Member Info for Looed

FRC v Mourant Ozannes posted 5/3/23

The “Dismiss” document can now be accessed and it is in fact a Motion to Dismiss filed by the defendant, Mourant, citing lack of jurisdiction, and improper venue.

According to Google, the court must reply within 45 days.

You can access the Motion to Dismiss here - https://www.docketbird.com/court-documents/Frontera-Resources-Corporation-v-Ozannes/Dismiss/txsd-4:2023-cv-00644-00004?user_id=guest

Pt. 2 (final part)

Finally, the government of Georgia decided to extend the contract with "Frontera", according to them the reason behind was to preserve the investment environment and strategic partnership with the United States.

By the decision of the government, the contract with "Frontera" was not terminated and the opportunity was given to continue its activities in the part of the initial contract territory, where oil production was still going on since Soviet times.
It is about 1% of the exploration territory of the state, since about 99% of this territory has already been returned to the state by “Frontera”, according to the arbitration decision.

https://business-partner.ge/biznesi/sakartvelos-navtobis-sektorshi-shesadzloa-frontera-dabrundes

Translation #59, article from Businesspartner.ge (found by Chris572) posted 31/1/23
(some subtle differences from the google translation making it slightly easier to follow)

Pt.1

"Frontera" may return to Georgia's oil sector

State oil and gas agency may announce renewed tender on "Frontera" block.

As the chairman of the agency, Giorgi Tatishvili, reported to "Business Partner”, "Frontera" returned 99% of the license block according to the international arbitration order. It has 1% remaining where the Oil and Gas Corporation operates.

“The local company of “Frontera” is in liquidation mode. As the liquidation process is underway, and not to deteriorate the economic situation and not to spill the oil, this oil is managed by the state itself. However, at the same time, we are negotiating with the American management of “Frontera", which has a desire to continue working here, but with the condition of fulfilling the terms that were put forward by the arbitration, because the amount has to be paid. So there is an opportunity for” Frontera " to return. If this does not happen, the state will continue to work there,” – says Giorgi Tatishvili.

According to him, formally, the license holder is still "Frontera". The conversation is about the “Frontera” which was founded in the Cayman Islands.

“When the liquidator entered this company, they did not have any motivation to work in Georgia. Until this situation with the American management of “Frontera” is sorted out, and they will make a decision whether to return or not, we will work until then,” – says Giorgi Tatishvili.

We would like to remind you that “Frontera” violated the contract, dated June 25, 1997, on the production sharing and processing plant, which became the legal basis for termination of the contract. According to the decision made by the arbitral tribunal, return of the search area of "Frontera" (about 99 percent of the contract area) to the state and reimbursement of expenses incurred by the Georgian side in connection with the arbitration dispute (total payment obligations of about 6 million US dollars) was ordered.

According to the contract of 1997, "Frontera" was to carry out search works within 10 years in order to discover new commercial reserves of hydrocarbons and further exploit them. After the expiration of this period, the company requested the extension of the search period 2 times, which was satisfied by the Georgian side. Accordingly, the total search period has increased by 20 years. As a result of 20 years of unsuccessful search, in 2017 "Frontera" asked again for an additional extension of the search period for 5 years and refused to return the search area. This became the basis for the corporation and the agency to submit a request to The Hague Permanent Arbitration Court for initiating an arbitration dispute.

#58 Transcript of ZM / BLB interview 21 Aug, 21

J1 - Zaza Mamulaishvili, a former employee of the United States International Oil and Gas Company "Frontera", is accused of fraud. According to a statement issued by the company, Mamulaishvili is trying to embezzle Frontera's business fraudulently. The company says that the statement made by Green Capital and Zaza Mamulaishvili is aimed at misleading the public and harming Frontera. According to them, Mamulaishvili's goal is to portray the Georgian government as hostile to foreign direct investment from the United States. "Green Capital" is a Georgian company with a dubious reputation, which operates in agreement with Zaza Mamulaishvili, a former employee of Frontera. "Neither the company nor Mamulaishvili is associated with Frontera in any way," the company said.

N Turava, Economy Minister - They really had an arbitration dispute with the American "Frontera". Since then we have been cooperating quite constructively. One of our main demands is for Frontera to take into account amounts owed to the employeed people. In general, “Frontera” is important for us as an American business and, I am sure, very soon we will reach a mutual agreement. As for the false information spread today, I would like to call on the media channels that spread such unverified information so quickly, to check who their respondents are, so that they do not find themselves in the same awkward situation as they are today. Because American “Frontera” has made a statement that the gentlemen who seem to be speaking on behalf of this company do not represent this company at all.

Maia Mtsariashvili, BLB law Firm - Green Capital" was used as a weapon and in one day the court, in an 8-minute court session, transferred the entire assets of Frontera (American investments, established business) to the name of "Green Capital", behind which we consider Zaza Mamulaishvili. „Green Capital“ is not an American company. All these statements made yesterday were intended to mislead the public. At the moment, Frontera is seeking legal ways for his rights, including disputes against Mamulaishvili in all jurisdictions, American, Georgian, and we have also appealed to the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia to launch an investigation against them.
https://www.imedi.ge/ge/video/79644/frontera-resources-corporationis-gantskhadeba#!?from=&page=1&to=&season=-1&type=1

Translation #57 News piece with Minister Turnava and BLB from Aug 2021, posted 17/1/22

(BLB is FRC's legal representative in Georgia)

J1 - Zaza Mamulaishvili, a former employee of the United States International Oil and Gas Company "Frontera", is accused of fraud. According to a statement issued by the company, Mamulaishvili is trying to embezzle Frontera's business fraudulently. The company says that the statement made by Green Capital and Zaza Mamulaishvili is aimed at misleading the public and harming Frontera. According to them, Mamulaishvili's goal is to portray the Georgian government as hostile to foreign direct investment from the United States. "Green Capital" is a Georgian company with a dubious reputation, which operates in agreement with Zaza Mamulaishvili, a former employee of Frontera. "Neither the company nor Mamulaishvili is associated with Frontera in any way," the company said.

Natia Turnava, Minister of the Economy - They really had an arbitration dispute with the American "Frontera". Since then we have been cooperating quite constructively. One of our main demands is for Frontera to take into account amounts owed to the employeed people. In general, “Frontera” is important for us as an American business and, I am sure, very soon we will reach a mutual agreement. As for the false information spread today, I would like to call on the media channels that spread such unverified information so quickly, to check who their respondents are, so that they do not find themselves in the same awkward situation as they are today. Because American “Frontera” has made a statement that the gentlemen who seem to be speaking on behalf of this company do not represent this company at all.

Maia Mtsariashvili, Partner at BLB - "Green Capital" was used as a weapon and in one day the court, in an 8-minute court session, transferred the entire assets of Frontera (American investments, established business) to the name of "Green Capital", behind which we consider Zaza Mamulaishvili. „Green Capital“ is not an American company. All these statements made yesterday were intended to mislead the public. At the moment, Frontera is seeking legal ways for his rights, including disputes against Mamulaishvili in all jurisdictions, American, Georgian, and we have also appealed to the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia to launch an investigation against them.
https://www.imedi.ge/ge/video/79644/frontera-resources-corporationis-gantskhadeba#!?from=&page=1&to=&season=-1&type=1

Pt. 7 (and final part)

J1 - Yes sir. This is what we have to do. We have to change the government and we have to elect them, but separately I ask you, at least, the attitude of the American establishment. In this situation, I think they are also a little confused, in the sense that Georgia is a partner for them, they are also trying to help us and maintain normal relationship with the government. Here, now they also sent us a Pfizer 500,000 doses, which was extremely important to us. But the Georgian dreams keeps doing the things that should not be done, e.g. appointing the judges, etc. More and more often we are told that this is how you are going to Russia. When will the patience bowl be filled? Can they forget Georgia and lose interest in this country or fight with the Georgian people to save something? The last question is mine and you should say goodbye.

ZM - One of the most important factors in Georgia-US relations is what is happening today. While the United States is withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, it was recently announced that it has also begun withdrawing troops from Iraq. Georgia's function in relation to the United States is changing. It will no longer be so important ...

J1 - Is the importance decresing or what?

ZM - It`s decreasing

J1 - However, maybe on the contrary, some kind of logistics center should be somewhere in this region? Maybe Georgia has this function?

ZM - Well, maybe this is the function that Georgia needs to acquire, for that both the opposition and the government need to work with the United States to make Georgia interesting for the United States again with this united position. There are a lot of our fans there and if we do nothing at all, there will still be people in Washington who are really very supportive of Georgia. But the question is, will all this be enough for us to withstand pressure from Russia? To endure Turkish-Russian relations? The growing influence of China, which will spread throughout the region and Georgia. Therefore, the most important thing here is how actively Georgia (government and opposition) will work with the United States to create a new function of interest in this bilateral relationship. Today this does not seem to be happening.

J1 - Is there any similar resource with this government?

ZM - I think it would be desirable for the Prime Minister to be more actively involved in all this and for the Gharibashvili administration to work more actively. From what I see, it does not happen. On the contrary, this relationship is becoming more and more tense and this gap in our relationship is getting deeper and deeper.

J1 - Thank you so much for participating in the show. Zaza Mamulaishvili was our guest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJssbcGt3Fs

#55, Pt. 6

J1 - And you are here again and you continue to work. It is an interesting story. Are you no longer called Frontera?

ZM - Yes, we are called Frontera Eastern Georgia.

J1 - OK, but what is Green Capital then?

ZM - Green Capital is one of the founders. He is a party to the contract.

J1 - Are you also planning to up “Fontera” brand as well?

ZM - Maybe but we are not planning it now.

J1 - But you will remain US company

ZM - Of course

J1 - Mr. Zaza, we have little time and I would like to ask you about the processes that are taking place in the relations between the Georgian government and the West. I would like to ask you about Gharibashvili's visit to America. You are a pretty informed person. What information do you have? Was Gharibashvili's visit to Washington planned? To what extent does Gharibashvili have a chance to be handshaken by Western politicians, and in particular US politicians, etc., especially after July 5, when he was associated with violence.

ZM - The Prime Minister of Georgia has been trying for a long time to organize his visit to the United States, in particular to Washington. But it does not turn out that way. Ther are many reasons behind. A person may go there and have a few minor meetings, but the mood is very different. It is different from what it was 2, 3 or 4 years ago. Especially what is happening lately - they are killing free speech, they are killing journalists, they are killing business, they are killing the economy, they are killing the population because the whole country is hungry. They have no job and no income. By the way, there is a lot of material that due to malnutrition, the Georgian generation is no longer growing fully. For decades to come, we will reap what is happening in Georgia now. Prime Minister Gharibashvili has no answers to this today. The answers that are expected of him in Washington.

J1 - Is he trying to get to Washington? I think he realizes that it will be uncomfortable for him and I do not think he is eager to get there

ZM - He tries to get there, but he himself realizes that it will not be an easy visit and many do not expect him there to come.

J1 - Mr. Zaza, the opposition, which has always had high hopes for its Western partners in this difficult process, still says that the Georgian Dream has crossed the red line once, crossed it twice, and that the Western partners will impose sanctions on either Georgia or Ivanishvili or Gharibashvili. We have also talked about sanctions many times in this show. Do you think that these sanctions are too abstract a hope for the Georgian political spectrum?

ZM - Sanctions are not a very abstract prospect because these sanctions have been talked about for a very long time in Washington, including in 2019, even in 2020 a bill was registered in Congress that provided for the sanctioning of public officials.

J1 - Yes sir, though it is 2021 and nothing is happening. Ivanishvili realizes that nothing will

#55, Pt. 5,

ZM - It was unclear because we could not understand it for some period of time. One day, high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Economy, together with the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and State Security Service, announced the expropriation of private property. Crude oil prepared for sale, which should ...

J1 - And what is the formal reason for this?

ZM - The reason given was that the shareholders were arguing with each other - Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation and Frontera Resources Corporation. One is a company that lost its rights to this project 2 years ago and the other that lost all its rights to this project 1 year and 4 months ago. Therefore, when these companies were arguing, they came and seized a completely different company. Frontera Eastern Georgia is not even a party to that dispute.

J1 - What did they present to you? What documents were submitted to you?

ZM - They presented the documentation - it's about plain language to say Ms. Nino, if I had a dispute with someone about an apartment, and they would seize the apartment and they would actually come and evict you from your apartment. Here it is. Frontera Eastern Georgia has absolutely nothing to do with it. It is an operating company. This company has won the state tender, obtained a license and has had this license for 24 years. By law they have this right to conduct operations.

J1 - What is their task? Tell us briefly why they came in and what you are going to do. I would like to ask a question on another topic as well.

ZM - Their task is quite clear. 2 things are messed up. It unites people who have been marked by sharply anti-Western and anti-American propaganda for years. These are state structures. These are the Oil and Gas Corporation under the Ministry of Economy, the Oil and Gas Agency, etc., and, on the other hand, this anti-Western propaganda and direction is happily carried out by corrupt officials.

J1 - What kind of interest is there? Do they want to replace you with someone else?

ZM - I do not know who they want to replace, but the reality is that after we have done a lot of work and invested a lot of capital and proved for the first time in the history of Georgia that Georgia has its own oil and gas reserves, only after all these they wanted to take all these for themselved. It has been certified by very famous American companies.

J1 - So, you can start a new dispute against this government, right? Did the fight was in vain for so long? I have been seeing so many ads lately that Frontera has lost the dispute in arbitration. They still have it boosted on Facebook. Was it for nothing?

ZM - They forgot to mention there that they paid 45 million to get a win over the company which is in process of liquidation.

J1 - So, all was in vain?

ZM - Of course. That company does not exist

#55, Pt. 4,

J1 - It also reads: "On July 14, Frontera addressed with a statement to the Prosecutor General of Georgia requesting the criminal proceedings to be instituted against you and that Frontera intends to hold Zaza Mamulaishvili and his associates accountable for all their illegal actions against Frontera in Georgia. Frontera is working closely with the Georgian government to bring it back to normal operation and at the same time appreciates the constructive support of the Georgian government." With that I think everything is said, but now you tell me what is happening.

ZM - I heard with this statement that it turns out that they have applied to the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia. I would like to use this broadcast and address Mr. Shotadze that I will be happy to answer all the questions at any time.

J1 - To be specific, you are not the one to whom the Georgian government won the dispute in arbitration.

ZM - Yes

J1 - Please tell us what you are doing now and then I would like to ask you for an opinion on international political issues.

ZM - With pleasure. So, let`s return for 1 second to the previous topic, the Georgian government paid 45 million GEL and won this arbitration dispute with the company which is currently in the liquidation phase.

J1 - Is this company struggling to get local Frontera in its hands?

ZM - No. Fights the third front, which is no longer in the overall picture for the last 2 years.

J1 - It is a difficult situation. Then let’s move on to what’s going on here. Why did they come in and why did they seal your terminal? Do you normally continue to work?

ZM - Despite this dispute ... such things often happen in business, shareholders argue, financiers argue. This is not new, but despite all this, we still continued and continue our work.

J1 - We remember letters from congressmen and senators - American business is being harassed by the Georgian government, Frontera is an American company, and so on. Is Frontera no longer an American company today?

ZM - Frontera still operates 100% with American capital. The treaty also treats it as an American entity.

J1 - So does government want from you now?

ZM - To be honest the biggest surprise for us is this. Because instead of rejoicing over the fact that after these trials, after this tense situation, after the dismissed employees, after the reduced incomes, we again gathered new investments, interested the new companies, brought new capital into the country and continued to work normally, about 2 years ago, now, completely unexpectedly, they have taken a very vague position regarding all this and ...

J1 - What is unclear? Everything is certain.

#55, Pt. 3

J1 - So, what do they want from you? The company says that Zaza Mamulaishvili, a former employee of Green Capital and Frontera, published a letter related to their unsuccessful attempt to misappropriate Frontera's business in Georgia. It is said that Green Capital is an enterprise with a dubious reputation. In short, there is talk that you are misleading the public and want to harm Frontera. Please explain because it turns out that Frontera has a problem not only with the Georgian government, but also within the company itself.

ZM - The Frontera who published this statement today, by the way I am the largest shareholder and creditor of this company. Earlier this year I applied to the company to repay the debt owed to me. Trust me, this is a pretty solid amount. They did not want to pay this amount and I was forced to go to the Houston court in the USA and start a court hearing on this case. Offended by this, they started this kind of communication with various state bodies.

J1 - Is this company no longer related to you in any way? I was a little surprised by this. Let's read. In addition to having claims against you, "you are trying to mislead the public and harm the Frontera." You are known for criticizing the Georgian government and their foreign policy, and you often come to us as an expert rather than a representative of Frontera. Here is what it says: "This message seeks to portray the Georgian government as hostile to foreign direct investment from the United States." You are reprimanded for this. You are also reprimanded for working against the Georgian government. What group is this? Is this Frontera Resource Georgia? How did the Georgian Dream get involved here?

ZM - These two parties, on the one hand, the Georgian government, which spent GEL 45 million to sue Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation and settle an arbitration dispute and fight each other, now somehow the representatives of our government and the company that is in the stage of bankruptcy and liquidation have united now and spread 1000 absurd statements about us.

J1 - These people write that "Frontera" started legal actions against Zaza Mamulaishvili in the United States and Georgia in order to protect and maintain the long-running business of Frontera in Georgia. I have such a question - who is Frontera, who works in Georgia today? Are you still in dispute and these people are complaining to you that what is in Georgia is theirs.

ZM - No. It is only mentioned in this letter, but there is nothing controversial about it. Three courts in three countries (the International Court of Arbitration in Stockholm, the Grand Chamber of the Cayman Islands Court, the Tbilisi City Court) have ruled over the years that the company has nothing to do with the ongoing oil and gas operations, licenses and projects in Georgia.

#55, Pt. 2,

ZM - (contd) We won an international tender announced by the Government of Georgia in 1997 and obtained a subsoil use license. This license cost the company about $ 60 million, which is colossal sum today, not to mention 1997. We have successfully started this project and have successfully invested GEL 2 billion in this project over the last 24 years. We paid several hundred million GEL to the state budget and thousands of people had incomes.

J1 - However, this has been repeatedly questioned by the Georgian authorities. It was said that you did not make much investment and so on.

ZM - Proving this is very simple. For decades, we have been audited not only by the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation, but also by the well-known auditing company PWC. It can very easily be proven that these numbers I am talking about today are very real and genuine. In addition, the Frontera group included and still includes several different Fronteras, for example: Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation ...

J1 - And who complained to the Georgian government? Who did they have a dispute with?

ZM - The Georgian government has sued Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation.

J1 - However, Frontera also sued the Georgian state-owned company and demanded $ 3.5 billion in damages. This is a bit of a tangled story and I'll try to figure it out with you.

ZM - After the Oil and Gas Corporation and the Ministry of Economy sued Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation, a counterclaim was subsequently filed. That amount was $ 3.5 billion and then, with the goodwill of the company, this counterclaim was withdrawn.

J1 - Where is Frontera Resources Georgia now? Is there still a dispute with the Georgian government? What is the relationship of this Frontera Resources Corporation with the local Frontera that you represent? Please explain. I want to understand the essence of the dispute.

ZM - The main company that conducts oil and gas operations is Frontera Eastern Georgia. Over the years, Frontera Eastern Georgia has attracted investment funds from various companies and invested in oil and gas exploration. Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation has been one of the major shareholders for a period of time, from 1997 to 2021. But when the Georgian authorities began harassing, persecuting and restricting working conditions, it became very difficult for them to work. It is now in the process of bankruptcy and liquidation.

J1 - So, this company is already out from Georgia?

ZM - Yes, correct

J1 - Here, this company made a statement against you today. Frontera Resources Corporation. Is this another company?

ZM - This is another one that has exited from these projects even earlier.

Translation #55, Kavkasia TV interview with ZM, 05/08, 29m, Pt. 1

J1 - We have a government that is not expected in the capitals of Europe and the Western partners and is considered an unwanted guest. The Baltic media also confirms that Irakli Gharibashvili's visit to these countries failed. However, the Georgian government denies it. It was recently reported that Gharibashvili's visit to the United States did not take place. However, the Georgian government denies this. Amid strained relations with the West, how is the Georgian government going to continue its activities when it was opposed by the President of Georgia? Salome Zurabishvili was as critical of the Georgian Dream yesterday as she has ever been. Representatives of the Georgian Dream accuse her of bias, but do not respond with very harsh assessments, as could have done in the case of former President Giorgi Margvelashvili. In short, in such a situation, how the government will go to the elections, we will talk about it in the second and third part of the program with experts. And in the first block of the show - a topic not far from all this. Frontera and Georgia. The dispute continues. What is the matter? Why the Frontera terminal was seized by the Ministry of Economy of Georgia with the help of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and State Security Service. What is new in the dispute between the Frontera and the Georgian government - we will talk about it with Zaza Mamulaishvili. He is the CEO of Frontera Eastern Georgia, however, it was reported today that he is being accused of not being a Frontera representative. Could you please clarify this, Mr. Zaza? I am also a little confused today and I would like to ask you to find out first what is happening to Frontera itself, because Frontera is one of the main factors in the relationship between America and Georgia, first of all, thank you for participating in the show. Many have accused you, with the help of your own lobbyists, of creating an unfavorable background and mood for the Georgian government in Congress and the Senate, providing them with unfavorable information, and Frontera is to blame for everything, and American congressmen and senators are often accused of Frontera lobbying. It is said that this is why they opposed the Georgian government. In short, what happened? I will say what we know briefly. Georgian authorities have defeated Frontera in international arbitration. You have real problems here - the company is failing to meet its obligations, etc. However, today we learn that the terminal has been closed and your oil has been seized. What is actually happening? Who is Frontera? Who are you and what is happening? Let us be brief if you can.

ZM - With great pleasure. First of all I would like to thank you very much for the invitation. I should probably start with the fact that Frontera Eastern Georgia has been working in Georgia for 24 years. I have been the CEO of this company for 24 years.

Pt.2 (and final part)

J2 - Of particular interest is the involvement of State Security Service in this lawlessness process. An agency that is used by the government as a political police force, and it is especially incomprehensible to involve this particular institution in this case, when there is a specific commercial dispute and there is an American investor on one side and a state energy company on the other side. Once again, American investors are talking about an illegal decision made by a court. And, they also talk about the fact that these specific decisions and actions of the government threaten not only the investment environment, but also the environment, because it is clear that the transportation, confiscation and disposal of this large amount of raw materials requires some responsibility, including ecological, which in this case is natural. And it is unclear who is responsible for all this. As for the facility that was seized, this license block is located in Dedoplistskaro, which has been the operating unit of Frontera Eastern since the spring of 2021, which shareholder is not Frontera Resources, but Green Capital. However, the government does not seem to be indifferent towards the new investor and pursues specific interests in this case as well.

https://mtavari.tv/news/52588-terminali-dalukes-navtobi-daaqadaghes-pronterasa

Translation #54 - mtavari piece with ZM, GC lawyer, 5m12s, Pt. 1

J1 - The government's struggle against American investment continues. Georgian Dream once again confronts Frontera Resources and accuses it of trying to appropriate business. The offices of Frontera and Green Capital have been seized and sealed so far. What is the Georgian Dream`s plan this time? Misha Sesiashvili is working on this topic. You are live, Misha.

J2 - Yes, it seems the fight against American investment continues and saga of the Frontera Resources also continues. The point is that after the relations of the American company with the Georgian Dream government became significantly tense and practically impossible to implement, the company's investors made a decision and left Georgia. The assets in Georgia were given to the American company "Green Capital". However, although the name has changed, the approach of the government and state-owned companies to American energy companies does not seem to have changed. Specifically, this decision, the decision to transfer assets between 2 investors, was stopped by the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation, and a few days ago, with the help of State Security Service, law enforcement and other law enforcement agencies, confiscated the crude oil extracted in Frontera Eastern. I remind you that Frontera Eastern is no longer Frontera Resources. Now it is only Green Capital and the Georgian Gas and Oil Corporation with a 50/50 percent stake. And the reality is that now both the former investor, Frontera Resources, and the current Green Capital are both talking about continuing struggle against American investment using Bolshevik methods and expropriation.

Giorgi Kishmaria, Lawyer of Green Capital / FRGC - As of now, I can say that Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation left Georgia reaching the settlement with Green Capital. The court seized, at the request of the agency and the corporation, oil and gas from both Green Capital and Frontera Eastern Georgia, as well as the Frontera Resources branch in this case. Frontera Resources Oil is no more in this case. Oil is property of Green Capital and Frontera Eastern. Frontera Eastern is represented by State and Green Capital. This is outrageous. We are not allowed to sell oil and gas, they have carried out some special operation, sealed the wells, banned us from selling it with Eastern, and most importantly - made an unbelievable decision where the debtor is not Eastern at all and is actually the owner.

ZM - When shareholders change, it is not the state’s business. A few days ago, high-ranking government officials, accompanied by the Ministry of Interior and State Security Service, arrived at the company's oil terminal and sealed it. The crude oil was expropriated and taken away and dumped in the state reservoirs neglecting every law, every contract, every court that came into force. They do not have such a right. In practice, they stop the company's activities completely illegally.

#53 Pt.5 (final part)

J1 - Today, "Frontera" no longer exists in its old form. Therefore, when we say that Frontera lost the arbitration dispute, we should mean Frontera Eastern Georgia, a local branch that went bankrupt and after which, Zaza Mamulaishvili established "Green Capital" and replaced it with it in order to extract oil from Kakheti. Mamulaishvili is trying to extract as much oil as possible in Kakheti with Green Capital and export it from the region. Specialists say it does so with fewer employees required, with many risks and regulations being violated. One of the consequences of this is the uncontrolled flow of oil from wells, which poses a threat to the Vashlovani Nature Reserve, arable land and crops, a unique breed of birds, and also creates a fire-hazardous situation.

J2 - This dispute between the Georgian government and the company clearly shows the catastrophic situation in the country. Incompetent politicians and managers do not have the ability to figure out the situation. People who worked in this industry for many years were doomed to death by a foreign company. The government of the country also turned their backs on them, because the knowledge and experience of specialists exposes both sides to lies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdWo1T4bXyg

#53 Pt.4

VL - In November, 84 people filed a lawsuit. On December 17, the company fired us altogether. After a severe reprimand, we were fired for not showing up for work. I think it also happened because we filed a lawsuit. They were not satisfied with the lawsuit. Then in December 2017, we were not paid for the new year. We were all surprised. Then from 2018 we were given a salary every other month, once every 3 months and that 3 month debt was moved to 2019. In 2019, a large amount of oil was exported, 5,000 tons, and we thought we would be paid a minimum wage of 3 months, but that did not happen.

Temur Grigalashvili, former employee (TG) - They made fun of us. Salaries were delayed. It was good from the beginning. Slowly the delay began. For example, if you received your January salary and missed February, and if you received your salary in March, it was called the March salary. February was lost. This was accumulated to 11 months salary. When we did not receive 4-5 months salary, we went on strike. Finally they told us that we could leave anytime we want. I wish I had went on that time. We were extracting 20-25 tons oil each day, and I wonder why such amount of oil cant cover the cost of the personel and the plants and leave the provit as well. 25 tons is too much oil. The solution is that salaries should be given to us otherwise we will not allow anyone to work.

J2 - At the end of 2019, Frontera was sued by about 85 of its employees, including four people (Zaza Tsiklauri, Nodar Arabuli, Avtandil Onanashvili and Gia Kovziridze) who died in such a way that the Sighnaghi District Court has not yet considered the case on unpaid salaries. Gia Kovziridze died of a heart attack in May this year. He owed a bank he could not repay and was left homeless.

Nodar Gomelauri, former employee (NG) - We have been in this dispute for more than 1.5 years. 2 men died earlier, 1 was ill from the beginning, had no money for medicine, the other had no money for surgery. Then one hanged himself, and the 4th died of a heart attack.

Neli Jamalashvili, mother of Gia Kovziridze - They are no longer working for the third year and during this time, they have not received salaries since 2019. They owe him 11-month salary, which is up to $ 5,000. They promised to give us the accumulated salary and because of the fact that we were not able to pay the bank the debts increased. He was very worried that he had no salary, that he was sitting at home, that he had worked for Frontera for 30 years and left him jobless after all this time.

#53 Pt. 3

Nodar Gomelauri, former employee, (NG) - Frontera lost the dispute with them. As for disclosure, both parties must disclose it. They do not make it public, but we know that the state has won. They have to pay to the court about 6 million USD, apart from the debt which they have to pay to the oil and gas corporation. It seems that the government does not want to ruin the relationship with USA. They wanted to terminate the contract with them on July 27 but few days earlier Ms. Turnava and Mr. Gakharia stated that they give the company another change. They did not wat to spoil US-Georgian relationships and let them to continue the work. $250 000 was quite enough for our salaries but they paid it to lobbyist companies.

J2 - This is despite the fact that according to the available information, the arbitration dispute was resolved in favor of Georgian agencies. Formally, Frontera must agree to the publication of the arbitral award, but he argues on the one hand that the case has not been lost and that the majority and most important part of the claims have been decided by the court in his favor, and on the other hand does not agree to its publication.

J1 - While Frontera and its chairman, Steve Nicandros, have spent thousands of dollars since 2017 on lobbyists and political donations, the company's Georgian employees have not been paid for 11 months. Finally, they were left jobless. Former employees of Frontera have sued the company over unpaid salaries. 85 employees said that from December 2016 to November 2019, the company did not pay them salaries regularly, which ended in 11 months of unpaid labor for the period until 2020.

IT - We were extracting the oil which was consumed by the company Frontera. It was exported and we had a salary. You can see for yourself now that everything is stopped. Only a few of them work now. The company did not even admit bankruptcy, and we were all so fired from our jobs because we demanded our 11 months nonpaid debts. Throughout the year of 2019, there was not salary for 2 months, then after 1 month, from 2018 frankly speaking. When we protested against this they told us that we could leave if we don’t want to work. They will give us the reprimand on the first case and after they would fire us. So, this is not clear for me why you should treat these people in this way who want to receive what the earned.

J1 - Within a month of filing the lawsuit, Frontera fired more than 100 employees, including all the complainants. And 6 of them were sued by Frontera for delaying work and demanding $ 7,000 from them.

#53 Pt. 2

J1 - In order to end the arbitration dispute in their favor in 2017-2021, the Texas company spent $ 890,000 on lobbying. Following the end of the arbitration dispute in 2017, Republican Senator Steve Russell initiated the Georgia Fair Practices Sanctions Act. The initiative, according to the company’s 2018 internal documentation, was the result of lobbying funded by Frontera. In February 2019, Congressman Markwayne Mullin, a member of Congress from Oklahoma, along with 11 other members of Congress, re-introduced the Georgia Fair Practices Sanctions Act. Of those 11, 8 members of Congress had received donations from Nikandros in 2017-2019.

J2 - "In a letter to the Georgian government, Malin spoke, among other things, about reducing foreign direct investment in Georgia, expropriating the interests of American and European businesses, and citing the oil and gas company Frontera as an example." Georgian politicians also responded to the lobbyists' statements with their usual incompetence and colonial psychology and superficiality.

Giorgi Vashadze, MP (GV) - This is exactly the case with Frontera. One is said, but with the other hand they are fighting against investment, which should create jobs in the country.

Unnamed Politician - This is not only a problem for 1 private company and American investor, but also a very bad signal sent to foreign investors or domestic investors in general.

Mamuka Khazaradze, businessman (MK) - This practically calls into question the strategic relationship that has developed between the United States and Georgia over the last 30 years through a great deal of hard work and energy.

J2 - However, they said nothing about the fate of the people who faced terrible injustice in the process.

J1 - Pressure from Congress continued until July 23, 2020, when the Ministry of Economy did not issue a statement stating that it had won the arbitration dispute, but stated: "In order to maintain the reputation of a country with a model investment environment, the Georgian government has decided not to terminate its contract with Frontera."

J3 - Frontera, involved in an international scandal and exposed in fraud in different countries, is still trying ...

J1 - Therefore, the government has been claiming for years that Frontera was acting in bad faith. The state media referred to the company as an international scammer, but despite all this, the collaboration still continued.

Translation #53 - Mautskebeli youtube piece, 17m.42s, 25/6/21

0% of this is old news, but at the end of the translation it does mention ZM and Green Capital

Pt.1

J1 - The American oil company "Frontera Resources" has appeared in Georgia since 1997. In 2014, the company said it had discovered the largest gas reserves in Georgia, which, if exploited, would not only meet local demand but also make it an exporter of gas. The Georgian government has accused the company of lying and speculation. The Georgian Gas and Oil Corporation says that in fact the gas and oil resources in Georgia are minimal.

J2 - Neither side has conducted scientific research to determine the actual amount of resources. Both sides are limited to amateurish statements and mutual accusations.

Iveri Tsiklauri, former employee (IT) - In 2018, the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation sued Frontera in the Arbitration Tribunal for breach of contract for the distribution of products. In an OC Media article, we read that in response, the company involved hired lobbyists and pressure from members of the US Congress to withdraw the lawsuit from the Georgian government.

J1 - As far as I know, the trial has been lost, but Frontera did not want to make the result public. An article was recently posted on Facebook - about 1 million GEL is spent on lobbying to somehow achieve the result they have achieved. One thing I do know certainly is that if they had paid to us only part of the money which was paid to the lobbists, there would not have been any problems so far.

J1 - "Vladimir Putin's puppet is attacking foreign investment in Georgia," Pete Olson, a member of the Texas Republican Congress, said in a January 2020 speech to the United States House of Representatives. Olson named Frontera Resources among the investitions under pressure. The OC Media article also reads that according to the US Federal Election Commission, Steve Nikandros, whose father once chaired the US oil company Konoko and was more of a friend of George W. Bush, has donated $ 73,450 to 16 members of the US Congress and a senator in 2017-2020. The same 16 legislators made public statements in favor of Frontera to the Georgian and American authorities.

Valida Lomashvili, Former employee (VL) - They were receiving many letters. Several congressmen wrote there. We do not know, but I think it turned out that they supported Frontera. Zaza Mamulaishvili himself came out and covered on non-governmental channels that the government was restricting his work, but there was no such thing. On the contrary, he is the one to be blamed for not distributing salaries, illegally dismissing us from work.

Pt.2

Journalist 3 - There was no such spill before Frontera operated in the area. Now it is the responsibility of the oil agency and the corporation. The oil corporation and the agency restricted the company from operating. The wells also belong to the Oil Corporation.

J2 - For its part, the State Oil and Gas Agency points to Frontera's responsibility and says that the company was obliged to continue operating the well safely on site so as not to create a threat of environmental pollution, which, according to the agency, Frontera did not comply with, and violated all rules and regulations. According to the agency, procedures for assessing the damage to the environment are currently underway, on the basis of which Frontera may be subject to sanctions provided by law.

J3 - The company has been repeatedly warned of the imminent danger that could result from improper operation of the wells. The Agency's inspection team, as part of the ongoing monitoring, visited the area on April 23 of this year. Unfortunately, the scale of the existing pollution is much larger. All places and sources of pollution are described and recorded in detail by the group. Currently, environmental damage assessment procedures are underway, after the completion of which the company will be subject to all sanctions provided by the legislation of Georgia.

J2 - In addition to spilling oil, it significantly damages the environment. According to specialists, it is necessary to respond in a timely manner so as not to be further destroyed and subject to recovery.

Solomon Tsabadze (Expert in environmental protection cases)- of course, it has a negative impact on the environment. Of course, there is damage to the soil and vegetation. In agricultural lands that have been cultivated, it will penetrate deeper into the soil. This causes soil degradation. It is recoverable, you just have to respond in time.

J2 - Until state and private companies talk about each other's guilt and find out who owns the abandoned well, a country that is not already rich in oil is losing that small amount, and with the loss, the environment is being damaged.

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb4yg9MiJTA