GEORGIA'S ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PLANS REFORMS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 000017 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SENV SCUL BEXP AID GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA'S ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PLANS REFORMS TBILISI 00000017 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Begin summary. During a December 23 meeting with the Ambassador, new Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Giorgi Khachidze, was upbeat and energized about his plans for reforms, including the finalization of a strategic environmental plan for the country. He described his plans for forestry reform, stressed the need to elevate the issue of environmental protection in Georgia, illustrated some ideas for increasing cooperation with the United States, especially in the protected areas program, and discussed nonproliferation issues (septel). Many of the reforms he discussed, especially in terms of strategic planning and forestry reform, are in line with recommendations by the United States and other donors for holistic management interventions that conserve watersheds while allowing for sstainable exploitation. However, in terms of solid waste disposal in Georgia, which is not in accordance with international standards and has led to unsanitary landfills and toxic plumes of smoke, the Minister was not yet able to provide any plan of action. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Khachidze began the meeting by acknowledging the importance of Georgia's relationship with the United States, especially for his ministry. He recalled seeing the Ambassador last September when the Minister served as Governor of Samtskhe-Javakheti region, and viewing with the Ambassador the fire damage caused by Russian troops during the August war in Borjomi National Park. He discussed the positive changes he foresees for the ministry, and said that they are currently finalizing a concrete high-level strategic planning document. Khachidze stressed the importance of having everyone deal with the Ministry as an institution and not simply the personality of each, successive Minister. Forestry Reform ¶3. (SBU) Khachidze highlighted the issue of forestry reform as one of his priorities for 2009. He said that he would like the state to be the administrator of the forests. While not implying that interested investors will be turned down and saying that a long-term licensing office will exist, he stated emphatically that the state is the best forestry manager. The Ambassador applauded this decision, as the U.S. and other stakeholders had objected to a 2007 effort to privatize Georgia's natural resources, including forests, in the absence of an official natural resources strategy. Khachidze also pointed out that while they were already working with the Germans in the area of forestry, he was very interested in renewing contacts with the State of Georgia Forestry Commission, and asked the Ambassador for help making this connection. Environmental Protection ¶4. (SBU) Khachidze stressed the importance of environmental issues in assistance projects. He specifically noted concern regarding a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) road construction project that required logging an area near a nature preserve. The Ambassador assured the Minister that all U.S. assistance projects are held to strict environmental standards and vetting accordingly. (Note: The project mentioned by Khachidze passed an environmental review by both the Government of Georgia and MCC. The MCC's review was based on international best practices, and required the contractor to mitigate any environmental impact caused by construction. While the MCC continues to monitor the construction, this conflict is mainly internal, as Millennium Challenge Georgia and its board, chaired by the Prime QChallenge Georgia and its board, chaired by the Prime Minister, is the administrator and final approver of the contract. End note.) Khachidze said that he hoped for more environmental projects with USAID in the future. The Minister lamented that the concept of environmental protection still does not exist in the minds of Georgians, and he hopes to change this by introducing campaigns that directly impact everyday citizens. For example, he would attempt to decrease plastic bag usage and the scandalous littering of the environment with these bags. He stated that while all other ministries protect the people, his ministry "protects from the people." Protected Areas ¶5. (SBU) Khachidze suggested further engaging the Embassy in the protected areas program by having the Tbilisi National Park fall under the patronage of the Embassy. He stated that American visitors would be proud of such efforts, and implied that it would serve as an inspiration for Georgians as well. The Ambassador said that the United States is prepared to continue support for the national parks and said that he found the Minister's idea for the Tbilisi park interesting. (Note: USAID has been supporting Georgia's natural resource conservation through an interagency agreement with the U.S. TBILISI 00000017 002.2 OF 002 Department of Interior since 1999. As of 2005, the USG has provided direct technical assistance to the Ministry's Department of Protected Areas. Through 2009, the USG will help the Ministry implement the Tbilisi National Park by providing planning support, developing commercialization strategies and facilitating infrastructure improvements. End note.) The Minister said the potential for a new National Park in the Svaneti/Racha area depended directly on donor assistance, as the Ministry does not have funds for the expansion. Solid Waste ¶6. (SBU) The Ambassador asked the Minister if he had a strategy for solid waste disposal, noting that the UN/World Bank Joint Needs Assessment highlighted it as a critical need that Georgia must address to protect human health and the environment, and to demonstrate its willingness to adhere to international practices towards EU accession. The Minister responded that he plans to request donor assistance in this area as well, however, he did not discuss any plans for action or reform. TEFFT