TBILISI PROTESTS: SITREP NO.2

C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 002771 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CARC AND OPERATIONS CENTER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2017 TAGS: PGOV GG SUBJECT: TBILISI PROTESTS: SITREP NO.2 REF: TBILISI 2762 Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft, reason 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) As of 1700 local time, the street in front of the Georgian Parliament remains clear after riot police used tear gas to clear the area that has been the scene of continuous anti-government demonstrations, on the morning of November 7 (reftel). The scene of protest has moved to the opposite side of the river, away from the Parliament. Other areas of the city are basically normal. Demonstrators have made no serious effort to return to the area of the Parliament building and there have been no reports of any deaths and or serious injuries to protesters or police. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador met with Davit Usupashvili, Republican Party, and Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia's Way on the afternoon of November 7. They reviewed the events of the day, at which Usupashvili was present. The two opposition leaders once again pressed the Ambassador to take a public position in favor of holding early elections. The Ambassador insisted that it is not possible for the USG to take a position on the timing of elections, the date for which was set by a legitimately elected parliament. We had made this clear to the opposition from the beginning, he said. He assured Usupashvili and Zourabichvili that we have recommended changes to the electoral law and repeatedly emphasized the importance of strong opposition and dialogue on the issues. He reminded them that the best solution to the problem will be one worked out by the Georgians themselves. Usupashvili indicated that the moderate opposition, at least, may be ready to compromise on the election timing issue. He and Zourabichvili then hurriedly left for a meeting with Burjanadze. TEFFT