GEORGIA: PATRIARCH CALLS FOR CALM AHEAD OF APRIL 9

C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 000657

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KIRF RU GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: PATRIARCH CALLS FOR CALM AHEAD OF APRIL 9
PROTESTS

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D).


1. (C) Summary. In an April 1 meeting, Georgian Orthodox
Patriarch Ilia II expressed concern to the Ambassador that
the approaching April 9 opposition protests could escalate
into violence. The Patriarch said that President Saakashvili
and nearly all the opposition leaders, including Alasania,
had sought his advice. He told them that they should refrain
from attacking each other verbally and physically, and to
seek dialogue. The Patriarch made urging the government and
the opposition to shun violence the focus of his March 29
sermon, noting that the domestic political situation was
"reaching a critical threshold." The Patriarch himself was
concerned that the Russians could use the protests as a means
to foment disorder. Ilia II said that discussions were
underway regarding a proposed meeting with his Russian
counterpart in Sochi soon in order to bring the Georgian and
Russian sides closer together. The Patriarch also mentioned
that he will travel to Strasbourg in upcoming months to seek
support from the EU for Georgia, and that he had been invited
to Iran. End Summary.

April 9 Protests


2. (C) Ilia II spent an hour with the Ambassador discussing
his concerns about the April 9 protests. He said that
President Saakashvili had met with him, and nearly every
major opposition leader, including Irakli Alasania, had asked
for his guidance. The Ambassador told the Patriarch that he
is concerned that people who follow events in Georgia from
the United States and Europe are tiring of the constant
Georgian political infighting. Some may lose interest if it
continues. The Patriarch said that he was confident that
dialogue would ultimately triumph, but wondered if this was a
"rite of passage" that needed to be crossed before dialogue
became an option. Ambassador said that he had recently done
an interview with Rustavi 2 television station in which he
called for calm and urged all sides to work together for the
country. So far, the opposition "maximalists" (as the
Patriarch called them) had turned a deaf ear. The Patriarch
said he thinks the United States should continue to clarify
that it supports the institution of the Georgian president,
and not individual personalities. Additionally, all the
countries who support Georgia should work to make the
Caucasus a region of peace by continuing their partnerships.

Possible Visit to Iran


3. (C) The Patriarch said that Iran's Ambassador to Georgia
had invited him to visit Iran. Ilia II asked how he could
help the United States during such a visit. The Patriarch
believed that Russia could be helpful with convincing the
Iranians to abandon their nuclear ambitions.

Comment


4. (C) The Patriarch has been the voice of calm and reason
on many tumultuous occasions in Georgia and the Ambassador
requested this meeting after several political figures had
suggested that only the Patriarch had a potential voice that
might be heard by both government and opposition leaders.
Just as he has in past meetings, the Patriarch expressed
appreciation for the visit and said he would continue to help
in whatever way he could to encourage dialogue between the
political forces. He thanked the Ambassador for his efforts
to encourage dialogue. During this particular visit, the
Patriarch said he felt better after his medical treatment in
Germany and a recent vacation by the Black Sea, but he
appeared shaky and his voice trembled when he spoke.
TEFFT