Member Info for Madpunter

Posted by Looed on the 12th Feb :-

Pt.2

According to Georgy Tatishvili, the volume of investments is one of the issues discussed today in the arbitration court.
“The state and Frontera have different views on this. The state did not set off the company an investment of several hundred million, because this investment was not made in accordance with the requirements of the contract. Frontera has its own numbers, and we have our own. We will wait for the arbitration decision, ”Tatishvili repeated.
As for the protests of the company's employees, the last of them took place a few days ago. Employees of the company demanded to cover their salary debts for 11 months. In addition, many of them lost their jobs after the protest in December 2019, and their families were left without money for the New Year. The protesters had two basic requirements - to return the salary and restore to work on old conditions. According to the protesters, they will hold campaigns until their conditions are met."

Source - https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2020/02/12/v-gruzii-prodolzhaetsya-polemika-korporacii-nefti-i-gaza-s-frontera

Posted by Looed on the 12th Feb :-

Russian article on Arbitration / nonpayment to workers
Pt.1

"In parallel with the consideration of the claim in an international arbitration court, another absentee controversy ensued between the state Oil and Gas Corporation of Georgia and the American oil and gas company Frontera Resources.
An American gas and oil exploration company in Georgia said it was ready to continue working in the country. According to the company, in 2017, the state and the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation launched an arbitration dispute against Frontera Resources, which "significantly complicated the company's activities and the influx of planned investments in Georgia." Despite this, the company hopes to continue the implementation of the multi-billion dollar oil and gas exploration project, which “will ensure the energy independence of Georgia and bring great material benefits to its population.”
“It should be noted that Frontera Resources fully assumes the responsibility and risk of investing in the project, and more than half of the profits, oil and gas belong to the state of Georgia ... It is a great honor for Frontera Resources Corporation to be part of Georgia’s economic revival,” the company said.
Frontera Resources also added that from the start of oil exploration and production in 1997 to today, the total investment in the Georgian economy amounted to $ 580 million, oil and gas for this period was produced and sold for $ 60 million. The government also received dozens million dollars in taxes to the state budget.
Responding to opponents, the head of the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation, George Tatishvili, noted that the Frontera Resources statement was based on factual inaccuracies.
“Despite everything, compliance with contractual provisions is a key point. Therefore, we often cannot disclose details due to Frontera Resources privacy requirements. This statement is full of factual inaccuracies. It should also be noted that precisely because of these controversial issues, the Gas and Oil Corporation appealed to the international arbitration court. We await the decisions of the arbitration court in April, ”Tatishvili said on the air of Channel One.
According to him, the Frontera Resources statement did not say anything about the 11-month debt to its employees, which the company has accumulated over the years.
“They had income, but the debt to the workers, apparently, was not a priority issue ... Frontera now has two licenses. One was issued in 1997 to grant oil and gas production rights. The second license was obtained several years ago. This is an oil transportation license. The company has both licenses and operates under these licenses. I don’t understand what restrictions of licenses or permissions are mentioned in the message, ”the head of the Corporation emphasized.

Posted by Oopsi on the 12th Feb :-

RE: Georgian article on Congressman Webber
Look at the CC list - very impressive - secretary of state, secretary of state for commerce, US secretary of Treasury and US Secretary of Energy

https://twitter.com/TXRandy14/status/1227320673598615553/photo/2

Posted by Blownitalready on the 12th Feb :-

Kandelaki: The isolation of the Georgian Dream from European partners will deepen
Giorgi Kandelaki thinks that it is necessary for the ruling party to think about the partners' messages.
"As we said, the pressure on the 'Georgian Dream' will only increase, it will double. Of course, the EU statement, in this case the statement of the Executive Institute, the Foreign Relations Office is very important and this isolation will only deepen. The Georgian Dream will find itself in an unbearable state, both inside and outside the country. How much our country depends on the goodwill and support of the European Union and the United States needs no explanation. So it is in the Georgian Dream's interest to embark on this suicidal path taken by Bidzina Ivanishvili's arrest by the party's secretary general of European Georgia, "Giorgi Kandelaki said.
In response to a letter sent by Texas Congressman Randy Webber to Prime Minister George Kandelak, he said he did not remember the pressure from Georgia's main strategic ally.

"The pressure of such intensity is not remembered by Georgia's most important strategic ally. Putting aside the support of the current years, the fact that Georgia became independent in general is, to some extent, the merit of the United States. If not the US, Georgia would still be part of the Soviet Union. So consensus is being formed not only at the parliamentary level but also at the level of the executive branch that Ivanishvili's regime is not in the interests of either Georgia or our ally, ”George Kandelaki said.
Note: On February 10, the Supreme Court of Georgia found former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava, one of the leaders of European Georgia, guilty of the Tbilisi Development Fund case and sentenced him to three years and two months in prison.

Posted by Looed on the 12th Feb :-

And Georgian another article on Mr Webber
Along the same lines as earlier articles -

https://civil.ge/archives/338364 (article is in English)

Posted by Blownitalready on the 12th Feb :-

Part 2
The European Court has already found a violation, when an individual was involved in two cases against one party – in the first case, the individual was involved as a lawyer of an opposing party, and later, he was involved in another case as a judge towards the same person. It is clear that hearing of a case by the judge who was Prosecutor General during the consideration of the same case justifiably raises doubts about his impartiality.

The Public Defender’s efforts during the selection of judges were aimed at preventing similar risks, in particular, when addressing the OSCE/ODIHR, delivering a report in the Parliament, fully monitoring the selection process and drawing up a constitutional suit.

The Public Defender indicated in the special report that the public trust in the court would be further shaken by the non-implememation of the recommendations of the Venice Commission and hasty and faulty process of selection. After the recommendations were ignored, the strictest statements were made by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, OSCE/ODIHR, EU and other organisations. The Public Defender’s special report additionally emphasized the issue of higher education of Shalva Tadumadze, which raised relevant questions. Unfortunately, Shalva Tadumadze was elected as a judge by the Parliament without counter arguments being provided.

Consequently, Gigi Ugulava’s case includes shortcomings in terms of impartiality of the judge, as well as with regard to the appointment of a judge on the basis of the law. It should be noted that the European Court of Human Rights has already found the violation of the right to a fair trial in the cases showing similar shortcomings relating to the procedures of appointment of judges.

Consequently, the Public Defender believes that if the case is considered by the European Court, it may have an extremely great importance not only specifically for Gigi Ugulava’s case, but for Georgian justice in general,” the statement reads.

According to the Ombudsman’s Office, the Public Defender of Georgia will continue to carefully watch the case and will use all the powers within her mandate.

Posted by Blownitalready on the 12th Feb :-

Part 1
Gigi Ugulava’s case includes shortcomings in terms of impartiality of the judge, as well as with regard to the appointment of a judge on the basis of the law, Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria said, responding to the verdict delivered by the Supreme Court against one of the leaders of the Georgian opposition Gigi Ugulava.

“On December 10, 2020, the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Georgia changed the verdict of the courts of the first and second instances and sentenced Gigi Ugulava, leader of the European Georgia political party, to 3 years, 2 months and 8 days in prison.

The collegium was chaired by Shalva Tadumadze – the newly appointed judge of the Supreme Court, who was the Prosecutor General both when the given case was considered by the court of second instance and when the Prosecutor General’s Office appealed against the case to the cassation court.

Shalva Tadumadze was not personally involved in the given case as a prosecutor, however, this does not change the context – the Prosecutor General’s Office has a strictly defined vertical subordination system, in which all subordinate prosecutors are obliged to follow the instructions of the superior prosecutor, while all employees of the Prosecutor General’s Office are subordinated to the Prosecutor General.

According to the practice of European Court of Human Rights, the personal attitude and behaviour of a judge should create the sense of impartiality in the society. A judge, whose impartiality raises obvious questions, should not participate in the consideration of the case.

Posted by Looed on the 12th Feb :-

Pt.3
Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said he understands the controversy generated by the Congressmen’s letters in Georgia.

"There is a political context, and, of course, everybody will use these letters in the political context, given the election cycle," Gakharia said.

He told journalists that all the letters the administration received had been immediately disclosed to the public and were not concealed."

“Whatever tough questions emerge between strategic partners, we are always ready to sit down and talk about them. We are ready to do so both inside and outside the country, whenever serious questions are asked about Georgia's democratic development, foreign orientation, strategic relations between countries. Everyone understands that Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and development are irreversible. Our colleagues may have some questions and I assure you that we are not afraid of this. We are not afraid of tough questions or tough answers, both at home and abroad. Every question will be answered quietly, without unnecessary excitement," he stated."

Source - http://georgiatoday.ge/news/19429/Congressman-Randy-Weber-Addresses-Georgian-PM

Posted by Looed on the 12th Feb :-

Pt.2
He added that “due to these concerning trends, the President of the United States signed into law two consecutive annual appropriation bills from the U.S. Congress for 2019 and 2020 that specifically addressed concerns regarding the Georgian government’s backsliding against democratic values, free-market principles and American business interests.”

“For the first time in Georgia’s modem history, your country is cast in a negative and cautionary light with respect to appropriations legislation from the U.S. government. Because of the observed negative trends amidst significant annual foreign aid, calls for consideration of sanctions and other penalties are increasing in the United States. I joined a growing number of Congressional members in the call for reform by CO-sponsoring the Georgia Fair Business Practices Sanctions Act, introduced as H.R. 1461 in the U .S. House of Representatives,” Weber noted.

He concluded that “Georgia remains an important friend and strategic partner of the United States.”

“In this context, it is also my hope that your government will find ways to start discouraging actions against U.S. companies, encourage increased foreign direct investment from America, and ultimately find ways to address the warning signs that represent a threat to the freedom and economic prosperity of the Georgian people,” Congressman said.

In January, US Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, sent a letter to Georgian PM, in which they expressed “concern over recent events that indicate a backsliding from Georgia’s commitment to building the institutions of their democracy.”
The above letters continue a series of critical statements made by American congressmen of late, in particular, letters sent by Adam Kinzinger and Gerald E. Connolly, Co-Chairs of the US Congressional Georgia Caucus and the joint letter sent by four Congressmen, together with a letter from Congressman Mullin and a comment from Congressman Pete Olson, which mentioned the dispute between the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation and the US-based company Frontera Resources.

In response, the ruling party Georgian Dream members' common position is that the US congressmen "are not properly informed, and have one-sided information about recent developments in the country". They say they plan to inform them of their arguments regarding the open letters during regular meetings scheduled for February. Chairman of Parliament Archil Talakvadze stated Wednesday that "the government is ready to answer all the questions that the congressmen asked in their letters."

Posted by Looed on the 12th Feb :-

Georgian article on Congressman Webber
Pt.1

"United States Congressman Randy Weber wrote a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia regarding “Georgia’s continued backsliding from democratic values and the associated decline of its economic prosperity.”

"I am alarmed by reports of delayed reforms and a declining climate for U.S. investment in Georgia, especially for energy companies from the USA. I wrote this letter to Georgia's Prime Minister to express my serious concern," Weber tweeted.

The Congressman expresses “concern over the decision to forego promised democratic reforms; reports of violence against peaceful protests; and, the improper targeting and harassment of political opponents, news operators, international and U.S. corporations, and civil society members.”

“Last year, I joined my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Georgia Support Act primarily intended to express our support for your country ‘s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s open challenges to all these areas. It is very important to note, however, that the Georgia Support Act did not provide U.S. support for the Georgian government to effect domestic governance that runs contrary to the “development of democratic values in Georgia, including free and fair elections, public sector transparency and accountability, the rule of law, and anti-corruption,” Randy Weber said.

Congressman mentioned the National Statistics Office of Georgia’s report about the decrements of foreign direct investment in Georgia since 2017 and Transparency International’s report on annual Corruption Perception Index for 2019, which “shows that Georgia’s rating is continuing to decline or remain stagnant since 2015.”

“The resulting decline in foreign direct investment should, therefore, come as no surprise given that U.S. and European business interests find such an environment extremely challenging and are experiencing harassment, contract cancellation and expropriation attack. From my home state, a notable example of this experience is the oil and gas company from Houston, Texas – Frontera Resources. Another example relating to this deteriorating environment relates to the U.S. social media company, Facebook, who recently announced that it discovered and shut down an extensive network of accounts linked to the ruling Georgian Dream Party that were found to advance “coordinated inauthentic behavior” in order to crush opposition views in Georgia and advance anti· Western sentiments, especially towards the United States,” Congressman stressed.

Posted by Looed on the 12th Feb :-

Pt.2 -
“American and European businesses see significant challenges in such an environment, and there are cases of harassment, termination of contracts and expropriation attacks. A prime example of this is the oil and gas company from my hometown of Houston, Frontera Resources. Another example of a deteriorating situation is related to the American company Facebook, which recently announced that it had discovered and closed a network of accounts related to the ruling Georgian Dream party, which “accused of improper, inauthentic behavior aimed at destroying the Georgian opposition and promoting anti-Western sentiments, especially this is about the United States, ”Weber writes.

Congressman notes that it is precisely in line with the trends that the United States passed two laws on the allocation of funds from the US Congress for 2019 and 2020, and these laws specifically relate to the departure of the Georgian government from democratic values, free market principles and the interests of American business.

“Due to noticeable negative trends, amid significant annual foreign aid, calls for sanctions and other fines have increased in the United States. I joined the growing number of members of Congress in a call for reform under the sponsorship of the Georgia's Fair Business Practices Sanctions Act, which is represented in the US House of Representatives.

Georgia remains an important friend and strategic partner of the United States. I hope that sincere conversations between friends will strengthen relations in the coming years. In this context, I also hope that your government will find ways to stop acting against American companies, encourage growing direct investment from America and unequivocally find ways to respond to alarming signs that pose a threat to the freedom of the Georgian people and economic prosperity. ” - writes Randy Weber.

The congressman also sends copies of the letter to the U.S. Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, and White House National Security Advisor.

Source - https://www.apsny.ge/2020/pol/1581531571.php (seems to be a Georgian website but the article is in Russian)

Texas Congressman Webber was a paid lobbyist for FRR back in 2016 but I can't find any record of payments after that date.

https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=D000071040&type=P&state=&sort=A&cycle=2016

You can read the full letter here -

https://twitter.com/TXRandy14/status/1227320673598615553

Posted by Looed on the 12th Feb :-

Russian article - "Congressman Randy Weber Addresses Georgian Prime Minister"
FRR gets a mention. This is Pt.1 -

"Texas Congressman Randy Webber addressed a letter to Georgian Prime Minister George Gaharii. The American legislator publishes a message for the head of the government of Georgia in his microblog on Twitter.

“I add my voice to the growing bipartisan concern that US Congressmen express about the ongoing rollback from democratic values ??and the associated economic prosperity in Georgia. The USA is a strategic partner of Georgia. We must also consider the significant foreign aid that the United States is sending to Georgia. I feel I have to join the colleagues who wrote to you in recent days. I join their concerns expressed in connection with the government’s refusal of democratic reforms, as well as violence against peaceful demonstrators because of existing information, and most importantly, because of the inappropriate focus and oppression of political opponents, the media, international and American corporations and members of civil society, ”the letter said.

According to the congressman, last year he supported the act in support of Georgia adopted by the House of Representatives, aimed at supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia against the background of future challenges from Russia.

“It is important to note that the act in support of Georgia does not provide for US support for a government of Georgia that is contrary to democratic values, including free and fair elections, transparency and accountability of the public sector, the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts,” Weber wrote .

According to him, according to statistics, since 2017, the amount of foreign direct investment in Georgia has decreased by 50%.

“At the same time, according to the Transparency International Index of Corruption Perceptions of 2019, Georgia’s ratings continue to decline, and we have seen stagnation since 2015. According to this report, “the undesirable impact on leading institutions is one of the main challenges for Georgia. The report says that “seizing state institutions” and “concentration of power with private individuals” is also an ongoing challenge in Georgia. The report also notes that in recent years, Georgia’s lack of progress in points indicates how stagnating anti-corruption reforms are, ”Weber said.

According to him, the reduction of foreign investment in such conditions "should not be a surprise."

Posted by Blownitalready on the 11th Feb :-

Politics - British Embassy tweet
British Embassy : Sentencing of opposition leader leaves unanswered questions around timing and process
British Embassy : Sentencing of opposition leader leaves unanswered questions around timing and process
The British Embassy in Tbilisi has responded to the arrest of one of the leaders of the opposition Gigi Ugulava.

“Sentencing of opposition leader Ugulava leaves unanswered questions around timing and process. Also impacts on dialogue on electoral system that will earn trust of Georgian electorate. As friend and strategic partner, UK encourages steps to narrow divisions and reinforce democracy,” the British Embassy has tweeted.

Posted by Blownitalready on the 11th Feb :-

Part 3
According to the NGOs, the verdict against Gigi Ugulava confirms the influence of the government on the justice system and the tendencies of selective justice. “The political bias of the prosecution and judiciary endangers the country's democratic development, further undermines public confidence in state institutions and the rule of law, and affects the pre-election environment.”

“We call on the Georgian authorities, the ruling party and the country's informal ruler - Bidzina Ivanishvili, to stop exercising selective justice against their opponents and people with different views, to promote a constructive resolution of the political crisis and to prioritize the interests of the population and the development of the country instead of party interests, ”the statement reads.

The joint statement is signed by Transparency International Georgia (TIG), Georgia’s Democratic Initiative (GDI), International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), Georgian Reforms Association, Regional Center for Strategic Studies, Atlantic Council of Georgia, Center for Economic Policy Research, Society and Banks, Institute for Democracy and Safe Development (IDSD) , Human Rights Center , Open Society Foundation. Media Development Foundation.

Posted by Blownitalready on the 11th Feb :-

Part 2
In the light of the investigation, launched against Gigi Ugulava 7 years ago, as well as the criminal prosecution against several opposition leaders, including Irakli Okruashvili, Nika Melia and Mamuka Khazaradze, there is doubt that the government uses the criminal prosecution as the leverage to put pressure against its opponents.

The long-running investigations and trials against the representatives of opposition parties have become a widespread practice. As its seems, the government uses this method to indirectly pressure its opponents. Gigi Ugulava's sentencing may also be a message to other opposition leaders.

In the recent period, representatives of Georgia's partner countries and international organizations have increasingly pointed to alarming trends in the country. Along with the electoral system, Western partners' statements focus on the problems of independence of the judiciary and prosecution and prosecution of political opponents.

By this ruling, the Georgian government once again ignored the country's interests and the recommendations of its Western partners. The recent actions of the authorities have left the impression of a demonstration of force, and they are increasingly distancing themselves from political rationality, increasing the nihilism in the society and the threat of isolation of the country.

Taking the general context of the country and the forthcoming election period into account and amid the ongoing negotiations between the authorities and the opposition, the arrest of one of the leaders of the opposition does indicate that the authorities have desire to continue the negotiations. Such rulings help to radicalize the situation and reduce the resources for dialogue and constructive relations between different political forces,” the statement reads.

Posted by Blownitalready on the 11th Feb :-

https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/105772-ngos-respond-to-supreme-courts-ruling-against-gigi-u

NGOs respond to Supreme Court's ruling against Gigi Ugulava
Part 1
Twelve NGOs have responded to the Supreme Court's ruling on Gigi Ugulava, leader of the European Georgia party, who was found guilty of misspending GEL 48 million of public money from Tbilisi Development Fund. The NGOs have issued a joint statement, saying that the court's ruling was a continuation of political persecution by the government of Georgia against its the opponents.

The NGOs focus on a number of circumstances, including the violations in the case and the ignorance of Western partners' statements. In addition, they estimate that by the arrest of Ugulava the authorities refused to negotiate with the opposition.

The third sector calls on Bidzina Ivanishvili to stop exercising selective justice against opponents.
There were significant violations in the case and it gave rise to a reasonable suspicion that the prosecution was politically motivated and its sole purpose was to distance the opposition leader from the political process. Before the 2014 local elections, Gigi Ugulava, while he was head of the opposition party's election headquarters, was arrested and detained for more than 9 months without proper cause and in violation of the constitution. It is noteworthy that two of the judges of the Supreme Court, who brought the final verdict, have been recently elected by the authorities through untransparent process. One of them is Shalva Tadumadze, a former personal lawyer of the informal ruler of the country, Bidzina Ivanishvili, Parliamentary Secretary of the Government of Georgia and Prosecutor General. Obviously, his involvement is problematical and causes distrust towards the verdict.

Posted by Ivyspivey on the 11th Feb :-

Regnum Tweet-Not sure if this has been posted
https://regnum.ru/news/2855091

Posted by Blownitalready on the 11th Feb :-

forgot to put the link in -
its in georgian so needs translating.
This is a great site to keep uptodate on the political side of things
https://ipress.ge/new/kakha-kaladze-da-irakli-kobakhidze-samushao-vizitith-strasburgshi-imqhophebian/

Posted by Blownitalready on the 11th Feb :-

Kakha Kaladze and Irakli Kobakhidze are paying a working visit to Strasbourg
Party leaders will hold bilateral meetings with representatives of the European Parliament.

According to Kakha Kaladze, secretary general of the Georgian Dream, the meetings will focus on important and ongoing reforms in the country, as well as current political processes and issues related to the 2020 parliamentary elections.

"We will have meetings with MEPs and provide information on reforms as well as ongoing political processes in the country. Within the framework of the Association Agreement, the country has undertaken very important commitments, which we are consistently implementing step by step. Of course, there is a great deal of concern with the 2020 election as to what the electoral environment will be like. Once again, I would like to emphasize that the elections will be held in a peaceful environment, will be transparent and all political entities will be given the opportunity to present their views and to inform the public to run an election campaign. The steps that the country has taken in this direction since 2012 are fundamentally important to us. Always, every election was followed by high praise from various international observer organizations,

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, executive secretary of the Georgian Dream, the purpose of the visit is to deepen relations.

“We will talk about the domestic political processes that will take place in Georgia. We want to deepen our cooperation, relationships and this will naturally be one of the main topics of our meeting. I expect interesting meetings, which will lead to positive results, ”Irakli Kobakhidze said.

Posted by R8pilot on the 11th Feb :-

RE: Bidzina Ivanishvili - the house of cards are falling
Former Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili assesses the detention of Gigi Ugulava as an "example of using the court for political reasons," claiming that such actions of the government will increase polarization in the country.

http://georgiatoday.ge/news/19423/Former-PM-Responds-to-Detention-of-Georgian-Opposition-Leader-