Press Digest 08.09.2014
The only reason why they refused to give MAP to Georgia was to avoid war – Sandro Tvaltchrelidze
“The Nationals endeavor to perch on high posts and the Dream Government itself helps them to maintain these posts”
How Davit Narmania plans to handle artificial monopolies
***
The only reason why they refused to give MAP to Georgia was to avoid war – Sandro Tvaltchrelidze
"Getting MAP is not of paramount importance for us; a warrant of security and a guarantee that they will shield us from Russia’s aggression is much more significant for us today. You probably remember how in August, 2008, we shuddered with fear and looked at the sky which was full of the Russian planes; we quivered with fear and tried to guess whether or not they would have bombarded us then. Our air space was completely open to our foes. In our day-to-day world, an alarming situation in Ukraine pushed the entire world to take some measures by creating new systems ensuring safety of different regions well a the entire world. And a key objective of the NATO Summit was precisely this. It strikes me that Georgia have not received MAP because of Russia – the alliance simply did not want Russia to even more aggravate the situation by fanning the flames of aggression,” declares expert Sandro Tvaltchrelidze in his interview with the Kviris Palitra gazette.
"I repeat once again, it’s not of crucial importance how they will call the package on cooperation with NATO. The only thing what now matters much is that within the “intensified cooperation” with the alliance we will get new defense systems, modern equipment and Georgia’s army will be compatible with that of the NATO member countries. Thus, it’s without question that our top priority is not MAP today. Along with other states, this new package on “intensified cooperation” has already brought Georgia closer to NATO. Europe incrementally has started to adequately evaluate all threats and dangers coming from Russia. They have already learnt on those unwarrantable mistakes they made in 2008 with respect to Georgia. Accordingly, today, the steps by Europe will become more effective and aim-oriented. And Russia knows that this will be so perfectly well. That is why, the Russian strongman has appealed the entire world not to come after a nuclear-armed Russia,” states Mr. Tvaltchrelidze.
“A dog becomes particularly dangerous when one forces it to have its back against the wall. Precisely the same can be stated regarding Russia in the given situation. Under these circumstances, a diplomat must be able to give a “dog” a chance to back down if it desires; precisely this is what the civilized world is trying to do with respect to Russia today. And this is the reason why along with the strict sanctions against the aggressor the world leaders are attempting to get themselves involved with a constructive dialogue with this country. A cease-fire agreement is just a continuation of the aforementioned policy; they all were very well aware of the fact tat this agreement would not draw substantial positive changes in Ukraine but by doing this, they tried to provide a diplomatic solution to the conflict. In my mind, Ukraine will be in a state of disarray for a while – now Russia is taking similar steps in this country it once took in Georgia. Considering what he did with our tiny Georgia, it got off lightly then and now it hopes it will get away with everything again. However, the actual fact is that, despite its attempts to grab more and more power, the longer the conflict lasts, more Russia will be debilitated,” maintains the respondent.
“If this country does not come to its senses and if it pursues the chosen policy in the future too, it will collapse one day. However, it is not also excluded that the Russian people will one day topple down Putin’s Government. Now it’s up to Europe to neutralize Russia’s aggressive potential. I think that the sanctions imposed on this country will have its repercussions in 2015, and by this time, Russia will be faced with serious economic difficulties. The Kremlin is now trying to take active steps in Asia; however, China is not going to grant a status of NO.1 state to it here. In a nutshell, if the Power does not change hands here soon, an economic default in Russia will be imminent,” concludes the expert.
“The Nationals endeavor to perch on high posts and the Dream Government itself helps them to maintain these posts”
“The former members of the National Movement that moved to the Georgian Dream Coalition have been granted the leading posts in some regions of Georgia,” similar statement are being issued by he representatives of the opposition parties in different regions of our country. However, not all regions are in similar situation. As the left-wing party claims, in the Municipality of Samegrelo, more than 50 percent is Nationals, while its other members are those who hobnobbed with the former authorities. In Gori, for instance, you will face with radically different situation. The officials in the City Hall and City Council have not been hired here yet,” reports the Rezonansi gazette.
“The National Movement itself cannot give detailed information regarding this issue; as they allege, they fall short of information and cannot precisely tell us how many of their former team members hold high posts today. The Georgian Dream Coalition members say that they will soon take interest in this matter. Meanwhile, independent deputy of the Zugdidi City Council, Kakha Mikaia, maintains that the former Nationals are at the helm of almost all leading organizations here and the Dream Government defines the practice of granting high posts to the former Nationals as their accomplishment,” says the article.
“You probably remember an American teacher, Fletcher whose staunch supporter was Misha’s fan and the school headmistress, Khatuna Daraselia. This very Daraselia presides over the Cultural Department of the City Hall today and this example demonstrates perfectly well how the Nationals endeavor to perch on high posts and how the Dream Government itself helps them to maintain these posts. Believe it or not, all former Nationals, Tengiz Shanava, Rosman Kilasonia, Tengo Kobalia etc. have remained in their offices thus far,” asserts Kakha Mikaia.
“If you remember, in one of his statements PM Gharibashvili announced that the members of the National Movement used their posts for private purposes. Yesterday, I addressed the PM and told him that two administrations don’t exist in our country; there is only one administration that is completely manned with the members of the National Movement. As for the City Council, the chairman of this body is a former National and a former head of CSD. Likewise, Chairman of the Georgian Dream fraction, Valeri Natchkebia, is a popular representative of the National Movement. The same can be stated regarding a number of other former Nationals too,” concludes Mr. Mikhaia.
How Davit Narmania plans to handle artificial monopolies
In recent years, some monopolistic entities have emerged in the country. The most lucrative business sector was swollen by those businessmen that were on friendly terms with the Government. A public tender was very often announced ostensibly and behind it, endless wheeling and dealing went on. In this way, “Tbilisi Micro Bus” managed to get hold of the mini bus business, while parking service was grabbed by the “City Park” and outdoor advertising by –“Outdoor.ge.” The tenders declared by the City Hall were of a criminal character. These words are applicable to the minibus tender won by four companies that registered simultaneously and the documents of which were signed by one and the same notary,” reports the Kviris Palitra gazette.
“An auction on permission on holding an outdoor advertising also was of criminal character. Believe it or not, the auction was held on 2 April, 2009, and as early as on 3 April, the City Hall gave permission on outdoor advertising to autdoor.ge and Magi Style Media. And if after receiving the permission, they have to pay 18 GEL for a sq kilometer, they paid only 6. In fact, they paid only 1/3 of the established sum and this, by all odds, is nothing more than a violation of the law; in the wake of this, Georgia’s budget was obviously substantially depleted,” says the article.
“Traditionally, every Friday we are furnished with information regarding the steps a company has taken. Information in terms of some companies has already been passed on to us; now we are evaluating the steps they have taken and are giving remarks to them. Next Friday, a company that serves Tbilisi mini bus lines will present information regarding its taken steps to us. Then we will draft a report and will gauge whether or not the municipality is contend with the company’s rendered service. We will also expand on our future plans and will give exhaustive information with regard to the issue to our public only after this,” declares Tbilisi City Mayor, Davit Narmania, and to the question whether or not the body plans to pursue a more strict policy in reference to these companies, he replies:
“The City Hall is trying to provide the public with a high-standard service, and if we smell a rat somewhere, we will send materials where it is due. In addition, we try to offer a timely service to our people. As for City Park, we have truly strictly evaluated the steps taken by this company as a number of evidence directly pointing to the fact that the company contrived illegal schemes were brought to the surface. However, at this point in time, we are unable to terminate a contract with this company as we have reached the point of no return and if we now take this step, the City Hall will have to pay thousand million laris,” maintains the Tbilisi Governor.
