Press Digest 05.01.2015

Re-emergence of pro-Russian sentiment subverts Georgia, claims philosopher Zaza Piralishvili

Coalition Members sided against Ivanishvili because of money – Zaal Kasrelishvili

“By all odds, finalization and ratification of the landmark treaty with the EU is an extremely significant event of 2014. Some changes brought about by the present government are intended to yield positive change in the long run.

However, visa-free travel with the EU is the first positive result that will affect our lives in the near future. This will help us adapt to a new historic environment and do away with a vicious image of the West created by Putin and his entourage,”- declares expert and philosopher Zaza Piraloishvili in his interview with the Kviris Palitra publication.

“The government’s adoption of a new approach to regional development as well as their move to put victims of injustice in the spotlight is obviously positive. However, reckless staff policy of the present political higher-ups has led us to a straightforward dead-end.

Likewise, the acting authorities’ eagerness to gift themselves with flagrantly boosted bonuses and fringe benefits doesn’t do their image any good. Stains left on their reputation by such mistakes will be very difficult to scrub away.

When it comes to Sakdrisi, I cannot help pointing out that since Bidzina Ivanishvili is a businessman to the core, he is unable to comprehend the importance of cultural and public symbols in politics. Our authorities’ determination to wash their hands of our history can easily overshadow all good deeds they have performed so far,”- contends Mr. Piralishvili.

As for their initiative to create a doppelganger of the civil society or the journalists and expert community, I would say that by doing this they are just squandering our financial resources and depleting the state budget.

Do you know why the Georgian people did away with Saakashvili and toppled his government? Because he was strongly determined to create a new, alternative Georgian society and this is obviously a big mistake,” claims the respondent.

However, one thing is clear – we cannot urge our leaders to issue harsh and radical statements which even the Western leaders avoid making. You probably remember that Saakashvili’s stentorian statements brought us nothing good. One issue is to proclaim your position; however, endangering your country with reckless statements is something totally outrageous.

There is not even a shadow of doubt that Putin’s adherents are strongly determined to propagate him and his policy in our public. A massive propaganda campaign has already been unleashed in the country. We all know that the closer we get to Europe, the more financial resources will be spent to spur anti-Western dispositions in the Georgian people.

However, one thing I can say for certain – repercussions of Russian policy have been engraved so negatively in our memories that revitalization of pro-Russian sentiment will equal our historic capitulation,” - concludes the philosopher.

Coalition Members sided against Ivanishvili because of money – Zaal Kasrelishvili

“Bidzina Ivanishvili must have an official political status. It does not matter what status in particular – prime minister, representative of the parliamentary majority or even something else. However, it’s absolutely clear that he must have an official status to officially get involved in big politics,” declares President of the Confederation of the Caucasus,- Zaal Kasrelishvili in his interview with the Akhali Taoba newspaper.

“Do you know what kind of advice I would offer to the Nationals? They’d better look back at the recent past instead of voicing concerns over the so-called behind-the-scenes ruling. Why are they so reluctant to remember that Ivanishvili and only Ivanishvili helped them gain power, and systematically provided them with material as well as other kinds of assistance? They always looked to Ivanishvili for help. Moreover, thanks to this man, they maintained the most advantageous balance possible and avoided conflicts for nine long years,”- claims Mr. Kasrelishvili.

To a journalists question asking: “how did it happen that he failed to balance his own team,”- the respondent answers:

“Let’s get this straight – the members of the Georgian Dream Coalition were tough customers from the very beginning. I have been in league with them since 2011; however, unlike them, I have never taken even a single tetri as a bribe. This helped me to always be on the alert and carefully follow the events within the Coalition, which proved to be a chaotic mix of voices each working to assert dominance.

These people with different views, ideology and objectives had different patrons too.

Bidzina Ivanishvili took well-measured steps, knowing perfectly well that without the representatives of the non-parliamentary opposition beside him, they would side with the Nationals and oppose the coalition.

In 2012, totally unpromising politicians entered parliament thanks to Ivanishvili. By bringing them into the Coalition, Ivanishvili killed two birds with one stone.

Although, I am sure he never thought that the dead he resurrected would become zombies and instead of making the wrong things right, would oppose Ivanishvili because of money. These people are extremely dissatisfied with Ivanishvili’s move to hinder them from making money at the expense of our people. These fringe benefits are nothing more than a manifestation of their greediness, having failed to make big money, they started gifting themselves with these bonuses in order to irritate the former PM,”- concludes the respondent.