GEORGIA: OFFICIALS AND PRESS DISMISS UNION OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 000212 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL RS GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA: OFFICIALS AND PRESS DISMISS UNION OF GEORGIANS MEETING IN MOSCOW TBILISI 00000212 001.3 OF 002 Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. KENT LOGSDON FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. The reaction in Georgia to the February 3 meeting of the "Union of Georgians" in Russia, despite heavy coverage on Georgian television, has been mostly dismissive, with significant skepticism regarding its utility in improving relations between the neighbors. Following the meeting, President Saakashvili made a brief statement noting the importance of direct government to government talks, should Russia be interested in contact, adding that most Georgians in Russia would never turn against their homeland. Some press observers noted that turnout was poor, despite Union leader Mikhail Khubutia's predictions that thousands would attend. It was prominently noted both in the press and by government officials in Tbilisi, including Saakashvili, that the venue was changed due to the unexpectedly small size of the turnout, a sign of the unity of the Georgian people both inside and outside of Georgia itself. Khubutia himself is widely assumed here in Tbilisi to be working for Russian secret services. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) In the weeks leading up to the February 3 meeting, the Georgian press has followed with interest the preparations for the "Union of Georgians" meeting in Russia, focusing on organizer Khubutia's links to the Russian Government and questioning the goal of such a meeting. After the event, most press stories here covered the lack of attendance and embarrassment of the organizers associated with the changing of venues -- apparently the final choice of venue was a 300-seat auditorium that comfortably seated the 193 attendees. The lead story on the Russian-language "Nasha Abkhazia" website argued that the Union was an "FSB special project." Other Georgian press took note of President Medvedev's lack of attendance in spite of a belief that he might make an appearance. Also featured prominently in coverage was the small number of influential attendees from Georgia, comprising only three notable Georgian guests: Nestan Kirtadze, a member of the Labor party; Zrab Sotkilava, a famous Georgian tenor performing at the Bolshoi; and Diana Gurtskaya, a Georgian pop-singer and an IDP from Abkhazia who primarily lives in Moscow. ¶3. (SBU) In spite of the appeals adopted by the meeting urging the Russian and Georgian presidents to resume trade and air transportation links, Georgian official reaction was downbeat, in an apparent attempt to downplay and degrade the value of the meeting. President Saakashvili stressed that the lack of attendance was a sign of unity of the Georgian cause, calling it "civil heroism," and also noting that President Medvedev "changed his decision at the last minute" not to attend because of this. Georgian Minister for Diaspora Issues Iulon Gagoshidze told the press that he had received a letter from a group of Georgian citizens in Russia urging him not to attend: he stressed that he had no intention of going and the letter merely reconfirmed that this was the right decision. Minister of Culture Nika Rurua also expressed his belief that the meeting was nothing more than a Kremlin-sponsored event not representative of Georgian opinion. At a January 21 lunch with the Ambassador, a wide range of leading foreign policy experts were unanimous in their opposition to the event and all said that they would not attend. ¶4. (C) In brief comments to Poloffs about his views on the Union of Georgians meeting in Moscow, Giorgi Dolidze, Deputy QUnion of Georgians meeting in Moscow, Giorgi Dolidze, Deputy Director of the Security Policy and Euro-Atlantic Integration Department at MFA, stressed a lack of interest in the event. He said Khubutia was widely believed to be firmly in the control of Russian Special Services and thus an unreliable actor in Georgian-Russian relations. He noted in particular the lack of participation in the meeting, with an expected 1200 participants turning into approximately 200-300 and resulting in an amusing last minute switch of venues. He expressed skepticism that the Union of Georgians would could be used as a legitimate political force, particularly if the director was suspected of being a Russian agent and his organization was perceived as being overly sympathetic to Russian viewpoints. TBILISI 00000212 002.4 OF 002 LOGSDON