Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TBILISI2802
2007-11-13 12:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tbilisi
how-toVZCZCXRO4717 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSI #2802/01 3171250 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 131250Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8171 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TBILISI 002802
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR DAS BRYZA AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM GG
SUBJECT: TBILISI PROTESTS: SITREP NO 6
REF: TBILISI 2799
Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
-----------------------------------------
Opposition, Government Meet in Parliament
-----------------------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TBILISI 002802
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR DAS BRYZA AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM GG
SUBJECT: TBILISI PROTESTS: SITREP NO 6
REF: TBILISI 2799
Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
Opposition, Government Meet in Parliament
--------------
1. (U) The United National Council of Opposition (UNC) met
with the government, represented by the Speaker of
Parliament, Nino Burjanadze, on November 10 and again on
November 12. Five opposition parties - Georgia's Way, the
Conservatives, the Republicans, the New Rightists, and the
Industrialists, participated in the meetings with Burjanadze,
Vice-Speaker Machavariani, MP Giga Bokeria and MP Maia
Nadiradze. Conservative Party leader Kakha Kukava said an
agreement was almost reached on the election code, but
lamented that "if they had only agreed earlier on these
issues, we could have prevented the current crisis."
Opposition parties are still pushing for a change to the
majoritarian system and allowing opposition parties to have
representation on the Central Election Commission. Nadiradze
emphasized that the opposition and government shared the same
goal of free, democratic elections.
2. (U) Opposition leaders reported no success on the issue of
ending the state of emergency, restrictions on media,
specifically the closure of Imedi, and "political repressions
against opponents." Prior to the meetings, Kukava said there
is no point to dialogue if Imedi does not resume
broadcasting. Republican Party leader Davit Usupashvili said
individuals who participated in the protests are being
identified by police and either arrested or intimidated, and
no police officer has been charged with excessive use of
force. He also said the government had not interviewed
opposition leader Kova Davitashvili, who was badly beaten
during the protests. MP Nadiradze said police are
investigating cases of violence by protesters directed
against police, but are not pursuing others who participated
in the protest. A third round of talks are planned for
November 14.
--------------
Opposition Chooses Candidate for Presidency
--------------
3. (C) The United National Council of Opposition (UNC),minus
the Labor Party, selected Levan Gachechiladze on November 12
as their presidential candidate. Prior to his selection, it
was widely believed Republican Party leader Davit Usupashvili
would be chosen, but in a close 5 to 4 vote, Gachechiladze
was selected. Georgian Way leader Salome Zourabichvili will
become prime minister if Gachechiladze wins. Gachechiladze
joins Gamkrelidze and an independent, Gia Maisashvili, as
declared candidates for President.
--------------
Candidate Levan Gachechiladze
--------------
4. (U) Levan Gachechiladze, 43 years old, is an independent
member of parliament with no party affiliation. He studied
economics at Tbilisi State University. Gachechiladze was
elected to Parliament in 1999 as a member of the ruling
party, Citizen's Union of Georgia. He split with
Shevardnadze's party in 2001 and formed the New Rightists
Party, serving as deputy chairman. He was then elected to
parliament as a majoritarian representative from the New
Rightists party in Vake district, Tbilisi. He split from the
party in 2003 when Gamkrelidze and other party leaders
refused to support the Rose Revolution. Since then he has
served as an independent MP and kept a low profile until the
recent protests. He set up the Georgian Wine and Spirits
Company (GWS) in 1994, which soon became the biggest wine
producer in the country. It sold 90% of its exports to
Russia and was heavily hit by the Russian ban on Georgian
wine in 2006. Gachechiladze has an estimated wealth of USD
10 million, mostly from his position as main shareholder in
GWS. He reportedly sold his shares in GWS to a foreign
investor recently.
5. (C) During the protests, he was the instigator of a hunger
strike on the Parliament steps and, along with dozens of
others, was forced away on November 7. Gachechiladze has
little name recognition outside of Tbilisi. He is not
considered as strong a potential candidate as Usupashvili.
Next to Salome Zourabichvili as his running mate for Prime
Minister, he appears the weaker of the two. Zourabichvili,
however, said "we nominated a person who will be a very
serious contender for Saakashvili." Zourabichvili, who has
lived in Georgia since 2003, is ineligible because she has
TBILISI 00002802 002 OF 003
not lived the required fifteen years in Georgia prior to the
election. Kova Davitashvili, leader of the People's Party,
said Gachechiladze is an independent who had an active role
in the opposition's recent campaigns and this largely
contributed to his selection as the presidential candidate.
-------------- --------------
Patarkatsishvili Will Run; Industrialists Support Gamkrelidze
-------------- --------------
6. (U) Patarkatsishvili announced via e-mail from Europe on
November 10 that he will run for President under the slogan,
"Georgia without Saakashvili is Georgia without Terror." As
of now, there are no formal criminal charges against
Patarkatsishvili in Georgia. Opposition leaders said
Pataratsishvili has a right to run but that the UNC would not
support his candidacy. Industrialist Party MP Zurab
Tkemaladze offered his party's support for the candidacy of
MP Davit Gamkrelidze of the New Rightists Party.
-------------- --------------
Charges Dropped Against Labor Party Leader Natelashvili
-------------- --------------
7. (SBU) On November 12, the Labor Party announced its
intention to nominate its leader, Shalva Natelashvili, to run
in the January 5 elections for president. Natelashvili
remains in hiding. In a letter delivered to the Embassy by
his supporters, he has asked the U.S. to consider granting
him asylum. On November 10, the General Prosecutor General's
Office dropped charges of espionage and conspiracy to
overthrow the government against Natelashvili and said he is
wanted only for questioning as a witness. President
Saakashvili confirmed that Natelashvili would not be arrested
and could "freely run for the presidency." Davitashvili said
the nomination was a surprise to the UNC, of which the Labor
Party is a member. Natelashvili's supporters deny he is in
Russia. They say he is undergoing medical treatment in
Georgia and will make a statement in a few days.
-------------- --------------
State of Emergency Continues, Government Still Promising
It Will Be Lifted
-------------- --------------
8. (U) Parliamentary majority leader Maia Nadiradze said on
November 12 that the state of emergency would be lifted soon,
"in two or three days." Usupashvili, speaking for the
opposition, expressed doubts, saying no concrete reason has
been offered by the government for keeping the state of
emergency in force.
--------------
Okruashvili Trial Slated for November 16
--------------
9. (U) Eka Beselia, Okruashvili's attorney, said the trial of
Irakli Okruashvili, slated to begin in Tbilisi city court on
November 16, should be postponed if the defendant fails to
attend. Deputy General Prosecutor Gvaramia said Okruashvili
would be put on the wanted list if he fails to appear on
November 16 and his GEL 10 million bail would be forfeited to
the state budget. Okruashvili remains in Germany.
--------------
President Meets with Businesses
--------------
10. (U) President Saakashvili held a meeting with Georgian
businessmen on November 10. He defended his imposition of
the state of emergency. Some of those present expressed
support for the President's actions.
--------------
Imedi TV Still Off the Air
--------------
11. (SBU) Opposition leaders said that restoration of Imedi
TV to the air will be one of the top issues for discussion
with the government. EU Special Representative for the
South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, visited the station's studio
on November 11. The station's owners said that the studio
had been cleaned up after it was closed by police on November
7. At the time of Semneby's visit, some equipment was
missing and other equipment was disconnected.
--------------
Matt Bryza in Tbilisi
--------------
TBILISI 00002802 003 OF 003
12. (C) EUR DAS Matt Bryza held meetings with both
opposition and government leaders, as well as the Patriarch
and the American Chamber of Commerce, during his visit
November 10-13 (septels). He repeatedly stressed the need
for responsible dialogue, for an end to the state of
emergency, for free and fair presidential elections in
January, and for a way to be found to restore Imedi
television to the air.
TEFFT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR DAS BRYZA AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM GG
SUBJECT: TBILISI PROTESTS: SITREP NO 6
REF: TBILISI 2799
Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
Opposition, Government Meet in Parliament
--------------
1. (U) The United National Council of Opposition (UNC) met
with the government, represented by the Speaker of
Parliament, Nino Burjanadze, on November 10 and again on
November 12. Five opposition parties - Georgia's Way, the
Conservatives, the Republicans, the New Rightists, and the
Industrialists, participated in the meetings with Burjanadze,
Vice-Speaker Machavariani, MP Giga Bokeria and MP Maia
Nadiradze. Conservative Party leader Kakha Kukava said an
agreement was almost reached on the election code, but
lamented that "if they had only agreed earlier on these
issues, we could have prevented the current crisis."
Opposition parties are still pushing for a change to the
majoritarian system and allowing opposition parties to have
representation on the Central Election Commission. Nadiradze
emphasized that the opposition and government shared the same
goal of free, democratic elections.
2. (U) Opposition leaders reported no success on the issue of
ending the state of emergency, restrictions on media,
specifically the closure of Imedi, and "political repressions
against opponents." Prior to the meetings, Kukava said there
is no point to dialogue if Imedi does not resume
broadcasting. Republican Party leader Davit Usupashvili said
individuals who participated in the protests are being
identified by police and either arrested or intimidated, and
no police officer has been charged with excessive use of
force. He also said the government had not interviewed
opposition leader Kova Davitashvili, who was badly beaten
during the protests. MP Nadiradze said police are
investigating cases of violence by protesters directed
against police, but are not pursuing others who participated
in the protest. A third round of talks are planned for
November 14.
--------------
Opposition Chooses Candidate for Presidency
--------------
3. (C) The United National Council of Opposition (UNC),minus
the Labor Party, selected Levan Gachechiladze on November 12
as their presidential candidate. Prior to his selection, it
was widely believed Republican Party leader Davit Usupashvili
would be chosen, but in a close 5 to 4 vote, Gachechiladze
was selected. Georgian Way leader Salome Zourabichvili will
become prime minister if Gachechiladze wins. Gachechiladze
joins Gamkrelidze and an independent, Gia Maisashvili, as
declared candidates for President.
--------------
Candidate Levan Gachechiladze
--------------
4. (U) Levan Gachechiladze, 43 years old, is an independent
member of parliament with no party affiliation. He studied
economics at Tbilisi State University. Gachechiladze was
elected to Parliament in 1999 as a member of the ruling
party, Citizen's Union of Georgia. He split with
Shevardnadze's party in 2001 and formed the New Rightists
Party, serving as deputy chairman. He was then elected to
parliament as a majoritarian representative from the New
Rightists party in Vake district, Tbilisi. He split from the
party in 2003 when Gamkrelidze and other party leaders
refused to support the Rose Revolution. Since then he has
served as an independent MP and kept a low profile until the
recent protests. He set up the Georgian Wine and Spirits
Company (GWS) in 1994, which soon became the biggest wine
producer in the country. It sold 90% of its exports to
Russia and was heavily hit by the Russian ban on Georgian
wine in 2006. Gachechiladze has an estimated wealth of USD
10 million, mostly from his position as main shareholder in
GWS. He reportedly sold his shares in GWS to a foreign
investor recently.
5. (C) During the protests, he was the instigator of a hunger
strike on the Parliament steps and, along with dozens of
others, was forced away on November 7. Gachechiladze has
little name recognition outside of Tbilisi. He is not
considered as strong a potential candidate as Usupashvili.
Next to Salome Zourabichvili as his running mate for Prime
Minister, he appears the weaker of the two. Zourabichvili,
however, said "we nominated a person who will be a very
serious contender for Saakashvili." Zourabichvili, who has
lived in Georgia since 2003, is ineligible because she has
TBILISI 00002802 002 OF 003
not lived the required fifteen years in Georgia prior to the
election. Kova Davitashvili, leader of the People's Party,
said Gachechiladze is an independent who had an active role
in the opposition's recent campaigns and this largely
contributed to his selection as the presidential candidate.
-------------- --------------
Patarkatsishvili Will Run; Industrialists Support Gamkrelidze
-------------- --------------
6. (U) Patarkatsishvili announced via e-mail from Europe on
November 10 that he will run for President under the slogan,
"Georgia without Saakashvili is Georgia without Terror." As
of now, there are no formal criminal charges against
Patarkatsishvili in Georgia. Opposition leaders said
Pataratsishvili has a right to run but that the UNC would not
support his candidacy. Industrialist Party MP Zurab
Tkemaladze offered his party's support for the candidacy of
MP Davit Gamkrelidze of the New Rightists Party.
-------------- --------------
Charges Dropped Against Labor Party Leader Natelashvili
-------------- --------------
7. (SBU) On November 12, the Labor Party announced its
intention to nominate its leader, Shalva Natelashvili, to run
in the January 5 elections for president. Natelashvili
remains in hiding. In a letter delivered to the Embassy by
his supporters, he has asked the U.S. to consider granting
him asylum. On November 10, the General Prosecutor General's
Office dropped charges of espionage and conspiracy to
overthrow the government against Natelashvili and said he is
wanted only for questioning as a witness. President
Saakashvili confirmed that Natelashvili would not be arrested
and could "freely run for the presidency." Davitashvili said
the nomination was a surprise to the UNC, of which the Labor
Party is a member. Natelashvili's supporters deny he is in
Russia. They say he is undergoing medical treatment in
Georgia and will make a statement in a few days.
-------------- --------------
State of Emergency Continues, Government Still Promising
It Will Be Lifted
-------------- --------------
8. (U) Parliamentary majority leader Maia Nadiradze said on
November 12 that the state of emergency would be lifted soon,
"in two or three days." Usupashvili, speaking for the
opposition, expressed doubts, saying no concrete reason has
been offered by the government for keeping the state of
emergency in force.
--------------
Okruashvili Trial Slated for November 16
--------------
9. (U) Eka Beselia, Okruashvili's attorney, said the trial of
Irakli Okruashvili, slated to begin in Tbilisi city court on
November 16, should be postponed if the defendant fails to
attend. Deputy General Prosecutor Gvaramia said Okruashvili
would be put on the wanted list if he fails to appear on
November 16 and his GEL 10 million bail would be forfeited to
the state budget. Okruashvili remains in Germany.
--------------
President Meets with Businesses
--------------
10. (U) President Saakashvili held a meeting with Georgian
businessmen on November 10. He defended his imposition of
the state of emergency. Some of those present expressed
support for the President's actions.
--------------
Imedi TV Still Off the Air
--------------
11. (SBU) Opposition leaders said that restoration of Imedi
TV to the air will be one of the top issues for discussion
with the government. EU Special Representative for the
South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, visited the station's studio
on November 11. The station's owners said that the studio
had been cleaned up after it was closed by police on November
7. At the time of Semneby's visit, some equipment was
missing and other equipment was disconnected.
--------------
Matt Bryza in Tbilisi
--------------
TBILISI 00002802 003 OF 003
12. (C) EUR DAS Matt Bryza held meetings with both
opposition and government leaders, as well as the Patriarch
and the American Chamber of Commerce, during his visit
November 10-13 (septels). He repeatedly stressed the need
for responsible dialogue, for an end to the state of
emergency, for free and fair presidential elections in
January, and for a way to be found to restore Imedi
television to the air.
TEFFT