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President Vice President Mike Pence to Visit Georgia Announces Tentative Date for Municipal Polls On p. 2 EU: Dropping Charges over Khurcha Murder ‘Worrying’ On p. 2 New Constitutional Law to Define On p. 2 Adjara’s Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Georgia in late July, the White House reported on June 29. Powers On p. 2 Georgia, a Georgia in U.S. Human model of reform, Trafficking Report is struggling to On p. 8 stay clean Government A tree-loving oligarch is still pulling strings Hires Rasky GEORGIA has been known for excess and eccentricity Partners for since ancient times, when it was called Colchis, the home of Medea and the Golden Fleece in Greek mythology. But U.S. even by Georgian standards, the latest hobby of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the country’s richest and most powerful man, Lobbying is extravagant. On p. 8 On p. 8 ‘The Exhibition is wide-ranging and unique in the Caucasus region’

On June 8 the D. Shevardnadze National Gallery of the Georgian National Museum opened “Constellations”, an exhibition of artworks by contemporary Chinese artists. This wide-ranging exhibition brings together Chinese artists who are influencing the current political, social and cultural reality ofKakhaber China. Their artworks Kotrikadze suggest distinctive problem-solving means. Ai Weiwei, Xu Shao Yang, Lee Shurui, Liu Wei, Lu Pingian, Lu Shanchuai, Ma Qiusha, Van Guangli, Vang Sishuni, Vang Yuanji, Shi Molini, Qiu Qu, Shiu Zen, Jang Shing, Zang Ding, Zang Zeniu, Zao Yao and Zao Zao are represented by the 40 or so avant-garde artworks exhibited in the National Museum. The exhibition is presented in co-operation with John Dodelande, a French collector who has been the citizen of Georgia for 7 years. The event partner is the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia and the media partner is BIO International and its founder Olga Babluani. It is curated by Ami Barack and will be open until September 11. On p. 4 John Dodelande NEWS Friday, June 30, 2017 www.geotimes.ge 2

The European Union also reiterated “its firm support for the such as overhauling and equipping the building for the Center. PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES TEN- sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its interna- “The funds have been designated, they must be used this year,” tionally recognized borders” and “underlined its deep concern he added. TATIVE DATE FOR MUNICIPAL about the continuing Russian military and security-related pres- The Russian Deputy Interior Minister also noted that the Cen- ence, infrastructure reinforcements, ongoing ‘borderization’ and ter would be a “legally independent agency, practically an inter- POLLS closure of the crossing points in and along the Georgian national organization” and added that the first head of the Center breakaway regions.” would be a local. President announced today that munici- In this context, the EU went on, “we continue to believe that a Igor Zubov signed the agreement on creation of the “Informa- pal elections will be held at the end of the third week of October, clear non-use of force commitment by Russia is necessary.” tion-Coordination Center” together with a representative of the “The EU calls on Russia to fulfil its obligations under the ceasefire Russian-backed authorities in Tskhinvali on July 4, 2016. agreement of 12 August 2008 and its subsequent implementing The purpose of the Center according to the agreement, is measures of 8 September 2008 and to grant EUMM access to the “countering organized crime and other dangerous types of crimes.” breakaway regions.” For that, the Center will document, analyze and exchange the The Annual Security Review Conference, held on June 27-29 crime-related information; as well carry out “inter-governmental in Vienna, gathered high-level experts and diplomats to address search and extradition of persons,” and assist in conducting “the a broad range of topics related to the politico-military security in necessary agreed activities to combat dangerous types of crimes the OSCE. that pose threats to the security of the Republic.” Civil.ge NEW CONSTITUTIONAL LAW TO DEFINE ADJARA’S POWERS

Along with the amendments to the constitution of Georgia, the adopted on June 23 with 114 votes the draft Constitutional Law on the Autonomous Republic of Adjara 2017. with its second hearing. “It is important for political parties to have a predictable elec- toral environment and today, four months earlier, upon joint deci- The new constitutional law will not fundamentally change sion with the Government, we are informing them of the future Adjara’s status and competences, but new norms will be intro- electoral calendar,” Margvelashvili noted in his televised announce- duced, granting more freedom to the region to carry out its pow- ment. ers. The President added that an official decree specifying the Unlike the current law, the new constitutional document does not strictly define the spheres, in which the region may set up its exact election date would be issued in late August, 60 days According to the agreement’s addendum, “financing of the ministries. The draft law notes that Adjara will independently de- before the election day, to avoid “budgetary and legal” complica- Center’s activities is carried out at the expense of the funds fine the limits of its competencies in a number of spheres, such tions. provided by the Russian Federation for its maintenance.” as economy, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, social protection, The presidential decree on setting the election date will mark Russia signed a similar agreement with Sokhumi on May 18, education, culture, sport, youth policy and environmental protec- the formal launch of the pre-election period, which means that a 2017, causing controversy in the region. In Tskhinvali, however, tion on condition that it will not interfere in the spheres of exclu- whole set of legal obligations envisaged by the election code will the “Information-Coordination Center” will enjoy wider powers sive competences of the central government or local self-gov- go into effect, among them restrictions on use of administrative than in Sokhumi. ernments. resources, and doubling salaries for election administration staff. In the case of Tskhinvali, the Center’s officers will have a Moreover, according to the new constitutional law, central Early announcement of the election date for parliamentary right to “store, carry and use” firearms. Besides, if the Center government will be able to delegate its powers to Adjara along polls led to uncertainty in 2016. Although the election date was agents use these weapons in the region, the “legal assessment” with transferring relevant material and financial resources to the first announced by President Giorgi Margvelashvili in early April, of such incidents is going to occur “together with authorized region. the date for the official start of the election campaign had re- representatives of the Center.” Moreover, the Center officers will Unlike similar law adopted in 2004, which provides a detailed mained unclear until early May, when President Margvelashvili have a right to conduct “operative and search activities” in the description, the new law contains only five articles and addresses and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili agreed to set June 8 as the region. the issues of Adjara’s institutional arrangement. date for launching the election campaign. Unlike Abkhazia, where the number of the Center’s employ- The new constitutional law echoes current provisions, ac- Civil.ge ees is limited to 20, there is no limitation on the number of officers cording to which the number of members of Adjara’s legislative for Tskhinvali. In addition, in Tskhinvali’s case it is formally speci- body should not exceed 21 lawmakers, while the region’s gov- fied that the working language of the Center will be Russian. ernment shall be accountable to the President of Georgia, the VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE Civil.ge Government of Georgia and the Supreme Council. TO VISIT GEORGIA According to the new constitutional law, the President of Georgia maintains important functions in the process of govern- RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MIN- Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Georgia in late July, ment formation. In particular, the President will have the right, the White House reported on June 29. through the consent of the Georgian Parliament and in the cases ISTER CRITICIZES GEORGIA FOR In , the Vice President will meet with President Giorgi defined by the constitutional law, to dismiss the Supreme Council Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, among oth- of Adjara. Moreover, the President of Georgia, following the con- NATO PARTNERSHIP ers, and visit U.S. and Georgian troops participating in the Noble sultations with the political subjects represented in the region’s Partner exercise. legislative assembly, will submit the candidates for government’s Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin criticized As part of his diplomatic tour in Europe, Pence will also visit chairmanship and ministers to the Supreme Council for approval Georgia’s policies towards NATO and its occupied regions in his Estonia and Montenegro. (presently, Adjara’s government consists of the head of govern- interview with Russian daily Izvestia newspaper published by Commenting the visit on June 30, Prime Minister Giorgi ment and four ministers). the Russian Foreign Ministry website on June 29. Kvirikashvili said the Vice President would travel to Georgia on The third and the final hearing on the constitutional law will be Karasin said he hoped his next meeting with Zurab Abashidze, July 31. held in autumn, 2017. Georgian PM’s special representative for relations with Russia, “This of course is a clear sign of the support of the United Adoption of the new constitutional law will entail bringing scheduled for early July, would “pass, as usually, in a business- States to Georgia,” the Prime Minister stated, adding that he is Adjara’s constitution in line with the document. Within six months like atmosphere,” but at the same time, he blasted Tbilisi for “get- “glad” that the Government has managed to establish contacts after adoption of the constitutional law, Adjara’s Supreme Council ting closer” to NATO and for demonstrating “fundamental differ- with new U.S. administration “from its very first days.” will have to submit amendments to Adjara’s constitution to the ences in the approaches towards political processes in the South “We are happy that the Vice President has chosen Georgia, Parliament of Georgia for approval. Caucasus region.” along with Estonia and Montenegro, as [one of] the most impor- The current constitution of Adjara was adopted in 2008. It is The Deputy Foreign Minister called it “regretful” that on the tant partners of the United States,” PM Kvirikashvili noted. based on Georgia’s constitutional law on the status of the Au- issue of cooperation with NATO “the position of the incumbent Civil.ge tonomous Republic of Adjara, which was approved in 2004 after Georgian authorities does not differ from the position of [Mikheil] the end of political crisis in the region caused by then leader Saakashvili’s regime.” Aslan Abashidze’s reluctance to accept the authority of the cen- “Three large-scale military exercises with participation of EU: DROPPING CHARGES OVER tral government. NATO member state units were held on the territory of Georgia KHURCHA MURDER ‘WORRYING’ The ongoing constitutional reform process does not entail last year. Operative military hardware transfers from Europe have changing the powers and the constitution of Georgia’s another been conducted for the second year already,” Karasin noted. autonomous entity - the Autonoumous Republic of Abkhazia. All The Deputy Foreign Minister also mentioned the NATO Parlia- The decision “by the de facto Abkhaz authorities” to drop members of the Supreme Councils of Adjara and Abkhazia (in- mentary Assembly’s recent declaration on Georgia, saying it charges against Rashid Kanji-Ogli, Abkhaz serviceman, who was exile), however, will join the 300-member college of electors, “clearly demonstrated the interest of the Alliance towards Geor- sentenced in absentia over the murder of Giga Otkhozoria, “is who will elect the President of Georgia. gia and its desire to gain its foothold in the South Caucasus.” worrying, and prevents justice taking its rightful course,” the Civil.ge European Union said in its June 28 statement at the OSCE Annual Grigory Karasin added that Georgia’s cooperation with NATO Security Review Conference. “acquires the forms that actually make Tbilisi part of NATO’s con- “Impunity of serious crimes negatively impacts perceptions RUSSIAN OFFICIAL: NEW LAW tainment policy towards the Russian Federation.” of security on the ground,” the EU also said, adding that work on On Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, Karasin pointed out that the case and other issues related to security on the ground “must ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN Tbilisi continued to speak of the occupation of its territories by the continue.” Russian Federation, instead of “establishing good-neighborly and In the statement, which was delivered on behalf of the EU TSKHINVALI ‘DECIDED MATTER’ equal dialogue with its neighbors – Abkhazia and South Ossetia.” member states and ten non-EU countries (Macedonia, Montenegro, In the interview, Karasin also spoke of easing the visa regu- Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Nor- At a meeting with Tskhinvali leader Anatoly Bibilov on June lations for citizens of Georgia, saying it would be “a hard task” in way, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia) at one of the conference 26, Russian Deputy Interior Minister Igor Zubov said that estab- the absence of diplomatic relations, which was “severed upon sessions, the European Union stressed that the Geneva Interna- lishment of the “Information-Coordination Center of Internal Af- the initiative of Georgia” and the prospects of its restoration “de- tional Discussions “continue to be a crucial forum to address and fairs Agencies” in Tskhinvali was a decided matter. pends exclusively on Tbilisi as well.” resolve the challenges stemming from the conflict in Georgia.” According to Zubov, only technical issues were remaining, Civil.ge

Publisher/Editor in Chief Executive Editor: Copy Editor Director: The Georgian TIMES Nana Gagua Mariam Toidze Rumwold Leigh Kakha Maskharashvili # 1 English-Language Newspaper in Georgia Tel.: (+995) 555 293 003 Tel: (+995) 577 727 207 Tel: (+995) 599 501 452 Tel: (+995) 551 501 313 E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: First published in 1993. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] The Founder and the President Malkhaz Gulashvili. Tel: (+995) 577 461 046 The Georgian Times Media Holding. 12, Kikodze str, Tbilisi, Georgia. Tel: (+995 32) 2934405, Contributions to The Georgian TIMES are welcome. If you are interested in submitting an article or E-mail: [email protected]; http://www.geotimes.ge news item, ect. please contact; Tel/fax: (+995 32) 2934405 PUBLICITY Friday, June 30, 2017 www.geotimes.ge 3

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On June 8 the D. Shevard- processes, not only in politics nadze National Gallery of but economics and new tech- the Georgian National nologies. Museum opened “Constel- Who has helped you orga- lations”, an exhibition of nise the exhibition? artworks by contemporary My curator Ami Barack, Chinese artists. who has curated exhibitions in Canada, Israel, and Russia; he This wide-ranging exhibition is quite experienced in this field. brings together Chinese artists The Ministry of Culture and who are influencing the current Monument Protection of Geor- political, social and cultural re- gia has also helped us a lot, ality of China. Their artworks along with BIO International suggest distinctive problem- and its founder Olga Babluani. solving means. She is our media partner, and Ai Weiwei, Xu Shao Yang, helped us a lot in letting nu- Lee Shurui, Liu Wei, Lu Pin- merous people know about the gian, Lu Shanchuai, Ma Qiusha, exhibition and its importance. Van Guangli, Vang Sishuni, Whose collections are be- Vang Yuanji, Shi Molini, Qiu ing exhibited? Qu, Shiu Zen, Jang Shing, Zang It is mainly my own collec- Ding, Zang Zeniu, Zao Yao and tion which is exhibited. From Zao Zao are represented by the the very beginning I have fo- 40 or so avant-garde artworks cused on contemporary Chi- exhibited in the National Mu- nese art. You will also see a seum. number of pieces from other The exhibition is presented private collections from Geor- in co-operation with John gia, Kazakhstan and China. John Dodelande Dodelande, a French collector How have Georgians taken who has been the citizen of to the exhibition? John Dodelande Georgia for 7 years. The event Very positively. The exhi- partner is the Ministry of Cul- bition was opened on June 8, ture and Monument Protection and the number of daily view- of Georgia and the media part- ers has doubled since then. This ner is BIO International and means that awareness of the its founder Olga Babluani. It is artworks has been raised, and curated by Ami Barack and will this is a big success. Many jour- be open until September 11. nalists have also become inter- John Dodelande gave GT a ested in it, and I would like to short interview. thank you and all other media What motivated you to hold partners. this exhibition? How long will the exhibi- Zhao Yao Spirit above all I-93A, 2012; I decided to organise an ex- tion run for, and what are your A Painting of Thought. hibition in the Silk Road coun- future plans? Courtesy John Dodelande tries a couple of years ago. As The exhibition will last Chicken Cup, 2015; Courtesy John Dodelande Georgia is the geographical cen- until September 11, and af- tre of the Silk Road it would be ter that we shall take it to appropriate to begin in Tbilisi Baku. We are planning to and move to Azerbaijan and take it to Astana, its final Kazakhstan later. Nearly 40 destination, next year. artworks by 12 artists are rep- The Georgian Times resented here, and they tell us wishes success to the talented much about the current global collector John Dodelande! /Natia Ghambashidze/

Ai Weiwei Chicken Cup, 2015; Wang Yuyang Aboard, 2015; Zhang ZhenyuDust 131015, 2012; Dust and mixed media; Deliberately, 2013; Ai Weiwei Chicken Cup, 2015; Courtesy John Dodelande Courtesy John Dodelande

Yan Xing Arty, Super-Arty, Film Still No.3, 2013; Wang Guangle; Zhao Zhao Fragment, 2015 Brass; Xu Zhen Night Walk Palace, 2013; Courtesy John Dodelande Courtesy John Dodelande Courtesy John Dodelande PUBLICITY Friday, June 30, 2017 www.geotimes.ge 5

If you have not yet decided where you will spend the hot summer days, and are looking for a peaceful location with high standards and an ecologically clean environment, you are welcome to visit Hotel Prometheusin the centre of Tskaltubo. One of the main advantages of our hotel is that it is right next to the resort’s balneology centres,thus making your holiday even more comfortable. It is also fronted by a beau- tiful square, containing singing fountains and pretty plants. The hotel is always open for visitors and offers high- standard services all year round, unlike other seasonal ho- tels. Everything is arranged to make each guest feel relaxed and comfortable. The Lounge Bar on the fourth floor of the hotelcontains an open terrace with an amazing view, which makes life-enriching impressions on our guests. You can also try the delicious food prepared by our head chef. The hotel is an ideal place for those who appreciate comfort, coziness and peace; it offers a calm and harmoni- ous atmosphere, a variety of services and traditional hos- pitality. The hotel staff try their best to accommodate the re- quests and needs of each guest and to create an unbeliev- ablypleasant environment forthose who spend their time in our hotel. Visit the Hotel Prometheusat any time. You are always welcome!

Tskaltubo is a veryunusual balneology resort. Its Cardiovascular diseases (including post-stenting in our sanatorium in the past century, and we have main mineral resource is itsfamous thermal healing and shunting rehabilitation) named its departments accordingly: “miner”, “geolo- water, which contains noble gas, radon emissions Nervous system diseases (polydiscopathia, disco- gist”, “railwayman”, “light” (for blind community), and a large quantity of nitrogen and helium. The genic radiculitis, post-stroke conditions, brain trau- etcetera. natural temperature of the water (34-350C) makes it ma, brain injuries), post-rehabilitation forneurosurgi- The following procedures are used for the treat- possible to use it without initial heating or cooling. cal post-operative care, further rehabilitation of post- ment of the above-mentioned diseases: This water runs in the bathing rooms straight from traumatic conditions: orthopedic, spinal post-traumat- 1. Mineral water baths the springs, without the need for pumps. ic recuperation and post recovery of spine surgery 2. Underwater (hydro-massage) therapy Gynecological diseases (including infertility) 3. Physical exercise in the pool Tskaltubo is a non-seasonal resort, and as such is Skin diseases (dermatitis, eczema, keratosis etc) 4. Classic medical massage open throughout the year (including holidays). Urological diseases 5. Spinal horizontal extension in mineral water Tskaltubo’s thermalspa springs heal the following Child and adolescentdiseases like: juvenile rheu- 6. Physiotherapy diseases: matoid arthritis, hemophilia, child cerebral palsy, au- 7. Gynaecological irrigation Locomotive system diseases (osteochondrosis, os- tism, and so on. 8. Sharko (a shower) teoarthritis, Bechterew (Strumpell-Marie) Disease etc) TheTskaltubo mineral waters alsofacilitate the re- 9. Circular shower Growth disorders (kyphosis, scoliosis, kyphoscoli- covery of people suffering from certain professional 10. Mechano-therapy in mineral water osis), rheumatoid polyarthritis andspondyloarthritis- diseases: sportsmen, dancers, pilots, cosmonauts, sail- 11. Peloido-therapy (mud application) conditions (podagric, psoriatic, Reiter’s Arthritis and ors, oil dealers, miners etc. Prominent figures from the 12. Pressotheraphy others) aforementioned professions have enjoyed vacations 13. Colon hydrotherapy. PUBLICITY Friday, June 30, 2017 www.geotimes.ge 6 PUBLICITY Friday, June 30, 2017 www.geotimes.ge 7 IN FOCUS Friday, June 30, 2017 www.geotimes.ge 8 Georgia, a model of reform, is struggling to stay clean A tree-loving oligarch is still pulling strings

GEORGIA has been known Soviet legacy and built an ef- To be sure, the changes for excess and eccentricity fective state. In 2010 his Unit- brought in by the Rose Revo- since ancient times, when ed National Movement (UNM) lution in 2003 have not been it was called Colchis, the lost an election to the Georgian fully reversed. Corruption has convenient arch-enemy: de- ances (despite coming to pow- Ivanishvili’s allies to take con- home of Medea and the Dream party, an alliance put not returned; Georgia rates bet- stroying Mr Saakashvili’s par- er in an alliance seven years trol over Rustavi-2, an opposi- Golden Fleece in Greek together by Mr Ivanishvili, ter than Italy and close to Spain ty was ’s rai- ago), imposing a 5% threshold tion television channel, was mythology. But even by whose accumulated wealth on Transparency Internation- son d’etre. to enter parliament, and giving stopped only by a decision of Georgian standards, the (mostly made in Russia) was al’s corruption perceptions in- It also sharpens the coun- all unallocated votes to which- the European Court of Human latest hobby of Bidzina half as large as Georgia’s annu- dex. It has a strong civil soci- try’s ideological conflict be- ever party comes first. Given Rights. Ivanishvili, the country’s al GDP. Mr Saakashvili was ety. Indeed, many of Mr tween modernisation and nos- the fragmented political land- One closely-watched case is richest and most powerful forced out of the country; some Saakashvili’s former allies, in- talgia. On June 18th the patri- scape, this could give Georgian that of Lasha Tordia, the head man, is extravagant. The of his associates were put in cluding Giga Bokeria, the brain arch of the Orthodox church, a Dream another 20-30% of the of the state audit office, who reclusive oligarch, whose jail. Yet the main reason the behind the country’s reforms, powerful figure, called for re- seats. says he was assaulted at a night- hilltop glass-and-steel UNM lost power was not its think the country has outgrown storing Georgia’s monarchy. A On June 19th the Council club by Otar Partskhaladze, a castle towers over Tbilisi, reforms or anti-corruption ef- its former leader. They say it few years ago this notion of Europe’s Venice Commission former chief prosecutor. Mr the capital, buys the oldest forts, but fear of its repressive was the fear of Mr Saakashvili would have been scorned by the ruled that this combination of Partskhaladze and his body- and tallest trees in the use of the judiciary for politi- regaining power that cost the young, westernised elite. Now changes would “lead to a seri- guards allegedly beat Mr Tor- country, digs them out and cal ends. UNM last year’s parliamenta- it is backed by one of that elite’s ous infringement of the princi- dia after an argument about his transports them by road In some ways Georgia to- ry elections. (They are also an- representatives, Irakly ple of equality”. A few days agency’s investigation into a and ship to his residence on day is freer than under Mr gry at him for endorsing riots Kobalkhidze, the speaker of later, an emergency session of land deal. Mr Khukhashvili says the Black Sea. Saakashvili. The number of in Batumi in March.) parliament and the secretary of parliament approved a slightly that if the alleged assault goes court acquittals has risen, and After that election, much of Georgian Dream. “We must amended version of the consti- unpunished, “it shows that Most Georgians are amused, the fear of persecution is gone. the UNM’s leadership quit. In take into account all factors, tution that ignores the protests Georgia is slipping back to a and hope he will buy one of But Georgia has also lost its May they unveiled a new par- including our local peculiari- of the president, other political system where informal power theirs. But the image of a 100- sense of mission, says Gia ty, the Movement for Liberty- ties,” he said. parties and civic activists. Geor- trumps state institutions.” year-old, 650-tonne tulip tree Khukhashvili, a political con- European Georgia, at a rally in Some believe this is an at- gian Dream also postponed until Another test of Georgia’s sailing over the water is an apt sultant once close to Mr Ivan- Tbilisi’s largest stadium. Wav- tempt to undermine the presi- 2024 a planned shift from the future will be the mayoral elec- symbol for Mr Ivanishvili’s role ishvili. Economic growth hov- ing flags of Georgia and the dent, Giorgi Margvelashvili, current electoral system, whose tion in Tbilisi in October. The in Georgia. The billionaire, who ers around 3%, far short of the European Union, they pledged who has clashed with Mr Ivan- combination of majoritarian and field includes a former foot- holds no official post but pulls double-digit levels it saw under to eschew violence and hatred. ishvili. Although the president proportional voting benefits the baller for Milan (running with strings from behind the scenes, Mr Saakashvili. Georgia as a “We will replace Ivanishvili has had no executive power government, to a fully propor- Georgian Dream), a popular is changing not only its physi- brand has lost its shine. Once a without destroying our coun- since 2010, he is elected by di- tional one, and barred the sale TV presenter (running with the cal but its political landscape. model of modernisation and one try,” said Gigi Ugulava, the lead- rect popular vote (something of agricultural land to foreign- UNM) and an outsider who He has also uprooted the larg- of the rare post-Soviet coun- er of the party. Elena Khosh- that Georgian Dream wants to ers. models himself on Emmanuel est figure in Georgian public tries to have been successful at taria, the female face of the par- change) and is viewed as an in- Meanwhile, public life is Macron, the French president. life, former president Mikheil graft-busting, it now exempli- ty and a candidate for mayor of dependent arbiter. starting to feel less free. An in- The contest will be a bellweth- Saakashvili. fies the difficulty of transition. Tbilisi, talked about poverty With its support declining, dependent Azerbaijani journal- er for the parliamentary vote in After taking power in a Critics say Mr Ivanishvili treats and greenery. The split in the Georgian Dream has been try- ist living in Georgia was kid- 2020. In today’s Georgian pol- popular uprising in 2003, Mr it as his playground. Oligarchs UNM may be tactically bene- ing to change the constitution. napped in Tbilisi in May and itics, winning Tbilisi is the met- Saakashvili forcefully modern- in other post-Soviet countries ficial to Mr Ivanishvili, but it It has proposed banning par- passed on to Azerbaijani au- aphorical equivalent of finding ised Georgia, broke with its are envious. deprives him of a politically ties from forming electoral alli- thorities. An attempt by Mr the Golden Fleece. NEWS

minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do GEORGIA IN U.S. HUMAN TRAF- so. GOVERNMENT HIRES RASKY FICKING REPORT According to the new report, the government “demonstrated PARTNERS FOR U.S. LOBBYING serious and sustained efforts by adopting the 2017-2018 na- tional action plan and continuing proactive investigations and The Government of screening of vulnerable populations for trafficking indicators.” Georgia has hired the It says that the government “implemented a child referral Rasky Baerlein Strategic mechanism expanding the pool of actors participating in proac- Communications (Rasky tive victim identification and provided free identification docu- Partners from February ments to vulnerable street children.” “The government continued 2017), an influential Bos- to provide comprehensive care for all identified victims and con- ton-based public relations ducted robust awareness campaigns,” reads the report. and public affairs firm, to The report, however, also notes that the authorities “did not lobby for its interests be- increase anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts” and identified fore the Congress and the fewer victims in the reporting period. It also says that the labor U.S. administration. inspectorate “continued to operate with an unclear mandate and Under the four-month contract, the Government is paying the restricted ability to investigate employers.” company a monthly fee of USD 30,000, according to filings sub- “Victim identification remained weak for children in exploit- mitted by the firm to the U.S. Department of Justice under the ative situations on the street, such as those subjected to forced Foreign Agent Registration Act. begging and criminality, and for individuals working in vulnerable The agreement, which is active from May 5 and is to be labor sectors,” the report also reads. terminated on August 5, can be renewed upon agreement of both Tier 1 (Green); Tier 2 (Yellow); Tier 2 Watch List (Orange); Tier 4 (Red). According to the report, Georgia remains to be “a source, Photo: 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report parties. transit, and destination country for women and girls subjected to According to the document, Rasky Partners “will work to sex trafficking and men, women, and children subjected to forced Georgia is a source, transit and destination country for sex strengthen bilateral relations by supporting Government’s out- labor.” trafficking and forced labor with the Government of Georgia dem- reach efforts to U.S. Congress and Administration that generates “Women and girls from Georgia are subjected to sex traffick- political support for Georgia and increase U.S. foreign security onstrating serious and sustained anti-trafficking efforts, accord- ing within the country, in Turkey, and, to a lesser extent, in China assistance.” ing to the U.S. Department of State’s annual report released on and the United Arab Emirates. Georgia is also a transit country for The company will also “engage administration officials on the June 27. women from Central Asia exploited in Turkey. Women from need to support greater U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) into The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which covers the Azerbaijan and Central Asia are subjected to forced prostitution Georgia and to grow bilateral trade relations.” developments of 2016, places Georgia in “tier 1” in the three-tier in the tourist areas of the Adjara region and in saunas, strip clubs, Larry Rasky, who was the communications director to the system of evaluation. Tier 1 is the highest ranking, implying that a casinos, and hotels. The majority of identified trafficking victims “Biden for President” campaign in 2007, is the Chairman and the country might have a human trafficking problem, which the gov- are young, foreign women seeking employment,” reads the re- CEO of Rasky Partners. He previously served as press secre- ernment has acknowledged and has made efforts to address. port. tary for then Senator Joseph Biden’s 1988 presidential bid, as In the 2016 report, Georgia was grouped under the same tier The report also says that “Georgian, Romani and Kurdish communications director for John Kerry’s first Senate campaign, after three straight years in Tier 2, which lists countries whose children are subjected to forced begging or coerced into criminal- and as deputy press secretary for President Jimmy Carter’s re- governments do not fully comply with minimum standards, de- ity in Georgia.” election campaign. spite making significant efforts. Tier 3 is the lowest ranking as- Civil.ge Civil.ge signed to countries whose governments do not fully comply with PUBLICITY Friday, June 30, 2017 www.geotimes.ge 9 PUBLICITY Friday, June 30, 2017 www.geotimes.ge 10 PUBLICITY Friday, June 30, 2017 www.geotimes.ge 11 PUBLICITY Friday, June 30, 2017 www.geotimes.ge 12