Member Info for Madpunter

Posted by Looed on the 20th Feb :-

RE: Regnum Tweet
Ivy - regarding Regnum, I posted this yesterday in a reply to ODR. Might explain why they published this -

"ODR - I have posted a few articles from this site and following on from your comment I did a wiki search and found this comment on the newsites wiki page -
"As Russia's foreign policy tool Regnum has been instrumental in encouraging opposition to energy independence plans in the Baltic states"

Article on Ankaia Port
Not directly related to FRR but this section sounded very familiar...

"Georgian authorities say that the company did not comply with the terms and conditions of the project. Many experts, as well as Western politicians, claim that the Georgian authorities used the project to politically persecute opponents. Construction being halted was one of the reasons prompting the warning from prominent American politicians that the United States could reduce or suspend investment in Georgia."

The article is in english and can be found here - https://jam-news.net/new-events-unfold-surrounding-controversial-construction-of-new-anaklia-port-in-georgia/

This website states - "JAMnews was founded and is currently operating with the assistance from the UK Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. COBERM, a joint EU-UNDP initiative, has provided co-funding too."

Posted by bugsy-b on the 19th Feb :-

Politics latest
"Staff Director of U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Meets Georgian PM, Opposition Leaders
20/02/2020 - 00:36"

"On February 19, Chris Socha, Staff Director of U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, arrived in Tbilisi to hold talks concerning the current political environment in Georgia with Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and other government officials, political party leaders, Speaker of the Parliament and other MPs, as well as representatives civil society and international non-governmental organizations."

https://civil.ge/archives/339500

Go get 'em boys !

Posted by Ivyspivey on the 19th Feb :-

We really could do with a change of govt and get GK back as PM

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=15&ved=2ahUKEwiX5_H9yd7nAhXGDGMBHUxhAroQFjAOegQIBxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.reuters.com%2Farticle%2Fuk-georgia-politics%2Fgeorgian-prime-minister-kvirikashvili-resigns-idUKKBN1J923O&usg=AOvVaw3jLyRJxkslKFKa5geH9avj

Posted by Blownitalready on the 19th Feb :-

US Embassy Statement
The US Embassy has released a statement about visit of U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff Director Chris Socha to Georgia.

According to the embassy, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff Director Chris Socha arrived in Tbilisi for discussions concerning the current political environment in Georgia with Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and other government officials, political party leaders, the chairman of the parliament and other parliamentarians, and civil society and international non-governmental organization representatives.

“In all of his meetings, Mr. Socha reiterated the United States’ commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity and its Euro-Atlantic integration. He specifically raised the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia under Russia's illegal occupation. He also discussed concerns about a weakening of Georgian democracy and governance and carried a clear message from the chairman of the committee, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), that the United States supports Georgia's democratic development but the institutions of government must respect everyone's political rights and continue to strengthen the checks and balances that ensure government power is properly constrained,” the statement reads.

https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/105895-us-embassy-releases-statement-about-visit-of-us-senate-foreign-relations-committee-staff-director-to-georgia

Posted by Ivyspivey on the 19th Feb :-

Regnum Tweet
I know this was posted earlier re FRR saying they had paid workers but Regnum have tweeted the link today.
Does seem odd it is a Russian sourced article.Could it be trying to stir the workers into action by saying FRR have denied owing the workers money when ZM in his I/v seemed to acknowledge they did owe some money.

https://regnum.ru/news/society/2855091.html

Posted by EkXoc on the 19th Feb :-

Putin sacks his close advisir
Didn't see this posted yet and can't get link off BBC cos on phone but Putin sacked his close advisor and architect of ex Soviet state policy Inc Ukraine, interesting timing.

Posted by Looed on the 19th Feb :-

EkXoc - from VOA as couldn't see the BBC article -

Putin Sacks Top Adviser and Ex-Ukraine Pointman Surkov

February 18, 2020 02:56 PM
Russian President Vladimir Putin and former deputy chief of staff Vladislav Surkov, (File photo).

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sacked Vladislav Surkov, one of his chief advisers and the architect of Russia's Ukraine policy who was viewed among the country's most powerful men.

The dismissal of the 55-year-old Surkin was announced on the Kremlin website but there was no indication of what his new job would be.

In recent years, Surkov was in charge of the Kremlin's Ukraine policy and cultivated close ties with the separatists who have carved out "people's republics" in the ex-Soviet country's eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk.

He was replaced earlier this month as the Kremlin's chief ideologue and pointman on relations with Ukraine and Moscow-backed separatists by Dmitry Kozak, a 61-year-old veteran official and a close ally of Putin.

As first deputy head of the Kremlin administration, Surkov helped transform Russian parliament into a rubber stamp, muzzle media and neuter the opposition.

The secretive strategist oversaw political parties in parliament and electoral campaigns that invariably handed victory to Putin.

Surkov saw his influence wane after he was moved to the government in a reshuffle in 2011 and served two years in the rank of deputy prime minister.

In 2013, he returned to the Kremlin where he served as Putin's advisor in charge of Russia's ties with Ukraine and other post-Soviet countries.

He found himself back in the spotlight when Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014 and supported Russian-speaking separatists in Ukraine's industrial east.

Separatists openly admitted that Surkov advised the leadership of the breakaway statelets.

Source - https://www.voanews.com/europe/putin-sacks-top-adviser-and-ex-ukraine-pointman-surkov

Posted by Chris572 on the 19th Feb :-

5 mins ago
Frontera Resources employees deny debt to Georgian residents

TBILISI, February 19, 2020, 11:27 - REGNUM A branch of the US oil and gas company Frontera Resources, operating in Georgia, has no wage arrears to its former employees. Such a statement was made on February 18 by the enterprise’s press service in connection with a protest rally on its territory in the city of Dedoplis-Tskaro.

“We urge the participants of today's uncoordinated action to act within the law. We are also contacting the relevant departments to ensure a safe working environment, ”said Frontera Resources.

It is worth noting that former employees of the American company are demanding the payment of wages, which, according to them, are indebted to Frontera Resources. They also demand the reinstatement of 84 employees who were fired for such demands.

https://regnum.ru/news/society/2862817.html

Posted by OneDayRodney1 on the 19th Feb :-

Thanks for sharing Chris.
This is odd as Zaza admitted the employees were owed in his interview, and was also reported as meeting the employees before they downed tools.
This is a Russian media outlet isn't it? Maybe its the Russkies placing false news to try to aggravate the situation?

Posted by sonnyclimes on the 19th Feb :-

If you read further down Chris's article it appears another, British, company Georgian Manganese is having a similar problem with workers.

Posted by Looed on the 19th Feb :-

ODR - I have posted a few articles from this site and following on from your comment I did a wiki search and found this comment on the newsites wiki page -

"As Russia's foreign policy tool Regnum has been instrumental in encouraging opposition to energy independence plans in the Baltic states"

So you may well be right.

Posted by Jiff on the 18th Feb :-

Boca hires drivers to transport oil
Post tonight about oil being transported by BOCA whilst ex employees protest peacefully??
https://www.newsgeorgia.ge/byvshie-rabotniki-kompanii-frontera-proveli-akciju-protesta-v-dedoplisckaro/
Several dozens of people gathered at the company's office in Dedoplistskaro, and do not pass trucks carrying oil.
Frontera probably already sold this oil, and another company wants to take it out. We are against this and act within the law. We demand to pay salary arrears for 11 months, ”the protesters said.
Drivers whom protesters do not miss said they were hired by Boca and arrived to transport oil, but have been waiting for loading for more than two hours.
In this situation, the protesters accuse the director of the company Zaza Mamulaishvili and demand his dismissal. They also demand that the Ministry of Economy immediately connect to the issue of paying them debts.
“We barely breathe, our economic situation is so difficult. We have bank debts, our houses are being sold. And now they are claiming that the company has incurred losses due to our strikes and are threatening to deduct the amount of damage from our salaries, ”the protesters said.
Recently, former Frontera employees held a protest in Tbilisi. The protesters had two basic requirements - that they were paid wage arrears and reinstated in their previous positions.

Posted by Chris572 on the 18th Feb :-

More protests today..... after Zaza interview I’m not as concerned about the salaries any
Former Frontera employees demand salary arrears

OWL OWL
4 hours ago

Frontera
Frontera
Former employees of the Frontera oil company held a protest rally demanding compensation for their salary arrears.

Dissatisfied gathered at Tbilisi State University with representatives of the United Trade Unions and industry organizations. Demonstrators staged a march to the central office of Frontera.

The demand of the participants of the action is to repay their salary arrears for 11 months and return them jobs. According to former Frontera employees, they were fired after December 17 last year and they demand that the company comply with Georgian labor laws.

Posted by Bernadotte on the 18th Feb :-

ANTI-RUSSIAN COURT
https://tass.com/world/1121223

Posted by Welloiled on the 18th Feb :-

Bernadotte, very interesting as it refers to the Energy Charter Treaty. According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukos:

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled unanimously upon awarding compensation of $50 billion for the company's assets, that Yukos was the target of a series of politically motivated attacks by Russian authorities that eventually led to its destruction, and that Russia had expropriated Yukos' assets in breach of the Energy Charter Treaty. The treaty does not prohibit governments seizing or nationalizing commercial assets, but requires investors to be fairly compensated.

Reassuringly, Georgia is a member: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Charter_Treaty which suggests that if GG expropriated FRR's assets, shareholders may have legitimate grounds for compensation.

Posted by sonnyclimes on the 18th Feb :-

Opposition Turns On Soviet Union Anthem During Parliament Speaker's Speech
http://georgiatoday.ge/news/19499/Opposition-Turns-On-Soviet-Union-Anthem-During-Parliament-Speaker

The previous four posts were posted on the 18th and not the 17th.

Posted by Blownitalready on the 18th Feb :-

Former Employees of Oil Company of Frontera Western Georgia Hold Demonstration in Dedoplistskaro
According to the rally participants, they said the company plans to export the oil to the municipality.

But the stories of the victims remain unchanged: timely payroll arrears and immediate reinstatement of unfair dismissals. Police are mobilized at the scene.

By the way, the state dispute against Frontera has started in international arbitration. Frontera's 11-month debt to 84 employees totaled up to GEL 1 million.

https://ipress.ge/new/navthobmompovebeli-kompania-phrontera-istern-jorjias-qhophili-thanamshromlebi-dedophlistsqharoshi-aqtsias-marthaven/

Posted by OneDayRodney1 on the 17th Feb :-

Part 3
Bidzina Ivanishvili. Fresh reporting suggests that former Prime Minister has sealed a deal with Hogan Lovells, a U.S. law firm, which is expected to “act solely at the direction and control” of the Georgian Dream. The firm will try to paper over the differences between Ivanishvili’s party and the Capitol Hill through lobbyism."

"New to the contact list
Ambassador Kelly Degnan. On January 29, Tbilisi welcomed newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Georgia. Her appointment brought back rumors that Georgia blocked previous U.S. nominee Bridget Brink (now Ambassador to Slovakia) because of her alleged predisposition toward former President Mikheil Saakashvili. In the Congressional hearing speech, Degnan outlined chiefly military and security considerations for her host country. Yet she too, in a diplomatic speak, pointed out fundamental importance of Georgia’s continued commitment to the principles of the rule of law and democracy.

What featured last in the subject line?
Ugulava’s imprisonment. On February 10, the Supreme Court sent to jail Gigi Ugulava, an opposition leader, who played an active role in demanding changes in the electoral system. This time round Congressman did not turn to letters to make his opinion known. “To say this is disturbing would be an understatement. Using courts as a weapon is NOT democracy,” Kinzinger tweeted. "

Posted by OneDayRodney1 on the 17th Feb :-

Part 2
January 21: Kinzinger and Connolly penned a second letter signed by two other Congressmen – Eliot L. Engel and Michael McCaul (chair and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, respectively). The Congressmen expressed their alarm about “the politicization of the Anaklia Deep Sea project.” Georgian Government
"had just cancelled a contract with a US-backed consortium, which was responsible for constructing the Anaklia deep-sea port. “This reflects an increasingly unfavorable business environment and could deter future U.S. investment in Georgia,” concluded the Congressmen.
January 23: Congressman Brian Babin (R) mainly reiterated Mullin’s concerns. He referred to Georgian government’s progressively antagonistic actions against democratic values, free-market principles and American interests. Georgia, Congressman Babin noted, for the first time in its modern history, had been cast in a negative and cautionary light with respect to appropriations from the U.S. government.
January 29: U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, addressed major issues previously raised by other U.S. lawmakers, which indicated “a weakening of Georgian democracy and governance.” “Two of the most pressing matters are Parliament’s failure to uphold its commitment to electoral reform and the government’s violent suppression of peaceful protests”, Senators wrote.
February 4: Congressman Randy Weber (R) cited “state capture” and “concentration of power in private hands” from Transparency International’s report to characterize political and business climate in Georgia. Weber voiced his support for passing Georgia Fair Business Practices Sanctions Act, which envisages sanctions against wrongdoer Georgian state officials.
Who’s on the other end of the line?
Reacting to December 14’s letter, Prime Minister Gakharia said he was receptive to “all criticism from friends and strategic partners.” However, Gakharia noted, the ruling party had misgivings about the substance of the criticism.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze downplayed the criticism, stressing that the ruling party was guided “by the official positions of the U.S government and the Department of State, in addition to the Congress.”
Davit Bakradze, Georgia’s Ambassador in Washington, pigeonholed Mullin’s appeal as an act of lobbyism, because, he said, Frontera had an ongoing legal dispute with the Georgian state.
Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani assigned Congressmen’s sharp criticism to their lack of “comprehensive information about the political processes unfolding in Georgia.” Later Zalkaliani paid a visit to Senators Risch and Shaheen in order to deliver answers to their questions in person.
Who’s acting behind the scenes?

Posted by OneDayRodney1 on the 17th Feb :-

RE: Article - "Letters Gone Unheeded: New Normal of U.S.-Georgia Relations? "
Here is the article:
"Georgia is often cited as one of the closest partners of the United States in the region. Last decades have seen the U.S. spearheading efforts to push forward the Georgian democracy. Clearly, Georgia’s relations with its major benefactor will loom large in this year’s political agenda.

Civil Georgia tracks down recent strains in much-valued bilateral relations.

The backstory
Back in November 14, 2019, ruling Georgian Dream party MPs voted down a constitutional amendment that envisaged transition to fully proportional electoral system from 2020, triggering public protest in front of the parliament. Police dispersed the protestors in a heavy-handed manner, citing attempts to take over the parliament building. The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi was quick to express disappointment with ruling party’s failure to “take an important step in advancing Georgia’s democratic development and strengthening trust among political parties.” Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who co-chairs House Georgia Caucus (a parliamentary friendship group in the lower Chamber), said he was “shocked” to hear about Georgian Dream’s backtracking from its promise.

This is where it all started
December 13: Adam Kinzinger (R) and Gery Connoly (D), co-chairs of the House Georgia Caucus, sent a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, decrying Georgian Dream’s shelving of the projected electoral reforms towards a fully proportional system. Strongly worded letter also touched on the alleged government-sanctioned violence, “employed” to quell ensuing protests.
Follow-up letters
December 19: in a written address, Senator Roger Wicker (R) criticized Georgian Dream’s bid to pack the top court with its loyal judges, exerting unwholesome influence on the judiciary. Senator also found fault with Bidzina Ivanishvili’s (chair of the Georgian Dream) remarks for threatening political opposition with “time in jail.” (Note: the letter was disclosed on January 25 by the United National Movement, an opposition party)
January 13: Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R), author of yet another letter, chose to add economic dimension to his criticism. Deploring “a continued negative trend in democratic and free-market indicators,” U.S. lawmaker singled out Frontera Resources (an oil and gas firm based in his home state Texas) for being subjected to “harassment and expropriation attack” by the Georgian government. Furthermore, Congressman pointed to Facebook’s announcement that accused Georgian Dream government of weaponizing an extensive network of social media accounts, aimed at muffling opposition views and advancing anti-Western sentiments.

Posted by Looed on the 17th Feb :-

Article - "Letters Gone Unheeded: New Normal of U.S.-Georgia Relations? "
Thanks to all those who gave me a shout-out earlier, much appriciated!

This is a summary article that pulls all that timelines recent political activity in relation to the letters from the congressmen about FRR and the situation in Georgia - however I am unable to cut & paste. If someone could help?

Source - https://civil.ge/archives/338910 (there are also a lot of links at the bottom of the article for anyone who wants to review the references made in this article)

Posted by Zibrahimovic on the 17th Feb :-

Georgian Mining
Had to change name recently as they look elsewhere after interference by the GG. Now called Empire Metals Limited and here's why...

Georgian Mining has been trying to extend the exploration permit for the Kvemo Bolnisi East copper-gold projects in the Eurasian country.

At the end of January, the company had said its 50%-owned joint venture Georgian Copper & Gold JSC secured the tenure at Kvemo Bolnisi East and Dambludi, "two key deposits".

However, Georgia's National Agency of Mines had said it seeks to return Kvemo Bolnisi West, Tsitel Sopeli and Balichi to the state.

Sound familiar?????

Posted by brgmg69 on the 17th Feb :-

Past Presidential comment

https://twitter.com/MargvelashviliG/status/1229305807558397952?s=20

Posted by Blownitalready on the 17th Feb :-

Georgia’s ex-president returns to politics
Former President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili says he is returning to active politics.

“By choosing authoritarianism, Georgian Dream crossed red lines. No democracy - no national unity, no western path. Won’t watch this happen. Returning to active politics. Will serve the mission of our western choice with my friends and the Georgian people,” Margvelashvili has tweeted.

https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/105851-georgias-ex-president-returns-to-politics

Posted by Zeninvestor on the 17th Feb :-

The political context just gets bigger and bigger. Hard to believe that little Frontera with its investor meetings at America House is at the centre of this. While Zaza was trying to keep small investors sweet in the UK and dealing with huge hurdles in Georgia, Steve N must have been playing statecraft in the US with his powerful friends. The prize has to be huge- both financially and strategically. Nowhere near out of the woods yet but a way out has appeared.

Posted by sonnyclimes on the 17th Feb :-

Giorgi Margvelashvili is a well respected leader as evidenced by a previous election:

@MargvelashviliG
4th President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili was elected on October 27, 2013 with more than 62% of the vote

Posted by Arsenal221 on the 17th Feb :-

Mirian Mirianashvili: "US can impose sanctions on Ivanishvilli because of Frontera"
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ka&u=http://qronikaplus.ge/%3Fp%3D20657&prev=search

Posted by Ivyspivey on the 16th Feb :-

Georgian FM
Speaking Friday about US Company’s

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/474

Posted by emblaze1 on the 16th Feb :-

RE: Bidzina blamed..
old from Dec 2019 but still valid Ivanishvili is trying to run the company from a bunker and it will end soon link below.

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ka&u=http://qronikaplus.ge/%3Fp%3D20657&prev=search

Posted by Zibrahimovic on the 16th Feb :-

Maybe those who kept questioning the silence now have their answer...

Posted by Tsbs on the 16th Feb :-

with all this going on and frr receiving the backing of us government what must hope be thinking

where on earth does he think he fits in to this little spat

think he might be receiving a knock on the door in the middle of the night

Posted by Zibrahimovic on the 16th Feb :-

Agree TS...keeps making me think about the discovery that has to remain confidential in the court hearing agreed by Hope and FRR...intriguing.