interests, goals and policy with those determined by \ the federal state, Governors shall also administer state \ budget resources in accordance "with public interests." \ \ ¶6. (U) Critics of the legislation fear that it will bestow \ too much authority to regional governors, who are not \ popularly elected and report directly to the president. \ Furthermore, opponents believe the proposed laws will \ provide little oversight of the regional administrators \ from the federal government, and even fewer checks and \ balances from the local government institutions. Supporters \ contend that the locally elected officials, most of whom \ grew up and prospered in the era of rampant corruption of the \ Shevardnadze period, need additional oversight in order \ to ensure that federal funds given to local authorities \ are spent on constituent needs. Indeed, the ruling party \ forced a group of local officials to resign after they \ spent most of the local funds from the poor area of \ Kutaisi on new Mercedes vehicles and the refurbishment of \ their offices. \ \ Personalities Gallery \ -------------- \ \ ¶7. (SBU) At present, the governors who will be given the \ above leverages to exercise the presidential power in the \ regions are the following: \ \ Giorgi Natsvlishvili - Kakheti region \ -------------- \ \ Kakheti - a wine region of Georgia - comprises eight \ districts with the total population of approximately 407,182. \ Kakheti borders on Azerbaijan and North Caucasus and \ provides shelter to a sizable community of refugees from \ Chechnya. Gia Natsvlishvili was appointed Governor of Kakheti \ region on November 27, 2006. \ \ Natsvlishvili was born on July 4, 1963, in Tbilisi. \ In 1985, he graduated from the Technical University of \ Georgia faculty of hydro-technical facilities. Natsvlishvili \ also graduated from the secondary faculty with a major in \ English technical translation. In 1997, he was awarded \ a PhD in technical science, and in 2003 the rank \ of Doctor. He is a member of the International Association \ of Hydraulic Specialists, author of 30 scientific papers, a \ member of the International Association of American \ Scientists "Sigma XI". From 1988 to 2003, Natsvlishvili \ headed various businesses. \ \ From 1987, Natsvlishvili became involved in the National \ Liberation Movement and was one of the founders of the \ Christian-Democratic Union of Georgia. In 1992, he took \ part in the military actions in Abkhazia and is a veteran of \ the Abkhazian war. He participated actively in the \ foundation of the National Movement and was its Executive \ Secretary until 2004. In 2004, Natsvlishvili became member \ \ SIPDIS \ of the Tbilisi Sakrebulo, and was a Member of Georgian \ Parliament from April 22, 2004, as the Deputy Chairman of \ the Parliamentary Committee on Branch Economy and Economic \ Reforms. \ \ According to a local NGO source, the majority of Kakheti \ residents think very highly of Natsvlishvili as a young \ and energetic leader, and he has a positive reputation \ among civil society actors in Kakheti. \ \ Vasil Maghlaperidze - Mtskheta- Mtianeti \ -------------- \ \ Mtskheta- Mtianeti is rich in hydro-resources and \ forest parks, and has good prospects for livestock, grain \ harvesting and beer production. The region of Georgia's \ ancient capital Mtskheta also has a significant \ potential for tourism development. It comprises \ five districts with the total population of \ approximately 125,443. Vasil Maglaperidze was \ appointed Governor of Mtskheta- Mtianeti on March 1, 2005. \ \ Vasil Maglaperidze was born in Tbilisi, on September 5, 1958. \ In 1980, he graduated from the Tbilisi State University \ \ TBILISI 00002290 003 OF 006 \ \ \ faculty of philology. In 1989, Maglaperidze was awarded a \ PhD in philology. From 1988, he worked as a researcher \ at the Tbilisi State University department of \ ancient Georgian literature, and from 1984 to 1999 \ was a teacher of Georgian language and literature at a \ secondary school in Tbilisi. In 1999, and again in \ 2004, Maglaperidze was elected as a member of Parliament. \ In 2004, he was elected Chairman of the Georgian \ ParliamentQs temporary Commission on restoration of \ territorial integrity of Georgia. \ \ Maglaperidze is generally perceived as an obedient and \ decent public servant who will neither do any damage, nor \ be proactive to achieve independent results. \ \ Mikheil Kareli - Shida Kartli \ -------------- \ \ Shida Kartli has a strong potential for fruit and vegetable \ processing industry development. The region actually \ encompasses the conflict zone in South Ossetia and comprises \ four districts under Georgian jurisdiction, with a total \ population of approximately 314,039. Mikheil Kareli was \ appointed Governor of Shida Kartli in January 2004. \ \ Kareli was born on September 3, 1975, in the city of \ Gori. He graduated from the Gori State Economic \ Institute's economic records faculty with a major in \ accounting and economic analysis. He also graduated \ from the Tbilisi State University faculty of law, \ majoring in jurisprudence, and was awarded the \ qualification of a lawyer. Kareli worked from 1998 \ to 2001 as the Sakrebulo Chairman of the Tkviavi \ community of Gori district. Between 2002 and 2003, \ he was the Board Chairman of the NGO "Union of Fighting \ Against Corruption". From 2003 to 2004, Kareli was the \ executive secretary of the Gori branch of the United \ National Movement. \ \ Kareli, said to be protigi of the former Minister of \ Defense Irakli Okruashvili, is also known for his \ autocratic ways of management. Some believe he rules as \ a prince of a fiefdom, rather than as a high executive. \ However, his position, which is owed to an earlier promotion \ by Okruashvili, has become quite precarious recently. \ \ Zurab Melikishvili - Kvemo Kartli \ -------------- \ \ Kvemo Kartli borders Armenia and Azerbaijan and \ comprises a major portion of GeorgiaQs ethnic Azeri Muslim \ population. The region is rich in arable land and \ pastures for livestock breeding. It consists of six districts \ with the total population of approximately 497,530. \ Zurab Melikishvili was appointed Governor of Kvemo Kartli \ in December 2004. \ \ Melikishvili was born on February 15, 1971, in Tbilisi. \ In 1993, Melikishvili graduated from the Javakhishvili \ Tbilisi State University faculty of chemistry, and later \ in 1997 from the faculty of jurisprudence of the \ Nutsubidze Institute "Ritorika". Between 1993 and \ 1996, Melikishvili worked as the chairman of the \ Georgian International Red Cross Society organization \ in Vake district; vice-president of the youth organization \ of the IRCS. From 1999 to 2000, he served as an \ invited specialist at the Georgian Parliament. Between \ 2000 and 2001, Melikishvili worked at the Ministry of \ Justice of Georgia, Head of the Minister's office. \ Melikishvili was one of the founders of National \ Movement, as a coordinator of organizational issues. \ From December 2003 to January 2004, Melikishvili was \ Governor of Kvemo Kartli. In early 2004, he was \ appointed First Deputy Head of the PresidentQs Office, \ and served later that year as the State Minister on Regional \ Issues. \ \ Melikishvili, though a good "apparatchik", makes very \ rare public appearances and his role in the region is \ nearly invisible. \ \ Aaki Bobokhidze -Imereti \ -------------- \ \ Imereti is rich in coal, manganese, limestone, mineral \ waters and hydro resources. The region of Georgia's \ second largest city of Kutaisi comprises eleven districts \ with the total population of approximately 699,666. \ Akaki Bobokhidze was appointed Governor of Imereti in \ \ TBILISI 00002290 004 OF 006 \ \ \ November 2006. \ \ Bobokhidze was born on September 14, 1964, in the village \ Gord, Khoni district. In 1986, he graduated from the \ Tbilisi Javakhishvili State University faculty of mechanics \ and mathematics. From 1986 to 1990, Bobokhidze worked at \ the Kutaisi Polytechnics Institute. In 1990, \ Bobokhidze became a member of the Supreme Council \ of Georgia, and later in 1992, a member of the State Council \ of Georgia. From 1992 to 1995, he served in the Georgian \ Parliament. Between 1998 and 2001, Bobokhidze was the \ Ombudsman's Trustee on Political Issues. From 2001 \ to 2004, Bobokhidze served a second term in Parliament. \ In 2005, he was appointed Governor of Imereti. One year \ later, he resigned from the post to become Head of the \ National Guard Department. On November 10, 2006, he was \ re-appointed Governor of Imereti. \ \ At various times, Bobokhidze was a member of both the \ Republican Party and People's Party, finally joining \ the National Movement later in his career. His \ resignation from the GovernorQs position stemmed from a \ scandal involving BobokhidzeQs assault of a \ journalist following a television interview. The \ episode further damaged Bobokhidze's public reputation, \ which was already held in low esteem due to endeavors \ seen as opportunistic and self-serving. \ \ Giorgi Khachidze - Samtskhe- Javakheti \ -------------- \ Samtskhe-Javakheti borders Turkey and Armenia and \ comprises the largest portion of GeorgiaQs ethnic \ Armenians. The region has a strong potential for \ meat and dairy-products development. It consists \ of six districts with the total population of \ approximately 207,598. Giorgi Khachidze was appointed \ governor of Samtskhe-Javakheti in March 2005. \ \ Khachidze was born on February 9, 1974. In 1997, \ Khachidze graduated from the Tbilisi State University, \ majoring in biology and journalism. Between 1994 and 2000, \ he worked for state-run Channels I and II on \ Georgian Television, as well as for the television \ companies "Ibervizia", "Rustavi-2", "202". During \ this time, Khachidze also worked in the press-service \ of the Ministry of Defense, as well as for \ radio station "105", radio "Rezonansi", and \ newspaper "Rezonansi". In November 2002, he founded \ the Khashuri office of the "United Democrats" \ party. From November 2003 to March 2004, he was \ the Deputy Gamgebeli of Khashuri rayon. From March \ to October, 2004, he was a Member of Georgian \ Parliament, elected through National Movement \ party lists. From October, 2004 to March, 2005 he \ was appointed Governor in Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. \ \ Khachidze was also a relatively popular pop-singer \ and managed to transfer his personable qualities to \ his managerial work as well. Khachidze is quite liked \ by the local NGO community, which stresses his \ regular work with civil society organizations and \ his focus on concrete achievements. Khachidze's \ strongest asset is said to be his ability to \ work with people, despite their religion or ethnicity. \ \ Zaza Gorozia - Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti \ -------------- \ \ Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti border on the conflict \ zone in Abkhazia, and is presently home to the largest \ share of Georgia's IDPs from Abkhazia. The region is \ rich in hydro-resources, non-ferrous metals, \ and arable land for citrus cultivation. It \ comprises eight districts, including the industrial \ port town of Poti, with the total population of \ approximately 466,100. Zaza Gorozia was appointed \ Governor of SamegreloQZemo Svaneti in July 2005. \ \ Gorozia was born in Martvili district, Samegrelo on \ February 11, 1975. In 1999, he graduated from the \ Medical Academy of Tbilisi, and later continued \ post-graduate studies with the major in healthcare \ management. From 2000 to 2001, Gorozia worked \ as an intern at the healthcare department of the \ Ministry of Justice of Georgia. In 2003, Gorozia \ served on the Central Elections Commission. From \ 2003 to 2005, he was appointed as Deputy, and later \ promoted as Head of the Tbilisi City HallQs Healthcare \ and Social Services. He is currently member of \ \ TBILISI 00002290 005 OF 006 \ \ \ the United National Movement. \ \ Gorozia is seen by many not only as a good party \ functionary, but also as a good manager enthusiastic \ about local projects and capable of delivering results. \ At the same time, Gorozia still has to overcome \ another existing perception which holds him as a "cocksure" \ young guy, "having his fling" while he is still the \ ruler of Samegrelo region. \ \ Mikheil Svimonoshvili - Guria \ -------------- \ \ Guria holds strong potential for agricultural \ development of tea, citrus, hazel nuts, and mineral water. \ The region comprises three districts with the total \ population of approximately 143,357. Mikheil \ Svimonishvili was appointed Governor of Guria in November \ ¶2006. \ \ Svimonishvili was born on April 7, 1976, in Tbilisi. \ In 1993, Svimonishvili attended technical college of \ the German city of Bruchsal, majoring in trade economy, \ and later pursued post-graduate studies at the Ivane \ Javakhishvili State University of Tbilisi, with \ the major in business-information technology. Between \ 1997 and 1999, he studied in Switzerland at the economic \ faculty of the Zurich University. In 1998, he took a \ one-year qualification improvement course at the Swiss \ Banking School. In 1997, together with Swiss \ partners, Svimonishvili founded the company "Tskali \ Margebeli", Ltd., which produces the mineral water \ Nabeghlavi. At the same time, he is a founder of the \ Ltd. "Alami" and "Ali Georgian Motors". Until December \ 2004, he worked as the Head of the Tbilisi City Hall \ Service of city planning. On December 17, 2004, he \ was appointed the Minister of Agriculture of Georgia. \ \ Svimonishvili is not perceived as a person wholeheartedly \ dedicated to the region, but rather as a temporary "fixture" \ who was assigned to this position against his will and \ who would be looking for the first feasible opportunity \ to turn a "new leaf" in his career. \ \ Otar Siradze - Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti \ -------------- --- \ \ Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti holds good prospects \ for tourism and recreational development. Its rich \ mineral water resources holds strong potential for \ the bottled water industry . It comprises four districts \ with the total population of approximately 50,969. \ Otar Siradze was appointed Governor of Racha-Lechkhumi \ and Lower Svaneti in March, 2005. \ \ Siradze was born in 1975 in the town of Ambrolauri, \ Racha region. In 1997, he graduated from the Humanities \ Institute of Georgia with the qualification of the manager \ of economic relations. He later continued post-graduate \ studies in economics at the State University of Tbilisi. \ Between 1995 and 2002, Siradze worked as the Deputy \ Director of company Laba, Ltd., and as Assistant Head \ of the Office of the Minister of State Property Management. \ From 2003 to 2004, he was the Head of the Office of the \ Agency of Enterprise Management, a public legal entity. \ In 2005, Siradze was appointed the Deputy Head of the \ Georgian GovernmentQs Department on Regional Policy. \ \ Siradze is probably the least known Governor of the \ regions of Georgia, apparently shunning any public \ appearances. Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, one of \ the most beautiful parts of Georgia, would benefit \ tremendously from having energetic leadership focused on \ intensive road development and local tourism/recreation \ development projects. \ \ Comment \ -------------- \ \ ¶8. (SBU) Comment: Strengthening of the institution of \ regional governors Q unelected officials appointed by \ and directly subordinate to the president may help with the \ development and subsequent implementation of comprehensive \ strategies for the economic development of GeorgiaQs \ regions. It is also a way to provide oversight over the \ fledgling and inexperienced (at least in democracy) local \ officials. Based on a review of qualifications, background, \ and performance in current and previous positions, there \ is some question as to whether the actual incumbents can \ \ TBILISI 00002290 006 OF 006 \ \ \ be expected to perform their mandates effectively. \ It will be important that implementation of these laws is \ done in a way which allows for the continued \ decentralization of federal structures, empowerment of \ locally elected officials, and deferral of decisions to \ the local level. We will actively encourage such an approach. \ End \ comment. \ TEFFT \