GEORGIA: SPEAKER BRIEFS DIPLOMATIC CORPS ON POLITICAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TBILISI 000276

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: SPEAKER BRIEFS DIPLOMATIC CORPS ON POLITICAL
SITUATION, DEMOCRATIC REFORMS

REF: 09 TBILISI 222


1. (SBU) Summary and comment: On February 6, 2009 Speaker of
Parliament David Bakradze called in the diplomatic corps and
representatives of implementing organizations such as NDI and IRI to
discuss recent political developments and Parliament's progress and
plans on democratic reforms. Bakradze regretted the polarization of
the current political situation, and assessed that the Georgian
people are concerned primarily about two issues: security and the
economy. He said support for the ruling United National Movement
(UNM) has softened somewhat, but that the government maintains the
strong confidence of the majority of voters. Bakradze said the
radical (non-parliamentary) opposition has not seen an increase in
support, but the number of Georgian voters who are undecided has
increased. Bakradze said that the government is committed to
enacting democratic reforms in Georgia, and he detailed current
steps. The Embassy is watching the political situation and
Parliament's reforms closely. End Summary and comment.

SETTING THE (POLITICAL) SCENE


2. (SBU) Bakradze said the Government is worried about increasing
signs of polarization in Georgian politics. He said that the crisis
of November 2007 taught the government that such polarization is
dangerous to the country. Therefore, they must create a political
system where all can be heard.

NO ELECTIONS, NO RESIGNATION


3. (SBU) The Speaker noted that the radical opposition is calling
for new protests and a new government (some by April 9). Bakradze
does not believe this will not happen. He explained that the
radical opposition is unified on only one issue, Saakashvili's
resignation. Bakradze noted that public opinion polls show that the
majority of voters support the UNM and President Saakashvili.
However, according to Bakradze, the polls also reveal that support
for both the UNM and the radical opposition has decreased, while
numbers of those who support the parliamentary opposition or who are
undecided have increased. (Note: On February 8, parliamentary
opposition MPs told us they see opportunity in the middle ground, as
they watch their polling numbers rise. They can provide voters a
third option between the UNM and the street. End note.)

BUTTER AND GUNS, OLD FEARS NEW FACES


4. (SBU) Bakradze said that those citizens who identify themselves
as "undecideds" have two main concerns: the economy, and security.
He said the UNM is working to address these issues, and claimed that
the radical opposition is not offering real solutions. In
Bakradze's view, the increase in numbers of undecided voters is
attracting new (or not so new) faces to the political scene,
including former high-ranking government officials (i.e. former UN
Ambassador Alasania, former Speaker Burjanadze, and former PM
Noghaideli). Nonetheless, Bakradze predicted that the UNM would win
over these undecided voters with concrete actions addressing
security and economic concerns.

DEMOCRACY PARAMOUNT


5. (SBU) Bakradze said that the UNM is committed to further
democratic reforms. He insisted that despite questions, the
governent is intent on making these reforms real. He said that the
country cannot develop with a system that encourages "kamikaze
opposition," that entails cornering opposition parties who then feel
forced to "blow themselves up."


6. (SBU) Bakradze said the government is not afraid of these
reforms, that "we have no choice, we have to do this." He lamented
that his previous contact with the non-parliamentary opposition had
Qthat his previous contact with the non-parliamentary opposition had
dropped off, and said he would like to resume dialogue. He told the
ambassadors, "I want you to understand our goals."

COMPLETED REFORM, PARTY FINANCING


7. Bakradze said Parliament had to act fast when it restored
political party financing prior to December 31, in order to include
it in the 2009 budget. He noted the newly-approved party financing
structure (septel) provides more money to more parties, and for more
activities (including political research) than any previous party
financing structure in Georgia. He hoped that a law clarifying this
party financing structure would be finished by summer 2009, with
help from a German foundation.

PENDING REFORM, CRIMINAL CODE


8. (SBU) Bakradze said Parliament passed the new Criminal Procedure
Code (CPC) in its first and second readings last year. However,
Parliament had waited for an international expert from Sussex

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University to review the CPC before passing it in its third and
final reading. Bakradze shared copies of the assessment with the
attendees at the meeting and then read the expert's summary, which
stated the CPC "has much to commend it; it is fully compliant with
COE and international norms." Bakradze said they would debate the
code in Parliament and he expects it to be passed before the end of
February.

PENDING REFORM, POLITICAL CHANNEL


9. (SBU) Bakradze said that the Georgian Public Broadcasting (GPB)
and Parliament continue to work on the political Channel-2 project
which is planned to resemble C-SPAN. . The channel is will include
coverage of Parliament, committees, political events and will have a
small studio to provide access to all political parties (including
non-parliamentary). Bakradze said the GPB is working with BBC
Parliament TV to develop the channel and format. He welcomed any
international assistance and specifically sought financial support.
Bakradze also noted that the number of political talk shows is
increasing on all channels.

PENDING REFORM, ELECTION CODE



10. (SBU) Bakradze noted that he had called for creation of a
working group to reform the election code in December 2008 (ref A).
He said that the National Democratic Institute is working to engage
a broad range of political parties on a Code of Conduct. He said
that the process will continue with as many parties as possible, but
he recognized the reality that some parties will likely choose not
participate. Ultimately, he said, Georgia needs - and the
Parliament will create - a better election code in 2009 than existed
in 2008.


11. (SBU) Bakradze stressed the new code will be completed and
vetted through international and Council of Europe experts (the
Venice Commission) before local elections take place in Fall 2010.
Bakradze said he does not know what the new election code will look
like, but sees two main issues: first, the new code must be more
democratic. Second, the allocation of seats (single-mandate vs.
party list) must be determined. Bakradze said there will be
disagreement and much debate over the two issues, but the final code
will be more more representative of the views of wide range of
parties and interests.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS


12. (SBU) Bakradze said two proposed Constitutional amendments will
be reviewed in accordance with law, and likely passed, by mid-March.
The first amendment would limit the President's right to dissolve
Parliament. The second amendment would clarify that Parliament must
vote to approve the cabinet (this is ambiguous under current law,
and could conflict if the opposition would have a majority in
Parliament). Despite claims by some opposition members, the
amendments will limit the President's ability to change cabinet
positions and will not allow the President to dismiss Parliament at
his will.

AMBASSADORS ENCOURAGE MORE REFORM


13. (SBU) The ambassadors thanked the Speaker for the comprehensive
update. Noting that President Saakashvili said on September 16,
2008 that the only response for Georgia to Russia's aggression was
"more democracy," they encouraged the Speaker and Parliament to make
good on his pledge. One ambassador said that while a new election
code was important, it is of equal importance that the government
ensures the code is followed, and anyone violating the code is held
accountable. This ambassador also remarked that while the structure
of increased political programming is good, publicizing ownership of
media companies in Georgia would be beneficial to media freedom.
Qmedia companies in Georgia would be beneficial to media freedom.
Bakradze acknowledged that ownership is an issue, and that
Parliament would also address this, but defended the right of
companies to have editorial preferences, "just as the New York Times
does."

DENOUNCING SUBARI'S POLITICIZATION


14. (SBU) In response to a final question, Bakradze told the group
that he regretted Public Defender Sozar Subari's decision to join
politics while still the head of the Public Defender's Office (PDO).
He alleged that Subari is building his political base, and in the
process is denigrating the important position and stature of the
PDO. Bakradze denounced Subari's allegations that he knew of
"secret instructions by the MOIA to violently disperse the November
2007 protests." If he knew such information and did no make it
public at the time, Bakradze claimed that Subari was negligent in
his position. Rather, Bakradze said he suspects this version of
events was fabricated for Subari's political gain. Bakradze also

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noted that a Deputy Public Defender resigned a week ago and
immediately went to work for the opposition Republican Party.
Bakradze said this casts doubt on the employee's decisions and work
prior to them leaving the PDO, thus tainting the entire institution
that is supposed to be a neutral arbiter and ombudsman.

LOGSDON