PROTEST IN TBILISI SITREP NO. 5

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 002799

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR DAS BRYZA AND EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM GG
SUBJECT: PROTEST IN TBILISI SITREP NO. 5

REF: TBILISI 2791

Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

OPPOSITION RESPONDS TO SNAP PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
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1. (U) Most opposition leaders embraced President
Saakashvili's call to hold a Presidential election on January
5, 2008 (reftel). The United National Council of Opposition
(UNC) remains united so far. According to reports, New
Rightist (NR) Party Chairman David Gamkrelidze affirmed his
intention to seek the Presidency, as has a perennial dark
horse independent candidate, Gia Maisashvili. Criticism of
the government's forced closure of Imedi TV, and the wanton
destruction of their studio, remains very high in today's
papers.

PARLIAMENT APPROVES STATE OF EMERGENCY
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2. (C) State-controlled public television Channel One
continued to read on the air the text of Saakashvili's State
of Emergency decree every two hours. Deputy Speaker of
Parliament Misha Machavariani announced a special session to
consider approving the decree. MP Giga Bokeria (one of
Saakashvili,s closest advisors) clarified for us the
protocol regarding the state of emergency decree. The
President's decree will not expire automatically if not
approved by Parliament. The Parliament met late on November
9 and, as expected, backed the President's decree to show
support for Saakashvili. Parliament approved the entire
15-day span of the emergency. Saakashvili can lift the state
of emergency at any time, and Bokeria said he will likely do
so within the next 2-3 days. In order to protest the
decree's rules, no opposition members of Parliament attended
the session.

OPPOSITION LEADERS CHARGED, ONE BEATEN
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3. (C) The Prosecutor General has charged Tsotne Gamsakhurdia
(Freedom Party, and brother of Konstantine Gamsakhurdia) and
Shalva Natelashvili (Chair of the Labor Party) with espionage
and conspiracy to overthrow the government. Georgian
authorities have told us that both men have fled the country,
with Natelashvili exiting via Tskhinvali. We have reports
that Konstantine Gamsakhurdia has fled through Sokhumi. No
other opposition leaders are known to be charged at this
time.


4. (SBU) The Prosecutor General states that no other
opposition leaders, nor any journalists, have been arrested.


5. (U) Outspoken protest leader Koba Davitashvili (People's
Party) appeared on TV yesterday, after he was released from
the Gori military hospital. He was obviously stiff, sore,
and bruised, and had a large bandage on his head. He thanked
a nurse, and Parliamentary Speaker Nino Burjanadze, for
interceding on his behalf after he was attacked by uniformed
men, stuffed in a military vehicle, and beaten on his way to
the hospital in Gori. Rumors of his death proved unfounded.

GAMKRELIDZE DISCUSSES ELECTION,
OPPOSITION TO MEET BURJANADZE
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6. (C) On November 9, Gamkrelidze called on the Ambassador
and strongly hinted that he intends to run for President.
His main concern was whether the Ambassador believed a fair
election could take place without an independent TV station.
Since Rustavi 2, Channel One, and Mze are all controlled by
the government or its sympathizers, Gamkrelidze fears that
candidates other than Saakashvili may have difficulty
accessing the airwaves. Gamkrelidze was pleased that his
proposal for a referendum on when to hold Parliamentary
elections was accepted by the President. However, he said it
was unfortunate the President's decision had come so late.


7. (C) Gamkrelidze said the violence at the protests was the
responsibility of both the government and the UNC. He said
he had spoken with David Usupashvili, a member of the UNC,
who told him the UNC is still holding together despite major
differences among the member parties. The parties are trying
to agree on a presidential candidate. Gamkrelidze said some
of the moderate parties, such as Usupashvili's Republicans,
had hurt themselves by taking up the demands of the leftist
parties for Saakashvili's ouster.


8. (U) Nino Burjanadze, Speaker of Parliament, called for the
opposition leaders to meet with her. Prior to holding the

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meetings, both sides are to meet together with the Patriarch
to gain his blessing.

AFTERMATH OF PROTEST
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9. (U) The presence of military personnel and equipment
around Parliament has lightened considerably. Most military
vehicles have left the streets. Some uniformed personnel
remain at intersections and around government buildings,
without visible weapons.


10. (U) The Ministry of Health announced that 587 people were
injured in the protests. 569 were released from the
hospital. Only three required surgery. Reportedly, 34
policemen were injured. The state will cover all medical
costs. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported.


11. (U) Georgian schools and universities are to reopen on
Monday, November 12.


12. (U) Press reports indicate the Abkhaz de-facto
authorities have tightened controls at the cease fire line
with Georgia proper.

BADRI PATARKATSISHVILI NAMED AS SUSPECT
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13. (C) The Prosecutor General's office announced late in the
afternoon of November 9 that they want to "interrogate"
Georgian oligarch Badri Patarkatsishvili as a "suspect" for
conspiring to overthrow the government.
TEFFT