Member Info for Madpunter

Posted by toatie on the 30th Jan :-

According to Zurabishvili, radical opposition leaders were leading attempts “to seize parliament” on the night of June 20, which, she said, endangered the legislative body. “I do not know any European country that would accept that the parliament is seized by force,” she said, noting that “this young democracy has protected itself quite well.”

Ruling party on the defensive over Russian MP in the Parliament Speaker Seat
Opposition, Civic Activists Gather to Protest Russian Delegation’s Visit to Tbilisi
Speaking of the LGBT rights in Georgia, President Zurabishvili said “I do not think that we should overstate the issue.” To prove her stance, she mentioned that “there is no central[ized] discrimination, both in my administration, or in any other administration, there are no issues individually.”

The issue that has been set in Georgia that of public demonstrations by some parts of the society are taken as promotion. And I think we have been progressing in ensuring security, and in preventing violence between the different some extremist groups,” she said.

Hate Groups Out to Disrupt Gay-themed Film Premiere
“We will overwhelm you!” hate groups tell the Police, menacing Tbilisi Pride
Zurabishvili touched upon the issue of fake news as well, saying that even she, personally is “constantly under the pressures of fake news, distorted information” about what she has said. “Yes, social media are totally full of different accounts, and my personal social media is infested with attacks from ‘bots’ and other forms of attacks as I am sure you all know and have in your countries,” she said.

The Georgian President further noted that here is a choice either “to respect the freedom of expression in social media, or to start restricting.” However, she said, “we are not among the countries that have started to restrict anyway.”

Posted by toatie on the 30th Jan :-

the opportunities of this shortest route have not yet been fully utilized.

What significant progress can be expected in close perspective?”

John Howell (United Kingdom, EC/DA): “You spoke of Georgia’s involvement in world problems, given your own background, what can you do to help the situation with Iran?”

President Salome Zurabishvili’s responses
The Georgian President responded to the questions consecutively, saying that the developments of the “Gavrilov night” should be divided into two.

“There was [the] first uproar of the Georgian society, very spontaneous one to the fact that Russian parliamentary [delegation] was present in the Georgian parliament and held some speeches that were not acceptable to a country that has 20% of its territory occupied [by Russia],” she said, adding: “I did not, and nobody accepted the fact that somebody should be beaten but somebody should also show some restraint.”

“But the second part that happened after the departure of Mr. [Sergei] Gavrilov from Georgia after the fact that the Chair of the Parliament of Georgia [Irakli Kobakhidze] resigned because there was this incident and he took the responsibility for this incident,” President Zurabishvili said.

(Speaker Kobakhidze announced resignation on June 21 after developments in front of the parliament, when a peaceful demonstration turned into a clash between the demonstrators and police, injuring at least 240 people. However, none of the Russian MPs have been beaten – editor’s note)

Posted by toatie on the 30th Jan :-

Marie-Christine Dalloz (France, EPP/CD)*: From August to December the Parliament of Georgia has proceeded with the nomination of 14 Supreme Court judges (out of 20 in total). The selection procedure of the candidates, administered by the High Council of Justice of Georgia, has come under severe criticism. PACE co-rapporteurs had deplored nomination of the persons who do not have sufficient legal knowledge and independence for this important job. What measures Georgia plans to take in order to guarantee the independence of the judicial branch.

(Marie-Christine Dalloz spoke in French – editor’s note)

Titus Corla?ean (Romania, SOC): “As rapporteur on Georgia I would like to ask you what are your concrete intentions and envisaged political and constitutional actions to support divisive progress in relations with those commitments assumed 20 years ago by Georgia upon accession, especially in the field of the judiciary, electoral legislation, and the signature and ratification of the European charter for regional minority languages.

I have in mind, for instance, the political crisis generated recently by the changes of what was established after the constitutional reform on the electoral legislation, and as initial decision the proportional system to be used starting with 2024.”

Rafael Huseynov (Azerbaijan, ALDE): “Madam President, Azerbaijan and Georgia are friendly countries that contribute to the implementation of many large energy projects. Due to this exemplary unity of work and ideas, we opened the corridor, and our region as a whole has proven to be a safe, stable and accessible space for investment.

Earlier, during your visit to Azerbaijan, you noted that the transport sector is very important for the world, nothing that our countries have done significant work to integrate Asia, China and Europe but

Posted by toatie on the 30th Jan :-

What can be done by international community, in general, and the CoE, in particular, during Georgian chairmanship to make Russia fulfill its obligations. Do you support im
Leonid Kalashnikov (Russian Federation, UEL)*: Georgia has always been a hospitable country receiving various international organizations. Now we will be holding (…) the Ministerial Council of the OSCE, earlier there was an Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO).

I saw the security protecting you. Unfortunately, we do not have such security, even the few parliamentarians. Nevertheless, the President of the IAO was beaten, and you as the host of a hospitable country, not only you did not judge, but, on the contrary, approved the actions of your hooligans.

Don’t you think that your country has become dangerous not only for democratic freedoms, which you have mentioned [in your address]: gays, Jews, other national minorities, women, but now also for the parliaments.

(*Leonid Kalashnikov spoke in Russian – editor’s note)

Marie-Christine Dalloz (France, EPP/CD)*: From August to December the Parliament of Georgia has proceeded with the nomination of 14 Supreme Court judges (out of 20 in total). The selection procedure of the candidates, administered by the High Council of Justice of Georgia, has come under severe criticism. PACE co-rapporteurs had deplored nomination of the persons who do not have sufficient legal knowledge and independence for this important job. What measures Georgia plans to take in order to guarantee the independence of the judicial branch.

(Marie-Christine Dalloz spoke in French – editor’s note)

Posted by toatie on the 30th Jan :-

Following her 47-minute address to the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on January 28, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, responded to the questions fielded by the assembly members as well.

As Zurabishvili’s speech lasted twice longer than expected, the Assembly members had less time to ask questions. Therefore, President Zurabishvili had to answer several questions fielded by different assembly members at once.
Civil.ge offers you those questions as delivered:

Aleksander Pociej (Poland, EPP/CD): “Madam President, I’m a Polish citizen and probably as you know all Polish people are the friends of Georgia. However, many of Georgia’s friends, including the U.S. Congress and European Parliament here, voiced concern over worrying tendencies in Georgia, especially after the so-called “Gavrilov night” in June.

On November 27, Mr. [Bidzina] Ivanishvili, Chairman of Georgian Dream, publicly stated that many more opposition leaders will serve in jail, and immediately, prosecutions against some opposition leaders started. As a president of Georgia, is it not worrying you, those two items?”

Frank Schwabe (Germany, SOC): “Madam President, you mentioned the situation of the LGBTI in your country, and you mentioned the difficult situation. What can you do? You – yourself, political representatives, what can we do to better the situation of those people in your country?…

…We have a very polarized political situation in Georgia and you mentioned and you described it. What is possible, what is your position, and what can you do to minimize such polarization, which is very not helpful to people and not for the democracy in Georgia.”

Martin Poliacik (Slovak Republic, ALDE): “Madam President, I have a very simple question to ask: what do you think about the importance of fighting fake news and disinformation, because in December Facebook deleted hundreds of pages and profiles in Georgia, for as they stated inauthentic coordinated behavior.

According to Facebook official statement, these pages were targeting opposition politicians and civil society organizations. According to Digital Forensics Research Lab of the Atlantic Council, Washington [D.C.], these pages, in addition, are targeting opposition politicians, and spreading anti-European propaganda and messages and might be linked with the government.

What has been done to address this concern?”

Oleksii Goncharenko (Ukraine, EC/DA): “Gamarjoba Kalbatono (Georgian for Hello Madam – editor’s note) President, my question is next: the consequences of [Vladimir] Putin’s aggression against your country – Georgia, my country – Ukraine, are awful. But the Russian Federation continues to violate the statute of the Council of Europe, to ignore the resolutions of this assembly.”

Posted by R8pilot on the 30th Jan :-

RE: US Senators Risch, Shaheen send letter of concern to Georgian PM
also printed in Georgia Today

http://georgiatoday.ge/news/19256/Two-More-US-Senators-Send-Letter-to-Georgia

Posted by sonnyclimes on the 30th Jan :-

CRRC Georgia: Population Trusts Political Parties Least
Georgians don't think much of the government but in favour of joining Nato and EU.

http://georgiatoday.ge/news/19255/CRRC-Georgia%3A-Population-Trusts-Political-Parties-Least

Posted by Looed on the 30th Jan :-

Georgian President gives Q&A at PACE
Sorry it won't cut & paste. No mention of FRR but she does talk about the problem of 'fake news and distorted information.

She seems more reasoned and rationale that we have been reading from local and Russian press

Source - https://civil.ge/archives/336484

Posted by Looed on the 30th Jan :-

US Senators Risch, Shaheen send letter of concern to Georgian PM
This is a different article to the one I post earlier-

Two US senators sent a letter to Georgian PM yesterday.
Agenda.ge, 30 Jan 2020 - 11:19, Tbilisi,Georgia
US Senator Jim Risch, a chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen, a ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, have sent a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, expressing concern over ‘recent events that indicate a backsliding from Georgia’s commitment to build the institutions of their democracy.’
The senators say that ‘two of the most pressing matters’ were the Georgian parliament’s rejection of an early-transition to a fully proportional electoral system starting from 2020 instead of scheduled 2024, a promise given by the ruling party, and the ‘violent dispersal’ of following, ‘peaceful protests.’
We understand that the promised electoral reform was expected to give proportional representation to Georgian voters to ensure the system did not unduly favor any one political party. Your government’s decision to prevent that change indicates a backsliding from commitments to build the institutions of Georgia’s democracy,” reads the letter.
The senators said that ‘recent political targeting of opposition leaders through both formal and informal methods is further evidence of Georgia’s democratic backsliding.’
An independent, democratic Georgia has many international supporters, and we are eager to continue to assist your country,” they continued. “However, we are motivated to support Georgia’s economic and political development only as long as we can rely on Georgia to be a stable, trustworthy, and democratic partner in this effort. We sincerely hope that you will work quickly to reverse this decline and fulfill the promises made to the Georgian people,” the senators said.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated earlier this month that "more goals Georgia achieves, the more demands are raised."
The Georgian PM has received several of such letters from the US senators over the past few months.
Gakharia stated that Georgian officials are “always ready” to talk to “strategic partners” of the country, stating that US-Georgia relations are at an all-time high and the ‘more goals Georgia achieves, the more demands are raised’ on further progress and the expectations are high.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stated in December 2019 that ‘the view of the US and the country’s representatives is “of high value for Georgia.”
However, he stated that ‘much controversial information’ is reaching Washington and in this situation, ‘maintaining correct and timely communication with them plays an important role.’The Georgian opposition parties say that the letters coming from Washington “are alarming"

Source - https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/288

Posted by Looed on the 30th Jan :-

RE: Georgia "ready to restore relations with Russia"
This article was issued same time as the new US Ambassador to Georgia arrived in the capital.

Posted by Looed on the 30th Jan :-

Georgia "ready to restore relations with Russia"
This is a Russian article so bear that in mind :-

Georgia is ready to move on to active steps to restore peaceful relations with Russia. This was stated by the head of the State Duma Committee on the Development of Civil Society, Issues of Public and Religious Associations, Sergey Gavrilov, commenting on the “Parliamentary Newspaper” the words of the Georgian President about Tbilisi’s readiness to receive the Russian delegation in Tbilisi.
According to Gavrilov, Orthodox deputies, including from Russia, are ready to come to Georgia if the words of Salome Zurabishvili turn out to be true.
Gavrilov called the statement by the President of Georgia about the country's readiness to ensure the safety of deputies and refuse to prosecute the Russians who violated the "Law on Occupied Territories" a serious signal. According to Gavrilov, this statement means that Georgia follows democratic principles and there will be no danger from extremists.
“Obviously, Georgia is ready to move on to active steps to restore peaceful relations with Russia in full, including diplomatic relations and the exchange of ambassadors. This is important, especially on the eve of the Victory Day. We are ready to give a memory to all those who died on the territory of Georgia during the Great Patriotic War. Georgia was multinational - Russians, Armenians, Greeks, Kurds, Abkhazians. We hope that Georgia will again become a multinational friendly republic, ”Gavrilov said.
The deputy gave another interview to the Duma TV channel.
“We admit the possibility that the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, while fulfilling her presidential powers, has declared her position with all responsibility and seriousness. If this is so, it means a landmark change in Georgian politics, in Russian-Georgian relations, ”emphasized Sergey Gavrilov.
The issue of the participation of the Russian delegation in the Council of Europe’s ministry has again excited Georgian society after President Salome Zurabishvili’s statement to PACE. Georgia will circumvent the law on the occupied territories, she said, and allow the Russians to come.

Source:- https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/30406307.html (its the second article on the page)

Posted by Looed on the 29th Jan :-

U.S. Senators Risch, Shaheen Concerned for ‘Potential Backsliding of Georgian Democracy and Governan
More senators joining the criticism. This article does not mention FRR . I can't cut & paste but the link is in English -

https://civil.ge/archives/336615

Posted by Earsbern on the 29th Jan :-

Document 25, Texas
The OMF attorney has to go to another unconnected case in Washington on the scheduled day of the hearing (12/02/20), and has requested that the hearing in Texas be reset to 16 or 17/03/20. FRR's attorneys have agreed to this, and the request has now been passed to the judge.

Posted by Blownitalready on the 29th Jan :-

Off topic . Political side of anaklia-port is fascinating as reveals some of the (non) players
https://oc-media.org/georgian-government-to-announce-new-bidding-for-anaklia-port-after-pulling-contract-with-investor/

Posted by Oopsi on the 29th Jan :-

Glimmer
Article today suggesting some activity by FRR

Generally, Frontera transports supplies via rail, but Georgian Railways has deemed the relevant section of track unsafe. These workers report that they heard there were further plans to remove reserves via truck, and in response have vowed to stop any oil trucks from leaving Dedoplistskharo. Given their deteriorating relationship with the company, workers in the town believe that Frontera has little intention of ever paying their salaries. The whole town, they claim, is unified in stopping the company from taking out the rest of the reserves
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/investor-standoff-georgia-brings-workers-us-congressmen-conflict/

Posted by Dulwichman on the 29th Jan :-

Cont -In my view this now completely out of our hands and I suspect even the Georgian Govs hands as this at least in part the battle of the big boys over influence in the area as whole. This could take a great deal of time but as things stand at present we need to exists to allow the big boys to play there game so they will go at their pace but if we are all alive at the end of the day there is so much at stake on the East West and possibly China battle Uncle SAM will want to win both the big battle and I suspect based upon the high chance that Trump will win his election and secondary to him but good for us a commercial battle.

All in my own opinion but based upon a bit of history and knowledge of the past of how these games are played. ( Little bit of a tip if any thing appears in the FT about georgia you can bet we are involved somehow as it will effect BP it just the way it works)

Posted by Madpunter on the 29th Jan :-

Increasing the pressure
The first article from a Russian that is negative towards Georgia has been published, which could be a sign that Russia is looking to distance itself from the Georgian Dream Party (see 3rd link below). This may be due to the US troops soon to be on the ground and the demonstrations set to start again (see the 1st and 2nd link below). Then factor in the letters from the US and the EU, plus the looming arbitration and Bidzina Ivanishvili may have played his hand too soon, if the GG has actually taken over Block 12. The one thing that is certain, is that the odds for extradition for racketeering charges have shortened considerably with all the political involvement, if any paper trail or electronic one exists. Regardless of how this pans out, if there are any links between SH/O and the Russians, and/or Bidzina Ivanishvili, and/or TW et al, then IMHO Uncle Sam will act swiftly.

Historical Military Drill “Defender Europe 2020” Kicks off
http://georgiatoday.ge/news/19122/Historical-Military-Drill-%E2%80%9CDefender-Europe-2020%E2%80%9D-Initiates-in-Europe-

UNM Chairman: Picketing of Parliament will be Resumed from February 4
http://georgiatoday.ge/news/19134/UNM-Chairman%3A-Picketing-of-Parliament-will-be-Resumed-from-February-4

Russian lawmaker to Salome Zurabishvili - Your country has become dangerous
https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/105567-russian-lawmaker-to-salome-zurabishvili-your-country-has-become-dangerous

The previous post was posted by Dulwichman on the 29th Jan :-

It will take time

Sorry for the repetitive subject title and for some at least a reminder of the past postings prior to de listing.
It does seem that some of the predictions from some who have not only been LTH's but also have had a realistic approach to this investment often with some real expertise not only of the O/g industry bit also the politics and influences which can interfere with development.

What we have know is I think the bubbling to the surface of some quite deep and to some extent predicted issues. If I leave the Companies position out of the post for the moment. Nos1 The game playing of the internal politics of Georgia was predicted by posters about 3 years ago- fundamentally the question was then and perhaps now is "Just how much influence do Russian stooges have within the Georgian political system actually have?" This very much related to the up and coming elections. The general view then was that the asset was real and was of geo-political importance and that pressure behind the scenes was taking place to make sure that Georgia kept facing West - it was viewed that this was mainly from Uncle Sam ( and who knows which agencies were involved_) but it was pro active but not necessarily visible. I would suggest that Uncle Sam over these last few years has been viable showing its hand in an ever increasing way - when ever this happens there will be those who one way or another interfere with the overall ambition of Uncle Sam both internally and externally and I believe this is beginning to show and is a bit of public battle with all these letters etc flying about. I would suggest that the authors are very well informed officially but will not admit this. I would also add they would not be doing this unless there was a public AND a private reason for this to be taking this action now - so it is more than just the elections so just what is it?
The EU (god bless its socks) has a strategic desire to be less reliant on Russian gas. Unfortunately it really has no tools to do much behind the scenes despite some of its PR that it acts as a nation can ( Its own intelligence gathering is about zero and its so called Ambassadors really are nothing more than an expensive figure head) It also have very few tools other than spending money to do anything of real use when matters come to a head A country like Holland -no dis respect- has more capability than the EU and it goes into a different ball game if the UK get involved (which I suspect we are but as usual not showing our hand) but Any comments from BP even if just on a direction of travel with the new guys in place will be a huge clue and of importance
There was also some talk of China poking its nose in. As yet this is still below the RADAR so we do not know.
So where does this leave us? At the end of the I think/guess we are just the visible tool of what I see as point of principle and I don't think you can have this fight unless what we hope we still have access to is very real ie BIG GAS.

Posted by Blownitalready on the 29th Jan :-

PM on Congressmen’s letters: Every question will be answered quietly, without emotions
According to Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, he understands the joy created around 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," Giorgi Gakharia said.

As he told reporters, all the letters they received were publicly disclosed and not hidden.

“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 the country's democratic development, foreign orientation, strategic relations between the two 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 it. We are not afraid of tough questions or tough answers, both at home and abroad. Every question will be answered quietly, without any emotions.

As for the worsening of economic situation, everything is comparative. Today, Georgia has the fastest growing economy in the region. Our foreign direct investment is growing, Georgia's infrastructure is growing. The country has a number of plans regarding infrastructure reforms that we discussed with donors today. You understand what donor conference and forum mean, don’t you?! The infrastructural reforms that are being implemented in the country need financial and other support,” Gakharia said

https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/105583-pm-on-congressmens-letters-every-question-will-be-answered-quietly-without-emotions

Posted by regdik on the 29th Jan :-

Very reasoned post
As in all things each side will take a polar view and somewhere in-between will be closer to the real solution/answer. the fact that GG did not just take the block and offered FRR the small area they were producing from indicates to me that their case is open to interpretation and not a dead cert. FRR can show that they too offered a 50/50 share indicates that FRR have also a risky case. What will the Arbitrators say (if it gets that far) based on what is going on now will be part of the judgement.
Unfortunately this could go on years if FRR/GG appeal the judgement/s (they will be a number of points that would require a ruling). At this point the escalation from the US will help in my view as sanctions will cause the Georgian people hardship and with an election on the horizon even the Dream party will see this as a nightmare.
One is thing for sure if FRR walk out with something from this they will not be welcome in Georgia and I think they will have to sell their asset.
As some one said we will have to sit and wait and continue to search for clues.

Posted by EkXok on the 29th Jan :-

Don't over react
Final submissions for Arbitration due mind Feb .. decison could be any time after than but likely to be mid year.Did Russia think they would definatly win the Arbitration against Ukraine..? I would expect so.Did FRR default on payments including to employees due to finacial pressure caused by the Georgia Goverment I expect so .Would I buy a share that has an uncertain chance of success but has an a risk reward of loss it all or win 100 time stake I expect soThere is alot of bluster out there all of which proves nothing more than the stakes are huge, there is no information available which indicates how this will fall so I think everyone needs to just calm down and wait patiently. The main thing for me is that the Georgian claim no oil and gas has been found and yet this almightly struggle really does prove beyond doubt that there is a huge resource there.. if they are lying about that fundamental fact then everying they say is likely to be a massive lie as well. They would say day is night.