Member Info for Madpunter

Posted DomFok on the 20th August :-

Final Part
The third issue became the topic of "Frontera", when a serious quarrel took place between the Georgian government and "Frontera", all this was added to the failure to reach an agreement on March 8. As soon as the Georgian Dream was given the opportunity, it tried to get into a more favorable electoral position at the expense of rejecting its public promises. Added to this is the fact that a rather large group left the Georgian Dream on Gavrilov's night and then after the failure of the constitutional amendments. These people were the main mediators of the Georgian Dream in the United States and the European Union - Chugoshvili, Khulordava, Katsarava and others. When this team, which was the main messenger in the West, got up and left, it was already a signal that something good was not happening in the Georgian Dream. These people were trusted in Washington and Brussels, At this time, these people so demonstratively left the "dream" together, which caused the erosion of trust in Washington. A few components came together and, finally, we got to this point. In fact, we are now at the lowest level of trust in Georgian-American relations after the period of Eduard Shevardnadze.

If the "Georgian Dream" and the "National Movement", on whom can America count in Georgia? There is one version that "Lelo" becomes an interesting force for them.

- I do not think the United States was betting on any particular political organization. It is in the US interest to have a system in Georgia that promotes democracy. It is up to the Georgian people to decide who will be elected individually or in a coalition. The task of the Americans here is to make this process happen so that power is not taken away by any group.

https://for.ge/view/191904/amerikelebis-interesia-saqarTveloSi-Zalaufleba-romelime-erTma-jgufma-ar-miitacos.html

Posted DomFok on the 20th August :-

Pt2
That is, this report depends on many things, and to say that such reports are made on the story of nationalists and non-governmental organizations is not true.
The US has an embassy in the country, in addition to two major institutions - the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute. Both are American NGOs, but information is gathered everywhere, including from political parties and Georgian or foreign organizations working in Georgia. On the other hand, the current government is trying to deliver its messages, do not think that the government does not do it, it may not do it as effectively as the opposition, but the Georgian Dream spends a lot of money to get their message heard in Washington.

When did the Georgian Dream issue a mandate of confidence in Washington? It was as if he was doing all the work, refusing to persecute his political opponents, which was the order of the society ... Only the failure of the proportional system caused the cooling of Washington , or did it happen earlier?

- The erosion of trust started from the political part. For example, it was an important message to the American side that the open, public promise made by Ivanishvili a year and two months ago, that is, after Gavrilov's night, changed and Ivanishvili reconsidered its execution. This was blamed on the majoritarian MPs, which is a lie, everyone knows. Therefore, this was the first signal, because this public political promise was not only given to the people of Georgia, but also to the international community. However, before the promise of proportional elections, something was accumulating in Georgian-American relations. That is, one issue was a political issue, more precisely, an election issue, the other issue was to stop the construction of the Anaklia port, which happened a little later, but the signals were still there, When the famous briefing of Pompeo and the then Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze was held. Had there not been any problems in his back at that time, Pompeo would not have come out so openly and clearly and said that Anaklia is to be built. There was something before that, they suspected in Washington that they were not behaving as expected in Georgia. Stopping at the port of Anaklia was the second heavy blow to trust. It turned out that they acted against the public statement of the Secretary of State in Georgia. Which concerned trust. It turned out that they acted against the public statement of the Secretary of State in Georgia. Which concerned trust. It turned out that they acted against the public statement of the Secretary of State in Georgia.

Posted DomFok on the 20th August :-

ARTICLE- FOR.GE - POLITICS (Mentions Frontera)
HEADLINE- "IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE AMERICANS THAT NO ONE GROUP SEIZES POWER IN GEORGIA"
Pt1
Giorgi Rukhadze , an international relations specialist and the founder of the Center for Strategic Analysis, spoke to for.ge about what the West expects from us and what the ruling team can do so that Washington does not disappoint .

After every message sent from the West, the opposition is agitated, but even the conversation between Pompeo and Gakharia , even the current message of Stephen Bigan, will have an impact and will it change anything in the strategy of the Georgian Dream in the run-up to the elections?

- American remittances, whether they come from the legislature or from the executive branch, consist mainly of two components. One is that the United States is a partner of Georgia as a state, and not just a partner, but a strategic partner with long-term plans in Georgia. The second message concerns the Georgian government, which shows that the United States no longer normally trusts the Georgian government and begins a policy of scrutiny of Georgia. This is reflected in the reports that need to be prepared and then, on the basis of the State Department report, aid will be frozen, if not frozen, support will increase or decrease.

Unfortunately, Georgia-US relations have entered this phase. If before it was based on trust and support, now it has lost trust in the government and America is looking for various levers to prevent the Georgian government from pulling the country out of the path of democratic development. This is what the messages are focused on, and this is what the reports are focused on, checking in order to control the Georgian government, so that the "Dream" does not have a desire to seize power against the will of the people. An example of this was the very active participation of the American side (and not only the American side, but also the European Union) in reaching the March 8 agreement first, then in the implementation.

Do you think the inertia is taken so that in 180 days a preparatory report will be written in the United States based on non-governmental organizations and the Nazis, and it will probably be critical for the Georgian Dream?

- It is difficult to say what will be in the report that should be prepared after 180 days, it depends on how the Georgian government will behave, first of all, in relation to the elections, how the elections will be held, what the election environment will be like, then already in the post-election period. The ruling team will lose the elections, the issue of handing over power will be on the agenda, if it wins the elections, what will be the attitude towards the rest of the opposition, if there is a need for a coalition, how will it act here.

Posted Dulwichman on the 20th August :-

Rainbow. I would tend to agree with you that we could well be less than pawns in the grand scheme of things Mr Mole is quite correct and in my view we as share holders do deserve something concrete. The simple facts are that what ever else is going on we are still a Company with share holders in legal terms and one way or another still have to function correctly other wise it could become an Achilles heel for those who wish to attack/destroy us. Such things as AGMs etc however still do have to take place even if just a nod and a wink meeting.

Posted Moleinahole on the 20th August :-

Part 2
Its morally and ethically indefensible for the company to have officially declined to engage shareholders in approaching 2 years given the gravity of the situation unfolding in that period and the events we know have occurred but have not been

Heid - they are operating within the articles but the articles and communication are so poor for shareholders in Frontera case and advantageous to the Directors that it does not help. If I could see a clear breach I would be seriously looking at options to force them to hold a meeting. If I thought they would turn up on the anniversary at an address for the nominal prescribed meeting I'd go. But what address (Houston or Cayman and would they turn up, did they hold a nominal meeting in 2018, 19 and 20 if so how does one find out?
We don't even know who he company secretary is at the moment to write too since Levan apparently "left" in Q4 2019.

Rainbow - its not about chilling and waiting. We have chilled and waited 2 years while all kinds of bad news is uncovered inside the court actions. We will have to wait we have no choice but being "chilled" does not mean exercising blind faith.

Posted Moleinahole on the 20th August :-

Rainbow its not about beating each other up with sticks! I hope your right about something of substance going on out of sight. Its possible but its very puzzling the way they are going about things if so. The Frontera mantra was we don't go to court unless we will win in my opinion can be inferred on the so called obstacles to production.

Last night I carefully re-read the company articles yet again. By rights the board should all have come up for re-election very soon (last AGM was 2017 and ts 3 year terms). But it seems as only they can call a general meeting and serve until re-elected and they hold a blocking % of shares anyway even if a meeting could be called on some resolutions and they have no intention of calling a meeting then they have more in common with Ivanshvilli and Putin ideas of corporate democracy. Unless they become incapacitated or bankrupted (hence possibly the objective of the Texas lawsuits by Outrider to peel away the controlling share holding or bankrupt them if that happens we can convene a meeting to elect a board) - there is nothing we can really do unless prove of fraud - for instance appropriation of assets.

On the accounts likewise the board can decide on the accounting dates, whether to prepare a set of accounts and auditor appointment. Cayman regulations seems to allow exempt companies not to have to post a set of accounts either.

So the only protection we as shareholders had was in the listing which ensured an audited set of accounts and RNS of news.

They appear to be at will to run the company on our behalf as a dictatorship and I suspect there is nothing we as shareholders can do about it. So when I compare the way Frontera run their company with the way Georgia Dream operate in Georgia I'm not doing so without having looked at the situation very carefully.

The articles of the company have been deliberately constructed to prevent shareholders exercising any rights which when combined with a Cayman registration and the company now being unlisted is wholly unsatisfactory.
I suspect the only person who has any power here is the Registrar in Cayman and or creditors who can apply some leverage via the insolvency law (which is what is happening with the New York case with FIT if you hadn't noticed).

Having said that we are strangely aligned to Steve and Zaza through the frozen shareholding but mere passengers in any journey until they need a change in the capital structure and need a vote - which could be interesting if they ever tried that as an unregistered and apparently lacking a registrar company. In current climate they aren't going to have an AGM face to face due to covid and the current difficult situation but there is nothing that can be done.

Posted RainbowRider on the 20th August :-

We have no idea
what is going on behind closed doors.
Certainly, there's no point in constantly beating eachother with sticks.
I like to feel that matters of substance are being discussed. All will be revealed in due course.

Posted Looed on the 20th August :-

There is a condensed version of the NDI report here -

https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/108807-ndi-report-political-will-needed-to-translate-georgias-electoral-reforms-into-strong-democratic-elections/

An (anti) article about FRR
Nice title, shame about the rest of it.

Title - "What Does Impede The Development Of American Business In Georgia? Will common sense prevail?"

Its all about "notorious" FRR - https://medium.com/@peradze.giorgi/what-does-impede-the-development-of-american-business-in-georgia-c3a00d2d002e

This rant is hosted on a US blogging sharing platform called "Medium". The author neglects to mention he is part of the GG being 'Deputy Chair of the Competition Agency'. Seems the more traditional western style media has little appetite for this type of view if they have to resort to this type of exposure?

Posted Looed on the 20th August :-

Report - "Georgia Election Watch"
Another 'helping hand' from USAID - this time sponsoring a report called "Georgia Election Watch", produced by NDI. NDI is "a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. NDI has organized more than 250 international observation missions or assessments to more than 65 countries, including numerous assessments in Georgia since 1992."

This is the report intro -

"Georgia will hold parliamentary elections on October 31, 2020. The National Democratic Institute offers this analysis of the pre-election environment based on in-depth interviews conducted July 28 - August 4, 2020 with representatives of the Georgian government, political parties, the electoral administration, civil society, the media, domestic and international observer organizations, and the diplomatic community; ongoing interaction with the full range of electoral stakeholders; and the Institute’s expertise and relationships developed over 25 years of programming in Georgia. This report highlights the electoral framework and administration; the campaign environment; the role of media and disinformation; gender and inclusion; and the impact of covid-19. The Institute has assigned experts to conduct long-term, in-depth analysis of the key themes highlighted in this report and will continue to monitor the overall election process through its conclusion. NDI may issue further analysis and recommendations through the election period and will issue a comprehensive assessment of the overall electoral process shortly after the elections."

The full report is here (the discussion on the media backs what we already know) -

https://www.ndi.org/sites/default/files/NDI%20-%20Georgia%20Election%20Watch%20Report%20-%20Final%20-%20August%2019%2C%202020%20-%20ENG.pdf

Posted Looed on the 20th August :-

Free Trade Agreement?
'Geocase' is a west-leaning Georgian think-tank. In an interview published yesterday discussing Georgia-US relations, Dr. Prof. Khatuna Burkadze, of Geocase makes the following statement at the end of the interview -

"Georgia with the US support should succeed in achieving greater integration with the global economy, strengthening energy security and establishing itself as a transit and logistic hub by carrying out large-scale economic projects.

Also, it is vital to launch the negotiations on a free-trade agreement between Georgia and America. In this regard, it is essential to highlight Georgia’s strategic location, located at the critical crossroads.

A free-trade agreement would encourage greater American investment in Georgia as well as increase the number of American tourists, further strengthening co-operation between Georgia and America in the security sphere.

In the post-pandemic international system, multi-dimensional co-operation with the United States will assist Georgia to achieve its greater goals on its Euro-Atlantic path."

Over the past 12 months or so, there have been multiple articles and opinion pieces calling for a Free Trade Agreement. Might explain why the GG have been spending so much money on lobbying.

If such a deal is being discussed, then US actions to get the current GG into shape makes more sense. Might also explain why FRR want to hold out and possibly prevent this taking place before 31/10. If FRR doesn't get the deal it wants - then neither does the GG. At least not to a timeline they might prefer.

The GG also has some power here - they know their potential strategic importance so must also have some negotiating power.

Geocase interview -
https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/108802-dr-khatuna-burkadze-as-a-strategic-partner-the-united-states-steadily-supports-georgia/

Typical article on US-Georgia FTA -
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2020/03/05/why-does-everyone-suddenly-want-a-free-trade-deal-with-georgia/#4286104550e6

Posted Ivyspivey on the 19th August :-

The Three Seas Initiative
At Munich Security Conference.Adam Kingzinger

https://3seas.eu/media/news/reinforcing-the-transatlantic-ties

Three Seas Conference Agenda Oct.

https://3seas.eu/event/summit-and-business-forum/agenda

Posted Madpunter on the 19th August :-

Georgia and NATO
Former NATO General: Nobody has Done More for the Alliance than Georgia
http://georgiatoday.ge/news/22121/Former-NATO-General%3A-Nobody-has-Done-More-for-the-Alliance-than-Georgia

Kurt Volker about 20th of June: People Can’t Forget That
https://www.georgianjournal.ge/politics/36622-kurt-volker-about-20th-of-june-people-cant-forget-that.html

Posted DomFok on the 18th August :-

Opposition parties in Georgia adopt joint declaration
Agenda.ge, 18 Aug 2020 - 15:06, Tbilisi,Georgia
About 30 opposition parties in Georgia have adopted a joint declaration on the upcoming October elections at a meeting held in the office of the Labour Party today.

The declaration reads that 'Georgia's democratic opposition agrees that Ivanishvili's oligarchic government poses the greatest challenge to the country and its democratic development'.

Ivanishvili and his party are doing their best to spread nihilism in society, to discredit the entire political process. Under these conditions, our most important task is to strengthen public trust and support for the elections, which is a peaceful way of changing the government, the only right way to enable our society to take firm steps towards a western democratic state", reads the declaration.
The declaration further says the Ivanishvili regime has ‘mobilised a large part of both administrative and financial resources', and state institutions serve the interests of the ruling team instead of the public.

That is why the coordinated work of the democratic opposition is important to protect each vote and eliminate electoral manipulation. The task of the parties will not be to protect the votes of citizens with certain political tastes, but to protect the transparency of the entire electoral process and the choice of each citizen", reads the statement.
The opposition parties have also agreed to work with international observers to avoid doubts about the legitimacy of the elections.

Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Georgia on 31 October 2020 to elect the 150 members of parliament.

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/2568?fbclid=IwAR10GUjruH3KEi3ylXyopYiUpQ6v-3gQn750_Z86Jwe-ZxJe1oX2BUqT-dg

Posted Looed on the 18th August :-

"U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Kelly C. Degnan joined CEC Chairperson Tamar Zhvania in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a new USAID-supported cybersecurity server center."

https://ge.usembassy.gov/ambassador-degnan-participates-in-opening-of-cec-cybersecurity-server-center/

Posted Looed on the 18th August :-

Pt.2

To implement the CDCS, USAID will work with a broad range of partners and stakeholders, drawing on multiple partnership opportunities that the Agency’s policies present (e.g. the Private Sector Engagement Strategy, expanded government-to-government mechanisms, and the New Partnerships Initiative, to name a few). This means integrating more local partners into procurement, supporting country-led solutions and co-creating development interventions, scaling up institutional capacity development of strategic partners, promoting innovation, and increasing engagement of youth and women.

By the end of the strategy, USAID will have laid the foundation for a legacy that advances Georgia’s path to Euro-Atlantic integration; supports Georgia in protecting itself from one of its greatest threats - external malign influence; and helps Georgian citizens benefit from improved governance, rule of law, and high-value employment opportunities.

https://www.usaid.gov/georgia/cdcs

Posted Looed on the 18th August :-

More carrots -

Pt.1

COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION STRATEGY - GEORGIA

Georgia is the United States’ key and reliable partner in a geostrategic region of vital importance. As the U.S. government continues its steadfast support of Georgia’s integration into western political and economic structures, USAID has developed a new, five-year Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) to partner with Georgia on its challenging Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) while advancing Euro-Atlantic integration and strengthening resilience to malign influence.

As a frontline state, Georgia finds itself at a critical juncture, with its gains and aspirations put to the test. Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions are occupied by Russian forces. Russia’s "borderization" efforts (i.e. the installation of fencing on Georgian territory near the administrative boundary line of South Ossetia) indiscriminately and disproportionately affect civilians living in the area, as the country continues to face a precarious geopolitical situation, sitting at the crossroads of Asia and Europe and between Russia and Iran. Despite these challenging circumstances, Georgia has remained determined to complete its transition to a free-market democracy. The progress Georgia has made on this path over the last decade has not been easy, and in many cases, it has come through U.S. and European Union engagement and foreign assistance. In many spheres, Georgia has turned out to be a leader in advancing reforms to strengthen its economy and its governing institutions. Going forward, Georgia can build on this progress to shift toward taking a greater role over its development course to achieve its strategic goals.

USAID’s development assistance over the next five years is designed to strategically capitalize on Georgia’s successful reforms and development gains while addressing challenges related to potential democratic backsliding and a geopolitical environment that threatens to undermine the country’s development gains and territorial integrity. The CDCS reflects the priorities of the U.S. National Security Strategy, and it is aligned with the Georgian government’s reform agenda and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. The strategy focuses on three development objectives: (a) resilience to external malign influence strengthened, (b) fragile democratic gains consolidated through enhanced citizen responsive governance, and (c) inclusive high-value employment opportunities provided through increased economic growth.

Posted Jonathansxx on the 17th August :-

Threads only usually get removed if someone reports the post. So it makes you wonder who is reading this bb?

Posted OneDayRodney1 on the 17th August :-

Opinions
Good morning all
I see a few messages have been deleted by admin again. It seems that stating an opinion about whether or not elections might be free or fair or not is off the agenda here...
GLAsnost

Posted Looed on the 16th August :-

Carrot & stick
The US continues to mould the GG so it further aligns with US foreign policy. This time via the DFC, the investment arm of the US Govt. Pompeo sits on the BOD.

Georgian PM, CEO of US International Development Finance Corporation discuss projects, private sector development in Georgia

Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia discussed current and future U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) projects in Georgia and the role of the DFC in promoting the development of the private sector in Georgia with DFC CEO Adam Boehler earlier today.

This is yet another clear demonstration of the high level of cooperation with the U.S. - a strategic partner of the country - not only in terms of democratization and security but also in terms of the economy,” said Gakharia.

Gakharia noted the importance of signing a trade agreement between Georgia and the United States in order for economic relations between the strategic partners to become even more active.

He also spoke about the importance of foreign direct investment in the country especially under the conditions of the pandemic. He expressed his gratitude to the DFC for supporting and funding projects such as Georgia's maritime and port infrastructure including the PACE Terminal in Poti Port, financial sector, energy, communications, healthcare and tourism.

Adam Boehler noted Georgia's significant positive results in the fight against the pandemic and praised both the decisions made by the country's authorities and the efforts of the citizens of Georgia.

Gakharia and Boehler discussed the possibility of opening a DFC regional office in Georgia, which could cover the countries of Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia.

They also noted the importance of strengthening private investment funds in the region."

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/2540

The DFC is quite open about its agenda -

"DFC makes America a stronger and more competitive leader on the global development stage with greater ability to partner with allies on transformative projects."

And specific to Georgia -

"The project also advances U.S. interests in a region of critical strategic importance, by supporting an alternative to Russian ports used to transport goods between Europe and Central Asia."

https://www.dfc.gov/investment-story/expanding-trade-and-port-capacity-georgia

I omitted this other 'carrot' from the article I posted earlier -

"Gakharia and Boehler discussed the possibility of opening a DFC regional office in Georgia, which could cover the countries of Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia."

Posted Jonathansxx on the 15th August :-

Georgian oligarchs.
Are the Georgians genuinely trying to reign in the oligarchy?

"Agenda.ge, 14 Aug 2020 - 16:59, Tbilisi,Georgia
The government of Georgia has approved the Law on Entrepreneurs, that soon will be sent to the Parliament of Georgia and if approved will come into force on January 1, 2021, announces the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

The new law...has been developed to improve the business climate and aims to improve the legal framework, regulate internal corporate relations and, while promoting entrepreneurial freedom, increase transparency in this area. Also, the purpose of the bill is to bring Georgian legislation closer to European standards, to fulfill the requirements of the Association Agreement between the EU and Georgia", reads the press-release published by the Ministry of Justice.

Once approved the new law will regulate issues related to the conflict of interest of business managers, the obligation of good faith, the fulfilment of obligations of the entrepreneurial community, reorganisation and liquidation of the company.

The bill introduces rules that will allow business parties to better regulate corporate relations, and in cases of non-regulation of a separate issue, there will be a normative basis to overcome difficulties that the parties face as well as the court to properly resolve the disputes."
An attempt to become more aligned to European values maybe..