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.

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Opposition
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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.

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Property Rights and Privatization Amnesty
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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.

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Russia
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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.

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Ukraine
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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.

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Recommended Reforms
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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