Translation #6 – TV Imedia news 5.23m US$20.60 POSTED 21/06
Pt.1
Journalist 1 (J1) - Another attack on Georgia. Congressman Mullin denies what his own colleague Don Bacon confirms with the „Chronicle“. The case concerns a suspicious passage related to Bidzina Ivanishvili in a supporting document signed by 13 Republican congressmen. Mullin also opposes reports by Georgia's ambassador to the United States.
Journalist 2 (J2) - Congressman Markwayne Mullin protested the Georgian ambassador's comments on his Twitter page. The congressman, from Texas, directly writes that what David Bakradze said, as if half of the congressmen did not share the recording of Ivanishvili in a strategic document, is a lie.
(There is a translation of part of the Twitter statement)
(J2) - This statement of the Congressman was followed by the explanations made by Davit Bakradze to the „Chronicle“. The diplomat spoke about the communication he had with the signatory congressmen after the publication of the embassy report. After diplomatic communication, it became clear that some of them did not know and did not share the passage related to Bidzina Ivanishvili, which was related to Ivanishvili's connection with Putin.
David Bakradze (Georgian Ambassador to USA) - We had communication, with almost half of the signatory congressmen. And, without exception, everyone has confirmed that on the one hand they do not share, of course, the spirit of this proposal, and on the other hand, for most of them it turned out to be an absolute surprise to what we have pointed out.
J2 - This explanation became necessary after the statement of Congressman Don Bacon. In an interview with “Chronicle”, a Republican congressman from the state of Nebraska openly said that if a document contains an error about Bidzina Ivanishvili, he would be the first to point out to his colleagues about the correction of the blunder. In an exclusive interview with the Chronicle, Bacon said he had not read the report in full and was only working on the strategic part. Although he signed the document, he did not have expert information about Bidzina Ivanishvili and the passage about Ivanishvili's connection to Putin was included in the report by congressional technical staff and experts.
Translation #5 was cancelled
https://palitranews.ge/video/sakme-frontera-vs-sakartvelos-mtavroba
#4, Pt.8
Journalist - Approximately, how many years of stock is this?
Zaza - To clarify, Georgia's annual natural gas consumption is about 2 billion cubic meters per year. So, the confirmed extractable stock will be enough for 150 taking into account the consumption which is today.
I
f we have such supplies, the government, on the contrary, I do not know, they should not let the cold wind blow into your direction, and I do not understand what we are dealing with these 22 years. I don't know, either you are saying something wrong or how can I believe the government does not want Georgia to have gas or oil in Georgia, any of the goventments.
Mr. Merab, imagine that I am saying the wrong thing. There are not 350 billion cubic meters, and say there is less than 3 cubic meters. Here, imagine that it is not. And yet, there are people who make investments, create jobs, hire people, pay taxes.
What is the country losing? Does Georgia have anything but profit in this case? Even if there is nothing and there is an interest in investing in search operations and generating income for the people, why should this be unacceptable to the state? This is in the option if there is nothing at all. If so, why is it unacceptable? Then why not give the company the opportunity to develop and seize this potential?
Yes sir. We’ll see how your dispute ends. thank you very much. Zaza Mamulaishvili, General Director of "Frontera" was our guest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bDj5hEHyEUv
#4, Pt.7
Journalist - No, I remember that during Shevardnadze era, when you were saying that the oil will explode from beneath, after that, as you said, 22 years have passed and you are getting this oil drop by drop, but it is not so much as it gonna explode from beneath, right?
Zaza - Do you know what? Unfortunately, not many people know that the industry is doing just that. When the first drop of oil and gas condensate was seen in Shah deniz in 1954, it was only 50 years later that it began to be extracted from there. All of this takes time, a lot of capital to invest, and a lot of hard work. It's only in movies that you dig and oil explodes from beneath, otherwise in real life it's different. And, as far as these works are concerned, we are very proud of the results we have achieved. And for those who are interested will create tremendous value.
How much oil did you extract during this time?
During this time, about $ 60 million. I can't tell you in barrels, but in terms of cost ...
So, you invested half billion and extacted about 60 million. You work on loss, right?
Any oil exploration project starts with losing because…
Yes, but you have been working on loss for 22 year. What is your interest?
Please let me finish. It starts with a loss and in some cases after 5 years, in some cases after 15 years, in some cases after 35 years, if you are lucky enough to find that ore, then you move slowly to profit. This is what all companies do, and we are no exception.
OK and now you are saying that you are lucky and have already found it?
As I told you earlier, the two largest, most famous companies in the world have confirmed the oil and natural gas supplies we have found. And, by the way, it has been proven and we are not doing this to convince anyone. If someone does not believe that the mines will be in Kakheti or in Tbilisi, including you, this is not a decisive factor for us. The most important thing for us is to convince the bank and the shareholder, who is interested in the development of this activity and ...
Ok and how much stock is there?
As for natural gas, the extractable reserves are 350 billion cubic meters, and as for oil, 1.3 billion barrels is extractable.
#4, Pt.6
Zaza - You reminded me of something good. By the way, you started with Shevardnadze's era and now I remembered something. During Shevardnadze's period, when we started this drilling campaign, a well-known member of parliament, who currently is a member of parliament, announced it publicly in Georgia and started to say that these are swindlers, because ...
Journalist - You probably mean Roman Gotsiridze.
No, then it was different. It was Mr. Giorgi Gachechiladze. It was said that 1 billion was removed from the stock exchange by bringing Shevardnadze as a result of manipulation. Then, to be honest, we weren’t even registered on the stock exchange at all, and there wasn’t even a stock company at all. There was a private company. We have many such cases during our activity. I will tell you more, swindlers, money launderers, CIA agents ...
Yes, but when you made statements about the mines, where is this oil and gas?
As for Merab Gotsiridze, I don't really know where and what Mr. Gotsiridze said. He never had any contact with our activities or the data of what we were doing, and from where he concluded, say, he had twice made this attempt, if I am not mistaken, and published quite insulting articles about us. Now, as for the discovered deposits - I do not know who believes what, Mr. Merab, but we have made half a billion investments over the last 23 years and the world's most famous oil service, geophysical, geological interpretation companies are working with us, three of the Big Five. These are oil supply certification companies. We have been working with 3 during this time and for the first time in the history of Georgia we have created proven supplies. This independent third party has confirmed the supply of natural gas and crude oil. Now, who will come out and say irresponsibly, believe me or not, this is their business now ...
But where are these supplies? Why is there no extraction and so on? If we have any
How does it not happen? Extraction takes place. We have been very successful in drilling and testing. As soon as we decided to go to the stage of large-scale development of these mines, it was from here that very big problems began, which continue to this day. And these are the problems, starting from the revocation of the license and the contract ...
And where is this oil reserve in Georgia?
It is located in South Kakheti - Dedoplistskaro and Sagarejo district.
There has been mining since the time of the communists, but there is said to be little supply and even extraction of oil, but not so much that we become an oil country.
Do you know what? I don’t know anyone who says, who you’re talking to or when was the last time the person learned about the results of this work? Or from what source does he draw these conclusions? It’s hard for me to say
#4, Pt.5
Journalist - When you say that you offered the public announcement of the decision – why do you refuse to make it public separately or jointly?
Zaza - It is probably best to ask them why they say no. For exactly the same reason, perhaps, why in one speech they say that all these 14 demands were met by the court, in the second speech they say that part ...
No, the main thing here is, as I understand it, the requirement to terminate the contract. Is this requirement met? And should you return the lands or not?
We do not own land. We have the right to conduct oil exploration and extraction operations. As the arbitration has decided, we have already returned the territories where we do not carry out these works to the state. So this issue is closed. Now, according to the arbitral decision, they have no right to cancel the contract. Therefore, it is a direct attempt of expropriation, which is called deprivation in human language, and this is exactly what the government is trying to do.
It is clear and you say that the traces of Russia are mixed here and that is the reason? Maybe there are some private business interests?
Maybe both. You’ve probably seen this last communication and it’s not just us.
But we have heard such a claim in your address - the representatives of the previous government also had this claim and it still comes from Shevardnadze's era that there are some swindlers, there is no oil and gas in Georgia, they spread false information every year, in order to increase the prices on their shares on the stock markets and they use Georgia for this. What do you say about this? Indeed, for some time now, you have not found any special mine, and keep making the statements all the time that there are mines, there is oil in the country, and so on.
You know what? When you say “you keep making the statements all the time”, I don’t quite remember that doing.
I have hear it several times
“Several times” is different
OK. I exagarated. I admit.
#4, Pt.4
Journalist - What does the state want from you?
Zaza - Their main demand was that the company be charged about 320 million GEL in favor of the state, as if due to violation of the terms of the contract, which the arbitral tribunal did not satisfy ...
And what you did not do according to the contract?
Which was not satisfied by the court. They also wanted to terminate the contract with us because they demanded payment. This, too, was not satisfied by the court. Only 2 out of 14 requests were satisfied. 1 of these 2 ...
Do you mean arbitrary court?
Yes
Which are these 2 demands?
One of these two is paying a fee of about $ 200,000 in advance, which we had been paying for for 23 years, and even now we're glad to pay it and we were ready and we didn't even argue about it. That was first and the other demand which was satisfied is that in the areas where we do not carry out oil and gas extraction works, should be returned back to the state, which we have also done and returned.
So what's the problem? If you win the main lawsuit and you have nothing left, then what do you dispute with the state?
We are not arguing anything, the state itself is arguing with us here, as I told you, since 2013.
I understand and as you say this argument was concluded with you victory in arbitrary court, right? Then what is it? What are we talking about then?
We are talking about the fact that the representatives of the government are coming out and claiming that they have won, which is completely illegal ...
What they are demanding? They say that they won and what should you do? They want you to leave?
If you let me finish the sentence, I will tell you
Yes, please. I am listening.
First of all, they claim to be black on white, like they have won and secondly, completely illegally, are publicly claiming that we should terminate the contract in accordance with the decision of the arbitral tribunal, which is not true. Because...
That is, the main thing is that they demand the termination of the contract and you say that it is not written in this decision.
Yes, neither in the decision nor in the contract.
#4, Pt.3
Journalist - Why? What does it matter?
Zaza - It is important that there is no room for speculation. This one and then the other - as for this lawsuit against us, it was filed after we have been working in Georgia for 22 years. We have invested more than half a billion dollars, we have created tremendous value for the country as a result of the work we have done. At the moment, “Frontera” is the largest American investor in the country. Nevertheless, the state, starting in 2013, began an attempt to terminate the contract with the company...
Why? What is the reason for this?
The reason for this is that since 2013, the vector of the country's foreign policy has changed a lot. This may not have been obvious to many at first glance, but we have experienced it ourselves since 2013, when...
Well, I don't know about the vector... I mean how can it be the main reason. Did Russia instruct our government to get rid of "Frontera"? I don’t understand what you mean.
If you listen to me, I will explain. That is why we, and not just us, lot of American companies are being persecuted in this country since 2013. This persecution is manifested in different ways - by canceling the contract ...
A lot? Which American companies?
Philip Morris, Georgian-American alloys, CMG Mining Corporation, BMC and Holdings, Iconia Capital and a few others.
I didn't even know if there were so many American companies operating with us. I knew Philip Morris and your company, but not the rest, really. So, does everyone have a problem? Do you want to say that?
These companies that I have listed you all have a problem. However, the Georgian government claims that in addition to these 6-7, 270 more American companies are likely operating in the country, but if we look at the reality, there are only few companies which are actually working.
#4 Pt.2
Journalist - Ok but from where does this information come from? Say one spent this amount of money on this year, etc. Is it a lie? Is the false information on the website?
Zaza - Yes. This is not correct information. On the site, if you read it carefully, and I can provide you with additional information, they are trying to show the audience, listeners, the public part of information, that there are some kind of lobists, but there is also written that no contract and no payment was made to these people by the company... So, it is confirmed on the same site that "Frontera" does not pay anyone's money. As if…
Is it normal to hire lobbyists? Illegality is nothing here and every company hires them, I probably don’t know, I can’t tell you.
Of course, there is nothing illegal here ...
Yes, and that's why I did not argue, that it is illegal. I just wondered if you had lobbyists. Ok. You say you don’t have it.
We have no lobbyists. Of course, it is quite possible for us to have it, and many companies even have it, many countries, governments, parties, individuals. There would be nothing strange in that, but unfortunately or fortunately, we do not have any lobbyists.
Let's return to the dispute over Georgia. What is the Georgian government arguing with you and have you lost your case in the international arbitration? Because the Georgian government and its lawyers are talking about the fact that there is already a decision in the arbitration and they are asking you to make this decision public, and you are refusing to make it public.
I’ll start with the last part of your question. We have repeatedly appealed to the State Oil and Gas Company and the State Agency, which is part of the Ministry of Economy, and told them to meet and jointly publicize the part of the decision that is very clearly established and leaves no room for speculation. Unfortunately...
Why together? You can make it public, what’s the problem? They agree.
Yes, it is clear, but their wish is to publish a complete 152-page document, which contains ...
No no. As I have heard, they also agree with the publication of the resolutional part, only with the publication of the resolutional part.
And it is on the resolutional part that we have addressed the need to make a joint statement and make it public, not separately, but jointly.
#4 – Interview from early May, $66.95 (found by translator) POSTED 22/06
Pt.1
Journalist - Our next guest is Zaza Mamulaishvili, General Director of “Frontera”. We welcome him. Hello, Mr. Zaza.
Zaza - Hello, Mr. Merab.
Thanks for participating in the show. In short, "Frontera" is heard very often in recent days, especially by American senators. We’ve heard a lot of opinions on this topic, including the fact that mostly the lobbyists hired by your company work pretty well. There is also official information about these lobbyists that your company, I mean the head office, has a lot of lobbyists really hired in America. To what extent do they focus on the problems related to Georgia?
First of all, thank you so much for inviting me to the show and for giving me this opportunity. However, I have to answer your question, the first thing that comes to mind, with the question because I don’t know where to search. Who is searching, and who finds these lobbyists who are hired by our company?
I saw some stories on various TV channels, where it is officially posted on the website of the Ministry of Justice of the United States of America. Because covert lobbying is not possible and it seems that these documents have been officially retrieved, say, this and that year so much money has been spent on lobbying, and so on.
You are absolutely right, Mr. Merab. This is open information in the United States and any such lobbying agreement is registered and such contracts can be viewed on the public domain. However, whatever sources you rely on, this is not official information from the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Finance. There is such a website called “Open Secrets”, and it is often used more or less to identify credible information. Nevertheless, Mr. Merab, even on this site, from which Media provide part of the information, they leave the main thing untold, where it is written that "Frontera" has made no contribution to the people and politicians they seem to refer to as „Frontera“ lobbyists. First of all, I want to tell you that there is no way you can be a senator and a congressman lobbyist. You can’t be a lobbyist.
No, we are not talking about the fact that the senator is a lobbyist. Simply put, the talk is that the lobbying companies you hire work with these senators and that’s why they make statements.
I reaffirm to you that there is no such thing in nature. "Frontera" has no contract with any lobbying company.
#3, Pt.4
In which Senator Rich can personally insert. With one hand movement, in this list.
Of course. And the category, as described who could potentially be subject to sanctions under the Magnitsky Global Act, is any government in force or ex-government, or their subordinates, that violates human rights that are involved in corruption that oppresses various industries. They are involved in the business of extracting oil, gas, gold, and copper in favor of their enrichment. These are very clearly defined categories so that in so many respects there can be such a danger that it will be very bad for us as well.
There is something personal about it, isn't there? When you try to throw such a big man like Senator Risch and other congressmen, you agree to something, and then you throw it away, there's already a personal story here, isn't there? Some billionaire in Georgia, who became an oligarch in Russia, is trying to deceive you. In this case, we are all human beings like Senator Risch, Senator Shahin, Congressman Kissinger, and so on. And here there is also personal intolerance, which is very important. In history, these personal relationships play a very big role. What do you think?
Of course. Especially when Senator Risch, Senator Shahin, other senators, congressmen in Administration are deeply inlove with Georgia and are huge supporters of Georgia and the Georgian people. Examples of this, not far away, even a few weeks ago, Georgia received from the American people and the assistance approved by this Congress, which Georgia receives every year. And it is against this background that deception, violation of conditions, difference of values make it incompatible with each other and and therefore, I think the reaction will be quite clear and strict.
https://mtavari.tv/ghamis-mtavari/7642
#3 Pt.3
Journalist - Really? After Saudi Arabia, there is the Georgian government, which has so much ...
ZM - Yes, Saudi Arabia and Georgia. Neither other countries, nor any other company, nor other people pay such a large sum for lobbying as Georgia and Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, you remember that because of the murder of a journalist, the relationship in the United States has deteriorated, and this is a direct sign that you have a very bad case, that you are going to do everything to somehow correct the name. But, if they do not create and have the truth, even if they hire 100 lobbyists, they will not have results. The important thing here is to have the truth delivered to the right place at the right time.
Sir, Zaza, from this fall onwards, was first Congressmen Kissinger, then was Senator Risch, who is the most influential man in the Senate. If not anyone there is a senator in Risch, he is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and it was Risch who Ivanishvili was afraid of, when he made his first made the concession. And then Risch responded to his failure to fulfill that promise, right? This was followed by a report that actually put an end to this man. Can we say that this man, Ivanishvili, has been targeted, and he can no longer reverse this situation? What if he still has a chance to improve his reputation and turn the situation around?
Of course, there are always chances, but for this to happen, elections must be held democratically, political prisoners must be released from prison, human rights must not be violated, they must not be persecuted and American investments must not be restricted, all people must be allowed to do business freely and have their own income, 250 000 child must not starve. If the country is going to do all this, then it has to take this truth to the United States and convince the people there that they are not interested in consolidating power, they are not interested in not having a change of government. If all this happens, then it will change. But if that doesn't happen, it's still difficult to predict what will happen next and I will tell you why. By the way, as you mentioned, there was 1 very important letter between these two documents signed by the senators - Cruz and Cornyn and the Congressmen - Arlington and Mullin. It notes that Mr. Ivanishvili and Georgia are cooperating with opponents and enemies of the United States at the expense of the geopolitical and commercial interests of the United States. Now, putting it all together means that new legislation is not needed either. There is a Magnitsky Global Act ...
#3 Pt.2
Journalist - "It's very important and we need to find out where it hit." Where could that phrase come from?
ZM - That’s very interesting what you said. I have the impression that sometimes those who are responsible for dealing with this issue in Georgia do not follow what is happening in real life. This phrase was first voiced in Congress in 2016 when Congressman Steve Russell addressed Congress. It was then that Ivanishvili was described as a very close ally of Putin. He then mentioned these relations and the attempt to destabilize Georgia, which is now described in this document. Since then, for 4 years, such assessments have been constantly made, and it is a bit surprising when our diplomatic corps or government ...
Yes, like it came from nowhere. Like someone recorded it.
Accidentally recorded by a lobbyist who took the money for this. And, by the way, in addition to Russell, in 2016 there was a report by the Director of Intelligence of the United States, which also mentions these connections. It is mentioned that the Georgian Dream will violate the institutions in Georgia and will consolidate its power. That was 2 years ago. Now we see what is happening right? Then there were such records even in the legislation. Already hostile attitude, non-observance of the rule of law, hostile attitude towards American companies. So this is an assembled chain that has been going on like this for several years now and now this reaction of our government members as if they heard about it for the first time and they are surprised how it happened, is really surprising for me.
Especially the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who worked at the Embassy of Georgia in the United States and, as a rule, should know all the stages well. But they are blaming all the "National Movement" inside and outside of those who say something critical of the government, and here, too, surprisingly, there was a hint that the "National Movement" managed to hit the phrase in this very important report, as Zalkaniani says, which actually ended Ivanishvili. They have their own embassy, they have several lobbying companies that is paid millions of dollars. How did these lobbying companies fail to create a good image of Georgia in the Senate? What hinders this case?
By the way, they have hired very strong lobbying companies, but what they don’t have is that they don’t have the truth. This is a problem. They don't have the truth, so they can't bring that truth to the right place, otherwise lobbying companies and professionalism in those companies are definitely very high. One very interesting fact is that only Saudi Arabia and Georgia pay the highest prices for lobbying companies in Washington.
Translation #3 TV interview 16/06 $41.20, POSTED 18/06
Pt.1
Journalist - Hello. Thank you so much for being with us. First of all, Michael Conaway, a permanent member of the Intelligence Committee who is a well-known congressman, joined the sanctions package today. Please explain the story of the sanctions. What is this package of sanctions? What procedures should be followed and for what purpose? And, how realistic it is to go through these procedures.
ZM - With great pleasure. Thank you very much. Michael Conaway is a very famous congressman. By the way, he is one of those who could have potentially become speakers for the United States Congress. This merger means that the number of supporters joining the fair business sanctioning act in Georgia is increasing day by day, which means that those former or current officials of the government who are undermining or undermined the free contracts with American companies, are affected by these sanctions. This does not apply to Georgia, but to those members of the government who ...
That is, point shots are fired
There will be point shots. This applies to those who have been members of the government in the past. By the way, it is very interesting ...
Here, for example, who can be considered in these sanctions? Who is the object of the sanctions?
Starting with the former prime ministers, ending with the current prime minister, ministers and their deputies, as it is in the bill of these sanctions..
So, are the names and surnames of these specific individuals not yet listed in this package?
The bill has not been listed yet, but the number of supporters is growing day by day, and at some point it may appear. However, before I move on to this "However", it is very important that Michael Conaway is also a member of the congressional committee that has just published a well-known study and report.
This report, in which he is portrayed as Putin's main ally and source of destabilization. Well, I don't know what a clear and crushing assessment this can be.
Of course. Also, don't forget that he is a permanent member of the Intelligence Committee, a permanent member of the Armed Forces. There are several such in that committee. While these discussions are not limited to a narrow party format, there are even bipartisan meetings in the committees. So it is really a very important document, as our Minister of Foreign Affairs noted.
Translation #2 Posted 15/06/20
Here is the translation but I think it's old. The translator says it was uploaded yesterday but there is no date within the interview.
The speaker is Davit Zalkaniani (Minister of Foreign Affairs)
"Well, the response of Texas congressman is connected to “Frontera” case. I would like to state once again that the case is being heard in the Stockholm Arbitration Court, so any speculation on this subject is unacceptable. We are waiting for the decision of the Stockholm Arbitration Court and we will act in accordance with the decision that Stockholm will make. As for the harassment of American business, it is an absolute lie, it does not correspond to any reality. More than 270 American companies are registered in Georgia. There are no such claims from any company. On the contrary, we are talking to the United States about bringing our economic relations to the level we have in the field of defense and security, and we are talking about the prospect of opening up free trade opportunities. Therefore, trust me, there is no talk of any sanctions and neither will there be in the future. And, everything will be done so that the strategic partnership between the United States and Georgia is not endangered."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL97SI8cjzQ
Going forward will ask the translator to help us check if recent or not.
Pt. 15 (and final part)
Not specific, but we do not rule out that after the half-billion-dollar investment that we have discovered, there will be Rosneft, Gazprom, China`s CNPC, or SOCAR, would be happy to start developing all this without us.
It is clear, Mr. Zaza. To answer very briefly, as well as employees, we also know information about the protests concerning salary debt. What explanation can you give? They were talking about the 11-month debt. I know you have given an explanation in other media, but we also want to har this explanation from you.
I.e. As for the number of months and the number of people named, for some reason I am not included in this list, but I am also on the list, I have not received a salary for several months and I have not received a salary because we have been methodically drowned as a company for years. Bank accounts have been frozen, exports have been blocked, work permits have not been issued, various misinformation has been spread and we are still not paid, approx. 20 million VAT. You know what's going on around VAT, but they don’t pay us what ew have earned, and you know what? For 23 years, everyone have been getting their salaries on time, but with such pressure, when they freeze your account and block your work, it's very difficult for you to pay your salary at some point. As soon as the state fulfills its obligations, of course, everybody will get their own salary, including me.
Mr. Zaza, I am very sorry, we have to stop our conversation here. It was very interesting to talk to you and I would have continued the talks. Many more questions remain. We will keep an eye out and, if necessary, once again I would ask you to participate. Thank you very much. Zaza Mamulaishvili was a guest of “Radio Tavisufleba”s “Morning Talks”. He is the head of “Frontera Resources Georgia” and we have tried our best to get answers from him about this company. Many thanks to him, many thanks to our listeners and viewers for their attention and activity. “Radio Tavisufleba”s “Morning Talks” was led by me – Nino Gelashvili. Gocha Lezhava and Merab Nadirashvili were the directors of the program. Goodbye until tomorrow. “Radio Tavisufleba” is speaking.
Thank you very much
Transcript of - https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/????-????????????-?????????-????????????-??-??????????????-??????/30639322.html
P.14
Yes. In the fourth quarter of 2019, we agreed with two other American companies (one company has a market capitalization of 23 billion and the other 20 billion) to build a consortium similar to that in the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, where oil and gas will be extracted and began Large-scale extraction of oil and gas in Georgia. When I arrived from Houston with the management of these companies, I appealed to the Prime Minister of Georgia, Gakharia, and the Minister of Economy, Turnava, to meet only to confirm to all three companies that Georgia welcomes foreign investment in oil and gas extraction. Imagine that they didn't even meet us, they didn't even answer us. This is a multi-billion dollar mine development project where thousands of people should be employed and huge value can be created for the country. Now what should be the reason, if not the desire that there were no American companies here at all. Plus Philip Morris, Georgian-American alloys, Iconia Capital, Caucasus Mining Corporation - These are the American companies that have also been harassed and are being harassed now. Plus - NDI And IRI, which you know how they are being discredited...
This is an old story, Mr. Zaza. We cannot blame these years. No government likes it, that is, when these organizations are in power and are always criticized.
Yes, but if you look at it together, these are fake Facebook accounts, this is an attack, insulting politicians in the live and ...
OK. We are running out of time already and our, so to speak, broadcasting company will reprimand us for this. I would like to ask you again, that is, to repeat the question - do you have information in business, especially when it comes to such a big business, it is very important, so to speak, intelligence activities in the business environment, say someone else's interests, etc. You may not be able to name it, but do you have specific information about a particular company, such as from Russia, because we are talking about, say, American interests, and you are making such assessments as the authors of those letters from Washington? Do you have information about the specific interests of a particular company?
P.13
What company is “Cornerstone Government Affairs”, which is mentioned here and has a document which is dated as 2019. For example, for $ 50,000 and so on.
Yes, we had a relationship with „Cornerstone“, but in 2019 we no longer had a relationship. I.e. We had this relationship with „Cornerstone“ and they did some work for us and we ended the contract. So we don't even have a contract with them. So to argue that lobbyists work is not really correct at this moment.
I want… Do we have any listeners waiting or shall I continue? I want ask the question – when… I am sorry, it looks like some of the listeners have already messaged us.
Mr. Gocha writes: "It is very sad that we, the citizens of Georgia and our country, have always been lost as a result of Saakashvili-Ivanishvili's unbridled arrogance and egocentrism."
"I don't know, “Frontera”, but the American senators will really do the trick and show Mr. Oligarch what a trick it is." Mr. Zura writes this.
Thank you so much for the feedback and there was no question. I will continue with my question. In practice, time is running out. What I want to ask you - when the conflict and the problems you describe have something to do with the state company and I want to express interest and narrow down the answer. If we say that the state is hindering your activities, what is the interest? You said that it started when it appeared, confirmed the existence of large stocks, and so on. As a result of your work, some problems have arisen since then. What kind of interest one might have and who has an interest? If you know more and because eventually it will be oil or natural gas, someone should extract it. Whether that will be Bidzina Ivanishvili, Minister, the Prime Minister, or the leader of the ruling party, they can`t extract it by theselves. What do you know more and what can you say today? What is the purpose? In other words, was there a statement about the termination of the contract of "Frontera", or is there some logic that "Frontera" should no longer be in the position of a state company? Shouldn't it work in Georgia? If possible, give us a specific answer as much as possible. You have 1.5 minutes. Sorry.
P.12
A big apology for this technical issue. The listener called and thanked you. You may have heard part of the beginning. There was no question, so I will continue with my question. I want it to be somewhat clear, I say again, I can’t follow each letter and the overall rhetoric and common critical mood and assessments are clear from the letters from Washington, and this issue already has specific political assessments. There are also reports that I think it has been proven that “Frontera” spends some money on lobbying, which is not illegal of course. What is the connection between this lobbying and these letters, which are often talked about by the government or another representative of the society who sees this process in this way? What can you cay about this?
Thank you very much for this question, Ms. Nino. Of course, lobbying is not prohibited by law, but we do not have a contract with a lobbying company and no one is involved in our lobbying. This is false and misleading information, false information, which is unfortunately deliberately spread ...
For example, which is presented on the the webstite – “Opensecret”?
Yes, for example, if you look at the “Opensecret” website, it clearly states that the company has not paid any money for any of these politicians. There is one very important ...
Isn't it necessary to pay a politician personally, it works a little differently. Yes, I am listening.
Yes, you know what? There, “Opensececret” was used to demonstrate that the company was paying these politicians for their campaign, but it was also mentioned that the company, “Frontera”, had not given them any money.
But the company is spending money on lobbying, so let's say the connection to the letters of these politicians and, as expected, it is not unexpected that you deny all this, however, the company has paid for lobbying.
The company paid for lobbying 4 years ago. The company has been working with one of the companies for several months and since then they no longer have this contract and have not been involved in any such activities for 3 years. By the way, this agreement is public ...
..opensecrets.org“ website shows 2019
The company did not have this contract in 2019, so ... what is given on „opensecrets“ is that the company has not made any contribution. This is public information. 1 3 years old contract is registered with one of the lobbying companies which is kept in the Ministry of Finance and is in the Ministry of Justice, it lasted for several months and that`s it. This is public information and anyone can find it.
As for “opensecrets”, “opensecrets” has a list of politicians for who is given $500, or $2000, claiming that this contribution seems to have gone from the company, but there is also mentioned with a red font on the same website that none of these politicians have received the money from the company. There is 1 important detail and I will explain...
P.12
Yes, for 1 second before that I will just go back to the 3.5 billion lawsuit with our good will, we took it back approx. 1 year ago without asking the state to pay this amount and after that we tried to reach an agreement with them, but they did not want it, but at this moment it is clear to everyone that the company does not demand any compensation from the state. As for the processing of extracted oil, and also natural gas, which is no less important, of course, this is how it should be done. We have studied the Black Sea and Mediterranean basins several times so that Georgia has that potential. As soon as extraction increases, oil production must be built, which has historically existed here in Batumi, and will further improve not only the region, the Black Sea basin, but even the Mediterranean basin. Trading in oil products will further strengthen Georgia's trade relations in many countries and further improve those relations. As for natural gas, it also has great potential, as it can be a chemical industry, say, fertilizer production, if a variety of chemical products, a huge industry can be created in Georgia, especially when we are in such a strategic location on the Black Sea. Products on the world market. It also opens a very large arena for Georgian chemical industry products on the world market. Especially if we have a large amount of natural gas, which means more jobs, better wages, and a richer country. That's the decent thing to do, and it should be done by companies, people, government, etc.
Mr. Zaza, the listener is waiting for us and I will add my question as well. Time passes very quickly. Good morning, You are on the air!
Good morning, Ms. Nino. Georgia has so much potential and how they are hiding it. Therefore, it is necessary to get rid of this oligarch in time and this government in order to get a national government that will be directed towards the people and will use this potential in one way or another. Here, about the case of Anaklia, everything is clear already and it would be good for the Georgian people to think about it and understand what kind of life we had, what kind of live we have and what kind of life we can have. That's the main thing. Thank you so much for this show, thank you so much Mr. Zaza and thank you so much Ms. Nino, you personally have made it so clear to me.
Thank you so much for the call. Unfortunately, the signal was interrupted. We will contact Mr. Zaza again and we will definitely bring him back to the air. We have a technical problem. We are waiting for Mr. Zaza to return, before we update you with the updated statistics. 3 confirmed cases were added to the total number of people infected with coronavirus. 738 is now the total number of cases confirmed in Georgia, 16 new people have recovered from the virus. 573 is the total number of recovered patients which is shown on the website - stopcov.ge. Mr. Zaza, can you hear me?
Yes, I can.
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