DAS BRYZA'S 13 NOVEMBER MEETING WITH GEORGIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 002937 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV GG SUBJECT: DAS BRYZA'S 13 NOVEMBER MEETING WITH GEORGIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH PATRIARCH ILIA II Classified By: Ambassador John Tefft, reason 1.4(b),and (d). ¶1. (C) Georgian Orthodox Church Patriarch Ilya II told EUR DAS Matthew Bryza on November 13 that the government should quickly lift the state of emergency and permit the reopening of Imedi TV. The Patriarch traced the roots of the 2-7 November street protests to social and economic discontent. The size of the protests reflected less the efforts of opposition leaders than the high level of unemployment, he concluded. The Patriarch also suggested that new government efforts to reduce unemployment would help pacify the political situation. ¶2. (C) While he expressed concern that the "categorical thinking" of some leaders could spark renewed conflict, the Patriarch voiced optimism that the country would now move toward a peaceful resolution of the crisis. Imedi TV and other independent media can play a positive role in airing alternative views, said the Patriarch, but they must also exercise good judgment regarding the contents of their programming. The Patriarch called for the planned January 2008 presidential elections to be conducted in a transparent, democratic and free manner, and welcomed U.S. assistance in achieving this goal. ¶3. DAS Bryza agreed with Patriarch Ilya's analysis, and congratulated the Patriarch on his constructive role in convening negotiations among Georgian opposition leaders and Speaker Burjanadze. DAS Bryza also appealed to Patriarch Ilya for help in protecting Armenian church property, including resolution of property disputes and preventing further vandalism of Armenian churches (e.g. chiseling away Armenian writing and other symbols on church exteriors). Patriarch Ilya was non-committal in response. ¶4. DAS Bryza has cleared this telegram. TEFFT