Member Info for Madpunter

Posted by Aurora1 on the 5th December :-

Some more NATO press
http://georgiatoday.ge/news/18527/%22Keep-Georgia-on-Your-Mind%22%3A-MFA-Zalkaliani-at-the-NATO-Summit-2019

https://civil.ge/archives/330284

Posted by Madpunter on the 5th December :-

Large-scale Demonstrations Planned in Regions of Georgia

http://georgiatoday.ge/news/18522/Large-scale-Demonstrations-Planned-in-Regions-of-Georgia

Opposition Registers Bill on Change of Electoral System

http://georgiatoday.ge/news/18521/Opposition-Registers-Bill-on-Change-of-Electoral-System

CoE official: dialogue needed only for 2020 elections in Georgia, as problem is removed for 2024

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3316

Posted by keysersoze on the 4th December :-

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/11/26/democracy-georgia-is-heading-crunch-is-west-paying-attention/%3foutputType=amp

Democracy in Georgia is heading for a crunch. Is the West paying attention?

Protesters demanding the government's resignation and early parliamentary polls rally in front of Parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Tuesday. (Vano Shlamov/AFP via Getty Images)

By Ani Chkhikvadze

November 26, 2019 at 3:34 PM EST

Ani Chkhikvadze, a Georgian journalist based in Washington, is a contributor to Voice of America (VOA). Views expressed in this piece do not represent the opinions of VOA, the U.S. Agency for Global Media or the U.S. government.

The main thoroughfare of Tbilisi, known as Rustaveli Avenue, has borne witness to many a political reversal, from civil war to revolution. Since this summer, the tree-lined boulevard has once again seen throngs of protesters rise up against eccentric billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who has ruled the country, both formally as prime minister and informally as the ultimate decision-maker behind his Georgian Dream party, since 2012. The protests are entering a critical phrase this week, and their success or failure could determine the democratic trajectory and geopolitical future of Georgia.

Since his ascent to power, Ivanishvili — an oligarch-turned-politician — has attempted to warm relations with Russia, which occupies 20 percent of Georgia’s territory. He has adapted many tactics from the Kremlin’s playbook to the Georgian context: taking over critical media outlets, persecuting political opponents andtightening his grip on the country’s business environment. He hasbacked pro-Russian parties. In September, he appointed Giorgi Gakharia, a Russian citizen until 2013, as prime minister. In short, he has presided over what Transparency International has called a slow and steady process ofstate capture, made all the easier by

Posted by keysersoze on the 4th December :-

This is not the first attempt by some American lawmakers to impose sanctions on the government of the Georgian Dream. In December 2017, another Republican, Steve Russell, also introduced a bill to Congress, implying sanctions because of alleged pressure on American business in the country. The reason was then called information about state intervention in the activities of world tobacco giant Philip Morris, as well as the oil-extracting Frontera Resources and the mining Georgian Manganese, with American capital. Last time, Congress did not approve the document. Official Tbilisi expressed confidence that even now American lawmakers will not be led by individual politicians who do not have accurate information."

Also

http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/US-Congressman-calls-for-sanctions-against-Ivanishvili.html

http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/US-Congressman-calls-for-sanctions-against-Ivanishvili.html

US Congressman calls for sanctions against Ivanishvili

11 Dec 2017 in 13:40

Representative Steve Russell, Republican of Oklahoma, introduced the Georgian Fair Business Practices Sanctions Act, which is a response to several examples of the Government of Georgia violating contracts with U.S. entities and its allies.

"I will stand with the Georgian people in their fight against corrupt business practices within their government. I also stand with them in their fight against outside forces and oligarchs, including former Georgian officials, who seek to harm the free people of Georgia in their quest for free democratic governance and erode the friendship between the peoples of the United States and Georgia by continuing these dishonest practices," Russel stressed in a statement posted on his website.

The Georgian Fair Business Practices Sanctions Act would commission a semiannual report that determines whether or not the Government of Georgia is undermining commitments or contractual agreements made with U.S. persons, and identifies individuals responsible. Those individuals and the Government of Georgia would then be subject to U.S. sanctions.

Earlier, Russel strongly criticized billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, proposing to freeze his assets in the US.

Posted by keysersoze on the 4th December :-

https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/47001/

Opposition link bill on American sanctions against Georgia with TBC Bank's case

A bill has been brought to US Congress on sanctions for Georgia' infringement of interests of those businessmen or organizations that have links with the USA. The opposition is convinced that this is a reaction to a criminal case against the leadership of the TBC Bank, which has created a threat to American investments into the construction of the Anaklia Port.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 2, 2018, based on the audit outcomes, a criminal case was initiated against the TBC Bank under the article on money laundering.

The bill "Sanctions Act on Fair Business Practices of Georgia in 2019" has been brought to the US House of Representatives by Republican Senator Markwein Mallin on February 28, 2019. If the project is adopted, the US authorities will start monitoring whether the Georgian government is not obstructing the fulfilment of Georgia's obligations or contractual agreements with US citizens-foreigners, permanently residing in the US, or legal entities established in accordance with the US legislation.

Should violations be revealed, a number of sanctions are envisaged. Firstly, no US government agency will provide Georgia with loans or financial assistance other than humanitarian ones. Secondly, the property and accounts of the Georgian officials, whom the USA considers to be involved in violations, will be arrested in the US territory.

The opposition believes that the initiative of Senator Mallin is directly related to the situation around the TBC Bank.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 28, 2019 at 12:48 pm MSK.

Representative Markwayne Mullin

Reminder the hes not only got the Georgia Bill through but is being donated money by FRR

I know some already know FRR are giving him donations. Its just the interesting link between BIll and donations that people may not be aware of.

Posted by keysersoze on the 4th December :-

Frontera’s investment in the country has given Georgia the prospect of energy independence and placed it on a path to become a net energy exporter. This capability is a precious commodity in a volatile region of the world, where Russia

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1461?q=%7B"search"%3A%5B"S.+833"%5D%7D&s=1&r=75

Introduced in House (02/28/2019)

Georgian Fair Business Practices Sanctions Act of 2019

This bill directs the President to periodically report to Congress on (1) whether the government of Georgia is undermining commitments or contractual agreements made with U.S. business persons operating in Georgia, and (2) the identities of current or former Georgian officials who are responsible for such actions. The report shall include a summary of U.S. government and nongovernment investment in Georgia.

If the President determines that Georgia has committed such actions, the President shall impose financial and trade assistance sanctions on the government of Georgia and visa and property blocking sanctions on identified officials.

Posted by keysersoze on the 4th December :-

Old article - Ivanishvili still a threat

Following recent failure of electrol reforms I think Ivanishvili still remains a threat to FRR. Puppet of Russia.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.dailycaller.com/2018/07/12/ivanishvili-georgia-putin-russia

Russia’s Hush-Hush Occupation of Georgia

July 12th, 2018

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk during a break in a session of the APEC summit in Danang, Vietnam November 11, 2017. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1B14E65760

As the Trump-Putin summit in Finland brings increasing scrutiny and deliberation to U.S.-Russian relations, Congress has finally begun to deep-dive into a lesser known interconnected issue: A Putin-allied Russian oligarch who has unobtrusively wrested control of the sovereign country of Georgia.

It appears Ivanishvili’s ambiguous grip on Tbilisi is an attempt to play the part of a U.S. strategic partner while answering to Moscow.

Bidzina Ivanishvili, a Russian-schooled oligarch who made billions in the corrupt feeding frenzy on an industry in post-Soviet Russia, led the “Georgia Dream” coalition to power in 2012. A comparable playbook has been used to influence policy in nearby Ukraine, disrupting that country’s economic and democratic evolution.

As founder and financier of the Georgian Dream Party, Ivanishvili abandoned his Russian citizenship to return to Georgia to become the country’s prime minister in 2012. After establishing power by installing loyal individuals — who were part of his vast business empire — into senior government positions, he abruptly left office in 2013. Despite resigning, he remained the de facto head of the Georgian government.

Ivanishvili formally returned to the chairmanship of the Georgian Dream Party in May 2018. Last month, he further tightened his grip on power, forcing the country’s prime minister and his entire cabinet to resign as a result of undisclosed “disagreements” with the oligarch. Few were surprised when another loyalist puppet was appointed by Ivanishvili.

Ivanishvili’s covetousness for unmitigated control isn’t confined to Georgia’s government. The Putin ally is working vigorously to expel American businesses operating legally in the country. Take for example Georgia’s recent moves to expropriate energy interests in the eastern region of the country. Since 1997, Houston-based company, Frontera Resources, has invested more than $500 million in its “Block 12” license area. The company has financed significant technology and capital development to develop oil and natural gas resources in Georgia. The result has been the identification of billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas.

Posted by Madpunter on the 4th December :-

Germany expels two Russians diplomats over murder of Georgian man of Chechen origin in Berlin

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3308

Posted by Blownitalready on the 3rd December :-

Interesting

https://1tv.ge/en/news/supportive-statements-on-georgia-at-senate-foreign-relations-committee-hearing/

Posted by theprodigy on the 3rd December :-

There's more

"Georgia and UK discuss cooperation prospects"
3 December 2019 15:41 ... "Among opportunities for potential investors the minister named transit potential, developing logistic centers, intermediary role between Europe and Asia for processing and producing goods, developed tourist infrastructure and open energy market."......... "The program runs from September 2019 through December 2019. It is funded by the British Embassy and the British Council, and Georgia Capital, Bank of Georgia, BP, Adjara Group and Wissol are the sponsors.".... https://en.trend.az/business/economy/3158037.html

Posted by CODEFRED on the 3rd December :-

NATO Membership

Another MASSIVE cog aligning to ensure Georgia is secure as a new Energy province and alternative Energy supply for Europe..
https://112.international/ukraine-top-news/ukraine-georgia-to-become-nato-members-stoltenberg-46167.html

Posted by Madpunter on the 3rd December :-

Georgian FM: NATO membership Georgia’s top foreign policy priority

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3300

Posted by regdik on the 3rd December :-

Shah Deniz gas through TANAP into Europe ceremony - last week was widely reported and commented upon. That is Azerjaban gas to Turkey via Georgia along the BP consortium pipeline. Interesting that a very senior BP with very strong links to Azerjaban was quoted as saying " very important milestone. Natural Gas from the Caspian to Europe". I would have thought that they would have promoted Azerbaijan (major BP investment area/partner) rather than the region unless they expected other gas to help fill the pipeline soon. These guys never say anything or publish information unscripted.

Posted by sonnyclimes on the 3rd December :-

Jens Stoltenberg: There is More NATO in Georgia Now than Ever

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the decision made during the 2008 NATO Bucharest Summit remains in force and that Georgia and Ukraine will become members of the alliance.

“We are focused on helping Georgia and Ukraine in their moving forward on the path of the Euro-Atlantic integration including in carrying out reforms, modernization of security institutions. There is more NATO in Georgia now than ever. We have a training center in the suburbs of Tbilisi. We conducted large-scale training and have close political contacts,” he said.

The NATO Chief emphasized that visits to Georgia and Ukraine confirm that the alliance is working with both countries and that cooperation was fruitful for all sides as Georgia and Ukraine participated in peacekeeping missions and operations of NATO.

NATO leaders today gathered for a summit in London to mark the alliance’s 70th anniversary. The 29 allies met in London symbolically since the first headquarter office of the military block was located in the capital of England.

On this occasion, the Public Diplomacy Forum will also be held on December 4, which will be attended by representatives of NATO partner states including Georgia.

Davit Zalkaliani, Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs will take part in discussions on the topic 'From the Baltic to the Black Sea: Security on NATO’s Frontlines.' Defense Ministers of Ukraine, Lithuania and Estonia will also participate in the discussions.

By Ana Dumbadze

03 December 2019 17:25

http://georgiatoday.ge/news/18510/Jens-Stoltenberg%3A-There-is-More-NATO-in-Georgia-Now-than-Ever

Posted by R8pilot on the 3rd December :-

On Dec. 12, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a non-binding resolution calling the pipeline (NS2) a “drastic step backwards for European energy security and United States interests.” The resolution also called upon Trump to “use all available means to support European energy security through a policy of diversification to lessen reliance” on Russia. Nonetheless, little in the supply picture for Europe has changed since then.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/natural-gas-war-europe-becomes-us-russia-battleground/1364195

Posted by Dulwichman on the 3rd December :-

Hi Prod.
Just to add to your comments.
I remember having a chat with tim from then yellow jersey on the fact that he was advising Zaza NOT to look at the message boards - apparently Zaza was very frustrated with both the nay sayers and the shorters and the fact that there was a lot he could not say but wanted to. This was made worse for at one of the meetings a particularly disruptive person goaded Zaza into going a little further than perhaps he should have done in trying to both helpful and positive- this resulted in a complaint going to the regulatory authorities if I remember correctly- this was set up by a well known shorter as I remember, and designed to cause trouble for personal gain either as an individual or as representative of an organisation. I also seem to remember that There was some talk of the Company seeking legal advice against that person for possible action. As we all know whilst the law/regulation says one thing, it is not always wise to take such action due to the bigger consequences of a negative nature against the Company in the longer term. We all know that Zaza only called one more public meeting after that and did not hang around afterwards for a drink. We can only guess as to the reasons why but I know I would have reacted.
Your sentence beginning " But put yourself etc" I fully support it just makes common sense.
For the nay sayers/ shorters on here My own view is that a part of our problems of lack of communications is as a result of at least one of your past actions from a CEO who was trying to communicate with his investors in a helpful way. Thanks for nothing chaps. you may have one that little battle but us investors in this to win the war.
As has been said before a lot of this legal stuff etc ( By kick muck I think) is fluff. perhaps a little more than what was expected but the O&G business at our level can be a very dirty game and from hat I can see the lights are still on. Many would have fallen by now and WE HAVE NOT!

Posted by Aubree21 on the 3rd December :-

Old Zaza likes to punish people at Xmas remember. That pressie last year was truly memorable.

I don’t think he gives any thought whatsoever to shareholders. He came to meetings to make out he was a lovely guy. People were treating him like a celebrity. How things changed. He has had ample time to address shareholders even if just to say “A lot going on guys, can’t tell you anything but will provide updates in due course”. Instead he disappears and people somehow think that’s a good thing. Having had a little experience in running businesses it’s fair to say his practices are poor.

Posted by theprodigy on the 3rd December :-

Aubree - weve been over this with the sorters that come on board, ive also shared information re arbitration and from GOGC SAOG about why they or frontera cant comment.
Anything he could or would say would be shot down by shorters which is expected but also by frustrated share holders- so no surprise that the company have said nothing.

Not saying investors have no right to be frustrated - weve all been there im sure.

But put yourself into the shoes of the CEO fighting in multiple fronts and doing, in my opinion, the best for the company and share holders and you see the personal insults and attacks on your integrity and motives- Im pretty sure you would eb a bit ****ed of and choose to say absolutely zip. Im pretty sure anyone in that position will have been advised that total silence is the way.

And before anyone jumps on the bash him for backing the board - i did state that the reason was my opinion. I do wish i could say it was fact- then i might not have moments of frustration. Still positive and expecting a positive outcome for shareholders.
The knows we now know we know and the knows we think we now know do give me some confidence.
Roll on February- pretty sure we will all be wiser to the outcome by then - In my opinion.

ATB

Posted by Dulwichman on the 3rd December :-

EK
I would agree that Georgia is not about to join NATO in the near future BUT they are moving in that direction. WE may glen more after this NATO conference, but what is clear that the process to join NATO is now a matter of process as opposed "where do I sign?" the first question is "Can Georgia afford to contribute 25 of GDP? ! I would doubt it at present. add to that is the present Government willing to pay it - two different things as it has many expensive things to do sat home which include keeping in power in an unstable region so it is a bit of a way off as far as NATO goes BUT it is aslo clear that it is on a pathway and with various forms of help from Uncle SAM and others. both in terms of military protection (and the UK should be helping more but does not have the resources and it should do as in both cases as things progress Georgia has its own resources outside gas and oil and could become a good trading nation. Some people laughed when zaza was seen at Georgian wine **** up but it all helps in increasing GDP so 2% can be achieved, I am sure that will see a lot more overall inward investment and greater exports in the near future - Remember from what we all can see these are all strategic goals without in this post to go into any details. It is the direction of travel that is important ( God I am sounding like a CEO with an MBA!) Of course with other matters that could take place and we do know that GAS is high up on the agenda both for Uncle Sam AND the EU this is the super charger for the Georgian GDP possible speeding up NATO membership with all other things being equal. I would strongly suggest that the Georgian Government really is under a extreme pressure to make things as easy as possible as a pathway leading to Nato membership- remember that Nato is a political organisation as well as military so it not all about boots on the ground in Georgia from the "mutual support of Nato/s military capability" is membership is supposed to give that in an implied way as part of membership but Geogia could be very useful in providing support when it is capable for both Nato and the UN peacekeepers thus saving people like us to do the heavy lifting if required ( hence our new aircraft carrier) It is all part of a very big and maybe at times slow push from the west. With a bit of luck we will benefit.

Posted by Madpunter on the 2nd December :-

France and Georgia

1st meeting of historic French-Georgian Dimitri Amilakhvari dialogue format to be held in Paris

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3279

Georgian FM opens historic French-Georgian format: ‘peace in Europe unlikely without peace in Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova’

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3280

Posted by Madpunter on the 3rd December :-

UK and Georgia

UK-Georgia Business Forum held in Tbilisi to deepen business ties

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3290

ICC

Georgia to present candidate for judge of Hague International Criminal Court for the 1st time

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3291

Posted by Bigun2 on the 3rd December :-

It's gearing up nicely MP isn't it? Just hope we don't have to wait until after next years presidential elections...

Hopefully Georgia will announced as a full member of NATO soon

Posted by EkXoc on the 3rd December :-

I don't think Georgia will join NATO anytime soon, the occupation was designed to put a stop to that and whilst there are options for the unoccupied terriorties to join it seems very long road. It seems that the US is not prepared to wait and as was recently announced the reduction in US finacial contribution to NATO appears to be being redirected to the region ie Ukraine and Georgia which allows for the territories themselves to bolster thier defences rather than relying on the NATO dinosaur to come to thier aid. I view this as positive. In addition the issue of energy dependance/domination is clearly forefront of US foreign policy. The first tanker arrived in the Ukriane and it seems Poland has/will be receiving US gas as well. I don't believe the US want purely US gas sold in the European market its just not going to be enough so developing local non-Russian supplies seems to make sense from a US strategic perspective. What is occuring here is huge. The US is shifting energy dependance away from old enemies in the middle east who supply Oil (look at the Saudi efforts to diversify thier economy and sell off Aramco) whilst at the same time preventing Russia from benefiting by attacking thier monopoly on the gas. We need patience here the whole global energy map is being redraw and we have front row seats I don;t know anybody who is even remotely interesting or aware of all this despite it directly impacting everyone, look at those porr Scots who lost thier gas supply recently in Jan the Russian/Ukraine gas contracts ends... could be a bumpy ride unless Europe has an Ace up its sleave.

Posted by R8pilot on the 2nd December :-

Bigger picture
Part 2....

https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/russia-ukraine-escalate-gas-war-europe-draws-map-fear-191127184511984.html

Posted by Madpunter on the 2nd December :-

Georgia and Germany
Georgia buys 30 modern fire engines from German company, replacing Russian vehicles

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3275

Is this a sweetener in advance of a deal for Germany to buy gas from Georgia instead of Russia?

Russia and Georgia
Russian ex-Deputy FM Karasin announces opening of Russian culture centre in Tbilisi

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3250

Zurab Abashidze: no deal on opening of Russian culture centre in Tbilisi was made

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3254

Russian Deputy FM Karasin hopes Georgian doctor will be released soon

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3246