Member Info for Madpunter

This is from a long article about the UNM conceding districts and its implications for Opposition strategy

Partners are satisfied. The statement was liked by many leaders of the united opposition.

One of the leaders of the European Georgia party, Giga Bokeria, noted that the statement by Melia, in contrast to the earlier statements of the National Movement, corresponds to the spirit of the united opposition.

"Melia’s statement meets the spirit that we had. If this is done, it will only make me happy. Today it’s important for the country to reduce risks in the conditions of the Ivanishvili regime (leader of the ruling party - ed.). In the first round, it should be clear who won, and who lost, "said Boqueria.

Satisfied with the statement and in the Labor Party of Georgia.

"This is an adequate solution. I hope that we can agree on the regions. This is important, since we have two tasks - not only to displace the ruling party, but also to complete the tradition of one-man rule," said party representative Lasha Chkhartishvili.

And

"This statement, and I hope the parties will agree on single candidates, and we will continue the dialogue to join them in the districts of Tbilisi, "said the General Secretary of the movement Badri Japaridze.

But one of the leaders of the Democratic Movement is sure that this will give the opposition an advantage over the ruling party and its leader Bidzina Ivanishvili.

"This was an important statement, after which no one can say about the polarization of the opposition, and this will disarm Ivanishvili in this regard," Anzor Bitsadze said.

He noted that after today we can say that the unity of the opposition has taken place."

Source - https://m.sputnik-georgia.ru/politics/20200605/248656917/Gruzinskaya-oppozitsiya-vnov-na-raspute-khod-mazhoritarkoy-ot-Natsdvizheniya.html?mobile_return=no

Posted by Looed on the 5th June :-

More on UNM plan to concede districts

Posted by Looed on the 5th June :-

Pt.2

The new legislation clarifies that U.S. sanctions related to Nord Stream 2 apply to vessels engaged in all pipelaying activities, as well as to those who facilitate providing those vessels, as well as to those who provide insurance, port facilities, or tethering services for those vessels, and ultimately to any company that provides certification for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to begin operations.

In May 2019, Sens. Cruz and Shaheen introduced the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act, legislation imposing devastating, targeted sanctions on vessels that Putin needs to complete the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Their bill advanced out of the Foreign Relations Committee with overwhelming support and was signed into law in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020.

Sen. Cruz has led a months-long bipartisan and bicameral fight to stop Putin's pipeline, which if completed, would vastly strengthen President Vladimir Putin at the expense of the rest of the free world.

Source - https://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=5156

Posted by Looed on the 5th June :-

Ted Cruz on Ukraine / Nord Stream 2 and possible sanctions
Pt.1

Sens. Cruz, Shaheen Introduce Legislation Expanding Sanctions to Block Completion of Nord Stream 2

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), today introduced legislation clarifying and expanding the sanctions of their bipartisan bill, the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act, to block the Nord Stream 2 pipeline's completion.

"There is bipartisan and bicameral consensus that Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline poses a critical threat to America's national security and must not be completed," Sen. Cruz said. "Last year, both parties and both chambers of Congress came together to pass Sen. Shaheen and my bipartisan bill, the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act, in the NDAA, which was then supported, signed, and implemented across the administration. Nevertheless Putin continues to try to circumvent those sanctions, and so this new bill will once and for all clarify that those involved in any way with installing pipeline for the project will face crippling and immediate American sanctions."

"While there were skeptics, the original sanctions legislation I authored with Senator Cruz was tremendously effective at thwarting the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline," Sen. Shaheen said. "We must now continue that effort and ensure that Russia does not surreptitiously extend its malign influence throughout Europe. Nord Stream 2 threatens Ukraine, Europe's energy independence and gives Russia an opening to exploit our allies. Congress must once again take decisive action and stand in this pipeline's path."

"The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is a Russian trap. It makes Europe and our allies more dependent on Russia and more prone to Russian influence. We're committed to blocking all Russian efforts to complete this dangerous pipeline," Sen. Barrasso said. "Our bipartisan bill expands targeted sanctions on those involved in assisting with the construction of this pipeline. These sanctions will prevent Russia from bolstering its geopolitical weapon."

"Halting construction of Nord Steam II demands our continued vigilance," Sen. Cotton said. "These expanded sanctions will help complete our mission to stop Moscow from using the pipeline to drive a wedge between Eastern European nations and the rest of Europe."

"Preventing Russia from using its energy resources as a geopolitical weapon is in America's national security interests," Sen. Johnson said. "This legislation's expansion of targeted sanctions will send a strong message to Putin that Russia's continued aggression has consequences."

Posted by Looed on the 5th June :-

News round up
"UNM, as the biggest opposition party concedes 6 majoritarian districts out of 8 in Tbilisi"
(Wiki states that after the last election "A majority of the UNM's electoral list defected to European Georgia, leaving the UNM with six members in parliament.")
https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/107764-nika-melia-unm-as-the-biggest-opposition-party-concedes-6-majoritarian-districts-out-of-8-in-tbilisi

"Carl Harzell: 8th March agreement and its spirit is very important for Georgian democracy; I believe that it will be successfully fulfilled" says the EU Ambassador to Europe
https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/107762-carl-harzell-8th-march-agreement-and-its-spirit-is-very-important-for-georgian-democracy-i-believe-that-it-will-be-successfully-fulfilled

Same guy, the dangers of a "closed economy"
https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/107760-carl-harzell-thanks-to-the-open-market-economy-and-international-trade-georgia-will-become-richer-and-more-successful

Posted by erazzel on the 4th June :-

Over the years
I used to laugh when certain posters he said this could be a book in the making and you couldn’t write it.

Flabbergasted that ZM is not running for president

Posted by Dulwichman on the 4th June :-

Erazzel I have always said that Zaza has political ambitions however on a more relevant note.,this level of speaking out along with SN back in the limelight I am even more convinced that they are doing this under advice from some very powerful people in the world of politics and diplomacy (two rather different things) I can only hope that they will back him up in the actions that they can invoke otherwise he is on a literal suicide mission. I can think of many African leaders who have not been backed at the crucial moment and I know this will not go down well with some but what we as shareholders want and need is stability in the US Government in terms of Trump remaining in power. Those that know me this is my area of interest as again as shareholders the last thing we want is a change in US foreign policy as I am convinced this will drag on beyond our near deadlines.

Posted by erazzel on the 4th June :-

kakheti production to continue?
https://www.newposts.ge/wap.php?ID=232443

Posted by DomFok on the 4th June :-

More from Zaza tonight
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_dT0Tqe8n5A

Posted by Aurora1 on the 4th June :-

With hindsight its becoming clear that it was always going to come down to the most extraordinary showdown between East and West and its playing out the end game in the next few months. Ill bet there are some political types invested in FRR as well from the USA which should help the cause and hopefully a strong appetite to keep the pressure on from senators. Im sure Zaza is corralling the opposition in Georgia and Steve will be corralling the USA support

Posted by Bluevista on the 4th June :-

Hi All, long time no speak. Not commented for a long while - over 18 months - since we delisted. Great to see Zaza, B20, SN and JRjnr driving our public profile, stating our rights and supporting our morale on the LSE board at the same time.
Thanks also to other contributors here, whose research, insight and enthusiasm has kept me tuned in and hopeful of a fair outcome.

I remember fondly meeting many of you at the investor meetings in London. I also remember telling Zaza that I was soo deep in FRR that lack of a return would mean divorce. Zaza laughed and said "my friend, you're going to be very happily married for a very long time!"

Well, needless to say, I'm currently in divorce proceedings (NISI done, Absolute imminent)!

While its' not the whole story, this torrid progress and lack of transparency clearly has not helped me answer some pretty basic questions about 'our' investment.

Anyway, moving on, I think East (Russia) vs West is the crux of this, Oligarch vs Democracy and Georgian GDP, prosperity and energy independence for Georgia and Europe at risk for decades is at stake. Notwithstanding our ROI ;-)

While investors take risks - and I sure did - this is a battle the West cannot afford to lose. Otherwise the Russian pincer movement of Nord Stream across the Baltic Sea and Rosneft (or some other puppet) picking up B12 on the cheap will complete the stranglehold around Europe for years to come.

Nice to be back!

Posted by Welloiled on the 4th June :-

Other companies
Zaza and Steve mention BMCN Holdings which appears to be another ZM/SN/NM company that was dissolved on 28/02/20, see: https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0802328052
They also cite Iconia Capital LLC which has a brutal warning on their website for investors who are thinking of risking hard earned money in Georgia, see: https://www.iconiacapital.com/iconia-under-attack-in-georgia.html
I've also come across Telcell Wireless LLC, with two US investors that have filed an ICSID claim against the state, accusing the former government of arresting and extorting the company’s founder on politically motivated charges, see:
https://globalarbitrationreview.com/article/1214525/telecoms-investors-accuse-georgia-of-extortion
https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/cases/casedetail.aspx?CaseNo=ARB/20/5

Arsenal, it's very disturbing and it backs up Zaza's criticism of Georgia's Government and shows the treatment of FRR is not unusual. I discovered Iconia Capital LLC previously in my research into Georgia’s business environment and I also came across Zaza Okuashvili, a Georgian businessman, politician. founder and owner of the Omega Group of companies and the national television station, Iberia who in April 2019, he was awarded in Washington for his contribution to the development of Georgia–United States relations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaza_Okuashvili. There are several troubling online videos in which he is interviewed about Government racketeering and the influence of Bidzina Ivanishvili, see: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Zaza+Okuashvili+
Zaza Okuashvili: "Traitor Ivanishvili and Gakharia should be held accountable before the state and the law" 14 Aug 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krOy7-5xiCw
Zaza Okuashvili talks about Government racketeering against Omega Group 4 July 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrW8upuKn0w
I didn't know if Senator Cruz was aware of these companies so I emailed him the details and thanked him as a long term shareholder of FRR for his letter of May 15.

Coggy, I sent the message via the contact facility on his website for Constituent Services but did not request a reply as I thought it wasn't appropriate because I'm not a Texas resident. As I feel that the plight of shareholders in this geopolitical struggle has been overlooked, I took the opportunity to draw attention to the fact that many hundreds perhaps thousands of private shareholders like myself, are seeing our substantial investments in Frontera being taken away by malign forces. Whether or not Senator Cruz would see my message, I felt the need to thank him for highlighting the plight of FRR in his letter to Secretaries Pompeo and Mnuchin.

Posted by Madpunter on the 4th June :-

Woody166 - I suggest that you go back to school. There are 12 months in a year and yet you state that you've held this share for 'no more than a year', despite the fact it de-listed 18 months ago. How did you buy when it was de-listed and more to the point, why did you buy if you need to ask about what is going on? Another numpty for the filter pool. You're filtered, goodbye! I've had to add a few lately, which shows how things are hotting up. The shorting crew must be very worried.

'I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for many months looking in, having seen the extremely minuscule holding I’ve had for no more than a year, being removed from AIM.'

Posted by OneDayRodney1 on the 4th June :-

bbnews
Earlier today you posted your "let's take the BOD to court" post, which is a message you have been suggesting regularly for a few months. If shareholders had actually done that, firstly it would almost certainly have been a complete waste of time and money as the Company appears not to have a bean to pay to anybody and secondly it would completely undermine the work that the BOD are trying desperately to do now to save the Company.
You would see the Government aligned journalists saying that the Company is being sued by its shareholders and it weakening what small chance the Company has. We are all frustrated but let's drop such calls for action for the time being please.
GLA

Posted by Looed on the 4th June :-

Pt.2
"At the same time, Frontera's attempt to seize the gas field in the East
In Georgia, which could provide cheaper and more competitive gas to Georgian consumers, the state was constantly confronted with the cancellation of the contract, misinformation and expropriation of state media. Why? ”They write.

At the end of the letter, the authors read "Why the government is working and spending so much money" to terminate the contract with the largest investor in the United States, if the soul is really a Georgian-American strategic partnership.

Georgia has reached the Russian-style kleptocracy - an open letter from the leaders of the Frontera to Gakharia
Frontera's case
Frontera Resources is an American-based company that aims to extract oil and gas. The company Frontera Research Georgia started working in Georgia in 1997 and during this time they have repeatedly stated that they have found a large supply of gas. The state and the frontier were arguing with each other in the arbitral tribunal, which has repeatedly been the subject of political speculation.

The dispute between the LEPL Georgian State Oil and Gas Agency, JSC Oil and Gas Corporation and the company Frontera Research Georgia has ended in the Arbitration Court. State organizations said they had won the arbitration and met most of their demands, which the Fronter denied, accusing them of trying to discredit the company.

The state terminates the agreement with the front - what happens and what the parties cannot agree on
Also, the agency and the corporation claimed that the arbitral tribunal had found a breach of contract on the part of the Frontera, which allowed them to terminate the contract. Frontera denied this either.

Nonetheless, the Oil and Gas Company said it had notified the Frontera and the contract would automatically be considered terminated upon expiration of the term specified in it (July 27 of this year). They also called on the Front to implement the decision of the Arbitration Tribunal, including the payment of funds to the Georgian side (approximately USD 6 million).

In parallel with these events, US senators and congressmen addressed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Finance Minister Stephen Mnuchin in Georgia over the harassment of American companies and businesses. The authors of the letter were Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornin, as well as Congressmen Jodi Arrington and Marquine Malin.

Posted by Looed on the 4th June :-

In response to the critical open letter, Turnava calls on the Frontera to make public the decision of the arbitration.
Pt.1 (some of this is a rehash of the letter)

Natia Turnava, the Minister of Economy, responded to the Prime Minister's open letter to the Prime Minister. In response to the criticism and accusations, he reiterated that the Front had lost the arbitration dispute and had to fulfill its obligations.

He also called on the company to disclose the decision of the Administrative Court, which will shed light on who is right in this dispute. The parties have no right to make the decision public without the mutual consent of the parties. State-owned corporations say they will announce the decision if the frontline agrees. The company is silent on the matter.

"The answer is very simple. We always respond to such a statement from the company Frontera with complete calm. We respond in accordance with all international norms.

If you want to get more information and the ultimate truth about it, let's call on the company Frontera to publicly announce the decision made by the international arbitration, "Turnava said.

A member of the company's board of directors, Frontera, and the president of the Georgian delegation addressed an open letter to Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, saying Georgia had come to the Russian-style kleptocracy and disguised itself as a sharer in American democratic values ??and a free market. Steve Nicandros and Zaza Mamulaishvili say the investment and business environment in the country has deteriorated and they are asking the Prime Minister why their American company was facing obstacles when it did not have the same problems with Russian, Iranian and Azerbaijani companies.

"Russian energy giant Rosneft entered Georgia in 2013 and has been working tirelessly since then, despite US sanctions and Georgia's violations of the law. Rosneft has been allowed to be strategically based in the port of Poti, in terms of oil trading and fuel distribution structures. An arbitrary attempt by an arbitral tribunal later found illegal. Why? " - Mamulaishvili and Nikandros are reading.

According to them, the Frontera was facing obstacles when the natural conditions for the import of natural gas were granted to the Georgian government. Gazprom and SOCAR were negotiating with the Iranian government on gas imports.

Posted by Looed on the 4th June :-

How the original letter differs to the translated versions.
If you have seen the TV news segment, you can see they show the letter and there are some differences between the original English version and the Georgian versions that we have been discussing.

The English version starts with "We respectfully ask today for your intervention to stop the arbitrary, illegal termination between the company and the State. The ongoing effort to expropriate our company holdings highlights a lack of respect for the rule of law"

In the video its at the 1:09 mark

And then this -

Like other US companies in recent years the reality is that today we find an unwelcoming and increasingly dangerous business environment that seeks to disregard the rule of law that seeks to weaponise the judiciary system, disregard the rule of law and state-capture over US private-sector partnerships. this is not the Georgia we have come to love during our 23 years of dedicated corporate citizenship that has motivated us too invest over $500m in our work to help Georgia achieve its oil and gas energy independence

1:14 mark

True economic growth for all cannot exist under this system. Ultimately the real losers are the Georgian people and their families. Hence, Georgians leaders must be held accountable by their actions and not their political rhetoric.

1:19 mark

List other American companies that have had issues

1:33 mark

Another article but with more background info.
I won't post the article - it rehashes the latest letter and talks about the conflicting views from both sides regarding the arbitration result. There is nothing new so I won't cut and paste it but its here if you want a read -

https://on.ge/story/57497-??????????-??????-??????-??????-???????????????-?????????-??????????????-????????

(Woody166 - this article sums up the current situation regarding the fallout from the Arbitration.)

Posted by EkXoc on the 4th June :-

Fundamental changes
Fundamental changes are required in Georgia, Russia is trying to control the country by proxy with the pure aim of controlling the energy supply in Europe, this article from 2017 shows how this is occuring

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/Georgia-To-Purchase-Natural-Gas-Only-From-Azerbaijan.html

what may appear to be desperate moves is likely to be very subtle postureing for a much larger change in Georgia.. with Frontera at the very heart of it. Nord stream is this, the stakesa re way beyond our investment in FRR.

Posted by DomFok on the 4th June :-

Frontera..Headline News 12.00

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wvhzCf8Nx7Y

Posted by Looed on the 4th June :-

The station is a relatively new, large private broadcaster - I found this article saying they are backed by a former Defence Minister

https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/103435-formula-tv-to-start-broadcasting-in-october/

Posted by Looed on the 4th June :-

Article - "The management of "Frontera" addresses Giorgi Gakharia with a letter"
Similar to the article that DomFok posted.

"Steve Nicandros, chairman of the board of directors of the American oil company Frontera, and Zaza Mamulaishvili, president, have written a letter to Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia.
In the letter, the company's management says it has seen growing anti-American sentiment and discriminatory attitudes toward US investment in Georgia since 2013, but hopes that now that the government's legal action against Frontera is over, they will close the door on a constructive spirit. You will send a signal to American companies.

(Then they reprint the letter)

reads a letter sent to Giorgi Gakharia by Steve Nicandros, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Frontera, and Zaza Mamulaishvili, President."

Source - https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/602904-pronteras-xelmzgvaneloba-giorgi-gaxarias-cerilit-mimartavs/

Some observations. No more talk of joint statement and no mention of GOGC. Nothing on the actual details of the Arbitration. Feels like SN has been drafted in to "Americanize" the company. Maybe he will start to do interviews as well to enforce the foreign investor angle.

This site has a copy of part of the letter - appears to be dated 2nd June.

https://infonews.ge/??????????-??????-?????/

Posted by DomFok on the 4th June :-

Part 2
Like all companies that have resisted anti-American kleptocratic policies, we have become the target of a state-sponsored and slanderous campaign by the Russian media using suspiciously false news against our company, including our work and arbitration decisions. Why?

All sides have suffered as a result of the costly and unsuccessful attack carried out by your government. If Georgia really wants a long-term Georgian- American strategic partnership, then the question is, "Why do you work so hard and spend so much money to terminate a contract with the largest investor in the United States?"

Now that the government's legal action against Frontera has come to an end, we hope to close this door in a constructive spirit and send a stronger and more encouraging signal to American companies. We strongly believe that Georgia will have many years of successful American private investment, ”said Steve Nicandros , chairman of the board of directors of Frontera .

Posted by DomFok on the 4th June :-

“Frontera" addresses Giorgi Gakharia with a letter
https://1tv.ge/news/frontera-giorgi-gakharias-werilit-mimartavs/
The company "Frontera" addresses a letter to the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia.

According to the letter, the business environment in Georgia has deteriorated.

"Dear Prime Minister Gakharia,

You respectfully write that, like other American companies, we are witnessing a deterioration in the investment and business environment in the country, which does not recognize the rule of law and uses the court as a weapon, preferring to seize the state instead of partnering with American investment .

Since 2013, we have seen growing anti-American sentiment, as well as discriminatory attitudes toward important American investments and American NGOs, the systematic collapse of the free economic market. As a result, Georgia has moved to a Russian-style kleptocracy that is only disguised as a sharer in American democratic values ??and a free market. This "political notion" is intended only to obtain continued US assistance from the US government. This farce must end.

Please note:

Russian energy giant Rosneft entered Georgia in 2013 and has been operating unpunished since, despite US sanctions and violations of Georgian law. Rosneft was given the right to be strategically located in the port of Poti, in the structures of oil trading and fuel distribution. In the same year, an arbitrary attempt to terminate the contract was initiated against our company, which was later declared illegal by the Arbitration Court. Why?

Favorable conditions for natural gas imports were given to Gazprom and SOCAR, the Georgian government was negotiating with the Iranian government on gas imports. At the same time, Frontera 's efforts to exploit the gas field in eastern Georgia, which could have provided cheaper and more competitive gas to Georgian consumers, have been repeatedly challenged by the state, disinformation and expropriation of state media . Why?

In 2016, China's CEFC was given a 75 percent controlling stake in the Poti Strategic Free Economic Zone. You have personally traveled to China to sign a contract. However, the company has failed to meet its $ 150 million investment commitment, which has resulted in neither fines nor public criticism. You have publicly referred to Frontera as an "unscrupulous company" and that was when Frontera invested more than $ 500 million in Georgia, despite a commitment of only $ 18 million. He also discovered the oil and gas reserves that will make Georgia energy-independent . Why?

In 2017, at the Georgia-Iran Business Forum in Tbilisi, you announced a 657 percent increase in Iranian investment in Georgia. In the same year, your government launched an arbitration dispute against the largest American investor in Georgia, Frontera , in order to cancel the contract. Why?

Posted by DomFok on the 4th June :-

"Frontera" accuses the government of neglecting the court ruling
“Efforts to seize the company's assets underscore the disrespect for the law and the unfavorable investment climate for the US private sector in Georgia."
https://www.newposts.ge/wap.php?ID=232443

The Georgian government is embroiled in another scandal - Frontera accuses the government of ignoring the court ruling.

"Frontera" has published a special letter from Giorgi Gakharia, which talks about the illegal termination of the contract with the state.

According to the letter, efforts to seize the company's assets underscore its disregard for the law and the lack of a favorable investment climate for the US private sector in Georgia.

The authors emphasize the activation of Russian energy giant and Iranian companies in the private sector.

"During the economically unprecedented, challenging period, the legal dispute between us and the Georgian government ended. The good news is that based on the ruling, our company is preparing to resume oil and gas production in Kakheti. The bad news is that our agreement with the Georgian government has failed miserably, and your government is now ignoring the court's decision and still trying to terminate the contract and expropriate our property, ”Frontera said in a statement.

Posted by Looed on the 4th June :-

Oh yes he did - oh no he didn't!
Reports that the Georgian PM has quit -

"Media: Georgian Prime Minister resigns" - https://apa.az/en/europe/Media:-Georgian-Prime-Minister-resigns-322408

And subsequent reports that he didn't -

https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/107736-tbilisi-mayor-denies-reports-about-pms-resignation

https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/107738-gia-volski-reports-about-giorgi-gakharias-resignation-are-being-spread-in-order-to-cover-up-many-interesting-topics

Update on article translation
The transcript of the radio interview Keysersoze shared was originally due to be delivered today. The project got delayed because of a the payment verification issue which now seems to be resolved. The translator says he needs an additional 2 days, so hopefully it will be completed by Saturday.

Posted by Looed on the 2nd June :-

Goit - Paypal doesn't work for me. It won't accept my UK bank cards as the billing address is Taiwan - it must be a UK address for Paypal. It won't accept my Taiwan bank cards as it doesn't accept an English name with a local address. If I use my made up Chinese name (we need a made up Chinese name for our Health Insurance cards) it won't work as it doesn't match the name on my local bank cards. My local bank cards won't use my Chinese name as it doesn't match the name in my passport. And on and on it goes!

Bet you are sorry you asked :-)

Posted by EkXoc on the 2nd June :-

Russian Dominance
Did anyone rad the article on Russia I posted yesterday?
It explains alot about what is going on here in Georgia. If Russian influence wins over in the elections it will be a major win of the Russians and put Eruope at the mercy of Russian energy policy plus strengthen Russia over the US. There is ALOT at stake here, Im not sure which side has the upper hand here. I don't see how the west can afford to lose this one

Posted by Flakey5185 on the 3rd June :-

Senate to back Nordstream 2 sanctions to insurers.