INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 Five years after war, Georgia defies Russia over Europe TBILISI: Five years after it fought a war with Russia, significant ethnic Russian communities. Despite week, said his country of 4.5 million should not be Georgia will be represented in Vilnius by Georgia is preparing to defy its former Soviet mas- Russia’s concerns, Tbilisi will initial the accord on seen in the same light as Ukraine, whose population President Georgy Margvelashvili, who was elected ters again by initialling an accord on strengthening deepening trade and other cooperation with the EU is 10 times bigger. last month, but the prime minister’s post is the most ties with Europe. New Prime Minister Irakly on Friday at a summit in the Lithuanian capital of Georgia is further from Moscow’s orbit than powerful in the country. Garibashvili is toughing it out just a week after Vilnius. It expects to sign the final agreement next Ukraine and underlined its independence in 2008 by Garibashvili, a former interior minister, not only another former Soviet republic, Ukraine, bowed to year and hopes Moscow will adopt a warmer policy withdrawing from the Moscow-led Commonwealth faces a tough task soothing Russian concerns but pressure from Moscow and suspended plans to towards it as it tries in the long term to join NATO of Independent States, the political bloc created as also addressing the EU’s worries about Georgia’s cre- strike a similar deal with the European Union. and the EU. “I think that in the long run it’s in Russia’s the Soviet Union fell apart. dentials. The EU is alarmed by the arrest of several The South Caucasus country’s economy is much interests to resolve political disputes between our In a sign that ties could finally be improving, former ministers and other officials, including for- smaller than Ukraine’s but it is important to the EU countries,” he said. Russia this year lifted bans on imports of Georgian mer prime minister Vano Merabishvili, since because it hosts pipelines that carry Caspian gas and The Russian Foreign Ministry stepped up pres- wine, mineral water and fruit that were imposed in Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream coalition ousted oil to Europe. sure on former Soviet republics hoping to move 2006. Even so, tensions remain high after the August Saakashvili’s party at the polls in 2012. “Ukraine’s decision is very unfortunate, but closer to Europe on Tuesday by warning that they 2008 war over two Moscow-backed breakaway The EU has urged Georgian leaders to avoid the Ukraine and Georgia are different stories as we are would face “years of economic turmoil”, including regions. Diplomatic relations, severed after the war, “politics of revenge” - a remark that echoes its con- much less dependent on Russia than Ukraine is,” higher unemployment and lower living standards. have not been restored and Russia still controls the cerns about “selective justice” in Ukraine, which has Garibashvili told Reuters in an interview in the Moldova, another former Soviet republic, is also two separatist-minded regions. refused to release jailed former prime minister Yulia Georgian capital Tbilisi. defying the warnings and will initial an agreement But Garibashvili made clear he was not about to Tymoshenko. “Russia may use political and economic leverage on closer ties with the EU in Vilnius. Ukraine had be cowed by Russia, saying: “Twenty percent of our “Vano Merabishvili and Yulia Tymoshenko are to put pressure on Georgia, but I believe that it can- been expected to sign an association agreement in territory is occupied, and Russia has already recog- totally different stories,” Garibashvili said. “Some of not be serious.” Like Ukraine, Georgia is trying to Vilnius, allowing it to join a free trade area with the nised the independence of Abkhazia and so-called our European partners may have questions, but we’ll strike a balance between East and West but finding bloc. But after months of Russian warnings over gas South Ossetia. What else they can do?” make sure that this trial (against Merabishvili) is it hard to strengthen ties with Europe without supply cuts and trade restrictions, Kiev changed its Garibashvili is a close ally of Bidzina Ivanishvili, absolutely transparent.” upsetting Russia. Moscow is anxious to maintain its mind last week and said it would rebuild economic who quit this month as prime minister, saying his Merabishvili, a Saakashvili ally, is being tried for influence over states it dominated during Soviet ties with Moscow instead. job was done now that his rival Mikheil Saakashvili alleged vote-buying before last year’s parliamentary times, especially those with energy pipelines and Garibashvili, who became prime minister last was no longer president. election and other crimes. — Reuters Italy Senate expels ex-PM Berlusconi ‘It is the day they have been waiting for’

ROME: The Italian Senate yesterday expelled three-time ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi from Parliament over his tax fraud conviction, ending, for now, his two-decade legislative run but not his political career. Berlusconi has warned that the unprecedent- ed move would embarrass Italy internationally. He maintained his defiance as the Senate voted, declaring Wednesday a “day of mourning for democracy” before thousands of cheering, flag- BERLIN: (LtoR) Head of Social Democratic Party (SPD) Sigmar Gabriel, German waving supporters outside his Roman palazzo. Chancellor and head of Christian Democratic Party (CDU) Angela Merkel and leader Even though Berlusconi won’t hold a seat in of CDU Bavarian allies Christian Social Union (CSU) Horst Seehofer give a press con- Parliament, he is expected to remain influential ference after signing their agreement to form a coalition government yesterday in in Italian politics. He has relaunched his Forza Berlin. German Chancellor Merkel agreed to form a coalition government with cam- Italia party and he still commands millions of paign rivals the Social Democrats, two months after her conservatives won elections loyal supporters. While his lawyers chart possible but fell short of a full majority. — AFP legal challenges and his allies move into Italy’s opposition, Berlusconi’s fans massed in front of his Roman palazzo for a rally that analysts said German Chancellor, SPD was essentially the start of Italy’s next electoral campaign. clinch coalition deal “Today they are toasting because they can take an adversary, they say a friend, in front of the executioner’s squad,” Berlusconi said. “It is BERLIN: Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conserva- states will continue, despite SPD promises the day they have been waiting for for 20 years.” tives and the centre-left Social Democrats during the election campaign to take a more He pledged to continue his role as a political ROME: People show posters reading “Plutonium decays into 24.000 years, Uranium in 4 million (SPD) clinched a coalition deal yesterday that pro-growth approach in a single currency bloc leader, citing other figures not in Parliament, years, Berlusconi decays today !!!” in front of the Italian Senate yesterday in Rome. Italy’s par- puts Germany on track to have a new govern- ravaged by high unemployment. A closely namely the founder of the Five Star Movement, liament prepared to expel Silvio Berlusconi today over his tax fraud conviction in a momen- ment in place by Christmas. The agreement watched compromise on banking union Beppe Grillo, and Matteo Renzi of the tous move that raises the risk of his arrest but is unlikely to end his tumultuous career. — AFP was struck roughly two months after Merkel between the parties makes clear that the 17 Democratic Party, tipped by many as a future was the clear winner in national elections but member states have primary responsibility for premier candidate. tutional and can’t be applied retroactively to Alfano’s New Center-Right - would continue in fell short of a parliamentary majority, forcing dealing with their own stricken banks, and can “Also, from outside the Parliament, we can crimes allegedly committed before it was the short term. her into talks with the arch-rival SPD, with only turn to a common taxpayer-financed continue to fight for our liberty,” he said. passed. The opposition, however, now includes two whom she ruled in an awkward “grand coali- European fund for help when all other Supporters were treated to a video montage of They have taken their challenge to the strong leaders: Berlusconi and Grillo, whose tion” during her first term as Chancellor from avenues have been exhausted. Berlusconi’s greatest political hits from a career European Court of Human Rights - even though populist Five Star Movement encapsulates the 2005-2009. Carsten Nickel, a political analyst at Teneo that began in 1994 when he first came into pow- it turns out Berlusconi didn’t make much of his discontent many Italians feel with the country’s The deal, spelled out in a detailed 185- Intelligence, said the SPD had realized, after er with a political party named for a soccer chant Senate role to begin with: Private TV La7 report- byzantine politics. page policy document, will not be final until flirting with the idea of common euro-zone “Go Italy.” He said that even if he’s no longer a ed this week that “Berlusconi by himself doesn’t have the approved over the coming weeks by a postal bonds, “that the domestic political consensus senator, he will continue to be a force to reckon Berlusconi attended just one Senate session strength to bring down Letta’s government, but ballot of the 474,000 card-carrying SPD mem- does not reward any large-scale deviation with. “For us he will always be there,” said Marilda since April’s elections. And that was when he did he’s going to make it more difficult for the bers, many of them skeptical about partnering form Merkel’s path”. Although the cabinet Antonello as she held a banner reading “The law an about-face and backed the government in a Democratic Party to stay in the majority,” said with Merkel again. But the agreement will be posts have not yet been announced, is not equal for everyone. Sick justice.” “He is our confidence vote after threatening to bring it Giovanni Orsina, deputy director of the school of greeted with a sigh of relief in other European Wolfgang Schaeuble, Merkel’s trusted 71-year- only leader. He is the only man who can take down. government at Rome’s LUISS University. “I think capitals. The lengthy talks have delayed move- old finance minister, is widely expected to Italy forward,” she said. Nevertheless, Berlusconi made a last-ditch Silvio Berlusconi can do some damage to this ment on major European reforms, including keep his job. The Senate vote on whether to remove bid to save his seat this week, sending a letter to government.” the creation of a “banking union”, an ambi- Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the SPD may Berlusconi from the chamber stems from a 2012 opposition senators warning them that kicking a James Walston, a professor of international tious project designed to prevent a recurrence return as foreign minister after holding the law that bans anyone sentenced to more than three-time premier out of public office would relations at the American University of Rome, of the euro zone’s crippling debt crisis. post in the last “grand coalition” government. two years in prison from holding or running for tarnish Italy’s image abroad and weigh on their said the vote and rally essentially mark the start “The result is good for our country and has SPD chairman Sigmar Gabriel, who was also a public office for six years. His lawyers claim the consciences, “a responsibility that in the future to a new electoral campaign in which Berlusconi a conservative imprint,” said Hermann Groehe, member of that cabinet, could get a beefed- law is unconstitutional and have questioned will shame you in front of your children, your won’t be running for office but will be very much secretary general of Merkel’s Christian up economy ministry. The SPD remains trau- why the rush to expel him while legal challenges electors and all Italians.” a protagonist as the head of a party. Democrats (CDU). “No new taxes and no new matized by its partnership with Merkel. Left- are still pending. Berlusconi remains head of his relaunched “Berlusconi over the last few days has been debts.” Martin Schulz, president of the wingers in the party, already bitter about Italy’s high court on Aug. 1 upheld Forza Italia party, which on Tuesday officially conducting a very strident campaign,” Walston European Parliament and a senior SPD nego- labor reforms launched by the last SPD chan- Berlusconi’s tax fraud conviction and four-year withdrew its support of the government of said, referring to his letter to the opposition sen- tiator, called it an “excellent result” for his par- cellor, Gerhard Schroeder, abandoned the par- prison term stemming from his Mediaset Premier Enrico Letta and is now in the opposi- ators. “This is Berlusconi laying down part of his ty. Merkel and other party leaders will present ty in droves. In 2009, after four years of “grand empire’s purchase of television rights to US films. tion. Despite the switch, Letta’s government program for what he hopes is going to be elec- details of the deal at a news conference at 12 coalition”, the SPD scored its worst election The prison term was reduced automatically to comfortably survived a confidence vote early tions very shortly.” Meanwhile, Berlusconi still p.m. (1100 GMT) yesterday. The allocation of result of the post-war era, winning just 23 per- one year under a general amnesty; he will serve yesterday and passed the annual budget. He faces other legal problems, including a seven- cabinet posts is expected to be announced cent. his time either under house arrest or through survived because Berlusconi’s one-time political year prison term and lifetime ban from holding later. Some of those reforms are now being public service. heir, Angelino Alfano, split from his mentor ear- public office for his conviction of paying an To clinch the deal, Merkel agreed to SPD watered down, but the SPD referendum on Berlusconi claims he didn’t receive a fair trial lier this month and formed his own new center- underage prostitute for sex at his infamous demands for a minimum wage of 8.50 euros the coalition deal is still risky, with Alex White, and that the judges were biased and out to right party that remains loyal to Letta. “bunga bunga” parties and trying to cover it up. per hour, which some economists have an analyst at JP Morgan, estimating the “eliminate” him from public office. His lawyers Analysts said they expected Letta’s govern- He has professed his innocence and plans to warned could push up unemployment, partic- chances of a “no” vote at up to 20 percent. have also charged that the 2012 law is unconsti- ment - a hybrid of his Democratic Party and appeal. — AP ularly in eastern Germany. In order to prevent Were the party to reject the agreement, that, the wage will be phased in over a period Merkel could seek a coalition with the envi- of years, with sector-specific exceptions ronmentalist Greens. A new election is anoth- allowed until 2017, when the wage formally er possibility. With the talks ending on the Nov Cameron curbs welfare kicks in nationwide. 27 deadline set by Merkel, SPD leaders must now persuade members at over 30 rallies that CONTINUITY IN EUROPE a minimum wage is a victory for the working benefits for EU migrants On European policy, Merkel’s insistence on class. “We will convince members,” Steinmeier painful economic reform in struggling euro told reporters. —Reuters LONDON: Prime Minister David Cameron yester- benefits, saying he shared deep public concerns to make it harder for people from poorer countries day promised to make it harder for migrants from about a possible influx of new migrants. in the 28-nation bloc to relocate to richer countries the European Union to access Britain’s welfare sys- Newcomers would not be eligible for housing in time. French court upholds tem and pledged to try to restrict the freedom of benefits and would lose the right to unemploy- That, he said, could involve capping the annu- movement of people from poorer EU states in time. ment benefits after six months unless they could al number of EU migrants or withholding full His plan, an attempt to address public fears prove they had a realistic chance of finding a job. freedom of movement rights until a country dismissal over headscarf about an influx of Romanians and Bulgarians when He said he also planned to try to renegotiate achieved a certain gross domestic product per EU restrictions on those two countries expire next PARIS: A Paris appeal court yesterday end of the case. Lawyers for Afif said it the way EU freedom of movement rules are applied head. —Reuters year, drew a rebuke from the European upheld the right of a nursery to fire a was “very probable” that they would Commission which said his intervention was “an female employee who insisted on wear- launch another appeal and she herself unfortunate over-reaction”. ing an Islamic headscarf at work. In the has said she is prepared to take her case latest round of a long-running legal bat- all the way to the European Court of But Cameron, whose Conservative party risks tle, the court overturned a controversial Human Rights. seeing its vote split at European elections next year March 2013 ruling that the “Baby-Wolf” Two earlier rulings, by a works tribunal and at a national election in 2015 by the anti-immi- kindergarten in the Paris suburbs had and a lower level appeal court in gration UK Independence Party, is under pressure been guilty of religious discrimination Versailles, had both upheld the nursery’s to act at a time when he is trailing in the polls. when it dismissed Fatima Afif in 2008. case that they were entitled to insist on He has said he will try to renegotiate Britain’s Afif was sacked after telling her the children being looked after/educated membership of the EU to give it more of a say over employer that, on her return to work fol- in an environment free from religious its own affairs and has promised to hold an in/out lowing five years of maternity leave, she influence. referendum if re-elected in 2015 amid public scep- wished to wear a headscarf at all times. Those decisions were overturned in ticism about the benefits of belonging to the bloc. The head of the day nursery refused, cit- March by the Court of Cassation in a rul- “The EU of today is very different from the EU of ing the establishment’s rules that ing which was widely denounced by 30 years ago,” Cameron said in an article in the employees had to be neutral in terms of politicians across the political spectrum Financial Times. “We need to face the fact that free philosophy, politics and faith. That led to as undermining secular education and movement has become a trigger for vast popula- a stand-off and Afif being made redun- led to calls for the law to be clarified. tion movements caused by huge disparities in dant. Any overt religious symbols-head- income. That is extracting talent out of countries Yesterday’s verdict supporting the scarves, Jewish skullcaps or Sikh turbans that need to retain their best people and placing nursery’s action was hailed as a landmark for example-are banned from French pressure on communities.” decision by supporters of secular educa- state schools, which operate on strictly Cameron said he planned to change British law tion. But, in reality, it is unlikely to be the secular lines. —AFP so that new EU migrants would have to wait three LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron, second left, walks from 10 Downing Street in months before they could access unemployment London, to attend Prime Minister’s Questions at the Houses of Parliament, yesterday. — AP