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 -------------- -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 TBILISI 00002799 002 OF 002 meetings, both sides are to meet together with the Patriarch to gain his blessing. AFTERMATH OF PROTEST -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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