A Double Dealing Spy Or Scapegoat? Minister of Justice on P

Publisher The Georgian Times Media Holding, Member of the World Association of Newspapers

N011NEWSPAPER IN GEORGIA No 1 (1492) Monday, February 18, 2013 Weekly Newspaper, International Edition - Published by “The Georgian TIMES” Media Holding Since 1993 www.geotimes.ge

First 100 Days for the A Double Dealing Spy or Scapegoat? Minister of Justice On p. 4 Making the Switch to Organic Farming On p. 6 Vakhtang Maisaia, former political prisoner, NATO What does the expert, and alleged double Future Hold agent reveals how far Georgian President for Foreign Mikheil Saakasvhili was English willing to go to maintain Language power. Accused of espionage, Maisaia names the Teachers? real foreign agents who On p. 6 operated in Georgia under Saakashvili’s patronage. Now a free man as a result Real Prison of the new government’s Reform Late in sweeping amnesty for Coming but political prisoners, he is willing to tell all! Now on the Right Track! On p. 2 On p. 10 Exclusive Interview with Malkhaz Gulashvili, Owner of Georgian Times Media Holding

Media holding “Georgian Times” will again be on newsstands and in the public eye. Soon we will be fully operational. The first step will be the online GT edition which will be published in three languages - English-language edition “Georgian Times”, newspaper in Georgian will be subsequently published. Many have asked why the media holding company stopped working, and why Pending Russian Malkhaz Gulashvili had to leave Georgia with his son, and then finally returned back? – I, as the president of the media holding Sanitary Inspectors company will personally share the true story to the dedicated Upwards of 35 Georgian wine com- tary Elections on October 2, 2013. readers of the “Georgian panies are waiting for sanitary in- As part of his promise to restore Times.” On p. 3 spection that is expected to take relations and economic ties with the place next week. This is the result Russian Federation, Ivanishvili sent of the first meeting of Georgian his officials to Moscow with the aim and Russian officials held in Mos- of lifting an embargo imposed in 2006. Ivanishvili Addresses cow on February 4. As a result of the meeting, specialists from Russia’s consumer rights orga- During the last six years Georgian nization Rospotrebnadzor will head Congress of his GDDG Party wines have never been so close to to Tbilisi in about a week “to inspect returning to Russian store shelves. those Georgian enterprises that have The prospect of a thaw in bilateral provided documents for the resump- PM Bidzina Ivanishvili reiterated on Saturday that he welcomes relations first appeared when Bidzi- tion of Georgian supplies to Russia”. “reasonable” proposal from the UNM to enforce parts of new na Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream Co- alition won a majority in Parliamen- On p. 5 constitutional provisions now instead of late 2013. On p. 12 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Monday, February 18, 2013 2

ing in long drawn out agony. Do you know anyone who was tortured in that room? A Double Dealing About one year after I was imprisoned, Sergo Tetradze, a former colonel of Georgian For- eign Intelligence, was tortured Spy or Scapegoat? to death in the same building. I suspect it happened in that same room. I now know that that they were using the same methods on him as they de- By IAN F. CARVER experience working in Bratisla- This was Saakashvili’s attempt scribed and used on me. va, Slovakia. In covering them- to reach out to Moscow and On May 8, 2009 I was Vakhtang Maisaia, former selves, this information was balance relations in case Geor- transferred to Tbilisi’s notori- political prisoner, NATO classified as secret, which vio- gia’s budding relations with the ous Gldani prison where until expert, and alleged double lates the Georgian Constitu- West would be damaged. After June 22, 2009 I was interrogat- agent reveals how far tion. If this verdict had been confirming this information ed by two groups of men from Georgian President transparent, it would have con- true, they demanded that I dis- the Counter Intelligence De- Mikheil Saakasvhili was tradicted the unofficial narra- close my sources; I explained partment which used the same willing to go to maintain tive, personally announced by that the material was totally interrogation methods applied power. Accused of espio- Saakashvili, that I was a spy based on publically available in Guantanamo Bay prison: nage, Maisaia names the working for Moscow. Regard- information and my own re- sleep deprivation, freezing tem- real foreign agents who less, both versions are absolute- search. peratures, denying me of any operated in Georgia under ly absurd and other motivations Next, I was forced to read a elementary hygienic means, and Saakashvili’s patronage. were behind my arrest. pre-prepared confession, constant physiological pres- Now a free man as a result Describe the physical and threatening to arrest my moth- sures. I was told my family of the new government’s psychological pressure you er and my wife on grounds that members would be tortured and sweeping amnesty for endured while in prison? they collaborated with me in my even murdered and I was forced political prisoners, he is First of all, upon being ar- acts of espionage. They gave to witness other prisoners be- willing to tell all! rested, I was taken to the head- me a 40-name list that included ing beaten and tortured as a quarters of the Georgian Secu- opposition leaders and even warming up exercise to my own Before your trial was even rity forces where Interior Min- beloved members of their own ordeal, all in an effort to break held, Saakashvili declared that you had inflicted “huge dam- age” to Georgia by providing The Georgian Russia with classified information on Georgian military positions during the Russo-Geor- Times is Back! gian war. So why were you arrested nine months later? I was arrested on the day of Here we are again, starting out a new period in the evolution the so-called Mukhrani tank and devolution of Georgia. Georgia can finally be run as a mutiny on May 5, 2009. Mikheil Saakashvili wished to state for all its people - giving power back to its people. After a somehow use this event to dis- nearly two-year hiatus due to political threats, financial credit the opposition, which considerations, and waiting for the dust to clear, Georgia’s was holding protest rallies at first and best known English-language newspaper is up and the time. He wanted to restore running again. the delicate balance between his PR and real actions. The It is also a new chapter in the history of the Georgian Times, Mukhrani incident provided a new faces, new approaches and the realization that there is more good photo and propaganda op- to a newspaper than just catchy headlines. One thing is certain - portunity; however, in order to many now are realizing that the Georgian Times had been the get away with it, he needed a voice that was crying out the truth when others were repeating Russian culprit, some indica- the standard official line. tion that enemies of Georgia To make a long story short, much of the mainstream media has were involved. been discredited, think tanks and others that turned a blind eye to The second reason is that by much that had transpired since 2003, as if such matters as human that time, Saakashvili’s special rights, the rule-of-law and democracy could be shortchanged for services had managed to covert- some greater agenda. No need to call out names but it is clear who ly confiscate all of my person- took sides and who has been on the payroll. As the editor, I have al achieves, which included nearly seven years of experience in Georgia and it is finally pay- material I was using for a book ing off in moral dividends. Now I am able to look others straight dealing directly with the Rus- in the eye and ask what they did to try to prevent the war in 2008, so-Georgian war. It described what their positions were on the events of November 7, 2007 or the lead up the war (from Janu- ister Vano Merabishvili, his UNM party. They demanded me down physically and emo- May 26, 2011, etc. ary 2008) to the immediate deputy Amiran Meskheli (who that I identify all of those who tionally. The new Georgian Times aims to offer a balance of politics, post war period (September/ is now on the run) and all the I had connections with. My torturers told me sev- analysis and social issues. Agricultural and educational issues will October 2008), covering all mil- top brass were summoned. It appears that they wanted eral times that they had per- also be regular features. GT will not serve as forum to present itary aspects of both sides of They had some of my research to continue the arrests and mission to kill me and it was Georgian-Russian relations in the all too typical cold war era, zero- the conflict, strengths and materials, which had been used needed my confession to speed officially sanctioned from sum game mentality. Nothing is gained by beating a dead horse. It weaknesses, political objec- by a 2008 International Crisis up the process. Due to my re- above. In fact, a special opera- is time to move forward. We want to assign tives, strategies and the dirty Group report and by the fusal to play along, I was sub- tion was planned for my liqui- tricks they employed. NATO Parliamentary Assem- jected to numerous mock exe- that cohort of pundits and learned 4-hire foreign correspondents, dation. This was directly or- diplomats to the dust bin of history. The GoG arrested you for bly’s Security Committee. In cutions. They even master- dered by the Georgian presi- Highlighted in this edition is an interview with one of the most spying for Russia, yet upon these reports I described all the minded an escape attempt sce- dent himself, as confirmed by pro-Western people I’ve ever met, Vakhtang Maisaia, a famous your release it was stated that political connections with the nario in which I managed to grab Lado Bedukadze, a former high political prisoner whose story sums up the duplicity of previous you were officially charged ruling UNM party, the link be- a gun from one of the officers level official of the prison ad- with spying for NATO. Can tween Merabishvili and Be- but I was shot and killed imme- ministration in a recent inter- regime and all what was wrong with the program for Georgia and you explain the official and larusian regime members, most- diately afterwards. In addition view distributed widely by the its enforcers. While Vakhtang and thousands of others are now unofficial sides of your case? ly with Lukashenko’s Nation- to beating me countless times, media throughout Georgia. free, we also investigate the post-amnesty current situation in I was accused of being a al Security Advisor, Victor I was given a tour of a special New facts have been revealed Georgian prisons and other issues that need closer scrutiny. Russian spy simply for domes- Shaman, and via him, connec- torture chamber where they that continue to confirm the Georgia’s press is now freer than any time since Shevard- tic consumption. However, in tions with Moscow and other showed me various instruments existence of an operation to nadze’s period, and it will be interesting to see how the country the actual court verdict I was networks of patronage. I men- of the trade. They explained a shut me up forever. deals with its new found freedom. Georgia has been reborn in charged with spying for NATO tioned how Merabishvili offi- method in which I would be more ways than one. on the basis of my academic and cially visited Minsk three hung by my feet while my kid- Ian F. Carver Continued on p. 4 professional contacts, and my times and twice unofficially. neys would be smashed, result- Editor-in-Chief

The Georgian TIMES Publisher: Editor-in-Chief: Deputy Editor: Director: Nana Gagua Ian F. Carver Dali Bzhalava Kakha Maskharashvili # 1 English-Language Newspaper in Georgia Tel.: (+995) 555 293 003 Tel: (+995) 555 547 695 Tel: (+995) 593 337 334 Tel: (+995) 551 501 313 First published in 1993. E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: Owned by Malkhaz Gulashvili. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 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 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Monday, February 18, 2013 3 Malkhaz Gulashvili: Soon there will be “real freedom” for all in Georgia, not just political rhetoric and business as usual!

By DALI BJHALAVA attempts for negotiating be- are a stranger there. I mean hind the scenes? Holdings with 400 employers. Media holding “Georgian No, no attempts have been We had English-language news- Times” will again be on made. Moreover, I tried to set papers, online editions, maga- newsstands and in the my son free with my lawyer’s zines, books; we had an adver- public eye. Soon we will be help from criminal responsibil- tising company as well. fully operational. The ities because when we left the The government was be- first step will be the online country, he was under age, such hind the attack that followed, GT edition which will be responsibility shouldn’t be and we lost all our media - the published in three imposed on him. family, except for income re- languages - English- Shalva Tadumadze was deceived from other media. language edition “Geor- fending our illegal interests. We lost everything, all the gian Times”, newspaper in Now he is the parliamentary sources of money that my fam- Georgian will be subse- secretary of Prime Minister. ily had. We were oppressed in quently published. Many He was helping me with the all ways: morally, economical- have asked why the media case of my son but we received ly and financially. holding company stopped an answer from the Prosecu- My wife and another child working, and why Malkhaz tion – and how both of us were of mine were in Tbilisi, we were Gulashvili had to leave guilty and we would be in Moscow, it is impossible to Georgia with his son, and charged. travel in Russia without a visa, then finally returned Your son had no opportu- the visa issue that can be re- back? – I, as the president nity to study and he also had solved only at the level of min- of the media holding no passport; do you think that ister, is so complicated. In fact, company will personally government did it out of re- we were in Russia, as in a big share the true story to the venge? prison colony. dedicated readers of the Of course it did. Everything After the charges were made “Georgian Times.” including the kidnapping of my against you, did you expect son was totally out of revenge that they wouldn’t arrest you? Malkhaz Gulashvili, the and to make an example of us I did not expect any other founder of Media - Holding as part of the campaign of fear offers. I knew that I would be “Georgian Times”, and the Russian market for Georgian put him at additional risk. You were charged for the upon the Georgian people. arrested. I had hoped that my president of the Center for products, air links with Rus- Moreover, those persons illegal border crossing only, Considering all these facts son would be released. Strategic and International sia and the abolition of visa re- who kidnapped my son repre- but you were not recognized you decided to return to Geor- So you made this decision Studies “Azri” claims: “Pres- gime between the two coun- sented the law enforcement and not considered a spy. gia, this was a very strange because of your son right? ident Saakashvili’s regime per- tries. agencies. Now the entire world They wouldn’t dare it. step. Yes, that is true. My son sonally attacked him and his My steps irritated Saakash- actually knows how represen- could no longer live in other family. It is for this reason that vili and he called in his power tatives of the law enforcement countries and in Baku he told the media holding stopped ministries so to plan opera- worked during that time. The me - I’m an adult, and if they working. “My wife Nana tions against me and my fami- same was happening outside arrest me it is ok. I couldn’t Gagua is a publisher and edi- ly. My son was attacked by the prisons. People were send my son to prison so we tor. My whole family was par- four members of a Special Forc- threatened and destroyed. It is returned back together and I alyzed and lived in a constant es unit. He was kidnapped and a fact that the media holding hope they would only locked state of fear. It is now clear to told that if your father doesn’t “Georgian Times” stopped me up and not him. many that not only we were stop we are going to destroy working because of threats As I expected I got arrest- being politically repressed in you. from the side of police. My son ed. Moreover, I was asked to Georgia but anyone who dared That’s why I had to take was also oppressed; this fact confess that I crossed the bor- to speak the truth and try to my son abroad. According to was answered by internation- der illegally and I was the one fully exercise their rights as a the Vienna Convention, a man al media and the US govern- who started the quarrel in TV Georgian citizen. whose family is in danger has ment. Company “Kavkasia” In May 2010, you had to to avoid it, and do what is nec- We demanded the investi- If you had recognized your leave Georgia Why? essary to get the family out of gation, however, during seven guilt would they have released Firstly, “Zonder brigades” harm’s way. It was a time months nothing happened. Even the case of crossing the I was always thinking of you? and representatives of Geor- when even thinking of Russia Moreover, throughout this border was not clear, which getting back to Georgia, and as No, not me, but they did gian Special Forces attacked was considered as high treason. period there was a constant border was issued? Crossing soon as I would take care of release my son. my son in a way to get to me. Why did you decide to go to threat, and when a person ap- the border of Tskhinvali from my son I was going to return What was happening in- My political views were the Russia? pears in such a situation, the Dusheti? They said “no”, the myself. side the prison? Did they pres- motivation for such an attack. I had to make this step. instincts’ drive him rather than main problem for them was the But you knew that they sure you? That much I am certain. I was When your son is threatened, totally think out and conscious fact that I crossed the border would send you directly to I saw terrible things, 35 criticizing Mikheil Saakashvili the passport is expired, you decision. There was no choice of Russia from Tskhinvali, as jail? people lived in one room, peo- and his regime through the are warned that they will de- but to leave Georgia as it was South Ossetia is legally part Yes, I knew that I would ple were beaten and constant- newspaper and my comments stroy you and your son asks controlled by Saakashvili’s re- of Georgia, and that is based become a prisoner. My friends ly pressured, and it was a very were direct and to the point. you to help him be safe, then gime. I went first to Tskhinva- on international law. also were prisoners because of hard and sad thing to watch. Another motivating reason what choice is there? When li (South Ossetia) and then to I had crossed the border of the same reasons. I promised If there were no govern- was the meetings held in inter- faced with this you have to the Russian Federation for Russia not a Georgian one. The to go to the jail, if my friends mental changes in October, do national forums, including the drop everything and go how protection. Russian Federation never held and my son would be released. you think you would be in Eurasian media forum. As a you can, especially when after When I was going to move me responsible for this action; Of course nobody released my prison nowadays if you had journalist I met Dmitry your child had already been to Slovakia, for my son’s stud- everyone knows that this friends; they were already in did the same thing? Medvedev, Russian President, kidnapped and beaten. You ies, the Foreign Ministry charge by the Saakashvili gov- the prison. Yes of course. My wife was and many others. I would will only think about leaving blocked his passport. Howev- ernment was not serious. Such We came back to Georgia. I refused when she wrote a state- speak openly about the things the country for a safer place. er, all the necessary legal pro- a violation of law is only be- and my son were immediately ment about my release. Since which are still to this day not Of course, it would be better cedures were done and the ap- cause was personally irritated arrested. However, he was re- Sozar Subari is the minister very popular with the leftovers to leave the country legally, propriate amount of money with me as I have already ex- leased for 2,000 GEL bail. everything has changed and I of the government that is try- but, unfortunately, my son’s was paid for passport. With plained. I had to return to my coun- was released. ing to hold on to the bitter end. passport has expired and there these decisions they effective- You came back to Georgia try. First, it is difficult to live For instance, among the topics was no time to apply for a new ly locked us in Russia, as they unexpectedly, just as like you in a foreign country, especial- covered were the issue of the one, and even to do so might wanted us to be there. left it. Were there any earlier ly when you know that you Continued on p. 10 LOCAL ISSUES Monday, February 18, 2013 4 First 100 Days for the Minister of Justice

By DALI BJHALAVA fair laws, but they are free to power of the minister. Tea fit the laws as needed to the Tsulukiani claims that the min- From constructing glass management of justice through ister of justice is a political fig- court houses to rebuilding disciplinary procedures. These ure, and not political oppres- the entire legal system, days it is impossible because sor. The Minister of Justice can Tea Tsulukiani, summariz- this field is under the control arrest officials and sue them, es the first 100 days since of one authority: the Chairman including the president, chief taking up her post as of the Supreme Court along of staff, MPs, and ministers. Georgia’s Minister of Justice. with 3-4 so-called chairmen of Tsulukiani believes that the the judges. Judges generally minster should not hold such The first 100 days were not lack sufficient power and flex- kind power. She said that such easy for Georgia’s new Min- ibility to perform their work reforms will also enable the ster of Justice Tea Tsulukiani and therefore we want to im- supreme prosecutor to act but she has managed to make plement this reform and put without any interference from important strides in fulfilling them in the positions where the Minister of Justice. the tasks and responsibilities they belong,” Tea Tsulukiani “One hundred days in the given to her by Prime Minis- explains. Ministry of Justice was not ter Bidzina Ivanisvhili. Her Tsulukiani also claims that enough to carry out fundamen- tasks was divided into two she presented a bill envision- tal changes. I can blame the parts: 1) breaking down the ing policy changes for the pub- prosecutors. During these entrenched system of fear that lic prosecutor. She explained days we (with the supreme flourished under the previous how the previous system prosecutor) had no chance to government, and 2) launching served only her predecessor sue those prosecutors who reforms needed to bring about and theat the Minister of Jus- worked with Adeishvili and further progress and develop- tice was able to takes the place destroyed families, arrested ment in the country. offices. I denounce such kind will lead to important legisla- ber of judges will keep their of prosecutor and easily inter- businessmen and stole peo- “During my first days, I of treatment,” says Tsulukiani, tive changes. As a result of the jobs but that the strategy of fere in criminal law. In re- ple’s properties. This is the faced a ministry, where my adding that she personally re- bill, the staff of High Council elections will undergo serious sponse, Tsulukiani developed only thing I couldn’t handle predecessor was preoccupied ceived a letter from the minis- has been depoliticized. Tsu- changes. a bill with the supreme prose- within my first 100 days,” with things like planning con- try when she was in the oppo- lukiani says that a large num- “We provide judges with cutor, which will weaken the Tsulukiani concludes. struction projects in places like sition asking her how much Batumi, Sighnaghi (generally money the budget earns the whole Kakheti) and Lazi- through plea bargains. “My After being officially trans- ka,” explains Tea Tsulukiani. response was that this infor- formed into a Russian spy and According to the minister, mation is available on the Min- traded, Russian FSB would there are still various architec- istry of Justice’s official web- A Double Dealing then have a free hand to do whatever it wanted with me. I tural sketches and designs ly- site. Obviously, it was a lie have no doubt that I ultimately because such information was ing around one of her prede- would have been executed or cessor’s rooms on the minis- never made available [to the killed in captivity. th try’s 9 floor. Tsulukiani plans public]. I saved this letter as Spy or Scapegoat? As a security analyst, why to hand over the designs to a an example of how the minis- do you think Moscow decided museum in the near future. try was operating on a daily not to depose Saakashvili dur- The minister also explained basis.” ing the war? Continued from p. 2 NATO Economic Committee. special services involvement in the reason behind abolishing Tsulukiani says that before Russia had officially protested the region; these were his main Keeping such a man in pow- the Strategic Development she became minister, employ- against this particular commit- interests. er provided the world with a Agency, which was directly ees who held the same posi- Why did the Georgian lead- tee because we introduced a To what extent do you think constant reminder of how subordinated under the Min- tions and did the same amount ership want you killed? special action plan for energy Russian special services have Saakashvili’s foreign policy ister of Justice and mentioned of work had different salaries It was personal on one level security and cooperation. penetrated the Georgian secu- was dangerous. The debacle of how tourism development will and commissions but signifi- but another aim was to conceal NATO later adopted this plan. rity and intelligence appara- the 2008 Russo-Georgian war no longer be part of this agen- cant changes have been made. the fact that I was actually con- This made me an enemy in the tus? also demonstrated the unreli- ability of Georgia’s strategic re- cy. “The second responsibili- For her the stability of a pub- victed for spying for NATO, eyes of the Russians. At the time of my arrest, the lationships with NATO, ty of my predecessor was over- lic officer is very important, not Russia. If I had been killed, What was this FSB investi- Director of Georgian Counter everyone would have believed breakdown in command and seeing the punishment proce- as it is a vital part of powerful gator particularly interested Intelligence was Georgi Maz- I was a Russian spy and all my in? mushvili, a man who was lob- control, and how such adven- dures of the public prosecu- and effective government and materials would have been de- Unofficially, I was also ac- bied and promoted by Valeri tures could jeopardize US na- she aims to carry out funda- tor. This was an area where I stroyed. It was an opportuni- cused of being both a CIA and Khaburzania, Georgian State tional security. It was because had to carry out some major mental changes in this field too. ty for Saakashvhili to cover-up British Intelligence Services Security Minister from 2002- of Saakashvili’s actions in reforms,” Tsulukiani explains. “In Georgia, change in gov- the reality and to manipulate agent. This was based on meet- 2004. In Moscow, Khaburza- South Ossetia that Azerbaijan She said that the ministry’s ernmental has long gone hand- my case for political gain. ings I had with the US deputy nia recently confirmed during a altered its foreign policy in the main aim now is to build up in-hand with replacing public You told your lawyer in head of mission to Georgia and live interview with Georgian direction of Moscow. More- the Legal Drafting Depart- officials; this has became some- 2009 that while in prison you several other US and British journalists that as Minister of over, under Saakashvili’s lead- ment, which was left “help- thing of a tradition. Public of- were interrogated by a Russian diplomats. The Russian gov- State Security he had close ties ership, Moscow solidified its less” under the previous re- ficials were forced to leave their Federal Security Service (FSB) ernment had increased interest with the FSB leadership. Dur- geostrategic position in Abkha- gime. She mentioned how the positions against their will so operative. Is this so? in the CIA during the high pro- ing this period, Putin called zia and South Ossetia while ministry’s Analytical Depart- that they would never be in a Yes. On the night of June file international spy scandals Saakashvili directly and told also acquiring additional eco- ment had a disproportionate position to sue. There were 22, 2009 one of my official in- in the US at the time. him not to replace Khaburza- nomic infrastructure and assets in Georgia. There was clearly amount of powerful compared approximately 155 employees terrogators, Lado Datashvili, in- The FSB investigator want- nia. This is now a well-known troduced me to a new interro- more to the six-point peace plan to the Legal Drafting Depart- in the Ministry of Justice, and ed to know about my ties with fact. Mazmushvili, who inter- gator and he explained that he NATO special services, my spe- rogated me in his office, gradu- that ended the 2008 Russo- ment, and how the two depart- [so far] only 2-3 persons were was a representative of the cific mission, about secret as- ated from the Minsk KGB In- Georgia war. Much we will ments have been the main replaced. Such a practice will Russian FSB. He looked half pects of the Georgian-NATO stitute during the Soviet peri- never know. sources of legislative initiatives be difficult to sustain, but it is Georgian, half Russian and relationship; he wanted me to od. Just recently, his mentor, Is there anyone who you that have been realized over the very important for me because spoke in Georgian with a Rus- name my sources that provided Khaburzania announced plans would like to thank for re- last 3 months. the current Georgian govern- sian accent. He told me that he me with information about Rus- to return to Georgia and set up lease? Tsulukiani said that she cre- ment aims to create a stable used to live in Sokhumi and it sian involvement in Abkhazia a pro-Russian political party. Of course I would like to ated the ministry’s first-ever state not dependent on change was clear to me that he was in- and South Ossetia; he asked me What do you think the pre- thank Prime Minister Bidzina Department of Republic Rela- of governments,” Tsulukiani deed from Abkhazia. to explain Mayor of Moscow vious regime actually intended Invanishvili and the Georgian tions. The main purpose of the says. Why would they reveal that Yuri Lushkov’s businesses in- to do with you, if not kill you? people who supported his co- new department is to make the Since taking up her post, he is working for the FSB and terests in Abkhazia and those of Saakasvhili had announced alition. ministry widely open to soci- she has received 5,432 letters how could Russian intelli- other Russian tycoons. Not sur- that if his party was victorious What are your future ety, since it was one of the most from the public. Tsulukiani has gence be involved in your ques- prisingly, he knew all about my in the 2012 Parliamentary Elec- plans? I am plan on suing Saakash- secretive and tabooed places personally responded to one- tioning? activities, for instance, how on tions, he intended to strike a vili in local courts before bring- for citizens while Zurab Ade- third of these and she hopes to This is another reason why March 30, 2008, I had given deal with Moscow to trade they intended to shut me up ing my case to the Internation- ishvili was Justice Minister. be able to respond to the rest presentation at a closed-door their spies sitting in Georgian for good. Much is involved: I Georgian Parliamentary session prisons for Georgian citizens al Criminal Court. After I be- “For me, transparency al- soon. Tsulukiani also talked had worked within NATO about Russian and Turkish eco- imprisoned in Russia on charg- come fully rehabilitated, I plan about the legislative depart- ways meant that citizens structures and I was affiliated nomic interests and competition es of espionage. This further to continue my professional should not receive incompetent ment and says that the recent- with the NATO Economic and in Abkhazia, and about how I demonstrates why the FSB in- activities of promoting Geor- letters from those holding high ly debated bill in parliament Security Directorate and the had also talked about Russian terrogated me in Gldani prison. gia’s European integration. BUSSINES&ECONOMY Monday, February 18, 2013 5 Pending Russian Sanitary Inspectors

By LISA TONAKANYAN icantly hurt Georgia’s econo- erages and Food Raw Materi- my. Before 2006 we depended als that opened in Moscow on Upwards of 35 Georgian wine on Russia a lot – around 80 February 11. On display were companies are waiting for percent of the total export of various lemonades, sauces, sanitary inspection that is ex- wine, but gradually we over- juices, wines and brandies – all pected to take place next came the crisis. We opened up made of natural ingredients, ac- week. This is the result of the to other foreign markets and cording to Maxim Savchuk, first meeting of Georgian today our wine is being sold in head of the office of the Geor- and Russian officials held in more than 40 countries. A bot- gian Union of Exporters. Moscow on February 4. tle of well-known Georgian Russia banned the export brands such as Kindzmarauli, of Georgian wines and two During the last six years Mukuzani or Khvanchkara in popular brands of mineral Georgian wines have never Russia will cost approximate- water - Borjomi and Nabeglavi been so close to returning to ly just as much as in other Eu- - in 2006. The official reason Russian store shelves. The ropean countries – 300 Rubles was low quality, though in prospect of a thaw in bilateral (USD 10). In this segment we’ll Georgia it was considered as a relations first appeared when have to compete with French politically motivated step de- Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Georgian and Italian beverages”, Dav- signed to collapse the coun- Dream Coalition won a major- itashvili said, assuring that this try’s economy, or at least to ity in Parliamentary Elections is based on deep market anal- alter its pro-Western stance. on October 2, 2013. will be followed by admission trebnadzor has all the needed from Georgian wine-producing ysis. Georgian President Mikheil As part of his promise to to the Russian market,” he documentation and the repre- companies”, Davitashvili stat- According to Davitashvili, Saakashvili had then thanked restore relations and economic added. sentatives of Onishchenko’s ed. local wine-makers are aware of Russia for “a positive incen- ties with the Russian Federa- At the same time Onish- Office are about to finish the He agreed with Gennady the steep competition they tive” that made Georgian wine- tion, Ivanishvili sent his offi- chenko mentioned that earlier necessary paperwork, head of Onishchenko, saying that Geor- might face in the Russian mar- makers improve the quality of cials to Moscow with the aim this month a planned visit of National Wine Agency of Geor- gian wines might face an uphill ket, as during the last few years their product. However, soon of lifting an embargo imposed Russian delegation was post- gia Levan Davitashvili said to struggle after returning to Rus- Georgian wines were replaced after losing the biggest market in 2006. As a result of the meet- poned as Georgia did not sub- Georgian Times. sian this spring. Davitashvili with Abkhazian and Latin the political tension between ing, specialists from Russia’s mit the list of companies that “They might come to Tbili- said that Georgian wine can American varieties. “The qual- the parties started rising and consumer rights organization specialists were to inspect. He si next week, though this in- gain 3 to 4 percent of Russia’s ity of local wine has risen since eventually burst out into the Rospotrebnadzor will head to accused Georgia of “not ful- formation is not yet con- market which is less than it 2006, so Georgian products “5-days war” in August 2008 Tbilisi in about a week “to in- filling the terms stipulated in firmed. However, it’s already used to control before the em- should not need much promo- that caused breaking off dip- spect those Georgian enter- the document designed to re- known that at the beginning bargo. tion to find its niche in Russia, lomatic relations. Parliamen- prises that have provided doc- sume the supply of Georgian they will inspect factories of However, eager to make up especially since our wines have tary Elections of 2013 capped uments for the resumption of product to Russia”. 35 companies – Kindzmarau- for lost sales, Georgian wine- easily found their consumers the president’s 9-year, one- Georgian supplies to Russia”. Later the Georgian Minis- li, Khvanchkara, Teliani Valley, makers might take a risk of ex- in Europe, US, ex-Soviet states man rule. The new Prime According to Chief Sanitary try of Agriculture informed Telavi Wine Cellar are among porting 30 millions bottles an- and even China”, he told Geor- Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is Officer of Russia Gennady that officials from both former them. In total we have a list of nually instead of declared 10 gian Times. pursuing a course of restoring Onishchenko, wine and miner- Soviet countries agreed upon a 84 companies that expressed millions. Moreover, they are Nevertheless Georgia decid- relations with Russia but ma- al water will be registered once mechanism for re-opening ac- their readiness to return to the expected to win the place of ed to advertise its product at jor hurdles remain and the experts approve of the quality cess for wines to the Russian Russian market and we contin- premium class wines. the annual ProdExpo Interna- process is expected to be long of Georgian products. “This market. At the moment Rospo- ue to receive new applications “This trade embargo signif- tional Exhibition of Food, Bev- and hard.

themselves higher on society’s numbers for Georgia alone, to scale should be more likely to see if they were more pessi- An Appropriately Pessimistic Georgia own a given good. It turns out mistic than they should be. this is true: there is a positive The numbers I was given are individual-level correlation be- quite interesting; the correla- By FRANK KLOBUCAR Each respondent was asked Belarus 5.3 toilet, you would probably tween self-assessed wealth and tions between self-assessed to place themselves on a 10- Georgia 4.2 think that Georgians must have ownership across the board, wealth and ownership of goods When asked about their eco- point scale of society, where 1 Kazakhstan 5.5 the worst access to plumbing but it is not staggeringly and infrastructure are actually nomic standing relative to represents the poorest people Moldova 5.6 and flushable toilets. This is strong. The two strongest cor- significantly higher in Georgia. their own countrymen, and 10 - the wealthiest. Of the Russia 4.7 also untrue: 90% of the Geor- relations to self-assessment What this tells us is that Geor- Georgians generally feel 8 countries included, Geor- Ukraine 4.5 gians polled had tap water, come from refrigerators (.21) gians are in fact much better at that they are worse off than gians placed themselves low- though fewer had flushing toi- and computers (.25). Televi- self-assessment of wealth than citizens of other countries. est with a mean of 4.2. Rus- Georgians are indeed less lets (62%). While these are no When we evaluate this based sians and Ukrainians also have likely to own many applianc- means western-level numbers, on ownership of durable means below 5, suggesting that es, including the aforemen- Georgians enjoy more frequent Correlations Total GEO goods and infrastructure people feel a little less wealthy tioned fridges and washing flushes than Moldovans, Ka- Fridge 0.21 0.33 availability, however, things than they are. Interestingly machines. They are not the zakhs and Azeris. TV 0.08 0.15 don’t look quite so bad. The enough, Moldovans are the only ones that can claim a need, So it seems that people Washing machine N/A 0.07 only things that Georgians most economically positive at though: Moldovans, Kazakhs, aren’t particularly good at self- Mobile phone 0.19 0.32 owned less frequently than 5.6. and Ukrainians all have fewer assessments in a general sense; Computer 0.25 0.32 the rest of the respondents If people were perfectly cellphones per capita than the most economically proud Flush toilet 0.10 0.27 were refrigerators and wash- accurate in assessing them- Georgia, and Azeris are less country is also the least Cold tap water 0.10 0.30 ing machines. selves relative to their societ- likely to own a car, washing equipped (and also has the ies, every country should have a mean of 5. We can make the their neighbors. It seems Geor- In a recent poll by Geor- Do you own… ARM AZE BLR GEO KAZ MDA RUS ARM assumption here, then, that gians are the realistic ones, gian Opinion Research Busi- Fridge 97 97 99 72 98 92 97 97 respondents were not only while Moldova has its head in ness International, respondents TV 100 99 99 97 99 97 97 96 judging their well-being relative the clouds. were asked from 8 post-soviet Washing Machine 84 53 87 47 91 86 93 89 to their own countrymen, but All correlations in this col- countries about their econom- Mobile telephone 79 88 83 78 74 68 83 76 umn were perfectly significant ic situation, personal health, also to the general level of Computer 32 23 54 27 40 35 47 40 (.000), with the exception of and opinions on politics and wealth they perceive other Car 29 20 46 27 42 28 42 33 aggregate washing machine society. We’re lucky to have countries to have. This could Cold tap water 100 87 93 90 87 70 92 90 ownership. All margins of er- all these variables in the same account for these variations by Flush toilet 100 59 77 62 47 37 80 76 poll, with so many respon- country, rather than simply ror are 2.5% at 95% confi- dents, because it allows us to declaring that some people are dence. Visit our website at make some interesting compar- more pessimistic than others. machine, or computer. In fact, lowest per-capita GDP at sion’s correlation is weak, but gorbi.com for other articles and isons with great levels of sig- So, if you use this frame, how computer ownership is lowest $3,200 USD). Let’s climb a mostly because penetration is archives. nificance. For instance, we can accurate are these self-assess- throughout the Caucasus. little further down the ecolog- virtually complete; there are see if people’s self-assessments? If you think back to your ical ladder, though, and look at more TVs than toilets in these Frank Klobucar is a ments are accurate, or if some Society Ladder last trip to the regions, and the individuals. countries, so the saying goes. research analyst at GORBI, people are just being pessimis- Armenia 5.4 times you had to leave the su- If self-assessments are to If you’ll notice in the chart Georgia’s first opinion and tic. Azerbaijan 5.5 pra to use a hole-in-the-ground be trusted, people who place of correlations, I also ran the market research firm AG-TALK Monday, February 18, 2013 6 Making the Switch to Organic Farming

mium, in order to access truly managed. Georgia lacks both an exporter, Kandorelashvili By TINA GOGOLADZE organic products. Considering resolve and resources to com- plans on obtaining a certificate the product market is very cut pete with neighboring countries for producing certified organic “The business idea first throat, interested consumers in terms of economies of scale. foods soon. came to my mind when my fam- find it hard to buy the food they It takes more to produce for a The procedure of certify- ily doctor told me that not all prefer and in adequate volumes. larger market than production ing organic products varies fruits are healthy to feed my Organic farming is not lim- alone, harvesting, post-harvest from country to country. Ap- child.” Malkaz Jakheli is one ited to only one region of Geor- and packaging are all essential proximately 60 states have such of the 600 farmers who would gia; the practice remains pop- components. The market is laws and regulations. Howev- rather produce and consume or- ular in Georgia’s Kakheti, Shi- based on the shared needs of er, the process of verifying organic products than traditional da Kartli, Guria, Samchke-Ja- consumers and producers and ganic products is based on a ones. In 2006 he first tried his vaketi and Kvemo Kartli re- they must take international unique system of certification luck with an organic wine busi- gions. The highlands are the experience into consideration. that not only certifies how the ness. After three years of work- most advantageous for grow- The example of Austria, where crop was produced, but only ing and submitting documenta- ing ecologically pure prod- twenty percent of agricultural investigates the cropping his- tion, he was awarded an inter- ucts, while mountainous re- products are organic, serves as tory of the land to determine if national certificate that allowed gions are ideal for launching a model for Georgia. chemicals had been used before him to export his “Jakheli experimental agricultural farms The Georgian government and for how long ago. It takes Wines”, which are now avail- organization consists of various gian market when it is faced because plants are less prone is planning to establish rural ex- more than just claims to say that able in Germany, Italy, Sweden, small farmers’ associations and with misleading and false label- to diseases in such climates and tension and agricultural consult- you are producing organic prod- Ukraine and Japan. Although it provides rural consulting ser- ing. “Eco 100 percent is writ- such crops have not been grown ing centers in various regions. ucts. the story of a successful natu- vices to farmers who are either ten on many Georgian products before. According to Shatberashvili, In Georgia, the institution ral product is an attractive op- just beginning or merely inter- which leaves customers clue- However, the development farmers need to have access to responsible for certification is tion, especially for those who ested in organic farming. In ad- less as to what is hidden be- of organic agricultural products more information about organ- “Caucascert”. Operating under are interested in organic farm- dition to organic farming, some hind these words. As a result, is hindered due to chaotic gov- ic farming. To gain knowledge the legislation of “Green Cau- ing, not everyone can readily the organization’s key aims are the loyalty of consumers to any ernmental policy and a lack of about its advantages and disad- casus” and adhering to Europe- target their product for export. to promote agricultural biodi- brand or outlet depends only understanding of what consti- vantages and make the right de- an Union standards, any prod- Volume and consistency are versity, sustainability and con- on trust to one or another food tutes an organic product in the cisions based on proven results uct with a “Caucascert” certif- necessary and many back-to- tinuity of supply. Elkana col- processing company.” first place. In such as country on producing and harvesting icate is allowed to be exported nature producers would rather laborates with farmers through Georgia does not have a where small plot ownership healthy crops. to EU countries. The process produce healthy fruits and veg- a fee-based membership, which quality control mechanism, and poor soil are serious prob- Marika Kandorelashvili of of certification is based on an- etables, free from pesticides or includes various services such making it difficult for eco prod- lems, there are nevertheless Guria region switched to organic nual inspections where the po- Genetically Modified Organ- as kitchen garden planning in ucts and farmers to compete perfect climate conditions for farming eight years ago. She tential organic farmer needs to isms solely for the benefit of the regions and developing land with bigger companies that sup- sustainable quality food pro- produces apples, peaches, present documentation of all their families’ own well being. plots. ply the lion’s share of the Geor- duction. A clearer view of op- plums and wheat on her farm. fertilizers and other inputs used Georgian farmer’s associa- Elene Shatberashvili, one of gian market. Market research portunities of agricultural de- Although she tries to harvest during the production. All in all, tion “Elkana” has been devel- Eklana members, considers that demonstrates that there is a seg- velopment is needed, and this products free from pesticides it takes about three years to oping organic agriculture since the main challenge is how to get ment of consumers who are needs to be done in terms of she continues to struggle due shift from ordinary agriculture 1996. This non-governmental organic products onto the Geor- ready to pay more, even a pre- how crops and soils must be to a lack of additives. Not yet to truly organic farming.

EDUCATION What does the Future Hold for Foreign English Language Teachers?

By KOBA SAMSONIDZE teach English in public schools Education and Sciences, which alongside local language teach- was naturally motivated to It is not uncommon for a ers. Unlike Peace Corps, which promote its own, President- foreigner in Georgia to be is only open to US citizens, the endorsed initiatives. Moreover, mistaken as an English new Georgian program invited many Georgian schools, which language teacher due to the practically any native English previously sought out PCVs, massive influx of teachers speaker regardless of nationali- were now applying for TLG under the previous ty. In many cases, the program volunteers instead. government’s TLG introduced Georgians to their However, in practice, Peace initiative. But the experi- first Yank, Brit, Aussie, Kiwi, Corps’ actual goals were not be- ence sharply differed with or Canuck. ing met, and much of this had to the existing Peace Corps Since its inception, TLG do with the overall lack of prep- Program, raising questions has been by far the most visi- aration and orientation for the about the future of both ble example of cross-cultural teachers, and how many new ar- programs. exchange for Georgian youth, rivals were lured to Georgia with and society as a whole, leaving inflated expectations in the hast In the early 2000’s Geor- scarcely a village without the to launch the TLG program. gian President Eduard Shevard- experience of having an English The difference is clear: nadze invited the United States speaker join their community PCVs undergo a rigorous six- Peace Corps, an organization for some period of time. By month application process in with over 50 years of experi- January 2013, over a thousand which they are carefully ence working in developing volunteers from 43 countries screened. Once accepted they countries, to Georgia, and in had participated undergo three months of inten- 2001 the first group of 70 vol- From the Peace Corps’ per- sive language and cultural train- unteers arrived in the country. spective, the establishment of ing to prepare them for the Since then, close to 500 college- ganizational infrastructure In 2010, Georgian President bloc country. a domestic English education unique realities of Georgian life educated American volunteers across Georgia. With its main Mikheil Saakashvili requested Undeterred, the Saakashvili program meant that Georgia and more effectively apply have followed in their footsteps focus on education, there are Peace Corps to expand the pro- government lunched Teach and could now meet its own needs their skills. They strive to to live and work alongside their currently close to 80 Peace gram to 500 volunteers. But the Learn with Georgia (TLG), an of sourcing skilled and trained speak and read Georgia, and Georgian counterparts for 27 Corps volunteers (PCVs) request was declined primarily entirely new, domestic English teachers. In the eyes of some, they live in Georgian commu- months exchanging cultural tra- working primarily in small vil- because Georgia already had a language program designed to the Peace Corps’ program was nities for over two years. ditions and developing educa- lage schools in nine of Geor- higher per capital PCV presence invite thousands of native En- relegated to a secondary status Continued on p. 11 tional, business, and social or- gia’s 12 regions. than any other former Eastern glish speakers to Georgia to by the Georgian Ministry of GEORGIA AND THE WORLD Monday, February 18, 2013 7 Georgian Foreign Policy in a State of Flux

By VAKHTANG MAISAIA unabated, even more compli- protecting human rights and try’s foreign policy orienta- cated, and the advantages and democracy, etc. However, for tion. The statement inspires Georgian society is now disadvantages of full-fledged the time being, the processes many contradictions, especial- focused on adjusting its NATO member are discussed underway in Georgia, viewed ly among other parts of the foreign policy orientation more. Current geopolitical chal- from the perspectives of low population. It brings into ques- and the motivation is clear. lenges are again on the front politics and high politics are tion the democratic and insti- The wave of instability and burner. Although approximate- very different and contradict tutional organizations of the fragility on the Georgian ly 60% of population still sup- Georgia’s stated aspiration of country as a whole. political landscape has ports the trend of Euro-Atlan- becoming a fully fledged mem- It must be underscored that emerged from the bipolari- tic integration, Georgian soci- ber of either the EU or NATO. pro-European and even pro- ty of governance. ety turns to the European pol- Low politics perspectives – Russian sentiments are steadi- icy-makers with of hope of the category of global issues ly being promoting in Georgian Consequently, inspiration creating a new security dimen- related to the economic, social, society. All this tends to has been infused into improv- sion in the frames of the “Eu- demographic and environmen- counter-balance the “pro- ing the situation, and not only ropean Neighborhood Policy” tal aspects of relations between American” orientation (as ex- in terms of international polit- and Eastern Partnership dia- governments and people – the pressed through Georgia’s ical perspectives but based on logue (i.e. one other than the global issue of EU enlargement NATO membership aspira- domestic considerations as US dominated NATO alliance). partially realized via the mech- tion), which is hardly ever con- spheres (high inflation, eco- West, e.g., the Baku-Tbilisi- well. Throughout recent histo- By doing so, the EU leader- anisms of the Eastern Partner- sidered as outspoken topic, nomic decline, high foreign Ceyhan oil pipeline, Silk Road ry, the geopolitical agenda for ship intends to halt further ship dialogue has significantly especially by Georgian policy- debt, high trade deficit, etc.) strategy, etc. The shadow of a Georgia’s development has enlargement of the communi- impacted the Georgian politi- makers. The unpopular and promotes this trend away from “failed-state” image inherited been twofold – European and ty due to its already bloated cal landscape. Stefan Fule, Eu- authoritarian style of gover- aggressive pro-Americanism from the Saakashvili regime’s Euro-Atlantic integration. This membership. The EU is also ropean Commissioner for En- nance of Georgia’s previous and is becoming a vital factor legacy seriously undermines began in the period of Shevard- considering its tailored ap- largement and European ruling party United National in shaping Georgia’s foreign the nation’s ability to fully nadze and was inherited by proach Turkey which inten- Neighborhood Policy mildly Movement led by the instable policy direction. achieve its national interests in Ivanishvili’s government, albeit tionally prolongs the process criticized Georgia’s democrat- and unpredictable President High politics perspectives – the international arena. The with a less seamless transition of Turkish membership into ic perspectives, followed by Mikhail Saakashvili (he is at those issues related to the mil- pan-European foreign policy from the Saakashvili’s author- the European Union. sharper criticism from the Eu- least partially considered re- itary, security and political re- reinforcement is sought to be a itarian rule. Georgia is experi- The recent visit of high lev- ropean People Party coalition sponsible for starting the Rus- lations of states – from the “life buoy” for swimming in encing a combination of iden- el delegations from Eastern recently. It is interesting to so-Georgian war due to his view-point of international stormy “global geopolitical tity crisis and crisis of imagi- Partnership member states and note that such spokespersons very low-profile decision-mak- politics, Georgia’s aspiration ocean”. nation. Thus some of the most the second meeting of the East- were mum a few years earlier, ing trait and his incompetency to achieve an status-quo As- By Dr. Vakhtang Maisaia – challenging and exposed intra- ern Partnership in Tbilisi on based on personal observa- to properly analyze foreign sociate membership status ex-political prisoner, USIA society questions of how to February 12-13 have reflected tions, and in reality, such a policy challenges and risks) has with the EU by the end of the Alumni, an international de- perceive the nation’s place at the importance of the agenda stance had been provoking a significantly damaged pro- year indicates an inspiration by fense fellow and doctorate stu- the international level are com- of further enlargement of the new standoff inside various American sentiments among the current Georgian govern- dent at the U.S. Air Force Acad- ing to the fore, a subject which EU prior to the Vilnius Sum- segments of the population. the Georgian population. This ment led by Bidzina Ivanish- emy (1998), graduate from is being discussed on many lev- mit to be held in November of Unfortunate as it does appear, is based on my personal expe- vili to at the very least pro- GIPA and George C. Marshall els, not just among the so called 2013. From Georgia’s perspec- less than informed speculation rience. As a former political mote the regional leadership College of International and pundits and political elite. tive, the issue of expanded EU as to the February 8 scuffle in prisoner who spent two years agenda in the South Caucasus Security Studies, a Counselor Much ink has been spilled, enlargement into the Caucasus front of Tbilisi’s National Li- at the Rustavi #17 prison col- and to be more active at the at Georgian Mission at NATO not to mention layers of polit- is takes its place on the critical brary Building deserves closer ony, I can say that among al- global level, including by tak- HQ and a rapporteur to the ical rhetoric, over the option agenda to address internal po- scrutiny. It may be a bit naïve most 3000 inmates, only a few ing part in peacemaking oper- NATO IS PASP Security and of becoming a NATO-member. litical turbulences that are to and premature to contend that inmates, not more than 50 per- ations abroad. The August Defense Economics Director- Much time and productive the detriment of Georgia’s na- the opposition United Nation- haps, including myself, were 2008 war has seriously dam- ate (2004-2008), visiting Pro- work has been lost with tional interests, i.e., restoring al Movement and its allied strong supporters of the Euro- aged Georgia’s international fessor at Bratislava State Uni- NATO being used as a prover- territorial integrity, maintain- NGOs, and various public sup- Atlantic integration who also reputation as a geopolitical versity and “Caucasus Inter- bial football in the political are- ing sovereignty, reinforcing re- porters suddenly concocted a had pro-American leanings). gateway to the realization of national University”, director na. The geopolitical challenges gional leadership, combating proposal for a constitutional Moreover, the “tilting curve” global projects that are limited of the “Georgian Times” Stra- that existed before continue terrorism and drug smuggling, amendment to fix the coun- in the economic and social in the direction of East and tegic Studies Center “Azri”. Lessons to Serbia and Georgia from Northern Europe

By RICHARD BERGE erful backers of their breakaway tally. Even though this would be Union. However, Finlandquiet- republics, which enjoy vast mil- immensely difficult to accept ly accepted the loss of territo- itary, economic and diplomatic psychologically for both Geor- ry, kept its sovereignty, and superiority which Serbia and gians and Serbs, it could have embarkedon a path of domestic Kosovo’s unilateral Georgiacan never hope to the benefit of openingup new, development in the shadow of independence from Serbia match, the two should adoptan important avenues for progress the great powers. In the decades on February 17, 2008 had entirely new outlook on their and development for the two since WWII, and in particular profound ramifications on respective conflicts. countries.A model for this out- since the end of the Cold War, Georgia’s own territorial One such outlook is to sim- look already exists in northern Finland has managed to create a disputes. Five years later, ply let go of the breakaway re- Europe. modern state with a democratic Norwegian citizen Richard publics entirely, both physical- After WWII in northern Eu- society, an advanced, high-tech Berge offers a pragmatic ly (which is in factalready the rope, Finland lost large parts of economy, and with regional co- yet hard to swallow case), juridically as well as men- its territory to the Soviet operation and European inte- solution to Belgrade and Instead of acquiescing to the loss aptation, pragmatism and per- gration as some of the corner- Tbilisi, as they struggle of theirrespective territories, severance. This is still the case stones of its foreign policy. coming to terms with Tbilisi and Belgrade enacted var- today. The experience of Finland successful secessionist ies measures to halt or slow the Perhaps the biggest political presents Serbia and Georgia with movements within their secession of the breakaway re- conundrum that Belgrade and a choice: clinging tothe lofty borders. publics, and later to reintegrate Tbilisi had to face during the fi- nationalist dreams of bringing them. However, it has increas- nal decade of the 20th century back lost territories, or consid- As a northern European vis- ingly become clear thatthese was the secession of territories ering following a less hot-blood- iting the Balkans and the Cau- strategies have not which both had regarded as in- ed path thatcould lead towards- casus, I have concluded that Ser- worked:neither Serbia nor Geor- tegral to their countries, and in greater domestic and regional bia and Georgia have a lot in gia are closer to integrating their part as the cradle of their civili- peace, progress and prosperity. common: Orthodoxy, strong breakaway republics today than zations. In both cases, the se- The choice is theirs. nationalist sentiment, and even cessionists were supported by a they were ten to twenty years stronger fruit brandy. They also ago. powerful country or alliance of Richard Berge has a Masters share the experience ofbeing on On the contrary, deep run- countries against which they degree in politics, security and a geopolitical crossroads, which ning geopolitical divisions be- were ultimately powerless to re- integration from the University over the centuries have subject- tween East andWest, as well as sist. The secession of Kosovo of London, where he focused ed them to devastating wars, rule theincreasing institutionaliza- from Serbia and Abkhazia and on conflict studies, national- by foreign empires, shifting al- tion of politics and society in South Ossetia from Georgia were ism and security issues in the liances, ideologies and political the breakaway republics them- equally traumatic and equally Caucasus and the Balkans. orders. Surviving and prosper- selves, has arguably contributed tragic for both Georgia and Ser- He has experience from ing as small countries and na- to making their separation irre- bia. diplomacy and civil society in tions on such a crossroads has versible and total. Faced with the The response to the loss was the Caucasus and has traveled in the past required extreme ad- futility of confronting the pow- also similar in both countries: extensively in the region. CAUCASUS Monday, February 18, 2013 8 Azerbaijani Politician Arrested On Corruption Charge

By AP AND RFE/RL’S AZERBAIJANI SERVICE

An Azerbaijani politician expelled from the ruling party after being implicated in a corruption scandal has been arrested.

The Sabail District Court in Baku ordered Gular Ahmadova to be held in pretrial detention for up to two months. The Prosecutor-General’s Office announced late on February 13 that Ahmadova will be charged with abuse of public office in order to commit embezzlement. In September, a video appeared online showing Ahmadova, a parliamentary deputy with the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, discussing the size of a bribe required to secure a seat in parliament. The incident allegedly took place in 2005. Although corruption is said to be rampant in Azer- baijan, the high-profile exposure of public figures is rare. Ahmadova faces up to 12 years in prison if found guilty. Photo - Gular Ahmadova ‘Don’t Be Obnoxious,’ Azerbaijani President Warns Officials’ Children

By KENAN ALIYEV, RFE/RL’S AZERBAIJANI SERVICE

Azerbaijani President Ilham ple, Aliyev pointed to his 50th Aliyev has sharply repri- birthday celebrations in Decem-

Photo - Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli manded government officials ber 2011, which he said he and members of their spent in the Agcabadi region families for what he called with internally displaced peo- Azerbaijani their “obnoxious behavior.” ple from the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh: While he didn’t mention it “This is my nature and you by name, Aliyev’s remarks were should follow my example.... Writer’s taken as his first public reac- Stop with these expensive wed- tion to recent protests in the dings, birthday parties, and ex-

town of Ismayilli, northwest of pensive gifts. Enough is enough. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev: “Enough is enough” Books Burned the capital, Baku. The January unrest was trig- gered by a car accident involv- Over His ing the son of a cabinet minister. Talking to journalists on the Controversial sidelines of a conference on regional development, Aliyev warned government officials to Novel behave properly or face serious consequences: “The children of high offi- By AP AND RFE/RL’S AZERBAIJANI SERVICE cials display obnoxious behavior. They are misbehaving and Protesters in western Azerbaijan have burned books by insulting people. Who gave a prominent novelist, calling him “a traitor of the them the right to do so? If I Azerbaijani nation.” hear one more time about someone’s bad behavior, that person The incident happened on February 10 in the city of will be arrested and his father

Ganca. Ismayilli after the January protests will be dismissed.” Akram Aylisli was officially stripped of his “People’s Writer” title and his presidentially-awarded pension last Aliyev also called on central and local government offi- Those who do it know who I week. A huge cake baked for Aliyev’s 51st birthday in Sumgayit These actions were taken against Aylisli because of cials to stop holding ostenta- am talking about. It is about his novel “Stone Dreams,” which was printed in a tious celebrations and weddings local and central executive offi- popular Russian magazine last year. and to live more modestly: cials.” The novel describes sensitive issues in relations “Some of them look down (Of course, Aliyev, failed to between Azerbaijan and Armenia. on people and don’t listen to mention the huge birthday It focuses on the disputed territory of Nagorno- them. They insult people. This cakes that have been baked for Karabakh, the mostly Armenian-populated region that all must end.... Some officials him on his birthdays.) broke away from Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. organize big parties — flashy Dozens of protesters were The Union of Azerbaijani Writers announced Febru- wedding parties and birthday arrested after the January 23 ary 9 that Aylisli had been expelled from its ranks. celebrations. Is this acceptable protests in Ismayilli when pro- On the same day, hundreds protested in Aylisli’s for public officials?” testers set fire to cars and a hotel native village of Aylis, condemning the author and his Using himself as an exam- book. owned by the minister’s son. CAUCASUS Monday, February 18, 2013 9 For Armenia, Promising Changes Amid Elections

By STRATFOR is under way beyond Arme- nia’s borders. For the past de- Armenia’s presidential cade, the country has served election on Feb. 18 is as Russia’s main anchor in the unlikely to lead to any Caucasus, while Georgia pur- significant political sued close ties with the Unit- changes within the ed States and NATO and Az- country, but it comes amid erbaijan attempted to balance a broader strategic shift in its allegiances between the the South Caucasus. Due West and Russia. But since the to an ongoing political election of Georgian Prime thaw between Russia and Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili in Georgia, the Armenian 2012, Tbilisi has been in the economy could see a boost process of improving ties with from increased regional Moscow. While countries economic integration, such as Azerbaijan and Turkey which may also reduce are worried about this shift, Yerevan’s own political Armenia strongly supports isolation. the move. Strengthened ties between Georgia and Russia Unlike in neighboring Az- have led to renewed interest in erbaijan and some other au- projects such as reviving the thoritarian states in the former Georgia-Russia railway via Soviet Union, Armenian pres- Abkhazia, which would give idential elections typically dent Serzh Sarkisian into power competitive; no candidate is the vote. ways, telecommunications in- Armenia a direct rail link to have been heavily competitive. were accompanied by protests seriously challenging Sarkisian In terms of foreign policy, frastructure and natural gas Russia and could boost the In both 1998 and 2003, presi- in the capital involving tens of and two of the country’s other the election is unlikely to lead pipelines. More important, Armenian economy. dential elections went to a sec- thousands of supporters of the top political figures, former to any significant shift regard- Russia has 5,000 troops sta- Though this project and ond round because no candi- challenger, Levon Ter-Petro- presidents Ter-Petrosian and less of who emerges victorious. tioned in Armenia and serves others still face obstacles, they date was able to obtain the req- sian. The demonstrations Robert Kocharian, both de- All candidates broadly as a security guarantor in the could reduce Armenia’s isola- uisite 50 percent of the vote to turned violent and ended only clined to run. Consequently, support Yerevan’s close rela- country’s ongoing conflict tion in the Caucasus. Yerevan win in the first round. In the after security forces inter- the prospect for instability or tionship with Russia. Moscow with Azerbaijan over the break- has long been a stalwart ally of past, this competitiveness has vened, resulting in several violence surrounding it is di- is the primary provider of Ar- away territory of Nagorno- Moscow, and the emergence of occasionally led to violence deaths and hundreds of inju- minished. Sarkisian is project- menia’s energy, foreign aid and Karabakh. Armenia’s geopolit- a more pro-Russian tilt in the and instability in the country. ries. ed to win comfortably, with investment, and Russia also ical orientation is unlikely to region could boost the coun- The 2008 elections that ush- Unlike previous elections, most polls showing him tak- owns many of the country’s change. try’s political and economic ered current Armenian Presi- this one is not expected to be ing 60 percent to 70 percent of strategic assets such as rail- However, a significant shift prospects. Armenian Presidential Candidate Serzh Sargsyan Knew Assassination Suspects Armenia may By RFE/RL’S ARMENIAN SERVICE Annul the An Armenian presidential candidate says two suspects Protocols with arrested for the shooting of another candidate once worked for him as house painters. Turkey

Vardan Serdakian told journalists in Yerevan on By ARMRADIO.AM February 12 that, because of his connection to the suspects, he fears being framed and charged with involvement in the assassination attempt against Paruyr Hairikian. Serdakian did not say when the two men worked in his house. Presidential aspirant Vardan Serdakian says he knows Samvel Harutiunian (left) and Khachatur Hairikian, the leader of Pogosian, who have been arrested on suspicion of shooting rival candidate Paruyr Hayrikian. Armenia’s Union of National Self-Determination Party, was wounded on January 31. Surgeons successfully removed a bullet from his shoulder, and he is recover- ing. Last week, police arrested two Armenian men Yerevan will annul its agreements with Turkey if Ankara in connection with the continues to drag its feet on the documents’ ratification, shooting, but it is still not Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan told the Voice of clear how they were Russia on Saturday. involved. Seven candidates are At the same time, he said he supports the Armenian-Turkish running in the election on protocols signed in 2009 that stipulate establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. February 18, which incum- The documents are yet to be ratified by the MPs of Armenia bent Serzh Sarkisian is and Turkey. expected to win. Armenian presidential candidate Vardan Serdakian LOCAL ISSUES Monday, February 18, 2013 10 Real Prison Reform Late in Coming but Now on the Right Track!

By BELA ZAKAIDZE the right to monitor the prisons has always rested with the Time has passed, but the National Preventive Mecha- public is still focused on nism, created in 2009, but the the prison abuse scandal number of professional experts which emerged days before will now increase. “I think at the October Parliamentary that time [of the prison rape Elections. The broadcast scandal] it was necessary to evidence of blatant torture establish an independent mon- and prison rape that was itoring board, which would clearly officially sanctioned share information with the pub- created a new public lic concerning improvements interest in the penal being made and bring to light system and its manage- any future crimes against in- ment. Such interest still mates. It played a positive role, endures today. but it was a provisional council, its members were not re- The newly-elected demo- sponsible to the public; there cratic government responded to were no common rules of be- the inhumane behavior of its havior or working standards. predecessor by issuing an am- Now it is high time for a new nesty; approximately 4,500 in- stage. The independent nation- mates have been freed thus far. al preventive mechanism will However, the new Minister of have the power to systemati- Corrections, Sozar Subari, faced cally monitor prisons through a great dilemma when the pris- scheduled and unscheduled vis- oners announced that they its,” Nanuashvili explains. would hold a massive protest However, journalists are not and reject the new structural included in the prison monitor- policy proposed to eradicate ing group at this stage. Giorgi such abuses. Subari compro- TB while serving their sentenc- this problem remains.” on population. These NGOs They have totally different Tughushi, his predecessor takes mised to make some alterations es. Subari further claims that he will submit recommendations to needs than those whose marriag- a totally different position. “It to the new policy. Despite this, The Minister is now setting is working hard in this direc- the legislative body, and the es are officially registered and is wrong to say that journalists many of the prisoners are now up a special commission to ad- tion and gives concrete num- sooner the better: the last up- sanctioned. Consequently there cannot be the members of the telling all to the media and the dress such issues. “Over the last bers. According to him, in Oc- dates in the prison code were are many issues that need to be monitoring group. It is essential public is taking notice. nine years only 11 seriously - tober 733 prisoners were treat- made in November 2011. settled,” Subari adds that some representatives of The amnesty has solved the ill prisoners have been released. ed by the public health system, “There are a several aspects Monitoring prisons is very media are members of this group. overcrowding problem, which After two months of the new at a cost of 159,000 GEL. In of the law which need to be important to the public and the The mandate of this group was has been widely discussed in commission’s work 27 prison- November these figures were changed. For example, some NGO sector. There has been in fact defined several months recent years. However, Subari ers had been released, 14 of 1,140prisoners, and 278,000 punishments imposed on serv- some public demand for the before the new minister took thinks that the main success to them during one session,” Sub- GEL. In December, 160,000 ing prisoners are inappropriate. continuation of the Indepen- post. We are now facing a situa- this point has been the eradica- ari said in a recent interview. GEL was spent on the treat- These may violate human rights dent Monitoring Group, creat- tion in which the Public Defend- tion of torture and other forms Nazi Janezashvili, a human ment o f 740 prisoners. “Hope- because they are imposed on ed during Giorgi Tughushi’s er’s mechanism, the monitoring of inhumane treatment. rights activist who is a member fully, the amount of money people with serious health prob- ministry. Journalists were also board, does not exist “, said the “After I became Minister of the prison monitoring team, spent will slowly decrease; the lems; they require special prod- included in this. There is also former minister and Ombuds- the treatment in prisons became claims that the healthcare sys- number of prisoners has signif- ucts, for example natural juice, call for the expansion of the man. humane. I assure you, the tem in prisons is still inade- icantly reduced and the state of or milk products. Denial of spe- National Preventive Mecha- What has changed in the shameful torture of prisoners quate. “The number of prison- prisoner health will also im- cial needs food is a form of pun- nism, and another option is the Georgian prisons since the elec- under the previous government ers has been significantly de- prove. I cannot claim that the ishment which should not exist. creation of a Monitoring Board tions? More detailed informa- will be forgotten once and for creased; this fact is in itself very health of prisoners is now sat- Restriction of communications under the Ministry of Correc- tion will be available after the all”, states Subari, who knows important. Obviously this will isfactory, but we have made also used as a form of punish- tions. The National Preventive Ombudsman gives his report. the subject well from his days affect the conditions of those serious progress,” said Subari. ment. There is a need to improve Mechanisms now being ex- Ucha Nanuashvili’s first report as Georgia’s Ombudsman. Hes- remaining. Certain steps have There have also been efforts the regulation of prison visits. panded in response to these to parliament is expected in tresses not only human rights been taken in terms of health- by various NGOs to improve The problem of visits by those concerns. March and should be eye-open- but health issues since histori- care, but so far we haven’t seen the legal basis of protecting the engaged in less traditional sexu- Ucha Nanuashvili, the cur- ing for both Georgia and the cally, many inmates contracted any significant progress, since health and welfare of the pris- al relations must be resolved. rent Ombudsman, explains that international community. Malkhaz Gulashvili: Soon there will be “real freedom” for all in Georgia, not just political rhetoric and business as usual!

Continued from p. 3 ing the truth all of my family tioned. A lot of them still pro- who doesn’t like what media paper. A minute is enough to of the plans, we are keeping suffered – as we all work in tect him but the truth is start- says won’t be allowed to op- destroy everything. This is the our cards close for now. What has changed in your media and nobody in govern- ing to come out as to their press people and destroy their minute of Saakashvili, he de- One thing I know for sure, life after being in prison? ment wanted to hear the truth motivations. lives. Saakashvili regime was stroyed “Georgian Times”, re- we still keep on telling the truth I became spiritually stron- at this time. Can the new government doing it on daily bases and with covering everything is hard for human rights and the wel- ger and once again the fact Unfortunately, internation- justify your high hopes for the a sense of impunity. work. We are now working day fare of our country. We will be showed that fighting for the al organizations did not speak future? You mentioned that you and night, doing all possible to actively involved in political truth will always have results, about my case again, as the I expect that there will be a will start over publishing the restore everything, online edi- life of Georgia and making sure despite the fact that it is hard president and his government real freedom and fate of peo- paper, what are the plans for tions already working. This that freedom is protected for to fight for the truth. All of my was very successful in dirty ple will not only depend on any future; will there be only En- interview is now published in all and the truth of what all has works were dedicated to my provocations and media spin. politician’s mood. Moreover, glish edition? the English edition. I hope the transpired under the criminal country, church and my faith, I don’t know why but even in I hope there will be no more It is still too early to talk Georgian edition will come out government of Saakashvili will and of course telling the truth the West, Saakashvili’s gov- media censorship and educa- about it in detail. Since 1993, I soon. We are also going to add be part of the historic record to the whole society. For tell- ernment methods are sanc- tion will be restored. Anybody have been creating this news- internet TV as well. As the rest for all to read. CURRENT NEWS Monday, February 18, 2013 11 Court Authorizes Date Set for MP By-Elections Police to Bring By CIVIL GEORGIA, TBILISI Tbilisi Mayor MP by-elections in three single-mandate majoritarian constituencies to fill vacant seats in the Parliament will be held on April 27, according to a decision passed by the before Central Election Commission on Friday. Investigators for By-elections will be held in Tbilisi’s Nadzaladevi constituency, as well as in Samtredia and Bagdati constituencies in the Imereti region. Questioning Three seats in the Parliament became vacant after majoritarian MPs from the Georgian Dream coalition were appointed in the executive government shortly after the October elections – Tea Tsulukiani, who was elected in Tbilisi’s The Central Election Commission set the date of by- Nadzaladevi single-mandate constituency, became the Justice elections based on amendment to the election code, passed by Minister; Kakha Kaladze, who won majoritarian race in the Parliament in December, according to which MP by- Samtredia constituency became Energy Minister and Archil elections can be held either in April or October, instead of only Kbilashvili, who was a majoritarian MP from Bagdati single- October as it was previously envisaged. mandate constituency, was appointed as chief prosecutor. Meteorite shower causes By CIVIL GEORGIA, TBILISI mass casualties in Russia Tbilisi City Court has authorized law enforcement agencies to apply coercive measures to bring Tbilisi mayor By EURONEWS Gigi Ugulava to the police station forquestioning as a witness in connection to scuffles that broke out outside A meteorite streaked across the National Library on February 8. the sky and exploded over central Russia on Friday, After earlier this week Ugulava was summoned by the raining fireballs over a vast police for questioning, the Tbilisi Mayor’s Office said that area and causing a shock Ugulava was willing to testify but would not arrive in the wave that smashed win- police station and instead was inviting investigators at his dows, damaged buildings office. Police appealed court seeking permission to force and injured 1,200 people. Ugulava to appear before investigators. Ugulava said that he would comply with court’s decision. Before the court’s ruling A traffic camera captured was announced, Ugulava reiterated: “If court says that I have to the extremely rare moment arrive [at the police station] I have no problems.” when it passed over “Gigi Ugulava has been summoned for questioning as a Chelyabinsk, a city some 1,500 witness twice… He, however, has not appeared for questioning kilometres east of Moscow. and has neither provided the investigation with a valid excuse for People heading to work in not appearing,” the court said in a statement, adding that all the the city heard what sounded legal conditions were in place to authorize coercive measures to like an explosion, saw a bright bring Ugulava to the police station for interrogation. light and then felt the shock try said the meteorite explosion glass. The European Space The court also said that Ugulava “should be brought” to the wave. also unleashed a sonic boom. The fireball left fragments as Agency said its experts con- police station for questioning at 3pm local time on February 16. Car alarms went off, thou- No deaths were reported far away as Cherbakul in firmed there was no connection After the court’s decision was announced, Tbilisi mayor’s sands of windows shattered and but some 1,200 people were in- Russia’s Ural Mountains, hit- with an asteroid the size of an office said that Ugulava would appear before investigators in mobile phone networks were jured, at least 200 of them chil- ting the area with the power of Olympic swimming pool that the police station. disrupted. The Interior Minis- dren, and most from shards of an atomic bomb. passed Earth on Friday night. EDUCATION What does the Future Hold for Foreign English Language Teachers?

Continued from p. 6 guest teachers’ reputations as or the attempts to alter the repeat Russian military incur- ing information on the socio- learned from both programs, drunks; notorious blog posts structure of instruction by vol- sions into Georgian territory. political and economic situa- and despite its many flaws and This is compared to the about relationships between unteers with no prior knowl- Peace Corps has its own tion in Russia” with a spate of close association with the pre- two to three week long appli- Western men and Georgian edge of teaching, or of the soci- culturally homogenizing faults, similar fates in Uzbekistan in vious regime, TLG cannot be cation process and one week women and other mishaps gave etal norms of a Georgian school and ominous political motiva- 2005, Kazakhstan in 2011 and considered a total disaster. In- orientation course for TLG vol- many Georgians the impression or classroom. tions, as it often serves as a Turkmenistan in 2012. stead it proved a valuable first unteers. As one former partici- that these English speaking TLG may also have had training ground for future dip- Although such threats to step in the creation of a suc- pant explains, this left volun- guests were attempting to cul- political motivations when it lomats who end up in the intel- Peace Corp hardly exist in Geor- cessful domestic guest teacher teers “completely unprepared”, turally subvert traditionally comes to the placement of its ligence services, as seen in Lib- gia due to its strong Western program like those in South adding, “at least half of the peo- conservative Georgian society participants. In regions like ya and the killing of the US orientation, the long-term fu- Korea or Japan. As Georgia’s ple who I came here with knew to one of western-style deca- Samengrelo and Shida Kartli, Ambassador last year. Many ture of both programs remains new government makes fresh nothing about Georgia and were dence. TLG began unraveling which were on the front lines host nations are not deceived unclear. The 2013 class of new tracks, it should not forget how terrified to be [here].” fast, and it damaged the good during the 2008 Russo-Geor- by its professed good inten- PCVs will be the smallest since TLG and Peace Corps have While the traditionally reputation that the Peace Corps gian war, Peace Corps main- tions, and they see the PC as returning to Georgia in 2009 af- greatly impacted Georgians’ hospitable Georgian people had earned during close to a de- tains a limited or non-existent an instrument of US foreign ter a one-year hiatus due to the views and relationships with welcomed these visitors with cade of dedication and hard presence. TLG on the other policy, i.e., a promoter of im- 2008 war with Russia. Mean- the English language and the open arms into their communi- work. hand densely populated these perialism and ‘soft power’. while, the Georgian government English-speaking world. ties, stories about alcohol On the technical side of regions with volunteers, lead- This is especially true in the decided to downsize TLG’s soaked evenings involving vol- things, the Georgian teachers ing some to see this as an at- former Soviet Union. Notable footprint to just 150 volun- Koba Samsonidze is the unteer teachers in Batumi and did not in all situations react tempt by the Saakashvili gov- examples include the program’s teers, placing them only in the pseudonym of an American Tbilisi quickly spread through- warmly to the diverse cultures ernment to deploy “human abrupt end in Russia in 2002 regions. English teacher in Georgia. out the country, earning the of the program’s participants shields” to deter any potential after being accused of “collect- There are lessons to be POLITICS Monday, February 18, 2013 12 Ivanishvili Addresses Congress of his GDDG Party

By CIVIL.GE some of the provinces “have the President to work on an nothing to do with democracy”; amnesty bill for former offi- he also said that no one would cials, because without such be able to gain power through amnesty “many will have to PM Bidzina Ivanishvili violence. face justice”. reiterated on Saturday that In his speech at GDGD’s “Saakashvili responded that he welcomes “reasonable” congress, Ivanishvili con- [Tbilisi mayor Gigi] Ugulava proposal from the UNM to demned again violence that and [ex-PM and UNM secre- enforce parts of new erupted outside the National tary general Vano] Merabish- constitutional provisions Library on February 8. He also vili are heroes and they would now instead of late 2013. said: “I understand very well go into jail with great pleasure,” those anxious people, whose Ivanishvili said and added that Speaking at a congress of his rights were infringed by “it seems Saakashvili has not party, Georgian Dream-Demo- Saakashvili and who gathered lost leadership within his team” cratic Georgia (GDDG), in to express their protest… But and wanted many of UNM Tbilisi, Ivanishvili said that con- what followed next is totally leaders to be arrested in order stitutional changes were need- inadmissible. We should learn to then portray it as a political ed to limit presidential powers that unfairness should be re- prosecution. under which the President has sponded with legal means and In his speech at his party’s the right to sack the sitting gov- not with fistfight.” congress Ivanishvili said that his ernment and appoint new one “We will not let revenge, but government “is working tire- without Parliament’s approv- allegations about his govern- ucts – that’s rather important GDDG’s political council. I promise that every wrongdo- lessly round the clock” and real. ment intending to turn away for our people,” Ivanishvili In lead up to this congress, er will face justice,” he said. sult of this work would be felt “Members of the parlia- from the European path “is a said. GDDG held regional assem- Ivanishvili also said that by the people soon. mentary minority group also lie” and added that it was “lu- He also said: “Our country blies, setting up its local branch- “the first step towards restor- Ivanishvili also called for understand well the need for dicrous” that UNM, which nine should turn into the place of es in the provinces and electing ing justice” was passing by the “respecting traditions”, but also such changes. Because they years ago amended a constitu- agreements, not confronta- heads of these local branches. Parliament law on amnesty. for “accepting novelties”. understand it, they have offered tion by giving the President, as tions.” The process was coordinated 7,392 inmates have been freed “These are two main prin- us a reasonable proposal to put he put it, “dictatorial” powers, During the congress of by MP Davit Saganelidze, lead- as of February 14 as a result of ciples, which determine Geor- into effect right now several was now insisting on constitu- GDDG, which is the leading er of the parliamentary majori- the amnesty, according to the gian culture’s identity and vi- provisions of the constitution, tional guarantees for pro-West- party in the six-party Georgian ty. This process in some of the ministry for penitentiary. tality,” he said. “We should take which are to be enforced in ern foreign policy course. Dream coalition, Ivanishvili provinces, however, was Before his speech at the dignified approach not only October [2013]. I welcome any “European course is a was elected as its honorary marred by confrontations be- GDGD’s congress, Ivanishvili while preserving our traditions, kind of reasonable proposal,” choice of the Georgian people; chairman. GDDG has also tween Georgian Dream activ- told journalists on February 16, but also when accepting novel- he said, but also added that membership in the European elected a 21-member political ists because of disagreements that Georgian Dream had of- ties. We have to remember that broader constitutional changes Union and NATO is required council, the party’s main deci- who should lead local branch- fered for several times to the we should approach critically would still be required as it con- to achieve this historic goal and sion-making body, which most- es. GDDG leadership claimed UNM to start working jointly xenophobic and homophobic tains “many other shortcom- our government follows this ly includes lawmakers, among that confrontations were stirred on a new amnesty bill that attitudes locked up in pseudo- ings.” path unconditionally,” the them: GD parliamentary major- by activists who were “infil- would apply to all the “non- traditionalism, as well as ap- Responding to UNM’s calls Prime Minister said. ity leader Davit Saganelidze, as trated” into the party by the violent” crimes allegedly com- proach critically thoughtlessly on including in the constitution He also said that at the same well as Eka Beselia; Manana UNM with a purpose to thwart mitted by officials from the replicating novelties or every- a clause that would guarantee time his government had al- Kobakhidze; Eliso Chapidze; the process of forming regional previous authorities, but UNM thing that is foreign. I believe Georgia’s pro-Western foreign ready started mending ties with Irakli Sesiashvili; Irakli Tripol- branches of the party. had not responded. that a person grown up on the policy course, Ivanishvili said Russia. ski; Zakaria Kutsnashvili. Min- Referring to these confron- Ivanishvili also said that Georgian traditions and culture that Georgia’s “European aspi- “First step has already been ister of Finance Nodar Khaduri tations, PM Ivanishvili said at when he met President Saakash- will not differentiate people on ration” did not belong to any made as Russian market will be and Minister of Energy Kakha the congress of GDGD in Tbili- vili in the Georgian patriarch- the basis of their ethnicity and specific political group. He said opened for the Georgian prod- Kaladze are also members of si that those developments in ate in January, he had reminded religion.” ICES Mission’s Assessment of the Election Campaign Generally Positive

By ARMRADIO.AM

The Election Observation Mission of the International Expert Center for Electoral Systems (ICES) has given a generally positive review of the work conducted by the government bodies during the pre-election campaign.

The mission highlights the high level of professionalism demonstrated by the Central Electoral Commission. In particular, the CEC has verified the voter registration lists in order to confirm the personal data of Armenian citizens having the right to vote. The voter registration lists were published well in advance of the elections in order to duly inform the public. The work of the CEC during the pre- election campaign was charac- terized by its transparency and mum number of international tack on one of the presidential The Mission also notes that was relative equality in the total clusions of the Mission on the accessibility to voters, the OCES observers to assess the level of candidates, the mission notes the coverage of the electoral coverage of the election process, democratic and transparent char- said. organization and conduct of the that the pre-election campaign campaign by the Armenian mass both in print and in electronic acter of the presidential elections The Mission welcomes the presidential elections. between the candidates was rel- media was broad and diversified. media. will be made only upon com- commitment of the Armenian In spite of the physical at- atively calm. According to observers, there The final evaluation and con- pletion of the electoral process. government to invite the maxi- PROJECT SYNDICATE Monday, February 18, 2013 13 Europe’s Foreign-Policy Resilience

By VAIRA VIKE-FREIBERGA AND ANTONIO VITORINO lomatic corps that can convert concern in 2012, has, in the first the EU’s huge resources into month of 2013, led one EU For decades, people have aged to preserve the essence of real power. member state to go to war in a bemoaned the waning of its acquis diplomatique. In fact, The near future will present region not far from Europe’s Europe’s global political the Scorecard’s assessment of a growing list of challenges. doorstep. Europeans are likely power. To add some European foreign-policy per- There are already indications still to be dealing with the fall- precision to the debate, in formance in 2012 shows mod- from key strategic partners that out of Islamist rebel groups’ at- 2010 we helped to write the est signs of stabilization and they are beginning to regard the tempted takeover of Mali this European Council on resilience. Although the EU had euro crisis as the “new normal”; time next year, while the long- Foreign Relations’ first no high-profile successes com- in other words, they are plan- term consequences of develop- Foreign Policy Scorecard. parable to the military interven- ning for a future in which Euro- ments in the Sahel are bound to Back then, we wrote – tion in Libya in 2011, it per- age. New EU missions to Ni- Turkey as accession negotia- pean power continues to erode. be felt for years to come. rather mildly – that Europe formed surprisingly well in its ger, South Sudan, and the Horn tions remained blocked. Europe’s lack of a collective de- Despite the gravity of the had been “distracted” by external relations – especially of Africa under the aegis of the Nonetheless, the EU’s for- fense strategy, together with euro crisis, the EU foreign-pol- the euro crisis. By the end given the deep crisis with which Common Security and Defense eign-policy performance in declining investment in military icymaking machine (such as it of 2012, the crisis could be it continued to struggle. Policy were also launched – 2012 was positive overall. It capacity, is also a serious ob- is) continued to function in considered less acute. For starters, the coherence something that had not hap- now remains to be seen wheth- stacle to its continuing global in- 2012, with moderately success- Nevertheless, European of Europe’s policies toward pened in the previous two er this momentum can be main- fluence as a security actor. ful results. Just getting by, leaders have continued to Russia improved: the EU years. tained, which will depend This makes it even more im- however, is unlikely to be devote more time and effort threatened to use the World Of course, there were also largely on whether the EU can portant for the EEAS to align enough to address the challeng- to financial and institution- Trade Organization’s dispute- areas in which Europeans per- overcome the economic crisis the Common Security and De- es that Europe is likely to face al questions than to settlement mechanism when the formed less well. Above all, (which continues to worsen in fense Policy with wider foreign- this year. The EU will need to geopolitical issues. Kremlin announced new pro- they could not break the frus- several member countries), re- policy efforts. This is a daunt- do more – and do it better. We tectionist measures in late 2012. trating diplomatic gridlock over store growth, and curb unem- ing task, given the EU’s current remain hopeful that it will be Europe’s image and soft It also launched an antitrust Syria or stem the escalation in ployment. In this sense, Euro- structure. The specter of a Brit- up to the task. power have undoubtedly con- probe against Russian gas giant violence as the year went on. pean leaders are right to focus ish withdrawal from the EU will tinued to fade around the world Gazprom, and criticized hu- Europeans remained divided on on solving the financial crisis not make things any easier. Vaira Vike-Freiberga is a (thought such a trend is diffi- man-rights abuses during the the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the eurozone. The US “pivot” to Asia fur- former president of Latvia. cult to quantify), while mem- crackdown on demonstrations (though to a lesser degree than Any future gains in global ther increases the pressure on Antonio Vitorino is a former ber states continue to cut de- that accompanied the March in previous years), and failed influence, however, will require Europe to deal with its own Portuguese EU Commission- fense and development bud- election that returned Vladimir to have an impact on the Unit- Europeans to overcome their neighborhood. Although the er for Justice and Home gets. The good news, however, Putin to the presidency. ed Nations vote in November internal divisions and improve EU’s foreign policy toward Rus- Affairs. is that European foreign policy There were also signs of to upgrade Palestine’s status. their foreign-policy coordina- sia has become more effective, has not unraveled in the crisis. modest improvement in Eu- They also struggled to pursue tion. In particular, success will tensions have, if anything, Copyright: Project Syndicate, Indeed, it has even shown some rope’s relations with China, a united approach to Azerbaijan require turning the European grown – and may continue to 2013. signs of progress. despite a lack of unity that con- and Ukraine, and continued to External Action Service do so. Insecurity in Africa’s Sa- The European Union man- tinued to undermine its lever- seek a coherent approach to (EEAS) into an effective dip- hel region, already a growing

of the government. trenched interests, and the Amid these plans and pre- dominance of a bloated and in- dictions, a growing banking efficient bureaucracy. With less Italy’s Taxing Election scandal has reminded Italians than one-fifth of the popula- that, in politics, luck can some- tion of the United States, Ita- times make the difference. When ly’s parliament has twice as Monte dei Paschi di Siena – Ita- many members as the US Con- By MARIO MARGIOCCO of competing parties, most of between the Bersani and Ber- ly’s third-largest bank – revealed gress, and they are among the which will not win parliamen- lusconi coalitions. Most ob- that it faced losses of up to ˆ720 world’s best-compensated and tary seats, owing to a 2005 elec- servers believe that Bersani million ($970 million) from most privileged MPs. A winter election is not to toral law requiring at least 4% will carry the day, thanks to complex derivatives deals car- Meanwhile, Italy’s top bu- Italian tastes. But, on of the national vote to enter the the much-criticized electoral ried out in 2006-2009, support reaucrats are the highest paid February 24-25, up to 50 Chamber of Deputies (the lower law, which will give him con- for Bersani’s coalition slipped, in history, according to OECD million voters will go to the house) and 8% on a regional trol of the lower chamber if he owing to the PD’s long-stand- data, with several retired offi- polls to elect a new basis to enter the Senate. wins a majority – regardless of ing ties to the bank. Given that cials drawing larger pensions parliament, delivering According to public-opinion how many people vote or how Italians tend to vote against, than former US presidents re- Italy’s 62nd government in polls, the center-left Democrat- slim the margin. The law fa- rather than for, issues, mistrust ceive. The salaries of Italy’s the last 65 years. ic Party, led by Pier Luigi Ber- vored Berlusconi in 2008; it is of the PD has translated into military chiefs of staff and chief of police are almost triple those sani, along with some more left- likely to benefit Bersani now. increased support for Berlusco- try of public debt and private Since November 2011, Ita- ni’s coalition. of their American counterparts. wealth. As the economist Mar- ly has been led not by a politi- Another issue with the po- But prospects for political co Fortis points out, Italian cian, but by an academic econ- tential to undermine the PD’s reform do not inspire opti- family wealth is still, if not for mism. While Grillo’s support- omist and a former European standing is the party’s advoca- long, second to none in Europe. ers may ignite fireworks in pro- Union commissioner, Mario cy of a new wealth tax. Italians Beyond growing internation- test of these gilded giveaways Monti. His emergency techno- already shoulder heavy taxes: an al credibility, two major chang- for a few months, a consistent cratic government, supported individual taxpayer with annual es to the Italian political land- assault leading to genuine re- by the left and right, was a mas- income of ˆ50,000 pays ˆ15,000 scape have shaped the election form seems doubtful. terstroke of outgoing President in income tax; with two chil- campaign. The first is Monti’s More broadly, the outcome Giorgio Napolitano. dren, that total drops by only surprise resignation in Decem- of Italy’s election will undoubt- Napolitano’s move was cru- ˆ1,000. By contrast, a French ber, after losing the backing of edly have a far-reaching impact cial, filling Italy’s need to re- taxpayer with the same income Berlusconi’s party. While he will on a still-fragile eurozone, place the inefficient and scan- pays only ˆ9,000; with two chil- not run as a candidate (he is although the nature of that impact dal-ridden Silvio Berlusconi, in leaning allies, has the support But, in order to govern, Ber- dren, the tax bill plummets to ready a senator for life), he remains impossible to predict – whom fellow leaders and glo- of roughly 33% of the elector- sani would need both cham- ˆ3,000, and a ˆ1.5 million for- formed a centrist coalition – af- unless Berlusconi returns to bal markets had lost all confi- ate, down since late January, bers, and he is unlikely to mus- tune would mean an additional filiated with neither the left nor power, in which case the conse- dence, with an internationally while backing for Berlusconi’s ter 50.1% in the Senate. At the wealth tax of only ˆ4,230. the right – to contest the elec- quences will be all too clear. respected figure. Under Mon- center-right coalition has risen same time, with Monti’s coa- In other words, with or with- tion, and has declared his will- ti’s leadership, reforms were to 28%. Meanwhile, Monti’s lition failing to gain traction, out children, the French citizen’s ingness to resume his leadership Mario Margiocco’s most finally initiated and markets centrist grouping has only 16% reflecting the historically lim- annual tax payment would be role if the coalition is victorious. recent book is “Il disastro were calmed. support, while the populist Five ited appeal of classic bourgeois smaller than that of the Italian The second change is that, americano. Riuscirà Obama a To enhance the credibility of Star Movement, founded by the parties in Italy, many observ- taxpayer with no additional after almost two decades of cambiare Wall Street e public finances, Monti’s gov- comedian Beppe Grillo in 2009, ers are wondering what his role wealth. In this context, a new striving for a workable politi- Washington?” (The American ernment substantially increased has 17% backing – a figure that in the next government will be. wealth tax could be a dangerous cal system dominated by the Disaster: Will Obama Change taxes, particularly on real es- could go higher if those who pre- For Bersani, creating a coali- proposition for the PD. center-left and center-right par- Wall Street and Washington?) tate, while preserving the al- viously stayed at home decide tion with Monti may well be One feature of Italy’s turbu- ties, Italy is experiencing a re- ready record-high income-tax to cast a protest vote. the key to gaining control of lent politics remains consistent: markable dispersion of forces. Copyright: Project Syndicate, rate. The tax plan highlighted The real battle, therefore, is the upper house and, in turn, the control exercised by en- 2013. that Italy, like Japan, is a coun- The ballot will include dozens PUBLICITY Monday, February 18, 2013 14

(+995 32) 293 44 05 ART & CULTURE Monday, February 18, 2013 15 Tbilisi’s Nabadi Folk Theater Prepares for New Season

By IRINA MACHURISHVILI

For the past nine years, Throughout Birth, specta- cultural festivals. So far Birth the Nabadi folk theater has tors witness traditional songs was successfully performed been taking guests on a and dances characterizing dif- five times in Germany, Ukraine mystical ride back in time ferent times and events, rang- and the Baltic states. with its stylized musical ing from the unification of In 2008, Nabidi created the performances of Georgian Colchis and Iberia into the preference “War Minute”, history. Located conve- modern Georgian state to piv- which was devoted to the Geor- niently on Rustaveli otal battles against foreign in- gian-Russian war. “Our aim Avenue, the theater is vaders. Spectators are even gearing up for its first treated to Georgian wine and performance of the year on traditional sweets to make March 1, 2013 after taking amplify their experience. What a two-month break. is unique about the theater itself is the audience’s intimacy Known for its mainstay with the performers since the performance “Birth”, Nadabi is theater stage is positioned very primarily oriented towards close to the spectators. foreign tourists arriving in According to Turabelidze, Georgia. It is the first of its tourists have difficulty hiding kind in Georgia and is increas- their positive emotions while ingly becoming a popular ven- experiencing the performance, ue for local guests as well. adding, “They often come to Through traditional dancing me and say that the show and singing only, “Birth” illus- clears up a lot about Georgia’s trates Georgia’s history from long history.” the country’s founding to Birth’s story was conceived present in a way that any for- by historian Simon Masx- eigner will easily understand. arashvili and to Lela Iakobash- Though it is hard to imagine vili, while the play itself was that a two-hour performance produced by George is enough time to accomplish Sikharulidze. Musicians was to bring the pain and suf- to cancel additional showings, this, as Nino Turabelize, Chabua Amiranashvili and Sho- fering of the war to everyone Turabelidze says.” founder of the Nabadi explains, ta Samushiatogether with dress so that society would prevent As Nabadi prepares to bring the aim is to offer a perfor- designer Ana Bibileishvili bring such a tragedy from ever hap- Birth back on March 1, 2013, mance that describes Georgia’s the play to life. pening again in Georgia. To our the theater is also planning to glorious yet turbulent past for Nabidi holds weekly per- own surprise, the show was a give birth to a new play exclu- those who may be new to formances in Tbilisi and often bit too dramatic that after only sively about the history and Georgia. participates in international four performances we decided development of old Tbilisi. Money Talks But Heart Shaped Chocolate Sings

By TAKO AGARASHVILI went to Piccadilly Street to have boyfriend forgot that it was any men were taken to the war). She like misfortunes, are sent to test been mistreated as a child, un- the most delicious dessert (it kind of a special day. When I was different; nonetheless af- our moral strength,” she said. derpaid as an actress, blamed was a strawberry cake) and mentioned it a few days later, ter a 9 year affair her lover mar- Aside of being a Queen twice, by wives, envied by women, We celebrate quite un- even got myself a present – the he said it was a blast to find a ried someone else. she was famous for her “moral unappreciated as a person but Georgian holidays in debut album by Norah Jones girlfriend pleasantly different Queen Margot was differ- test failures”. You must agree, she was different, she did make Georgia. I remember my “Come Away With Me”. I had from all the desperate women ent. She was famous for her she was a big success in being history of a kind and shared lots first Valentine’s Day over a blast telling this story to my expecting romance on that beauty and sense of style. She different and was kicked out of love with lots of men and 10 years ago. It was the friends in Tbilisi. They said it “corny” day. was also a gifted poet and writ- from one royal court to anoth- was found dead in her apart- February 14th; it was a was that year’s most different It’s a blast to hear that I am er, notable for her scandalous er. ment. dinner at the super fancy fun story. Again, I had no clue; different. Except, don’t really behavior and not being able to Foster child Marilyn Mon- I bet if you do manage to restaurant on Perovskaya I would be buying myself quite see what benefit does it really keep other’s scandalous secrets. roe on the other hand doesn’t be different and manage to sur- Street, I was paying and my a few V-day presents in the fu- grant me?! She could have chosen any life require an explanation saying round yourself with people valentine was my closest ture. Coco Chanel stated: “in she wanted, yet being a beauti- that “well behaved women bare- who appreciate it, your lover childhood girlfriend. We There were a few Valen- order to be irreplaceable one ful stylish talentedQueen ly make history”. She acted on won’t marry someone else, were proud to be different, tine’s Days in Los Angeles as must always be different”. In didn’t seem enough for her. She it as much as possible. She did your husband won’t kick you making fun of the fact that well. I told my boyfriend (at my opinion, she also had to wore pearls too. Pearls were make history. She was the very out, you won’t be found dead we were spending the the time) I didn’t care about the write a manual to that. She was not important, as she declared first cover of Playboy maga- at your apartment, and won’t “corny” day together. day. He was happy to know, a great breakthrough for an or- and stamped herself into a his- zine, took Kennedy brothers have to buy yourself a depress- Except I had no clue I would he was not expected to do some- phan, a fashion pioneer - styl- tory as one horny woman. I and Marlon Brando as lovers ing music CD on Valentine’s be spending quite a few V thing romantic, ish, sharp, noble woman. Con- don’t even see why she both- (among many others), and ap- Day. The day for heart shaped days with her in the future. therefore“lame”. On the other sidering that she was raised by ered writing memoires; she is a peared nude when it wasn’t re- chocolate for some girls, pre- hand he gave me a teddy bear nuns yet her zest and talent got memoir by her entire living. She quired at all. She just preferred tending to care about heart I also remember Valentine’s holding a heart shaped choco- her immortalized, she must was different. Her king brother to go naked. She gave inter- shaped chocolate for some Day in London in the year late. He took mepleasantly dif- have been a bit more specific kicked her out because of her views in the nude and often guys, and self-presenting heart 2002. I was new in the city and ferent from all the desperate about what she meant by being reputation, her king husband went out wearing nothing un- shaped chocolate for the rest - Norah Jones was new in show women expecting romance on different. She wore pearls and hardly allowed her to enter his der the black mink that Joe singles. As it comes to me, noth- business who had just issued that “corny” day. was rebellious and stubborn in court. Making several unfortu- DiMaggio (her ex-husband) had ing different this year - I had a her debut album “Come Away Last year my fairly new the era when women won the nate political attempts, she got given her. I can hardly imagine hot date and saw a play with Me”. I didn’t know any- unemployed (who neither right to vote and were allowed imprisoned by her king brother her Valentine’s Day outfits to “Amor” in Tumanishvili Film body there so I got dressed up, owned nor needed a calendar) to work outside their homes (as for 18 years. “Temptations, please her men. She may have Actors’ Theatre. PUBLICITY Monday, February 18, 2013 16