GEORGIA: POLITICIANS HIT THE AIRWAVES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 000132 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA: POLITICIANS HIT THE AIRWAVES REF: A. TBILISI 113 ¶B. TBILISI 97 ¶C. TBILISI 89 ¶D. TBILISI 57 ¶E. 08 TBILISI 2482 ¶F. 08 TBILISI 2268 Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Summary/Comment: In a televised first, President Saakashvili answered four hours of call-in questioning from the general public on January 23. Opposition figures called the session a "Putin-like" stunt. In our view, the event actually resembled more of a "town-hall" political event and is consistent with a new UNM strategy for more public engagement (septel). Saakashvili appeared confident though at times combative, speaking on a wide range of policy issues; expressing high hopes for his agenda; and categorically ruling out new elections while still managing to get a verbal jab or two in on his rivals. Subsequently, Irakli Alasania and Nino Burjanadze appeared on Political Week on Public Television (ref A) to discuss their political futures. Both Alasania and Burjanadze called for Saakashvili's resignation and new elections. Alasania was short on specifics, but appeared poised, balanced, and avoided being reflexively anti-Saakashvili in his tone. Burjanadze was more uneven and broke no new ground. Alasania, as the biggest unknown, probably made the largest impact over the weekend by his measured performance, rhetorically distancing himself from the radical non-parliamentary opposition. Saakashvili gave a strong performance, however; it is doubtful he swayed any serious critics with his efforts. Burjanadze still appears to be searching for her political footing (ref C). End Summary/Comment. Misha, Taking Your Calls ¶2. (SBU) Love him or hate him, President Saakashvili has an undeniable public presence which was live on display for four hours on the afternoon of January 23. A local Embassy employee, self-described as "not a fan", called Saakashvili's performance very impressive. An informal FSN panel agreed that the four hour session was a bit over the top. He called the August war a "huge tragedy" including for himself personally, and slammed Russian PM Putin several times for his aggressive neo-Soviet policies. Saakashvili praised the incoming U.S. administration saying he liked President Obama's inauguration speech, and noted that he had a warm conversation with the new President after his election. He praised President Bush's support during August but expressed his personal view that the United States was perceived as weak towards the end of the Bush administration by Russia and the Europeans. Saakashvili said a strong America is a natural ally for Georgia in all circumstance and reiterated his desire to continue Georgia's western integration. ¶3. (SBU) On the economy, Saakashvili took nearly two hours of questions ranging from unemployment to water supply and other infrastructure issues in remote and rural areas, pensions and other pedestrian issues. Displaying a western politician's acumen, Saakashvili largely answered the question of his own choosing with a positive spin rather than facing a tough question head on. However, addressing a recent controversy, Saakashvili vigorously defended his government's decision to enter into a joint management agreement of the Enguri hydro power plant with Inter RAO (a Russian owned company) which he said guaranteed unhindered electricity for western Georgia (ref B, ref D). Saakashvili often returned to his strategy of downplaying the role the August war played in the economic downturn, saying that Georgia's economic woes are due to the global economic QGeorgia's economic woes are due to the global economic downturn. He described Georgia as "not only besieged by an armed enemy, but by the global economic crisis as well." Saakashvili again asked the public to compare the favorable state of Georgia's economy to Russia and other neighbors. In a lighter moment, when asked about his ailing Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament, he began reading aloud text messages he had received from both of them. In one such message shared by Saakashvili, Speaker David Bakradze jokingly compared being pricked, drilled, shaved, hung on a hook, and tortured (while hospitalized) to serving in Parliament. ¶4. (C) Saving his best shots for the non-parliamentary opposition, Saakashvili said none of his former allies went into the opposition on their own accord, but only after being fired. Saakashvili also stated that he had not spoken with Alasania since he left government. (Embassy Comment: Our sources indicate that both of these statements are dubious and that Burjanadze and Alasania chose to enter the opposition. We have also heard Saakashvili offered Alasania the position of Defense Minister or Foreign Minister in TBILISI 00000132 002.3 OF 002 November to forestall his departure, something Alasania recently mentioned publicly. End Comment.) Saakashvili openly mocked the non-parliamentary opposition whom, he joked, "have announced a tender on selecting a leader." Saakashvili praised the parliamentary opposition saying that "major political battle is ongoing in the Parliament". He then noted how much better the parliamentary opposition's standing was in recent polls compared to their non-parliamentary colleagues. The President was dismissive of accusations about a lack of media freedom saying whenever opposition politicians complain about a lack of free speech on TV, they are always appearing on live TV doing so. (Embassy Comment: On Rustavi 2 numerous opposition politicians expressed negative views on Saakashvili's Q and A session immediately after its conclusion. David Gamkrelidze (New Rights) and David Usupashvili (Republicans) slammed Saakashvili at a televised press conference, which added simply credence to Saakashvili's point. End Comment.) Saakashvili ruled out calls for new elections. He said the November 2007 events and early presidential and parliamentary elections cost Georgia USD 2 billion in lost investments. Alasania Gets Good Marks ¶5. (SBU) Our informal FSN panel gave Alasania good marks for his performance on the TV talkshow Political Week. Alasania's demeanor was poised, and his responses were measured and thoughtful. The former diplomat was very impressive when speaking on foreign relations and external issues, but less confident on domestic ones at one point flubbing the name of a non-parliamentary leader. Alasania expressed his solidarity with the non-parliamentary opposition demand for early elections, but was very careful not to tie himself to any group or figure. Alasania vaguely said he did not intend to set up a separate political party but would announce his "political team" shortly. Alasania earned his highest marks when asked provocative questions by host Inga Grigolia about why he chose not to speak out until well after the August war. Alasania was quick to point out that he is not simply anti-Saakashvili and is proud of a number of things accomplished while he was part of the UNM. Alasania also said he balanced duty to his country and its President and his personal feelings when deciding the right time to leave the UNM and GOG. Alasania noted that it would have been detrimental to Georgia's interests to speak out while Ambassador to the UN, and that while he had strong disagreements with Saakashvili, he was not about to publicly discuss them until the immediate crisis was resolved. ¶6. (C) Alasania responded directly to Saakashvili's claim that he had not spoken to Alasania after his "sacking". Alasania said publicly that he had been offered the Defense Minister and Foreign Minister positions after he gave Saakashvili his resignation. Alasania avoided any further tit-for-tat discussion, instead preferring to outline his vision of a less confrontational Georgia both internally and externally. He refuted the suggestions that he was "America's candidate", as well as speculation that the United States tacitly instructed Saakashvili to "invade" South Ossetia. Alasania said he had many high-level contacts in the USG and not once had anybody hinted at support for military action. Alasania reminded viewers that the United States does not support any specific candidate in Georgian elections. While Alasania avoided difficult questions as to Qelections. While Alasania avoided difficult questions as to exactly where he falls in the non-parliamentary opposition, he succeeded in delivering a moderate message both in tone and substance. After an uneven first press conference (ref E),Alasania's most recent performance was a definite improvement, though he still has many difficult decisions about his future to make. Burjanadze - A Leader Looking for a Direction ¶7. (C) Nino Burjanadze's appearance on the same episode of Political Week was not viewed as positively by our FSN group. While Alasania was philosophical and nuanced about his time in government, Burjanadze appeared defensive. She was unable to explain effectively the apparent contradictions of her previous governmental role and her current opposition to Saakashvili. Burjanadze repeated her calls for Saakashvili's resignation and early presidential elections. She demurred when asked if she would run for president, speaking only hypothetically that all leaders of political parties have ambitions to be president. She spent much of her time criticizing Saakashvili rather than focusing on her own long term political vision. Burjanadze vaguely spoke of uniting opposition forces to push for new elections, but could give no specific details. In all, Burjanadze did not break any new ground, and her appearance may have served to muddle her message rather than help shape it. TEFFT