Issue no: 1075 • AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

Source: REUTERS In this week’s issue...

De Facto Ex-PM of Breakaway Abkhazia: Georgians Are Not Our Enemies NEWS PAGE 2 Presidential Candidate Apologizes for Unethical Address to Reporters POLITICS PAGE 4 What Will the Fallout of the FOCUS Sanctions Be for Georgia? ON CAUSE & EFFECT Exclusive interview with Saakashvili's former adviser PAGE 8

Kaladze’s Weekly Priorities: 179 Unfi nished Buildings in Tbilisi POLITICS PAGE 7 BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE Why International Law Will

ach week, the municipal government Never Recognize South of Tbilisi holds a meeting at City Hall. Preceding this week’s meetings, Mayor Ossetia or Catalonia Kakha Kaladze made several impor- POLITICS PAGE 10 tant remarks. EIt was noted that, in addition to continued availability online and at district governments, HUAWEI: A Leading Brand in taxi drivers will be able to go to the Justice House for assistance with the registration process from the Smartphone World August 21. “I want to thank [Justice Minister] Tea Tsu- SOCIETY PAGE 11 lukiani for her support and cooperation,” said the Mayor. “So far, just 244 drivers have regis- Renowned German tered for taxi licenses. From October 1, those who do not have a license will not be able to Conceptual Artist Incorporates provide [taxi] services. Therefore, it is time to start registration," Kaladze urged. Images of Georgian Migrants Kaladze also drew attention to Shartava Street, structure Development Service, to bring it in mented in different districts of the capital. We which is undergoing complete rehabilitation, line with modern standards. started the complete rehabilitation of Shartava in Vienna Exhibition implemented by City Hall’s Municipal Infra- Several "large-scale projects are being imple- Street. Continued on page 2 CULTURE PAGE 15 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 De Facto Ex-PM of Breakaway Abkhazia: Georgians Are Not Our Enemies

neighboring countries. There were con- it turned out that the Georgian side did BY THEA MORRISON fl icts among European states too. They not accept any proposal," Shamba stated. were fi ghting each other. But there is Shamba is a senior politician who cur- always time to settle the relationship. I rently is a member of the so called Peo- ormer “Prime Minister’ of think now this kind of dialogue with ple's Assembly of Abkhazia, and Chair- Georgia’s Russian-Backed Georgia can be started," he noted. man of “United Abkhazia.” breakaway region of Abkhazia, The politician believes the only way He was so called Prime Minister of Sergey Shamba says Georgians to start the dialogue is within the frames breakaway Abkhazia under de facto are not his enemies and he has of the Geneva International Discussions. President Sergei Bagapsh from 13 Febru- manyF friends in Georgia. “We should not miss the opportunity. ary 2010 until 27 September 2011. Shamba told Echo Moskvi that he was We should start talks,” he added. Between 1997 and 2010, he was de facto the leader in the fi ght against Georgia Shamba spoke about the events in 1992- Minister for Foreign Affairs under both but now thinks that the breakaway lead- 1993 and recalled talks with Georgia, Bagapsh and his predecessor Vladislav ership of occupied Abkhazia should which eventually ended without con- Ardzinba, with only a half-year interrup- launch dialogue with the Georgian side. sensus. The Abkhaz politician said that Photo source: 1TV tion in 2004. Shamba has twice unsuc- “We need to think about a joint future they were hoping to negotiate with some form of agreement. We were com- agreement. However, Georgia rejected cessfully participated in so called pres- because we are neighboring countries… Georgia during the Abkhaz War. mitted to federal relations too. Then all of these suggestions. We were very idential elections of the breakaway region, I mean not only Georgia among the "We hoped that we would reach at least there were talks about the confederation close to consensus. However, in the end in 2004 and 2011. Georgian President & Administration Criticized for Spending GEL 13 mln in 2017

The SAO also stated that some events visits…the Presidential Administration BY THEA MORRISON Photo source: 1TV were fi nanced from the President’s Reserve spent more money on vacations than all Fund which should have been fi nanced 150 MPs together,” Zoidze stated. from the budget. According to the opposition, every insti- eorgian President Giorgi Parliament Vice-Speaker Gia Volsky tution should pay particular attention to Margvelashvili and his says the President spent the money irra- the rational spending of budgetary funds. administration fell under tionally. Parliamentary minority European Geor- sharp criticism from the “I am not surprised that the President gia says that when the poverty is so high ruling Georgian Dream spent 2 million GEL on bonuses. During in the country, it is unacceptable to spend (GD)G and opposition parties after the his term, he lived only for himself and so much money. release of the State Audit Offi ce (SAO) spent money as he wanted,” Volsky “It is not correct that the people's money report, which reads that the Presidential claimed. is spent on offi cials and not on the peo- Administration spent GEL 13 million in Akaki Zoidze, Chairman of the Com- ple's well-being," one of the leaders of 2017. mittee on Healthcare and Social Issues, the party, Zurab Chiaberasvili, noted. The SAO says that up to GEL 2 million believes that while the country cannot Meanwhile, the United National Move- of the total expenditures were spent on dence in Avlabari on which the Admin- employees every month, without a reason get a concrete result from some visits, ment (UNM) says the issue might be of bonuses, and notes that giving bonuses istration spent almost half a million GEL being indicated. the President should refrain from such a political character. Roman Gotsiridze to employees was of a systematic char- and ordered only one company to organ- According to the report, in the year 2017, expenses. says that State agencies and ministries acter at the Presidential Administration ize the event. the President's Administration spent “I understand that it is important to issue twice more bonuses but no one last year. “The Administration must pay more 4,622,445 GEL on Labor remuneration decently represent our country at the studies their activities or asks why they The Audit Offi ce gave recommenda- attention to budget planning to avoid out of which 2,649,852 GEL was spent on international level, including the Presi- were spent. tions and remarks regarding the New large expenditures of funds,” the SAO salaries, and the rest on bonuses. The dent, but money belonging to thousands The Presidential Administration has Year event held at the President’s resi- says, adding that bonuses were given to number of approved staff in 2017 was 140. of pensioners is being spent during such yet to respond to the SAO report. GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 NEWS 3 Kaladze’s Weekly Multinational Military Priorities: 179 Unfi nished Drills Noble Partner 2018 Concluded Buildings in Tbilisi Continued from page 1 him for his cooperation because it would Going forward, Mirzikashvili will lead have been impossible to implement the the process to elaborate Framework Plans In the framework of the project, the project in this particular location,” for specifi c areas around the city. She road surface will be updated with an explained Kaladze. will also work on further developing the asphalt-concrete double layer, a new The head of Didube district, Irma concept of cultural heritage protection drainage system will be installed, side- Zavradashvili, has been ordered to and development. There are 11 areas walks on both sides of the road will also build a public square on the location selected in the city where Framework be constructed or repaired as needed, instead. Kaladze said, “people living Plans will be developed. and underground communication lines there will have a green space, a very At the end his remarks, Kaladze called will be replaced. Additionally, under- nice square. If our help is needed, we on construction companies to submit ground passages will be adapted for are ready to take part in the process,” proposals regarding the unfi nished build- people with disabilities, as in developed Kaladze said. ings in Tbilisi, claiming that there are countries,” explained Kaladze. The Tbilisi City Hall Supervision Ser- 179 unfi nished buildings in the capital. The completed street will connect to vice was called to the area near Eliava "We talked about the unfortunately Photo: MOD Kostava Street and Pekini Avenue, creat- market. "The Supervision Service was unfi nished constructions, of which there team experts attended the event. BY THEA MORRISON ing a full circle of high quality infrastruc- obliged to regulate the situation on Kho- are approximately 179. I spoke to the This year, the drills involved 1300 Geor- ture. “Lampposts will be replaced, new biashvili, Agladze and Giorgadze streets Prime Minister about the situation. Con- gians and 1170 US soldiers as well as 500 LEDs will be installed, and cables will near Eliava market in the Didube district. sequently, the central government will soldiers from 13 other countries: Georgia, be put underground. Georgian Water We all know what the situation was like work to resolve the problem. Irakli he US-led, multinational USA, UK, Germany, Estonia, France, and Power is spending 800,000 GEL there - building materials and tires dis- Khmaladze and Ilia Eloshvili will work annual military drills in Lithuania, Poland, Norway, Turkey, ($310,000) on repairing the underground played on the sidewalk making it impos- on this topic. Also, I appeal to develop- Georgia, Noble Partner, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. communications networks,” said the sible to walk and also a serious problem ers, construction companies and archi- were concluded at the 11th The Georgian MOD reports that the Mayor. in terms of traffi c disruption. Instead of tects to come and see us and bring your shooting range in Vaziani goal of the multinational military exercise Kaladze also discussed the proposed sidewalks, people were walking on the suggestions. We will help you solve these Twith a live-fi re demonstrational exercise is to improve skills in stability, defensive hotel on Tsereteli Avenue in the Didube road, disrupting motor vehicles and problems as quickly as possible until we on August 15. and offensive operations, increase inter- district. The project was initially approved causing accidents...Today, the sidewalks have no more unfi nished buildings in Georgia’s Ministry of Defense reports operability between the armed forces of by City Hall, but recently canceled after are clear,” he said. the city,” said the Mayor. that the multinational division conducted participating countries and contribute to public protests. The Mayor shared pho- The Mayor ordered the Vice-Mayor He further elaborated on the issue, a combined live-fi re exercise, in which the security of the Black Sea region. The tos showing the proposed site for the Irakli Khmaladze to take similar meas- saying, "It is very bad when we see such the objective of the unit was regional motto of the military exercise is “Strength construction of the hotel. ures in other districts of Tbilisi where buildings, especially on the central streets defense by elimination of a fi ctious enemy in Partnership.” "A four-story hotel was to be constructed such problems exist. of the city, in various districts – one of in the region of operation and giving the The exercise is complex, and its sce- in the middle of the 12-13-15 blocks in the Kaladze then presented the candidacy the best examples appears next to City division the chance to counterattack. nario involves command and staff and Didube district, on Tsereteli Avenue, on of Aleksandre Togonidze as head of the Hall. Nobody likes how it looks and there The Minister of Defense of Georgia fi eld exercises with live fi re, coordina- a closed and restricted territory. It's a Urban Development Department of Tbi- are lots of people who have already paid Levan Izoria, Chief of General Staff, tion of the maneuver and combat sup- pity that this permission was issued by lisi City Hall at yesterday’s session. He and have been waiting for their apart- Major-General Vladimer Chachibaia port elements in defensive and offensive us – it should not have been issued. We thanked the former head of the service, ment for years. I think it will be a great and Director of the Joint Staff for the operations. were new arrivals [at City Hall] ...We Rusudan Mirzikashvili, for her work. "It source of comfort for them too. There- Georgia National Guard, USA, Brigadier This year, Georgian military personnel accept this criticism and the permission can be said that this division was created fore, my request is to provide support General Reginald Neal, as well as the for the fi rst time used the FGM-148 Jave- has been revoked. We were negotiating by Rusudan Mirzikashvili. Today this to development companies for these representatives of Georgia’s legislative lin anti-tank missile system. The exercise with a private owner and have agreed service is working properly, due to her buildings to be completed as soon as offi cials, foreign defense attachés and also involved the US AH-64 Apache on a replacement project. I want to thank efforts,” Kaladze said. possible. I believe we can manage it.” Substantial NATO-Georgia Package core helicopters. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 Presidential Candidate Apologizes for Unethical Address to Reporters

if such acts are repeated, the Charter will publish a proper statement. “There is a high public interest towards the presidential candidates, so they are obliged to respond to all the questions of journalists, regard- less of whether they are boring, unacceptable, uncomfortable, etc. Such address is unacceptable from a person who is an acting MP,” she said. Dzvelishvili noted the media should always react to such cases, adding it reveals how politicians carry out their roles and communication respon- sibilities with the media. Parliament Vice-Speaker and GD member Tamar Chugoshvili says she does not share Zurabishvili’s view. “On the contrary, I confi rm my respect for media. However, GD need only make comments on her statements if we are supporting her during the elections. We have not made such a decision Photo source: Netgazeti yet,” she added. After the wave of criticism, Zurabishvili apolo- BY THEA MORRISON gized, saying her statement was a joke and not all of her comments should be taken seriously by the media. alome Zurabishvili, an independent “I apologize to those who took my statement Presidential Candidate and former For- seriously,” she said. eign Minister of Georgia, has apologized The France-born Georgian politician visited for her unethical address to reporters Georgia for the fi rst time in 1986 during a break which was followed by criticism from from her job at the French Embassy in Washing- theS media. ton. Zurabishvili, who will reportedly be supported In 2001-2003, she was Head of the Division of by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party during International and Strategic Issues of National the elections on October 28, told reporters to Defense General Secretariat of France and in 2003 “shake their brains” (“wake up”) when one of them she was appointed the Ambassador of France to asked her a question about the presidential resi- Georgia. dence and her views about the issue. Ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili appointed her The candidate said she had already made a com- to the post of Foreign Minister on 18 March 2004. ment about the issue the previous week and stated Over a year later, then Prime Minister Zurab the “journalists should also wake up” and look Nogaideli sacked her after some disputes with into her previous comments. MPs. Right after this she set up the Salome Zura- “I already said that for me the Presidential Pal- bishvili Movement. In January 2006, she announced ace in Avlabari is not suitable. I think the Orbeli- the establishment of a new political party Geor- ani Palace suits me better. But as I said before, I gian Way. will live in my house and this will be the new Five years later, she gave up her party and moved platform for the presidential institution in Geor- abroad and started a job as a coordinator of the gia,” she stated. UN panel of experts on Iran. The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has Zurabishvili, 66, was an independent candidate responded to Zurabishvili’s comment. They say in the 2016 parliamentary elections and the GD making such remarks to representatives of the decided to withdraw their candidate in Mtats- media is unacceptable. minda region to help her win a seat in the legisla- Charter Director Nata Dzvelishvili stated that tive body.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 The EUMM in Georgia: the Pen is Our Weapon

return to hostilities. We are facilitating the ABL Team, the Human Security Team which limits our fi eld of work. We com- the resumption of a safe and normal life which deals with the social, economic pensate by using technology. for local people, the men, women and and the human rights situation, and the Security can also be a challenge. We children most affected by the aftermath Compliance Team which monitors mil- have to make sure our staff are safe and of the war. The Mission makes a differ- itary and police activities. We try to be we take measures to ensure they are ence by observing the situation, report- as close as possible to the ABL to be able properly updated, equipped and trained. ing incidents and contributing with to observe and react quickly if something On some occasions, it can also be a accurate information and updates that happens. Therefore, the EU Monitoring challenge that not everybody understands serve policymakers. We don’t have an Mission has its headquarters in Tbilisi, our mandate. That can create frustration executive mandate so it is through our and offi ces in Zugdidi, Gori and Mtskheta. among people who expect more. We are observation s, our reporting and by build- All in all, the EU invests €20.000.000 a monitoring mission and cannot carry ing communication channels between per year in our budget for regional secu- out development projects ourselves to Source: EUMM security actors on both sides that we rity. help people at the ABLs. But we can, and the 10th anniversary of the August 2008 contribute to peace. do, provide information to other civil EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY War, GEORGIA TODAY met with Erik society organizations and donors, help- ANTOINE DEWAEST WHO ARE YOUR Høeg, the head of the Mission. WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE? COLLABORATORS AND ing them to target their projects. Erik Høeg, a Danish career diplomat, Today, we have more than 320 people, WHAT PROJECTS DO YOU has been working in Georgia for three one third of whom are Georgian nation- HAVE IN THE PIPELINE? WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO n August 2008, an Iron Curtain years, fi rst as Deputy Head of EUMM als, working in support of peace and We work with all security actors in the PEOPLE WHO THINK THE split Georgia after it lost the war Georgia, then, since 2017, as Head of the security. We have colleagues from 23 EU part of Georgia under central govern- EUMM IS “USELESS”? against Russia. As a result of its Mission. member states (to be 25 in the coming ment control and those active in the Good question. I’d say it’s fair to doubt, defeat, Georgia lost control over months) of various backgrounds. As a breakaways - Georgia, Russia, and with but take a step back, look at the ABL and Abkhazia and Tsinkhvali regions CAN YOU BRIEFLY DEFINE THE rule, about one third have a military the de facto authorities. Overall, com- ask yourself what the situation would Iand barbed-wire delineated new “bor- EUMM AND ITS MISSION? background, one third are policemen, munication and response are effi cient have been like 10 years after the war if ders.” People were forced to fl ee, among The European Union Monitoring Mis- and one third are from other civilian through the established mechanisms. there had not been 200 EU monitors on them 18,700 ethnic Georgians from “South sion in Georgia (EUMM) is an unarmed professions. Fortunately, we receive many the ground. Ask yourself if there might Ossetia.” However, for years, security civilian monitoring mission established applications and can select qualifi ed WHAT ARE THE MAIN have been uncontrolled incidents or an and stability have been gaining ground by the European Union in 2008. Our key staff. This shows that EU countries are CHALLENGES YOU FACE? escalation in violence, or further restric- in these areas thanks to the European task is to ensure stability and security, committed to regional stability and also There is no doubt that the most penal- tions to people’s rights. Stability does Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) not least in the areas adjacent to the so- that the Mission is seen as a good place izing aspect of the work we do is the not appear automatically, it needs effort. which has been actively patrolling day called Administrative Boundary Lines to work. Much of our work is patrolling. restrictions imposed on our movement And we have been a key part in the inter- and night along the Administrative of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia We have three kinds of teams in the fi eld across the ABL. Unfortunately, we do national effort to maintain that stability Boundary Line (ABL) since 2008. For and South Ossetia. We work to avoid any offi ces that work on behalf of the EUMM: not have access to the breakaway regions, during the last decade. The Caspian Declaration in Detail

expert group was established to coordi- BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE nate the interests and wishes of the Cas- pian countries, the original requirements were so contradictory that it seemed the n the Kazakh city of Aktau on development of an agreed text was an August 12, a historic event took unrealistic task,” he said. “It became place which will undoubtedly necessary to justify and adopt a number determine the prospects for devel- of fundamental, extraordinary solutions.” opment and cooperation of the “The required geographic assessment ICaspian countries. of the Caspian Sea was complicated by In Aktau, at the 5th Caspian Summit, the fact that oil and gas resources in the after 22 years of negotiations, the Con- Caspian Sea are unevenly distributed. vention on the status of the Caspian Sea According to the adopted convention, was signed, likened to a "Constitution the area of the water surface of the Cas- of the Caspian." The convention was pian Sea remains in the common use of signed on behalf of the Caspian countries the parties, and the bottom and subsoil by the presidents: of Azerbaijan - Ilham are divided by neighboring states into Aliyev, Iran - Hasan Ruhani, Kazakhstan plots by agreement between them on - Nursultan Nazarbayev, Russia - Vladimir the basis of international law,” said Khal- Putin, and Turkmenistan - Gurbanguly ilov. Berdimuhamedov. All parties agreed that the extraction of Jalil Khalilov, Ph.D. in Philosophy, Colo- oil and gas, their transportation, in what- nel, Deputy Chairman of the Organiza- ever part of the Caspian Sea they occur, agreed with the neighboring country. sion on the inadmissibility of the pres- nifi cant. This convention was much tion of Veterans of War, Labor and Armed should be transparent and ensure envi- Consideration of geopolitical and mil- ence in the Caspian of the armed forces needed. There is no doubt that compli- Forces of Azerbaijan, noted that the way ronmental safety, and that the navigation, itary issues was also of great importance. of third countries. ance with this convention will bring to the fi nal text of the convention was fi shing, and laying of pipelines should be One of the main points of the adopted "At all stages of the negotiation process, peace and prosperity to the peoples of not easy. “In 1996, when an international carried out in accordance with rules convention can be considered a provi- the initiating role of Azerbaijan was sig- the Caspian countries,” Khalilov said. SUBSCRIBE!

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 [email protected] +995 32 229 59 19  Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 POLITICS 7 What Will the Fallout of the Sanctions Be for Georgia?

Russian and American presidents hug OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE and pat each other on the shoulder, one might start taking those much-talked- about sanctions as a joke, though the t seems even in light of the col- US administration is almost certain that lapse of the USSR, Russia and the Russian people will soon feel what America fi nd themselves inca- an American-style economic punish- pable of working together. They ment really means. hate and reject each other. They The fi rst fruits of the American sanc- Iare clearly both natural and cultural tionomania are visibly at hand – the antipodes. They always fi ght and, in already weak Russian Ruble has further the exchange of those belligerent blows, staggered against the powerful Ameri- they both hurt. Why do they do this? can Dollar, which has also instigated They say the justifi cation is in the exi- the fall of the Georgian currency. This gency of keeping up their national means that no sanction is a one-sided interests. If this is true, then the suf- punitive fi nancial measure. Georgians fering of Georgia will never end because might think that the American economic Georgia has made its historical choice sanctions are teaching the Russians a to follow the western way of develop- good lesson, but it may well hurt the ment, which for Russia is like a red Georgian economy too, thus further muleta for a bull. deteriorating the standard of living in Hard to believe but the Russian-Geor- general. So, celebrating the American gian geopolitical deadend is one of the sanctions against Russia might not be multiple reasons for the Russian-Amer- so smart for the geopolitically heart- ican squabble: Russia is Georgia’s broken and economically impaired declared enemy and America is its Georgia. friend, whereas America is Russia’s The sanctions are broken up into two longstanding rival, so the consequential stages: the fi rst is comparably mild and picture looks sourly disagreeable for going into force from the end of August, Georgia. Hence an average angry-with- and the next is more severe, to be Russia Georgian might be celebrating imposed in three months if Russia does the recent aggravation of American not comply with the demands of the sanctions against Russia, but the story fi rst stage. The details of those sanc- of sanctions becomes so dubious that tions are unclear and there is much it might not be good enough a cause to online discourse on the topic. But what settle the dangerously swollen and fos- will those sanctions might mean to silized Russian-Georgian scores. Georgia, and if they do at all, how bad Rumor has it that sanctions are hurt- could it get? Against the background ing the Russian economy and the polit- of growing tensions between Russia ically valuable Russian oligarchic elite and America, the hopeful presumption to a certain extent, but we also hear that is that the current Russian government Russia could easily retaliate against the is smart enough not to allow any self- United States without even hurting its damage and that it will take the Amer- own sources of wealth. America has ican sanctions seriously, which sounds threatened that it will soon impose a like a prerequisite for peace in the Image source: AFP Photo/Vano Shlamov new wave of even stricter sanctions on world and a chance for Georgia to avoid and isolate her internationally, but if gia may fi nd itself totally on the side support for itself might trigger the loss Russia because it wants to punish Mos- any fearsome confusions in the vague Russia plays a stubborn toughie when of Russia’s worst enemy. Meanwhile, of some useful current partnerships in cow for its international misdemeanor Russian-Georgian-American triangle. faced with the sanctions, the diplomatic Georgia should not forget that Russia the long run. It looks like Georgia has and insists that more draconian meas- It has been proven that it is not very relations between the world’s strong- is not completely alone in the interna- got more than it can consume and ures could follow. When one sees the easy to break Russia with sanctions est players might be severed, and Geor- tional arena, and garnering American digest on its plate... Russia as the “Third Rome” for Orthodoxy? of the world's Orthodox Christian Orthodox Church was exposed during OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA churches held on the Greek island of the battle for the inheritance of the Crete and even incited other churches, throne of Ilia II, where the pro-Russian including the Georgian, against it. After and pro-Greek groups are confronting he confrontation within the the political return of “Derzhava” to the each other. The Cyanide Case and the Orthodox world is reaching international arena, the Kremlin has Greek chants are an obvious manifesta- a peak. The battle between found time to focus on religious issues tion of this confl ict. Athens and Moscow has and began working on its “Third Rome” Local and large-scale religious confl ict moved from the pulpit to project. In Moscow, they fi rmly believe between Athens and Moscow further Tthe diplomatic offi ces. It started when that after the collapse of Constantino- escalated when the Greek Church agreed two Russian diplomats were expelled ple, it is Moscow and the Russian Church to grant autocephaly to Ukraine, and from Athens and two others were banned that should undertake the function of the Greek government agreed to the from entering the country. This wasn’t the world Orthodox center. It was within membership of Macedonia to NATO. enough for Offi cial Athens, which stopped the “framework” of this doctrine that This was followed by the reaction from granting visas to high priests from the the Kremlin started to act when it the Kremlin and the referendum in Russian Orthodox Church. Although decided to bribe the Greek high church Macedonia about the new naming of Offi cial Moscow was forced to respond offi cials in order to increase Russian the country. Macedonians and Greeks by expelling two Greek diplomats, it was infl uence and plan a conspiracy against did not act as Putin would have hoped, unable to do much on the church fron- the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. hence his fi nancial aid granted to the tier, as Russia is not found on the pilgrim The Kremlin picked on the Patriarch country has been “wasted”. The exam- map and so the Kremlin couldn’t ban after the Ukrainian Orthodox Church ple of Greece revealed that neither faith Greek high priests from entering Russia. demanded autocephaly and independ- nor state interests can be sold for money. The church confl ict between the two ence from the Russian Church. This Putin thought that the fi nancial assis- countries hasn’t evolved beyond the triggered the boycott of the Russian tance would result in a responsibility diplomatic phase yet, but the develop- Church and Georgia joined, which was for Greece to lead pro-Russian interests ment of events implies that the smell of more of a forced step in light of the in both politics and religion, but alas. incense is souring. “Cyanide Case” rather than the decision Hopefully, Georgia will follow suit and The relationships intensifi ed when of the Georgian Church. The fact that act only in the interests of its country Russia boycotted the landmark meeting Russia has an infl uence on the Georgian and faith. GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 “The Day Russia Stopped the Expansion of NATO” – As Told by the James Bond of the Baltics

a man wanted in Russia (for hijacking remind people that in August 1939, two EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY a ship, no less), is barred entry in the weeks before WWII started, the British VAZHA TAVBERIDZE US and was named among Politico’s and French diplomats urged Poland not 28 Most Infl uential Politicians this year, to mobilize forces; why? Because it with the outlet dubbing him the Baltic might provoke Hitler. That “don’t pro- or those hard of hearing, James Bond. In true Bondesque fash- voke Putin” narrative is of the same Vladimir Putin made his ion, it was in South America that we caliber. intentions clear when speak- tracked him down to share his perspec- ing to then-French President tive on the August War 10 years on. WHO DO YOU THINK Nicolas Sarkozy on August PROVOKED WHOM IN 15,F 2008: “I am going to hang Saakash- AT THE BUCHAREST SUMMIT AUGUST 2008? vili by the balls!” Saakashvili in the IN 2008, GEORGIA WAS It’s a classical situation where strategi- end, as he often boasts, retained a hold PROMISED EVENTUAL NATO cally and tactically is a kind of mix up. on both of his cojones and Georgia (for MEMBERSHIP. WHAT ROLE It’s true that tactically the Russians did another four years). The fi ve-day August DID THIS PROMISE PLAY IN provoke Georgia and tried to get some War between Georgia and Russia, how- WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? kind of reaction out of the Georgian ever, was a major geopolitical occasion The 2008 Bucharest Summit was a deci- government; but any country needs to which largely announced the blueprint sive moment and maybe even a turning react when it’s being attacked; how long of what to expect from Putin’s Russia. point. Georgia and friends of Georgia in will you let someone shoot your village? Many think it was a lesson the West Europe and the US were lobbying hard It’s part of an aggressive plan. Strategi- disregarded, only to come to regret. for Georgia and Ukraine. The orange gov- cally, the mere existence of pro-NATO One who does is Eerik-Niiles Kross, ernment in Ukraine was also trying to get democratic countries next to Russia is Saakashvili’s Estonian National Secu- closer to NATO. At that time, President THEN-NATO SEC GEN, NATO MEMBERSHIP BUT ALSO a provocation to Russians. Successful rity Adviser during and after the war. George Bush was personally calling the JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER, INSTALLMENT OF AN ANTI- Georgia and Ukraine by itself is a prov- The Georgian President was and still leaders of different countries, trying to RECENTLY ARGUED THAT MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM IN ocation. Successful Baltic states are not is a colorful character and he chose his convince them that MAP was a good idea. RUSSIA’S ACTIONS WERE GEORGIA WILL SOLICIT SOME liked in Moscow for that reason. One entourage accordingly. Kross, now a One can say it was the fi rst time in NATO “UNDERSTANDABLE” KIND OF RESPONSE FROM has to be independent, pro-western next member of the Estonian Parliament, is history the US president lobbied for some- AND “THE WEST MUST MOSCOW - HOW MUCH USE to Russia and then your existence is a body and didn’t get what he wanted. The RESPECT THE RUSSIAN RED IS IT SAYING THAT IT’S NOT threat to Russia. And this will inevitably A THREAT TO RUSSIA? Russians were lobbying hard against it, LINE”. IS IT HINDSIGHT OR result in countermeasures from Russia. making many NATO countries nervous, CHANGE OF HEART? Of course, Russia says it’s a threat, that How far will they go? That depends on particularly the Germans and French. The It’s a very sad statement. It’s always been they are surrounded by hostile liberal a multitude of factors. Had the West result was a compromise and it was a bad NATO policy that every country can and democratic western empires wishing reacted forcefully, the war could have compromise in many regards because it should defi ne its own security arrange- to conquer it; unfortunately, that’s one been avoided. At the same time, nobody didn’t give MAP to Georgia and Ukraine, ments. There’s no outside force that can of the narratives they tell their own saw what was going to happen; we knew “Had the West a clear victory for Russia showing it could determine it. So to give Russians any people. It doesn’t make it more real. the Russians were probably planning infl uence NATO decisions. Yet NATO did rights to decide on that is unacceptable. The Russians think Ukraine is not really something, Georgia had been telling the reacted forcefully, give a vague promise of membership, even a country; they also think that they lib- West for months, but nobody in the West though it was an empty promise: no time- ON PAPER, THE WESTERN erated Europe, they entertain many an imagined a full scale military attack; even the war in 2008 line, no map, nothing to support it. The NARRATIVE GOES THAT NATO interesting thought. If you really look after we had all the red fl ags on the map, Russians took it badly and it was probably EXPANSION DOES NOT POSE A at the western policy, it’s obvious that everyone was still surprised when the could have been then they decided to act. You could say THREAT TO RUSSIA. BUT WHEN we’ve let the Russians get away with a war actually broke out. THE KREMLIN IS MAKING Russia stopped the expansion of NATO lot of aggressive deeds that might actu- Continued on page 9 avoided” in summer 2008. COMMENTS THAT NOT ONLY ally cost us dearly in the future. I always GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 POLITICS 9

BUSINESS “The Day Russia Stopped the Expansion of NATO” – As Told by the James Bond of the Baltics

Continued from page 8 The cyber-attacks started earlier. Rus- sians at that time were not as sophisti- “It was the fi rst cated as they are now; then again, Geor- DO YOU THINK THE FACT gia of course was not that prepared either, time in NATO PRESIDENT BUSH PERSONALLY but at the same time Georgia’s infra- WARNED PUTIN, AND structure was not that dependent on WARNED SAAKASHVILI AND cyber. What Russia tried to do more was history the US GEORGIA NOT TO ACCEPT to discredit, hack web pages, take down PROVOCATIONS, ACTUALLY some of the communications; they were President lobbied GAVE RUSSIA A GREEN LIGHT? able to jam Georgian military commu- I would not exclude that. Don’t bug Putin. nications, to intercept, to confuse the for somebody He wanted to prove that President Bush command lines by making it unclear who was wrong. Putin is very good at read- was giving the order. I’m sure all the and didn’t get ing the overall situation; he usually takes emails and calls from Tbilisi were inter- steps when he knows he can get away cepted. what he wanted” with it; he didn’t take Crimea thinking someone would take it back from him; AS AN ADVISER TO it wasn’t discussed with me while it was OPIC Executive Vice President meets he also didn’t invade Georgia thinking SAAKASHVILI, WHAT WAS being made and was probably Saakash- there would be retaliation; but he also YOUR ADVICE TO COUNTER THE vili’s idea. A good Hollywood fi lm can didn’t go to Tbilisi, because he knew he RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA THAT be a very powerful tool; think of Brave- with the Anaklia Port Management wouldn't get away with it. There was EMERGED AFTER THE WAR? heart – a Georgian Braveheart would xecutive Vice President of poration, David Bohigian. diplomatic pressure and collectively they My advice was that we didn’t need any have been a good fi lm. Of course, Brave- the Overseas Private Invest- The U.S. Government agency, OPIC, were stopped, but still, whatever the propaganda, just to give western media heart was made by Mel Gibson and this ment Corporation (OPIC), commenced cooperating with Anaklia West did diplomatically was not enough full access; to give them as much infor- fi lm by Renne Harlin, but the theory still David Bohigian, and repre- Development Consortium about fund- to prevent the war. mation as we could. An international holds true. sentatives of OPIC met with ing the Anaklia Port few months ago. press center was opened in the Tbilisi theE top-management of Georgian-Amer- The fi nancial institution might invest WHAT SHOULD THE Marriott hotel, so they got as many brief- THE CURRENT GEORGIAN ican consortium, ADC, to discuss invest- about 100 million USD in the project. WEST HAVE DONE BETTER ings as as possible. The Russians tried GOVERNMENT TRIES TO PIN ing into construction of Anaklia Deap Meanwhile, 5 leading international BEFORE AND AFTER? to control the narrative; they fabricated ALL THE BLAME FOR 2008 ON Sea Port. Deputy Minister of Economy fi nancial institutions are also involved The question really is whether the West many stories; they tried to sell their SAAKASHVILI. WHAT DO YOU and Sustainable Development of Geor- in the process of fi nancing the Anaklia was prepared to fi ght for Georgia. At package to the western media; it worked THINK OF THIS APPROACH? gia, Giorgi Cherkezishvili, and other Deep Sea Port. The representatives of that time, no, it wasn’t. There was no at fi rst but then western media arrived In the Baltic states, you have political representatives of the Ministry also international banks already visited Anak- treaty obligation. Realpolitik is what it in Georgia and got to report freely and forces that try to blame Estonia, Latvia, attended the meeting. lia Dee Sea Port area in July 2018 and is. President Bush was not ready to go that changed the attitude. and Lithuania for being occupied by “I had an opportunity to talk to the explored the area, as well as held work- to war. What the West did after the war Russians in 1940. Those domestic polit- developers of the port of Anaklia who shops with the representatives of Anak- is even worse – it was doing business ONE OF THE MOST ENDURING ical games are not constructive; it doesn’t are part of that connectivity plan to be lia Development Consortium. with Russia three months after the war IMAGES OF THE WAR WAS serve the interests of the country and able to develop the Black Sea as a global OPIC is a self-sustaining U.S. Govern- as if nothing had happened. Putin’s meth- SAAKASHVILI CHEWING HIS it’s not smart politics. We all know that and regional hub and I was very impressed ment agency that helps American busi- ods were correct; he went as far as he TIE. AND THEN THERE WAS THE Saakashvili made mistakes but he didn’t by their plans… We are in discussions nesses invest in emerging markets. OPIC thought he could get away with. HOLLYWOOD FILM THAT THE invade his own country. right now with the port developers. They services are available to new and expand- GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED have very impressive plans to be able to ing businesses planning to invest in more 2008 ALSO SAW RUSSIA - 5 DAYS OF AUGUST. HOW 10 YEARS ON - WHAT IS THE create the port that would create hun- than 160 countries worldwide. EMPLOY CYBER-ATTACKS FOR DID THESE VISUALS DAMAGE LEGACY OF THE AUGUST WAR? dreds of jobs throughout region, as well Anaklia Deep Sea Port consrtuction THE FIRST TIME, ANOTHER OR AID CONVEYING THE It’s sad to say but the West learned a lot as make Georgia an even more important has already moved into the maritime DIMENSION OF THE GEORGIAN PERSPECTIVE? and many European countries enhanced transit hub for logistics, for manufactured construction works stage. Modern heavy HYBRID WARFARE RUSSIA The Russian spreading of the tie photo their defenses for the blood price paid goods, here and throughout Eurasian equipment is being mobilized in the area CONTINUES TO WAGE. was a typical maneuver and I don’t see by Georgians; it was the beginning of a continent,” said Executive Vice President to kick off the large-scale maritime con- WHAT’S YOUR ACCOUNT OF it did much damage. I haven’t actually new period in European history- this of the Overseas Private Investment Cor- struction operation. WHAT HAPPENED THEN? seen the fi lm, though I hear it’s very bad; struggle is not over.

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BY ANTOINE DEWAEST

fter the USSR started col- lapsing in 1989, the Georgian people asked for independ- ence, including the Abkha- zian and South Ossetian A(Tskhinvali region) territories. Abkhaz- ians feared a “Georgianization” and the loss of autonomy. As a result, they claimed their independence in July 1992. Few states have recognized the breakaway Abkhazia or “South Ossetia” as inde- pendent and sovereign countries. Among them is Russia, which did so following the August war in 2008. But still now international law considers these de facto republics a part of Georgia, creat- ing a conundrum regarding the law; states which do not exist. In fact, Abkhazia and “South Ossetia” are not the only grey zones of this kind. Image source: Photo: United Nations Kosovo, Transnistria, republic of Crimea, Abkhazia is still a part of Georgia. independence of Kosovo), and is an republics of Eastern Ukraine and also That is the reason, if we take a look at observer, like Palestine, in the United Palestine are facing the same situation. Kosovo, “South Ossetia”, Abkhazia, and Nations … which is a form of recogni- While separatism is gaining ground in Karabakh, or more recently Crimea and tion. But Kosovo and Palestine are par- Europe, the question is: Can unilateral the de facto Donetsk and Luhansk repub- ticular due to the context of their inde- European separatism lead to something lics, these entities, at fi rst sight. gather pendence, war inside the country, and positive for the breakaway regions? The the three criteria of a State generally an old conundrum in the Middle East. answer seems to be no. Economically, recognized by international law: A peo- In 2009, the EU Independent Interna- an unrecognized state will be held back ple, a territory, a government. Transnis- tional Fact-Finding Mission on the Con- in its development. In the case of Cata- tria even uses its own currency. Further- fl ict in Georgia reported that Abkhazia lonia, which wants to be independent, more, applying the right to was a “state-like entity” while “South the risk is custodies and embargos, which self-de ter mi nation, in 1991, a referendum Ossetia” had nearly reached statehood could mean less tourism when tourism with 78% of voters resulted in 97.7% in but was still too close to Russia. At the makes up more than 12% of its GDP. favor of independence there. But Transn- end of the day, the secession of “South Regarding the Transnistria, Abkhazia istria still is a State which does not exist. Ossetia” and Abkhazia was not related and South Ossetia de facto republics, Theses de facto states are mostly unrec- to a colonial situation or foreign domi- more than a half the GDP comes from ognized by international law for their nation, even if the Georgian military Russia. That means that for decade(s), lack of independency regarding Russia actions lead by Georgian forces against the “states” have not been economically or Armenia and/or due to the unilateral- Tskhinvali in 2008 were considered ille- viable. Independence can be the best ity of the independence. gal in the eyes of international law and way to affi rm its culture, language and However, while international law does human rights. Therefore, international any other differences, all the more if the not recognize them, some countries do. law will never recognize their sover- country in which the region was a part “South Ossetia” has been recognized by eignty, at least as long as few countries of was strongly opposed to diversity. It the Russian Federation, Nicaragua, Ven- recognize them as states. is seen that through independency, activ- ezuala, Syria and Nauru. Additionally, Actually, two cases are offi cially grey ists get to apply the right to self-deter- Russia signed a Friendship Agreement zones, but partially recognized in fact mination. with the two de facto republics on Geor- by international organizations: Kosovo, The use of the term “European Sepa- gian territory. Such legal acts are strong, and Palestine. Kosovo is recognized by ratism” is not innocuous. In international and blur the situation. According to the 116 UN-members, Palestine by 135. In the law, in particular the New York Pact Encyclopedia of Public International meantime, Transnistria is recognized by introduction, or the United Nation Char- Law, 2000, “A treaty is a consensual no-one, the de facto Abkhazian govern- ter 1st Article state that, “All peoples agreement between two or more subjects ment by 7, the de facto South Ossetia have the right of self-determination.” of international law intended to be and republic by 5, Crimea by 5 and the de Breakaway regions and separatist move- considered by the parties as binding and facto Eastern Ukraine republics by no ments rely on it. But, and there is a “but,” containing rules of conduct under inter- one. Here is the difference. Alejandro in international law, territories are “con- national law for at least one (normally Dorado Najera, a freelance international sidered occupied when [they are] actu- for all) of the parties.” So, in the case of relations consultant, said that Carles ally placed under the authority of a hos- agreements between Abkhazia and Rus- Puigdemont, the leader of the Catalan tile army,” for instance, colonial powers sia, the agreement is not valid regarding independence, and other independentists can be supported and recognized in their the law, but both partners apply it cor- use the right to self-determination incor- reach for independence. But Catalonia rectly. In the case of Crimea, Russia is a rectly. “If they were right in their inter- is not occupied and nor are Abkhazia or UN-member, has administratively inte- pretation of the law (any territory with “South Ossetia.” The OSCE, the EU, and grated Crimea to the Federation but is a different history, tongue, and culture the UN argue that Abkhazia, like “South considered an annexation not valid in should be authorized to claim independ- Ossetia,” is under the rule of Georgia international law. Even international ence by the Right to Self-determination), and therefore they support self-deter- organizations blur the situation and avoid “South Ossetia,” Abkhazia and Crimea mination, i.e. a vote on independence the law. Kosovo is recognized by 116 UN- would be recognized by international BUT supervised by Georgia AND only member states (in 2017, former Georgian organizations, but they are not!” he said. when Georgian refugees are allowed Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Catalonia should take a leaf out of the back to their homes in the regions. Why? that Georgia maintains the position not Georgian book to understand that they Because according to international law, to recognize the unilaterally declared misinterpreted international law. GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 SOCIETY 11 HUAWEI P20 Pro World Renowned Champion for High Quality Photos

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Institute (NDI) and the Caucasus BY ANTOINE DEWAEST Research Resource Center of Georgia (CRRC Georgia) released their latest poll results. Only 23% of respondents n August 3, nine gay-right thought that sexual minorities needed activists were beaten up protecting and 44% said it is not neces- in Armenia by dozens of sary at all to protect them. Five years people, according to the ago, in 2013, 93% said they would be Pink Armenia activist against living with homosexual neigh- organization.O Two victims were report- bors. edly hospitalized. Evlira, one of the vic- There have been cases of assault against tims, explains that the assault was pre- homosexuals, in particular during the ceded by homophobic slurs and threats. Anti-Homophobia Day parade in 2013 This kind of assault is not an isolated in the streets of Tbilisi. example. Worse, all Caucasian countries seem to face it periodically. Let’s take a AZERBAIJAN look at the situation in each country. In September 2017, a vicious crackdown from the authorities proved that the GEORGIA country remains the ‘Worst of 49 Euro- In Georgia, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, pean Countries in which to be Gay,’ as transgender and queer (LGBTQ) com- a survey released in 2016 stated. Accord- munity enjoy acceptance at the legisla- ing to the study, there is a near total tive level. Indeed, homosexuality has absence of legal protection for LGBTQ been decriminalized since 2000. At the individuals. Over ten days last year, doz- age of 16, teenagers are permitted to have ens of gay people and transsexuals were sexual relations, no matter what the arrested. Lawyer S. Rahimli said that sexual orientation. However, the LGBTQ “Crackdowns on the LGBT community rights stop there. The Georgian Civil [have become] systematic and wide- Code states that marriage must be spread.” In Azerbaijan, same-sex couples between a male and a female. Further- are not legally recognized. According to more, and as a result, adopting a child the Pew Research center, 92% of the is forbidden by same-sex couples. In population believes that homosexuality professional terms, the law does not is morally wrong, contain any non-discrimination clause for the workplace and employers are not ARMENIA required to justify their choice of work- In this South Caucasus country, 97.5% force. of the population are against homosex- Regarding mentalities, a huge leap uals kissing in public, and 94% do not Image source: Seaway Valley Community Healthcare remains to be taken before LGBTQ want to see gay couples holding hands acceptance becomes widespread. More in public places. LGBT people living in CHECHNYA Kadyrov, who rules Chechnya, a Muslim electrocution and food deprivation. One, than 80% of the population are Orthodox the Armenian countryside have to hide Maybe the worst place to be in the Cau- territory which is part of the Russian named Lapunov, told the NewYork Times and listen to their Church when it names their sexual identity to survive socially. casus as an LGBT or Q. Last year, Federation, was carrying out a witch- “they accused me of being gay and beat homosexuality an abnormality, a disease, In the capital, the situation is better, but Chechnya was high in the media focus hunt against homosexuals. Hundreds of me with nightsticks (…) They beat and and a slur to tradition. gay people can still expect to face hurt- and agendas regarding LGBTQ persecu- people were tortured and put in “con- kicked me. When I left Chechnya, I was On August 1, the National Democratic ful comments or hostile looks. tions. Novaïa Gazeta revealed that Ramzan centration camps.” Survivors speak about literally crawling.” GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 SOCIETY 13 Plaster Diary, 3: Etseri, Svaneti

the roof; a sauna; good landscaping all BLOG BY TONY HANMER ‘round. One step at a time. 7) Not only is there cleanup during the work, ongoing, but after it as well, couple more observations because craftsmen here don’t clean up as we fi nish the house after themselves, as a rule, expecting exterior after six years their hosts to do it. As long as every- living here, continued body knows this, there are no disap- from the last two weeks: pointments! Once they remove the A6) Realize that things will get messy scaffolding, there will be holes in the before they are fi nished. The process ground to fi ll from the tall posts. Plas- of hurling trowels of cement at the tic sheeting from the covered windows. walls causes spatters aplenty to rain Cut off bits of foam from installing the down around and below (cover the windows some years ago. Bottles, bags… windows!); all the woodcutting for the and so on. It’s part of the process. scaffolds and smaller pieces will leave Day 10: Those vertical cement ribs scraps, which go into the “fi re-starting which they make up the walls before wood” sacks for winter; sand will get fi lling in the spaces around them into tracked inside and scattered in the yard. a smoother plane? Those are to guide Live with it, keeping the goal of a beau- the wood planks which they use to tifully fi nished and weather-protected scrape up the walls and keep everything exterior fi rmly in mind. That last point to that plane. So they’re key, and installed is useful too: this is not just for esthet- with care using plumb-lines and levels, ics, but more importantly for shielding foundational as they are. And then, pur- the house from the ravages of snow, pose fulfi lled, they disappear under the freeze, thaw and sun in their cycles, surrounding material as it fi lls in around which can wreak havoc on the integrity them. The fi nal cement fi nish over all of your walls’ cement blocks: real, dan- this is smoother still, fi lling in all holes gerous structural damage! And even, and drying before the fi nal fi nish layer as we found out last spring, an excess of “brizgi”, as it’s called, plaster and of snow sitting against the walls can colorant applied with a spinning hand- penetrate right through the blocks’ held apparatus. We plan a darker layer thickness and begin to spoil the plaster going from the ground to between the work on those walls’ interior surfaces, two fl oors, with a lighter one above that, with mold gathering… Always some- to break things up a bit. thing to consider, this home ownership Day 16: After two days away getting lower level will be darker, a sharp line actual work time required and most a weekly writer for GT since early 2011. thing. Slowly, the house is moving a car tune-up and some much-needed between the two, for a two-tone fi nish expensive single things we have done He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Face- towards its fi nal completed state. Still repairs in Kobuleti’s convenient Toyota on all sides. Looks very good, and we’re to this place, in both materials and book group, now with over 1900 mem- to come, in our dreams: some decks; a Center, I came back to fi nd that they looking forward to seeing the whole labor. It’s all worth it. The time to cel- bers, at www.facebook.com/groups/ big gazebo taking the place of balco- had begun applying the fi nal, textured thing fi nished in a week or so. The ebrate approaches! SvanetiRenaissance/ nies; an exterior staircase to the 2nd plaster, layer to the front face of the house and we have waited a long time He and his wife also run their own guest fl oor, this and the 1st-fl oor doorways house, to show me what to expect. It’s for this beautifying and weather-pro- Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since house in Etseri: to be better covered from snowfall off on the top half, and cream colored; the tecting process, one of the longest in 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been w.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti Pratap’s Signature Hotel – Resort & SPA At Pratap’s Signature, you will experience the warmth and traditional Georgian hospitality while you enjoy the Beach & River water front and fine delicacies at the renowned restaurants.

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WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI CINEMA Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi Georgian National Museum VISITOR CENTER OF August 18 Language: Russian presents the exhibition KOBULETI-KINTRISHI TEONA KONTRIDZE AND BAND Start time: 14:00 CAUCASUS BIODIVERSITY PROTECTED AREAS Start time: 20:00 AMIRANI CINEMA Ticket: 11-15 GEL Animal and plant life throughout Address: 271 D. Aghmashenebeli Str., Ticket: 50 GEL Address: 36 Kostava St. the Caucasus. Kobuleti Telephone: 2 99 99 55 THE MEG August 19 www.kinoafi sha.ge Directed by Jon Turteltaub IOSEB GRISHASHVILI July 5 20018 – July 5 2019 DATO EVGENIDZE AND BAND Cast: Ruby Rose, Jason Statham, Georgian National Museum presents Start time: 20:00 Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Rainn Wilson new exhibition. The exposition Ticket: 30 GEL August 17-23 - KARVASLA Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi Address: 8 Sioni St. depicts the unique ecosystems of Adjara, in particular the Kobuleti August 21 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - Language: English Telephone: 2 98 22 81 Start time: 13:45 wetland areas, the Kintrishi forests GRAMOPHONEDZIE FALLOUT Start time: 20:00 Language: Russian June 27 – September 10 and their biodiversity. The most Directed by Christopher Ticket: 30 GEL McQuarrieMarshall Thurber Start time: 16:30, 19:00, 22:15 Georgian National Museum and interesting parts of the exhibition are Ticket: 11-19 GEL The Goethe Institute, in connection the Ispani sphagnum peatlands and Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca SECTOR26 the Kintrishi forest illuminated light- Ferguson, Henry Cavill with 200 years of relations between Address: Batumi Beach Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME Germany and Georgia, presents a boxes. Directed by Susanna Fogel project Language: English GALLERY August 17 Start time: 22:30 Cast: Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon, THE DYNASTIES - PARALLEL UTSNOBI Ticket: 15 GEL Justin Theroux, PERSPECTIVE Start time: 22:00 Blanka Györfi -Tóth, Vilma Szécsi THE NATIONAL GALLERY Ticket: 30 GEL MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO Genre: Action, Comedy MUSEUM OF SOVIET Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. AGAIN Language: English OCCUPATION www.museum.ge August 18 Directed by Ol ParkerThurber Start time: 11:45 Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. YOUNG MIC & ZAZA TEVTIDZE Cast: Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Ticket: 11-15 GEL Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 May 25-August 26 Start time: 22:00 www.museum.ge The Georgian National Museum Ticket: 10 GEL Meryl Streep, MUSEUM Dominic Cooper, Pierce Brosnan, and the Embassy of Italy to Stellan Skarsgard PERMANENT EXHIBITION Georgia, within the Museum Fest, SOHO BATUMI Genre: Comedy, Musical GEORGIAN NATIONAL Discover the State's personal fi les present the exhibition Address: Old Boulevard Language: English MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA of "subversive" Georgian public EVIDENCE. A NEW STATE OF ART Start time: 19:45 MUSEUM fi gures, orders to shoot or exile, and The National Gallery is hosting August 17 DATO GOMARTELI Ticket: 13-14 GEL Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. other artifacts representing Soviet- the exhibition of Garuzzo Institute Start time: 22:00 Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 era cultural and political repression for Visual Arts- presenting Ticket: 20 GEL SLENDER MAN www.museum.ge in Georgia. contemporary Italian artists' Directed by Sylvain Whiteurber artworks created since the 1950s. August 19 Cast: Joey King, Javier Botet, Julia Exhibitions: SVANETI MUSEUM GENIUSES OF RENAISSANCE STEPHANE Goldani Telles GEORGIAN COSTUME AND Address: Mestia, Svaneti WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH The Georgian National Museum Start time: 22:00 Genre: Horror Ticket: 30 GEL CENTURIES and the Embassy of Italy to Language: Russian May 19 – August 19 Georgia, within the Museum Fest, Start time: 19:45, 22:10 The Svaneti Museum of History and August 21 NUMISMATIC TREASURY present the exhibition Ticket: 15 GEL Ethnography hosts an exhibition NINO KATAMADZE & INSIGHT Exhibition showcasing a long "MAGNUM PHOTO 70 - GEORGIAN Start time: 22:00 history of money circulation on the LADO GUDIASHVILI ART CAVEA GALLERY JOURNAL: ROBERT CAPA 1947, Ticket: 30 GEL territory of modern Georgia from GALLERY Address: 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. THOMAS DWORZAK 2017". Address: Gudiashvili Atr. Telephone: 200 70 07 the 6th century BC. to 1834. GALLERY Telephone: 293 23 05 SIGHNAGHI MUSEUM Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL EXHIBITION STONE AGE Address: 8 Sh. Rustaveli Blind-alley Visitor Center of Kobuleti-Kintrishi August 17-23 GEORGIA Tickets: General - 5 GEL, Protected Areas Ages 6-18 - 3 Gel, Students and Address: 271 D. Aghmashenebeli Str., Exhibition MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE Pensioners - 3 GEL, Kobuleti PORTRAITS OF KAKHETIAN AGAIN NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL Free admission for orphan groups NOBLES – FROM THE (Info Above) COLLECTIONS and children under 6 July 5 20018 – July 5 2019 BEGINNING OF GEORGIAN Language: English Georgian National Museum Start time: 22:15 April 26 – September 1 EASEL PAINTING UP TO 20TH EXHIBITION OF PREVIOUSLY presents new exhibition. The Language: Russian UNKNOWN COLLECTIONS CENTURY UNKNOWN ART PIECES exposition depicts the unique Start time: 14:00, 16:45, 19:30 OF GEORGIAN NATIONAL CREATED BY LEGENDARY ecosystems of Adjara, in particular Ticket: 14-19 GEL MUSEUM– INDIA, CHINA, JAPAN SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI ARTIST LADO GUDIASHVILI: 1 + the Kobuleti wetland areas, The exhibition showcases up to MUSEUM 70 UNKNOWN the Kintrishi forests and their SLENDER MAN 500 artworks - paintings, sculptures Address: Rabati Fortress, biodiversity. The most interesting ADJARA (Info Above) and samples of applied art, the 1 P. Kharistchirashvili Str.1, Akhaltsikhe and spectacular parts of the Language: Russian chronological range of which is exhibition are the Ispani sphagnum Start time: 18:00, 20:15, 22:30 wide. The Georgian National Museum MUSIC peatlands and the Kintrishi forest Ticket: 15 GEL presents the renovated exhibition illuminated light-boxes. May 26 – September 30 spaces at the Samtskhe-Javakheti BATUMI GEMI ANAKLIA THE FIRST PURGE THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Museum, which see the addition Near Batumi port Directed by Gerard McMurray OF GEORGIA - 100 YEARS of recently discovered exhibits, MUSIC Cast: Y'lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, and technical updates according to August 17 Joivan Wade June 12 – August 31 modern museum standards. MZESUMZIRA SHOWCASE MUSIC FESTIVAL- ECHOWAVES AT GEMI POWERED BY EXIT Line up: Day Pass: 60 GEL, Season Ticket: Vasil, RATI, Gabunia, Audio Space, 150 GEL, Camp (tent for 2 person): Ako Von Unten 250 GEL. Start time: 17:00 Ticket: 70 GEL August 23-26 There will be several stages with BATUMI STATE MUSICAL diverse music genres – Main Stage, CENTER KHIDI Stage, EYE Stage, Taiyo Address: 1 O. Dimitriadis Str. stage and Aqua stage, that will Telephone: 0422 22 15 06 host 150 international and local artists, including: Die Antwoord, August 18, 19 Tricky, Solomun, Ben Klock, Marcel THE 80 YEARS OF JUBILEE Dettmann, Juan Atkins, Function, CONCERTS OF Kayakata, NU, Woo York, Henrik VAKHTANG KIKABIDZE Schwarz, Antigoe, DJ TENNIS, Greenbeam & Leon, and more. Participants: Nani Bregvadze, Tamar Gverdtsiteli, Valeri Meladze, Top Artists Line Up: Eka Mamaladze, Liza Bagrationi. August 23 Special guest: the actress playing Day 1: Juan Atkins feat Dzijan Emin Larisa Ivanovna, Elena Proklova. & Orchestra, Henrik Schwarz live, Start time: 20:00 Foals dj set, Francesco Tristano Ticket: 80-160 GEL & Guti present Another Paradise, Henry Saiz & Band, Dominik UP2YOU Eulberg, Claro Intelecto live, Jonas Address: Batumi Beach Club Kopp, Lehar, Musumeci, Lucy, Telephone: 577 43 39 39 Fabrizio Lapiana + many more. GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 17 - 20, 2018 CULTURE 15 Renowned German Conceptual Artist Incorporates Images of Georgian Migrants in Vienna Exhibition

In cooperation with the museum-in-progress, the mental space, a narration full of associations related the instruction and if you have a clear sky, you will exhibition will fi nd an extension within media, to the image. And there are performers invited to see a falling star. I did nothing else than an adver- digital space and Instagram under a project titled use the space of the images to play with these nar- tisement for the Perseids, a meteor shower in ‘Media Loop’ (#medialoop). By publishing photo- rations and create their own “message.” It is about August. It is a piece playing with the economy of graphs of the painted images included in the instal- what an image is, how is it produced, how we use attention. The Perseids are there anyhow, but with- lation in international newspapers and magazines, it, what we make out of it, how it attracts us and out my instruction you might not pay attention to the imagery will be exposed to a contextual feed- what it does to us- more than what we do with it- them. So what is the piece? I don't know. But the back loop. like a never-ending play. As the title of the show piece is in a private collection and on display in a Considered one of Germany’s leading artists, Olaf says: There is no place before arrival. museum in Switzerland, where each August star- Nicolai takes on a range of conceptual themes, from gazing meetings are organized. political and cultural critiques to inquiries into WHY DID YOU CHOOSE GEORGIAN The other piece is a simple postcard from the human perception. A recurring subject is the aes- MIGRANT WORKERS FOR YOUR 1970s. The postcard shows the piazza in front of thetic appropriation of nature by human culture SHOW IN KUNSTHALLE VIENNA? the Royal Palace in Naples which at that time was and design, explored through mixed-media sculp- I found the image interesting because of the com- used as a parking lot. Today, it is a nice and empty tures and images. The conceptual artist is most position of the image, the style it was taken in. The pedestrian area. I re-published the postcard but notable for his works: Memorial for the Victims of photos were much more like classical portraits wrote on the back “Free Parking coming soon!” Nazi Military Justice, 2014; Monument for a For- than reportage images. They presented each per- And I distributed the postcard, walking around for gotten Future, Gelsenkirchen 2010; Pavillons at son in a strong way as an individual, as a group as two days in Naples. After one month, a friend sent Insel Schütt, Nürnberg, 2006. On October 24, 2014, well, but at fi rst as an individuals with dignity. me an image, showing the piazza full of cars. Nea- Austria's president Heinz Fischer delivered a speech These photos are more than 10 years old, but in politanian taxis fi lled the piazza exactly like on the at the opening of Nicolai's Memorial for the Vic- the current discussion about immigration and postcard during a big strike. tims of Nazi Military Justice at Viennas Ballhaus- refugees, they have a strong impact. platz. Two years earlier, the artist was awarded the WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS? fi rst prize at the Memorial Competition imple- WHICH EXHIBITIONS AND PROJECTS I am currently working on an exhibition about my mented by the City Council of Vienna. WOULD YOU SINGLE OUT IN artist´s books of the last 20 years, which will be Olaf Nicolai (born in 1962) lives and works in YOUR CAREER AND WHY? presented next year. The next book will be a small Berlin. He studied German language and literature They are two pieces I see as very special. One is artist book about Tbilisi. This project is organized at the Universities of Leipzig, Budapest and Vienna, “Welcome to the Tears of St. Lawrence” which was by the ICA and the Goethe Institute of Tbilisi and and has worked as a visual artist since 1990. In presented at the Venice Biennale 2005. It is a sim- will be presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Installation view: Olaf Nicolai. There Is No Place addition to participating in solo and group exhibi- ple instruction, published as a poster. If you follow October. Before Arrival, Kunsthalle Wien 2018, © Olaf tions, he has shown at Documenta X (1997) and Nicolai & Bildrecht, 2018, Photo: Stephan Wyckoff Documenta 14 (2017), at the 49th and 51st Venice Biennale (2001 and 2005). For his work ‘In The EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY LIKA CHIGLADZE Woods There Is A Bird…,’ commissioned by Doc- umenta 14, Nicolai was awarded the Karl-Sczuka- Prize 2017 for works of radio art. laf Nicolai, one of Germany’s leading artists, notable for conceptual works GEORGIA TODAY spoke to Olaf Nicolai about that are both highly complex and the exhibition in Vienna and his works. poetic, has come up with yet another impressive show in Vienna (13/7 – WHAT IS THE MAIN TOPIC AND 7/10O 2018). As a part of his multilayered exhibition MESSAGE OF THE EXHIBITION? named There Is No Place Before Arrival, the artist When we communicate today, beside words we has used the images of Georgian migrants and use a lot of images. They accompany messages as transferred them onto the fl oor. At Kunsthalle Wien, well as being the messages themselves. For years Nicolai commissioned several street and theater I’ve been collecting images which are published in painters to paint onto the fl oor a pool of 22 images news papers. Not so much because I am interested of different kinds selected from his personal archive in the articles they are published with- more because of newspaper clippings. the images “hit” me. Something made me look at “A key aspect of Nicolai’s methodological approach them. In the show in Vienna, I selected 22 images is the way he engages with the context in which from this archive and asked street and theater his work is presented. In order to refl ect on this painters to paint the images on the fl oor of the context and call it into question, the exhibition exhibition space so you can walk over them, look extends itself outside of the institutional space and at them out of context, take photos of yourself with develops in the form of interdisciplinary projects, them and post them. In a booklet which each visi- thereby multiplying the references and interactions tor gets, you fi nd not only the sources and the the works make with one another and to their envi- original context of each image, you also get a very ronment,” reads the review about Kunsthalle Wien. personal index of texts. This montage creates a

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