SPEAKER BURJANADZE ON RUSSIA, UKRAINE, REFORMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 000304 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL GG SUBJECT: SPEAKER BURJANADZE ON RUSSIA, UKRAINE, REFORMS Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: During a February 9 meeting with Ambassador, Speaker Nino Burjanadze was positive on the recent rapprochement with the opposition (septel). She outlined steps the Parliament is planning to strengthen property rights and offer amnesty for privatization violations committed by ordinary citizens in the past. On international affairs, Burjanadze said that although the west had missed "numerous chances" to stand up to Russia on energy issues and Russia's treatment of its neighbors, she sensed that Europe is waking up to the "growing threat from Russia." Burjanadze said the situation in Ukraine is "hopeless," expressing disappointment in President Yushchenko's "failure to act." She also voiced comments made to her by former PM Timoshenko, that Yushchenko had refused "to compromise in any way" with her to form an "Orange" government. Ambassador passed Burjanadze a detailed list of recommended reforms identified by the Embassy which will help strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, expand the economy, and advance NATO integration. Burjanadze welcomed the list of recommendations (emailed to CARC). End Summary. -------------- Opposition -------------- ¶2. (C) During a February 9 meeting with Ambassador, Speaker Burjanadze was positive on the February 6 meeting between President Saakashvili and the leaders of three opposition parties in Parliament. Burjanadze, who is a champion of greater engagement with the opposition on national strategic objectives, said the meeting had helped to create a "normal dialogue," but stressed it would take work to keep it going. Ambassador said that broader cooperation on common issues would help Georgia achieve strategic goals such as NATO integration and a peaceful resolution of the separatist conflicts. Burjanadze said she would continue to work with "reasonable members" of the opposition through her weekly outreach sessions with Parliamentary faction leaders. -------------- Property Rights and Privatization Amnesty -------------- ¶3. (C) Burjanadze said clarifying and strengthening property rights would be a key legislative priority when Parliament returns to session this month. Burjanadze said she had pushed Saakashvili's adviser on economic affairs, former Estonian PM Mart Laar, to raise this with the President. She said it is particularly important that the courts be the final arbitrator between the government and private citizens when property disputes arise. Ambassador added that clear and strong property protections are also important to attract foreign direct investment. Burjanadze added that the Parliament would also focus on offering amnesty for murky privatization deals carried out in the past. She said this initiative would help protect "ordinary citizens" but not government officials who should expect no immunity from the GOG's continuing anti-corruption campaign. -------------- Russia -------------- ¶4. (C) Burjanadze said that although the west had missed "numerous chances" to stand up to Russia for mistreating its neighbors and for using energy resources for political gain, she believes "Europe is finally waking up." In a recent trip to France, for example, she said officials were increasingly focused on "the growing threat from Russia." She said Russia's recent call for Georgia to be a "neutral country" was ridiculous, adding that Russia still fails to acknowledge Georgia as an "independent country." Until it does so, relations will likely remain poor. -------------- Ukraine -------------- ¶5. (C) Burjanadze said the situation in Ukraine was "hopeless" expressing disappointment in President Yushchenko's "failure to act." She added that Saakashvili told her that during a recent three day meeting between himself and Yushchenko, that Yushchenko refused to engage and talk about politics. Burjanadze also voiced comments made to her by close confidante and former PM Timoshenko, that Yushchenko had refused "to compromise in any way" with Timoshenko to form an "Orange" government. Burjanadze said this was a dire mistake as Timoshenko had been the "main player" behind the Orange Revolution. -------------- TBILISI 00000304 002 OF 002 Recommended Reforms -------------- ¶6. (C) Acknowledging the progress of the last three years, Ambassador passed Burjanadze a detailed list of recommended reforms developed by the Embassy that will help strengthen Georgia's democratic institutions and the rule of law, expand the economy, and advance NATO integration. Burjanadze welcomed the list and looking through it, agreed that each step was necessary and achievable. She noted that several were already in the process of implementation. Burjanadze asked Ambassador to share the list with other high-level members of the GOG. She said specific recommendations from the U.S. were important to GOG reform efforts and encouraged the Ambassador to continue to share reform priorities identified by the Embassy. TEFFT