Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TBILISI42
2008-01-11 17:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tbilisi
Cable title:  

TBILISI ELECTIONS UPDATE 01/11/2008

Tags:  PGOV PHUM KDEM GG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0137
PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHSI #0042/01 0111724
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 111724Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8597
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 000042 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM GG
SUBJECT: TBILISI ELECTIONS UPDATE 01/11/2008

Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 000042

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM GG
SUBJECT: TBILISI ELECTIONS UPDATE 01/11/2008

Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: On January 9, the Central Election
Commission (CEC) announced preliminary results of Georgia's
Presidential election. Mikheil Saakashvili won 52.21
percent. The nearest challenger, Levan Gachechiladze had
25.26 percent. On January 11, Irina Sarishvili, presidential
candidate and leader of the opposition party Imedi (Hope),
called on Ambassador Tefft. They discussed the election
results and NATO. Labor party chairman and presidential
candidate, Shalva Natelashvili, met us separately and asked
for Embassy assistance in arranging meetings for a trip to
Washington, D.C. on January 25. The Ambassador advised both
leaders that the Embassy believes ODIHR, ISFED, and other
international observers' assessments of the elections are
credible. He said we are still waiting for answers from the
CEC regarding Embassy observers' concerns. United National
Council of Opposition (UNC) members Kakha Kukava and Tina
Khidasheli spoke live on the Georgian Public Broadcaster on
January 10. Kukava angrily denounced the CEC. He also
presented sealed envelopes and ballots which he claimed were
thrown in the trash by the CEC without being counted.
Gachechiladze and the UNC have called for a public protest on
January 13, the day by which the final results of the
election must be announced. End Summary.

CEC Announces Preliminary Results
--------------


2. (U) On January 9, the Central Election Commission (CEC)
announced preliminary results of Georgia's Presidential
election. Mikheil Saakashvili was leading with 52.21
percent. His nearest challenger, Levan Gachechiladze had
25.26 percent. On January 11, the CEC's website was showing
Saakashvili with 53.38 percent of the vote.

Sarishvili and Natelashvili Meet Ambassador
--------------


3. (C) On January 11, presidential candidate Irina
Sarishvili called on Ambassador Tefft. Sarishvili expressed
concern regarding the results and conduct of the election.
The Ambassador told her the Embassy believes ODIHR, ISFED,
and other international observers' assessments of the
elections are credible. He said the parallel vote
tabulations by ISFED met the highest standards. He said no
international observers have been able to identify systemic
fraud in the election. Furthermore, no opposition parties
have yet produced concrete evidence of systemic fraud.
Sarishvili also said she is concerned that Georgian
membership in NATO could provoke a Russian backlash. She
said NATO bases in Georgia would only increase Russian
pressure on Georgia and aggravate the issue of the separatist
regions. The Ambassador explicitly stated that USG policy
has been consistent for years. There are no plans for NATO
bases in Georgia.


4. (C) In a separate meeting, the Ambassador told
Natelashvili the USG's position on the election. He told
both leaders that the Embassy is waiting for answers from the
CEC to questions about the conduct of the elections.
Natelashvili thanked the Ambassador for, as he sees it,
helping ensure his personal security prior to the election.
With an eye toward the coming Parliamentary elections, he
then asked for help in arranging meetings for a planned trip
to Washington, D.C. on January 25. The Ambassador advised
that we will contact the Desk for assistance.


Opposition Lashes Out on Live TV, Plans Protests
-------------- ---


5. (U) The Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) finally agreed
to give the UNC access to live airtime on January 10. UNC
representatives Kakha Kukava and Tina Khidasheli denounced
the CEC for ignoring election violations. He presented
sealed envelopes with ballots inside. He claimed these
ballots (from a Batumi precinct) were dumped in the trash
without being opened and counted. Kukava also criticized the
international observers for only reporting the positive
aspects of the election. He said the opposition will start a
"wave of protests" unless a re-count is ordered. In a
separate interview, UNC candidate Levan Gachechiladze
demanded a second round of elections and called for his
supporters to gather in protest on January 13 at Republican
Square in Tbilisi.

Comment
--------------


6. (C) Poloffs have not yet received a response from the CEC

TBILISI 00000042 002 OF 002


regarding questions that we delivered on January 9. We are
waiting for a response before making a final decision as to
what position to take on the fairness of the January 5
election.
TEFFT