Issue #1308

Issue no: 1308

• AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021 • PUBLISHED WEEKLY

PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue...

Massive Forest Fires Burn through Turkish Resorts and Agriculture NEWS PAGE 2

President: No-One Should be Able to Harm our European Path Inside or Out POLITICS PAGE 3

Some Karabakh-Related Aspects of Georgia’s Regional Positioning. Part 1 POLITICS PAGE 4

FOCUS

ON SABUKO

Revitalizing the ecosystem and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources in the Iori River Valley

PAGE 9

IRI Poll on Snap Elections, Party Popularity and Growing Support for Gakharia POLITICS PAGE 8

Start.Up! Germany Tour 2021 BUSINESS PAGE 8

Photo: Mariam Nikuradze

Shanae’s Tragic Death: Investigation Underway

Writers, Jury Members Boycott ‘Litera’ due to Inclusion of Culture Ministry Rep on Jury

BY ANA DUMBADZE AND KATIE RUTH DAVIES

Tokyo Olympics – Success in Wrestling, Not So in Shooting or Shot-Put

O

n July 31, Georgia was shaken following a search-and-rescue operation on Mtatsminda slope in Tbilisi which resulted in volunteers and law enforcers finding the body of missing Australian citizen Shanae Brooke Edwards, who had disappeared the previous day while hiking in the area.

Reportedly, the body of the 31-year-old was found with severe injuries near the Ferris Wheel attraction in Mtatsminda Park, in a ravine near a narrow pedestrian trail. She had been deliberately covered with tree branches and leaves. The crime was allegedly committed for the purpose of robbery, as from her personal belongings, only a mobile phone was found on the surrounding territory, though she had been seen on CCTV on Friday carrying a green bag. In the interests of the investigation, the MIA has so far refrained from giving further details of the crime.

Continued on page 10

CULTURE PAGE 11

SPORTS PAGE 11 CULTURE PAGE 11 Prepared for Georgia Today Business by

Markets As of 02ͲAugͲ2021

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2

NEWS

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021

Corona Updates: NY Times - Georgia Ranks 5th Worldwide in Terms of Coronavirus Spread

BY ANA DUMBADZE

G

eorgia ranks 5th in the world in terms of the latest dynamics of the spread of coronavirus per 100,000 inhabitants, says the New York Times. Based on statistics from Our World in Data, the number of daily cases has increased by 88% in the last two weeks, reaching 76 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The same statistics put the Isle of Man in first place, with a total population of 84,500 and an average of 103 new daily cases of coronavirus.

In second place is Fiji, with 1,013 new cases reported daily. Fiji is followed by Botswana, where an average of 1,871 new infections are reported per day. In fourth place is Cuba, with 8,924 cases per day.

Regarding the daily death rate according to the weighted data per 100,000 population, Georgia is in 11th place from the end. Only Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar, Ecuador, Paraguay, Fiji, Botswana, Namibia, Tunisia and the British Virgin Islands are ahead of Georgia in terms of mortality.

On August 8, the UK will be putting Georgia on its Red List, alongside Mayotte, Mexico and Reunion, meaning British nationals visiting these countries will have to pay over 1700 Pounds ($2400) for a stay in a quarantine hotel on returning home.

This week, the alarming increase in newly detected coronavirus cases is especially notable. Georgian capital Tbilisi remains a hotspot in terms of the virus spread, as almost half of the cases detected daily are recorded there, followed by the Adjara and Imereti regions.

On Monday, Georgia reported 1655 coronavirus cases, 2286 recoveries, and 23 deaths, with 20,661 tests conducted.

Georgian capital Tbilisi recorded the highest number of 701 Covid-19 cases.

Since Monday, the number of newly detected cases has been increasing due to a larger number of tests conducted.

Georgia reported 4827 coronavirus cases, 1895 recoveries, and 34 deaths on Tuesday, with 43,932 tests conducted.

Tbilisi recorded the highest number of 2297 Covid-19 cases, followed by the Adjara region with 634 cases, and the Imereti region with 494 cases.

Georgia reported 4233 coronavirus cases, 1934 recoveries, and 38 deaths on Wednesday, with 45,229 tests conducted. Tbilisi recorded the highest number of 1924 Covid-19 cases, followed by the Adjara region with 591 cases and the Imereti region with 518 cases.

Georgia reported 3670 new cases on Thursday morning, 2626 recoveries, and 38 deaths. 41,885 tests were conducted in the 24 hours prior.

The test positivity rate on the day stood at 8.76%, and it was reported that the daily vaccination rate had risen by some 4000 persons per day to an average of 20,000.

Given the alarming statistics, epidemiologists and government officials constantly urge the population to get vaccinated, claiming it is “the only way to end the pandemic.”

JICA Georgia Office Pleased to Announce Opening for the Position of National Staff

D

escription of the job: ** Analyze and Survey of the Country’s current Economy and Politics; ** To collect information on the development as well as policies and projects of other donors and analyze the issues with regard to assigned programs; ** To coordinate submission of requests from the counterpart Government; ** To supervise the implementation process of assigned programs; to prepare implementation and budget plan, make logistic arrangement and make necessary coordination and negotiation with related organizations in Caucasus countries and Japan, to make necessary translation and interpretation when communicating with counterparts, and to monitor the progress of assigned programs; ** To coordinate Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteer’s (JOCV) activity in Georgia; ** Other tasks given by Resident Representative;

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS: ** University degree; ** Native in Georgian, highly proficient in spoken and written English, Japanese, and desirable to understand Russian language. (Regarding English and Japanese proficiency, certificates are necessary); ** Computer literacy (word, excel, power point etc); ** At least five years of work experience in a similar field;

However, distrust in the vaccine is still high in the country, a fact confirmed by the latest survey conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI), indicating that Georgians are increasingly hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

The survey shows that the majority of respondents, 45%, would not get vaccinated against coronavirus, which is a sixpoint increase from IRI’s February 2021 poll.

Amiran Gamkrelidze, Head of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) reported that the center analyzed the fatalities in 2021 and determined that 99.7% of dead persons were not vaccinated.

He noted that the possibility of infection is 0.3% among fully vaccinated persons, and 0.9% among those who had received their first jabs.

The NCDC Head spoke about the significance of immunization and the worsened epidemiological situation and said control would be reinforced on wearing facemasks indoors.

The NCDC recommended allowing fully vaccinated people or those with negative PCR test results into social events, festivals and receptions.

“If the acting regulations are not executed, then we will consider the imposition of stricter restrictions due to the worsened epidemiological situation based on all indicators and parameters,” Gamkrelidze stated.

The Covid-19 Delta strain will become dominant in Georgia from the end of August, says allergist-immunologist Bidzina Kulumbegov, noting that management of the pandemic with the given daily number of coronavirus cases is critical, especially while the majority of the population remains unvaccinated.

Wearing facemasks should be mandatory both indoors and outdoors.

He noted that the current situation is “tragic,” and the daily death toll might reach 50 if regulations and sanitary norms are not strictly observed.

THE SITUATION WORLDWIDE More than 4 million new cases of Covid19 infection were detected worldwide last week, a 3% increase on the previous week, seeing up to 64,000 people dead, the WHO said on Wednesday.

The growing trend is largely due to the increase in cases in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific, where the number of new cases of infection has increased by 37% and 33% respectively compared to the previous week.

WHO says the highest number of new cases of infection, 543,420 cases, were detected in the United States, which is 9% more than the number of cases reported last week. Then comes India with 283,923 new cases, which is 7% more than last week, followed by Indonesia with 273,891 new cases (though 5% down compared to the previous week), followed by Brazil and Iran.

In addition, the organization's weekly report states that the new variants of coronavirus continue to spread around the world.

The Alpha strain, which was first iden-

tified in the United Kingdom and is therefore referred to as the "British variant," has been identified in about 182 countries around the world, the Beta (“South African”) variant is in 132 countries, the Gamma (“Brazilian”) variant has been found in 81 countries, and the Delta strain ("Indian variant") is currently recorded in 135 countries around the world, including Georgia.

THE SITUATION IN GEORGIA’S NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES Regarding the neighboring countries, the epidemiological situation is difficult in Russia, where the total excess fatality count since the start of the coronavirus pandemic is around 483,000.

Russia on Wednesday reported 22,589 new coronavirus cases and 790 deaths.

Moscow’s 119 health clinics and 45 vaccination sites began offering the Sputnik V and Sputnik Light booster vaccine shots against coronavirus, according to Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin kicked off the booster campaign on July 1, urging vaccinated residents to get a third shot six months later, as the country battles the highly contagious Delta variant.

The situation has relatively improved in Turkey, which has begun to ease restrictions after enduring a major spike in cases in the first half of 2021, which led to a 17-day lockdown at the end of April. As of July, it has scrapped its nighttime curfew and Sunday lockdowns, and has begun to tentatively reopen.

“Turkey's death toll stands at 51,124, with nearly 5.6 million cases registered.

After a tough first year, the situation has improved markedly following a number of strict lockdowns and restrictions on socializing. The country has seen daily case numbers fall to around 22,000 (down from a record 823,000 in December 2020).

It has fully vaccinated over 30% of the population as of July 29,” reports CNN.

Massive Forest Fires Burn through Turkish Resorts and Agriculture

** Analytical, open-minded, honest character; ** Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ** Well-organized; strong sense of responsibility; hard working; ** Willingness to go to the field trips.

PREFERABLE BUT NOT MANDATORY SKILLS: ** Familiarity with terms related to finance

TERM: From September 1, 2021 till August 31, 2022, with possible extension (Probation period is 3 months. The employer will be able to terminate the contract depending on the performance during the probation period).

SALARY: US$1300~1500/month (actual amount will be adjusted based on the past work experience and will be paid in GEL)

WORKING HOURS: Monday – Friday, 9:30 – 18:00 (with lunch break from 13:00 – 14:00)

NEXT STEP: Only shortlisted persons will be notified by email and invited to an interview.

Interested candidates should send a CV (in English) with two contacts from previous workplaces/schools, and copies of certificates to: gg_oso_rep@jica. go.jp and jicageorgia@gmail.com; no later than August 15, 2021.

BY KETEVAN SKHIRTLADZE

S

eventy wildfires broke out in the southern and southwestern provinces of Turkey on July 28, spreading to resorts and populated areas. Thousands of people have since been evacuated from their homes.

The fire caused eight people’s death, among them two firefighters. To prevent new outbreaks of fire, the governor of Istanbul banned entry into the forest until 31 August.

The wildfires ravaging Turkey’s southern and western coastal regions have also caused great damage to agricultural fields and farms.

It is said that now the production of olives, honey, and many fruits and vegetables is at risk.

“As of Tuesday, only 13 wildfires remain out of dozens as firefighters in six provinces have worked since last Wednesday

to extinguish the blazes. The worst fires in terms of size and speed are in the Manavgat and Gündogmus districts of southern Antalya and in the Marmaris and Milas districts of southwestern Mugla,” the Daily Sabah reported.

The edition noted that, based on the preliminary assessment of the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, the wildfires have left honey production significantly at risk in Mugla, since some 80% of the region, which is home to 45% of Turkey’s total bee breeding business, was burned to ashes.

Mutlu Ayhan, Chairperson of the Marmaris Chamber of Commerce, said that an area of 8,000-8,500 hectares has been destroyed.

“In Antalya’s Manavgat, the preliminary assessments revealed that nearly 700 decares of banana greenhouses, over 100 decares of vegetable greenhouses, and over 15,000 decares of olive, laurel, carob, and citrus fields were damaged.

“More than 300 cattle, around 3,000 sheep and goats, nearly 4,000 poultry

animals and some 400 beehives were destroyed in the fire,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ali Çandar, chairperson of Antalya Commodity Exchange, said feed and straw aid has come from exchanges in various parts of the country to be delivered to the farmers.

Reportedly, currently, some 16 planes, including those that came to Turkey’s aid, and 51 helicopters are tackling the blazes across the swathe of southwest Turkey. The EU said it mobilized firefighting planes from Croatia and Spain to help Turkey.

Planes from Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran have also been fighting the blazes. Spain said it was sending two water-dumping aircraft and one transport plane as well as 27 soldiers to help.

As to the cause of the fires, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he does not rule out sabotage and the possibility that the fire was deliberately started by arsonists. He noted an investigation is underway.

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021

3

President: No-One Should be Able to Harm our European Path Inside or Out

BY ANA DUMBADZE

D

emocratic and fair elections must be held in this country and no one should be able to harm Georgia’s European path inside or outside, – President Salome Zurabishvili stated when discussing the challenges the country is currently facing.

She noted that Georgia is at a crossroads, just as it has been more than once in its history.

When commenting on the upcoming local elections in October, the President pointed out that in the face of pandemics and economic crises, in the face of regional challenges, the only way is to finally end polarization.

“Today, Georgia is facing great challenges: “Today’s pandemic numbers should worry us. Opponents of vaccination need to understand that their behavior is neither a question of personal choice nor of freedom of expression, but rather a direct threat to others, to their family members, their neighbors, their friends, but also to the population of this small country, to its health, to its life. Thus, a threat to its future. True patriotism is not in bragging or violence, it’s not in muscle play. Patriotism and courage go through vaccination, self-awareness, and a sense of responsibility as members of society.

“Our second challenge concerns our European path, a path that I have considered since the day of my arrival in

this country as its one and only path. In this, my predecessors were Ilia Chavchavadze and Niko Nikoladze, Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani and Ekvtime Taqaishvili, and not because they worked for foreigners, not because they did not defend their selfhood or cared less about their identity than we do: They were my predecessors because they could not imagine a better model of economic and social development and partner than Europe. Attempts to convince us that Europe is not a land of freedom, solidarity and Christianity but a path toward perversion only work to try and separate us from our only path… And we understand well in whose interest this falls.

“Just as in the fight against the pandemic, true patriotism requires that we put the interests of our country above all else. Patriotism means protecting the country. It means taking care of our country like we do our own reputation and name, as nobody will be able to deprive us of respect. This applies to everyone. We demand respect from foreigners and say we are annoyed by their instructions, their criticisms, their remarks. But to be respected, and I’m convinced that Georgia deserves it because of its past, we must respect ourselves and we must respect our word.

This means fulfilling our obligations, a must for gaining and maintaining trust.

It also means that we should not undermine our country on the outside, we should not engage in a campaign of active discrediting to achieve narrow party goals. It’s shameful to see your own citizens work to tarnish the image of the country or even demand that the coun-

try be punished in different ways.

“Independence cannot and should not mean any form of isolationism, because as soon as you are left alone, weakened, exhausted, you naturally become the target of those who have a constant desire for expansion and your subjugation. Everyone must understand the current reality in our region and in the world and particularly what it means for our small country with occupied territories. This was well-understood by our ancestors. This is how they brought this country to this day, by constantly searching for real partners to avert the greatest danger of their time. It was called diplomacy and we possessed this art at the highest level.

Even today, our chosen partners and our close cooperation with them are our best foothold, the foundation of our development and our path to de-occupation with no alternative.

“That is why I believe, and I even told the representatives of the ruling party, that the process of preparing the [Michel] document was extremely positive, because the involvement in Georgia, in the Caucasus, in the EU’s neighborhood of the President of the European Council, one of the main political figures in the European Union, is very important for us. This is a real bridge between us and Europe. It must be understood, valued, used and taken care of!

“I personally take some responsibility and I am even proud to have supported the involvement of the European Union at a time when the political crisis in the country was at a standstill. However, I cannot take responsibility for certain

elements of the document that were agreed between parties, nor agree with its “annulment”. However, today, the post-facto ‘discovery’ is that it turns out we gave up something that was unacceptable and that might harm the country is incomprehensible. In my experience, red lines are crossed before signing.

I believe that the process behind this document, the goals that this document pursues and the principles on which this document is based on are not exhaustive and represent the path that this country must go through and that I support.

“I listened to everyone yesterday and I would like to emphasize the responsible attitude of the parties that entered Parliament on the basis of this agreement, worked and still work today, on creating a model for the depolarized Georgian political spectrum. I want to thank each and every one of them. I also share their view that the document has fulfilled its original purpose: the political crisis is over, stability has been strengthened, a multi-party Parliament has been formed and the political process has shifted from the street to Parliament, and we have adopted a new election code (I also hope that we’ll see an agreement on lowering the barrier, which is a must for the appearance of new parties). The result of this document is that some opposition forces failed to take to the streets, lost all resources of destabilization and, by not

signing, marginalized themselves. This is why I disagree with the ruling party’s assessment that polarization has not been reduced, an argument used for their leaving the document. The document reduces this polarization, weakens it, and I am sure that this process will continue in spite of everything. This is the only way to strengthen the stability and independence chosen by the society of our country.

“In the face of pandemics and economic crises, in the face of regional challenges, our only way is to finally end polarization. We have local self-government elections ahead of us, the appointment of which I signed August 3. These elections should be exemplary, the rights of all subjects should be protected, which excludes violence, hate speech and insults, use of personal data, calling competitors “traitors”, obstruction of professional activities for the media, spreading of fake news and other applications of pressure.

“Our population expects such elections and such an election environment from us. I, as the guarantor of democracy, stability and Europeanness in this country, call on them to be involved and active, as our partners expect, and we ask these partners to appoint numerous observation missions: democratic and fair elections must be held in this country. This is what I came for and this is what I’ll be here for,” the President stated.

4

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021

Are We Underdeveloped, Developed or Developing?

OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE

A

mericans, Europeans, Russians - they all love Georgia, because it is lovable. Simple, isn’t it? I have noted before that our friendly observant guests might find here something they can’t hit upon in their own lands, but it is not the domestic comfort, public orderliness, standard of living or the overall sophistication that attracts their valuable attention. It is just the Georgian nature of human relationship and a homegrown manner of interpersonal communication. It is fascinating that one extreme of our local life seems to be exceptionally developed and the other only developing. There are some third things that seem to be extraordinarily underdeveloped here, therefore bothersome. What a wonderful set of attractions for a tourist to come and have a look at, and then squeeze a magazine feature out of!

If by any chance the visitors find themselves, for instance, at one of the shipment companies in Tbilisi, called ‘Parcels from America’, they will know that they are in a developed country with postal capabilities and etiquette of the 21st century and beyond. If they go ahead and put on the camera what they have seen

in the street-vending world of our capital, they will certainly feel that they have found themselves in a developing country. And if they experience what I personally went through a couple of days ago on my way home from the southwest, they will definitely be aware that they were visiting in an underdeveloped part of the world.

I’ve got to tell this story for others to hear to catch a chance to finally understand what category of countries Georgia would fall into provided the evaluation was imminent. Imagine a gentleman, quite advanced in years but still enjoying his life to the happiest possible extent, driving a beautiful convertible two-seater at a leisurely speed in wonderful company of a friend, and all of a sudden a huge pothole appears right in front of his nose, impossible to avoid. The vehicle’s right-side front wheel plunges into that unexpected but diabolically gaping sharp-edged hole in the road, the tire bursts and goes flat. The towing service is then called. The car was damaged, time was lost, the tire was changed, money was wasted, nerves were wrecked, the business that had to be attended to failed, and, most importantly, there was nobody around to blame.

When an accident happens, there must always be some heads around to roll, because there can’t be an accident without a reason to cause it, instigated by a

human being. All that we see and witness around is manmade, except what we still call nature. In our case, the national agency whose responsibility is to keep the roads in driving order will not be indicted because they won’t even understand what the fuss is about, and if you still take them to court and win the case, the compensation will be a hundred times less than the actual loss suffered by the owner of the car and caused by the road-service crew. The

insurance company will brashly comment that the driver should have opened his eyes wider. The circle is so vicious that you don’t even want to touch it. Isn’t this heartbreaking?

The story above describes an underdeveloped country where roads are dangerous to drive on, and yet in which the sophistication at the human interaction level happens to be at its acme: the passing-by cars would stop and their drivers and passengers would offer their

help, trying to tinker with the unfortunate flat tire with their own tools; some of the perchance driving-through strapping young men would suggest fixing the tire and bringing it back; somebody would descend with optimistic comments and soothing encouragement. The world would seem angelic, threatened only by the underserviced roads and the people who think you are ill if you try to sue.

So, what kind of a country are we in?

Some Karabakh-Related Aspects of Georgia’s Regional Positioning. Part 1 vitally important for any kind of cooperation or coordination in the South Caucasus.

ANALYSIS BY VICTOR KIPIANI, GEOCASE CHAIRMAN

THE TRANSPORT COMPONENT OF THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT

A

fairly broad range of views were stated on implications of the recent Nagorno Karabakh war and its impact on the South Caucasus regional landscape. Our aim is to again address some consequences from Tbilisi’s standpoint by sharing some personal thoughts with respect to various aspects of the post-Karabakj conundrum, including those in relation to transport infrastructure, prospects for a tri-partite format for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, as well as touching on interaction of the regional powers when it comes to certain regional dynamics.

THE AXIS OF THE ISSUE Georgia’s main political vectors in the South Caucasus are cooperation for peace and stability as well as maintaining good neighborly relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan, an approach that became even more prominent during the so-called "Second Karabakh War".

More precisely, we refer to the statement that Georgia’s National Security Council made on the 3rd of October 2020, in which the Georgian side convincingly underlined the need to immediately bring to an end the “hot” phase of the conflict.

The Georgian government took specific measures: it stopped granting permission for military goods to transit through Georgian territory towards Azerbaijan and Armenia, and it offered Tbilisi as a neutral location for negotiations between the two.

From this, we can distinguish two principal issues: 1. Georgia not only demonstrated its attitude towards the conflict,

Image source: Jam.News

but also expressed the country’s readiness to participate in the process of normalizing the situation in the region. 2.

In this statement, Georgia’s government distinctly explained the importance to the its two largest ethnic minorities of maintaining stability and order.

The National Security Council's statement and Georgia’s policy towards conflicts in general could be summed up as: Tbilisi acted according to the conditions defined by the current reality in the region and used the maximum of its abilities due to this reality.

When talking about a possible Georgian component in efforts to normalize the Karabakh conflict, it is noteworthy that in different mass media, the question of the quality of Tbilisi’s coordination with Western partners has been considered more than once. On this topic, we would like to mention that any similar kind of coordination or communication undertaken by Georgia could only be defined by the reality of the current

situation in the region and by Georgia’s possibilities.

However, when discussing this specific topic, it is important to clearly realize that Georgia’s coordination with the West over issues linked to the South Caucasus should not depend solely upon the dynamics of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

It is important to remember that the partnership between Georgia and the West originally began as early as the late 1990s, when large transport projects (such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and South Caucasus gas pipelines) were initiated.

Besides this aspect, another relevant issue for further discussion is the objective evaluation of how strong Western interests and influence are in the South Caucasus. Accordingly, when we talk about Tbilisi’s efforts to strengthen these interests, we should deliberately underline the fact that the efforts of our Western partners are just as (if not even more)

The 10th of November 2020 agreement over Nagorno-Karabakh and subsequent documents call for new transport corridors on the territory of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Without going into too much detail regarding these projects, in this article we shall discuss whether or not these projects pose any kind of risk to Georgia’s potential for transport and transit.

There have been some pessimistic evaluations, but we believe that this pessimism is to some extent exaggerated when it comes to the potential weakening of Georgian corridors. More precisely, we would argue that: I. The decision to go ahead with a large transport project cannot be merely the subject of geopolitical discussions at a level of “I want this and I don’t want that”. It is also important to remember any project or initiative must be carried out according to a specific investment model. In other words, if a project is not based upon clear and self-sufficient financial resources, it will be impossible to carry out and might turn into a dubious deal. Without a readiness to provide financial support, managing projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline, the South Caucasus gas pipeline or the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line solely according to geopolitical calculations would not have been sufficient.

II. One must also mention the need for trust in the stability of the future operation of these corridors or projects. As a rule, it takes several years to generate such trust, and through a series of complicated processes, the project acquires its characteristic geopolitical and geo-

economic image. Nowadays, one could easily say that the so-called “Georgian transport corridors" have already obtained the signatures they need.

III. Yet certain paragraphs of the agreement on the creation of new transport corridors with the participation of Azerbaijan and Armenia are quite ambiguous and unclear. For example, no interpretation of these paragraphs gives a clear feeling that the implementation of a specific transport project is once and for all predefined by the signatory parties of the agreement. Guaranteeing the safety of these transport links is equally important, as is the extent to which the Russian Federation can play the role of impartial guarantor.

IV. We will pay attention to certain aspects: transport corridors going through Georgia, through active maritime ports, ensuring the passage of goods to the Black Sea region. An intermodal system such as this, in terms of investments, is no less important since it has a direct impact on the economic component of freight transportation.

V. Finally, one must also mention the two most important elements of the attractiveness of transit corridors passing through Georgia. The first of these is Georgia’s political system itself, which although far from ideal, possesses indisputable advantages in terms of doing business thanks to the transparency, simplicity and legibility of Georgian legislation. In addition to this, what should also be taken into consideration in the big picture is the high level of Georgia’s integration with Western markets compared to its South Caucasian neighbors. And it could even be asserted that such a steady political and economic integration with Western partners is an important question not only for Georgia but would also be in the interests of Baku and Yerevan.

IWG plc, Level 4, 2 Leonidze str. Tbilisi, Georgia | +995 32 290 039

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POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021

The National Security Implications of Political Turbulence

Photo by Mike Godwin

OP-ED BY MICHAEL GODWIN

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ew are unaware of the recent political division taking place, with the epicenter in the capital of Tbilisi. Some have sided with traditionalism and preservation of Georgia’s old ways, the purity of the Orthodox Church, and exclusion of those that wish to disturb that equilibrium. Others have pushed for social change, a movement towards a refined European image, and more progressive views on alternative lifestyles. Regardless of the social conflict happening on the ground, there are more severe penalties if this cultural warfare, as well as the political reactions, continue.

Georgia has many of the common statelevel domestic concerns; education, infrastructure, workers’ rights, among others. However, these are not much different from any Western nations. What makes the internal situation here different is the socio-cultural split that has deepened in the past months, and some would argue even years. Georgia has always been stuck between the Eastern and Western worlds, but it is coming to a head right before the peoples’ eyes.

As a result of this, many outside observers have begun to take a more involved role in commenting and even reacting to the shift. Georgia’s enemies are included in this. Quietly, these enemies are making notes and planning on contingency schemes should the outcome

lie in their diplomatic and political favor.

The natural culprit in this is the Kremlin.

As has been stated before, Putin's eye on the Black Sea and the South Caucasus have never truly wandered. Instability, even war, in the region has wetted his palate for conquest. This resulted in the eager deployment of “peacekeepers” into the Karabakh region, bolstering of the 102nd Military base and the 988th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment in the Armenian city of Gyumri, and the air elements at Erebuni Air Base outside Yerevan. It should be noted that his base houses multiple MiG-29 fighters, soon to be replaced with the new Su-30SM, and Mi-24 attack helicopters. It is also a base for Russia’s regional Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program.

The instability in Georgia is slated to cause the Kremlin to focus even further on the politics in Tbilisi. With this division, it’s only natural that Putin will exploit this and drive the wedge further between the two polar entities. Doing this is not particularly difficult, as Russia is able to easily incite one side against the other and view them as a threat to the state. Europe is sadly an easy target, as they have had their own internal European Union problems on which to draw.

In times past, it was through blatant street-level propaganda, having to be implemented by planted individuals on the ground in the target area. Connections made, deals conducted, and money exchanged. Now with social media platforms, the ripe exploitation of those willing to drink the digital “kool-aid” of

anti-Western ideology is all too easy. As more people begin to resent the move toward specific European values, such as acceptance, tolerance, and progressivism, they present themselves as targets of opportunity for the Russian information strategy.

Unity is an easy word to throw out in favor of bringing the nation together to combat a national enemy. However, it’s become apparent that many are not willing to see that enemy as the primary threat. In a move that seems to ignore the transgressions of the Kremlin in their own homeland, they have looked to them as something of a potential brother in the fight against what is largely a trivial social issue.

The lure of Russian information tactics online (or rather disinformation) is admittedly a tempting one. With Putin’s bait of reinforced cultural hyper-traditionalism, religious practice and values security, and the expungement of the perceived perversion of certain Western institutions, it’s a magnet for those seeking a return to the proverbial “good ole’ days.” Sadly, the displaced and disparaged citizens in Eastern Ukraine, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia would plead for those people to reconsider. That is, if they were allowed to speak freely.

Something the Kremin is most assuredly displeased with is the inability to influence much of the press in Georgia.

Just as a small child may destroy a toy, the philosophy of “if I can’t have it, neither can you” seems apparent. Subtle tactics aimed at removing the press’s

credibility and reducing their reach and effectiveness have already taken place.

From the nation’s own Prime Minister verbally attacking journalists, to a sitting minister aggressively stealing a microphone (a prosecutable criminal act under normal circumstances) from a reporter, the influences from abroad are clear.

Diplomats’ written and published condemnation letters have fallen on deaf ears, and largely have little effect, if any.

Even statements from the United States Embassy in Tbilisi are mostly brushed off as a formality and go unheeded. The press, however, has been attempting to garner public support and raise awareness of these socio-political issues. The inability to seize this control is enraging to the politicians that seemingly, willing or unwilling, kneel to foreign (Russian) control.

Putin is not one to allow such alleged insubordination to go unchecked. His indirect and shadowy support of these initiatives to curb the press slowly erodes the ability of these free speech outlets to bolster the democratic institutions that still remain. With recent allegations of wiretapping and illegal monitoring of political opponents and media figures, It’s even more important now for free institutions and diplomats to step in as support.

This malfeasance by public officials weaponizing national security organizations, if confirmed to be true, will draw harsh criticism and negative consequences from Georgia’s allies. The United States has already stated that imposing sanctions are on the table and European Union officials have come out aggressively against recent actions of Parliament members.

However, it’s not too late for the nation. Georgia has so much promise and has displayed an ability to encour-

If you do not stop this destruction, not only me but the entire government team will stop communicating with you. You are simple abusers, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili speaking to journalists age stability and freedom for its people.

As a few members of the government body continue to revert to Soviet-era behavior, it is tear-jerking to see the recidivism. Coalitions of people, the media, and Georgia’s allies must come to the assistance of a faltering but faithful friend. Georgia still deserves a chance, and still deserves a seat at the European Union and NATO table. Spoiling the proverbial side dish doesn't spoil the whole entree.

Image by Steve Breen/San Diego Union-Tribune

MEP Viola Von Cramon: EU Should Reconsider its Relations with Georgian Gov’t

BY ANA DUMBADZE

M

EP Viola von Cramon says she believes the EU should reconsider its relationship with the Georgian government following the breach of the Charles Michel agreement.

At a press conference in Tbilisi on July 30, the MEP said that the April 19 agreement “was and is the basis for the European Parliament to support democracy in the Georgian Parliament.”

“This is not the first case when the Georgian Dream breaks its promise. Breaking the agreement breaks trust and makes the Georgian Dream a force you cannot trust, which is not credible.

“I’m afraid that following the decision of the Georgian Dream to annul the April

19 agreement, Georgia is further away from the European Union than it was three months ago,” she concluded.

The MEP noted that the decision of the Georgian Dream is beneficial only for the Kremlin.

“The decision of the Georgian Dream is beneficial only for the Kremlin. It is clear that once trust is broken, we will not be able to get back to normal. Therefore, in my opinion, the EU will need to reconsider its relations with the Georgian government. It is true that the unconstructive actions of the United National Movement and its refusal to sign the agreement gave the Georgian Dream a rather favorable subtext. The people of Georgia deserve politicians who put the interests of the country above everything else. That is why I never supported the boycott and called on all opposition political parties to be faithful to the agreement that was signed and the commitment that was made.

“We need to properly evaluate the opposition parties that have entered parliament.

It is the job of the opposition to control the government and not stay out of parliament. In this context, the upcoming local elections have become much more important. The European Union stands by the people of Georgia in their struggle to build a just and democratic state. Therefore, it is very important that all citizens of Georgia exercise their constitutional right to vote in local self-government elections.

The EU will do its best to ensure that our observers contribute to the transparent elections,” said Viola von Cramon.

On July 28, the ruling party Georgian Dream officially left the April 19 Agreement mediated by Charles Michel.

MEP Viola von Cramon arrived in Tbilisi on the evening of July 28 in response to the decision of the Georgian Dream party to annul the EU Council President’s agreement.

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021

7

Dugin & Eurasianism What We Need to Know ANALYSIS BY DAVID BRAGVADZE, GEORGIAN INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY POLICY

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urasianism is a political movement whose followers believe that Russia belongs to neither European nor Asian civilization, and it is an expression of the geopolitical concept of Eurasia.

Russia is actively using Eurasian ideas in the foreign policy arena, especially in its relations with neighboring countries, as it calls itself, the "Near Abroad."

We have heard a lot about Eurasianism.

Almost everyone will have heard of the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Alexander Dugin and others.

And yet, there are many misconceptions, for example, that Eurasianism is a doctrine borne of Putin’s Russia; that Eurasianism, as the original idea, belongs to Alexander Dugin; that Dugin, as the author of the teachings of Eurasianism, is the main ideologist of the Kremlin, and so on.

To that end, it will be interesting to look at the history of the origins of this political movement, to understand its real content and impact on the present.

THE ORIGINS OF EURASIANISM Eurasianism, as a political movement, flourished in the 1920s, with the Tsarist emigration fleeing Russia (then Soviet Union) as a result of the Bolshevik Revolution and the Russian Civil War. Among the leaders of the movement were: the famous linguist and historian Prince Nikolai Trubetskoi, philosopher Piotr Savitsky, musician Piotr Suvchinsky, translator and literary scholar Dmitry Sviatopolsk-Mirsky, and lawyer Konstantin Tsugayev.

Eurasianists saw the October Revolution as a logical response to Russian society's attempt at rapid modernization.

The opinion was that Russia was not part of European culture, therefore, its Westernization met with natural resistance, which led the country to the end of the Tsarist regime.

Unlike the rest of the White Emigration, the Eurasianists considered the Soviet regime a necessary stage of development and believed that it could transform it into a national, non-European Orthodox state.

Despite their loyalty to the Soviet regime, the Bolsheviks did not intend to tolerate the Eurasianists for long, and did everything they could to discredit them. Thanks to Soviet security efforts, the leaders of the Eurasian movement were successfully discredited; by the beginning of the years, the Eurasian movement had ceased to exist.

NEO-EURASIANISM Eurasianism returned to Russia in the late 1980s. After the collapse of the Soviet Union became inevitable, academic circles began to muse about Russia's new mission. It was at this time that NeoEurasianism was conceived.

According to popular belief, the author of the doctrine of Neo-Eurasianism is the famous Soviet historian, ethnologist and anthropologist Lev Gumilyov. Gumilyov often said he was "the last Eurasianist."

His Neo-Eurasianist vision was based on his rather controversial scientific theory, according to which the Russian ethnos retained its original appearance during the Mongol occupation (1240-1480) and protected itself from the aggressive influence of the West. Gumilyov argued that Russia was more of an Asian civilization than a European one. His view of Western culture and civilization was much more antagonistic than that of Trubetsky and his contemporaries.

Lev Gumilyov's theories have had some influence on other Eurasianist authors, the most famous of whom is Alexander Dugin.

ALEXANDER DUGIN There are many misconceptions about Alexander Dugin in our society. Georgian media often refers to him as "the main ideologist of the Kremlin." The idea is that it is his ideas that determine the Kremlin's domestic and foreign policy, which is far removed from the truth. In fact, Dugin's influence has always been very limited, both in political and academic circles.

It should be noted that Dugin deservedly enjoys the dubious fame of embroidering Neo-Eurasianism with the most aggressive rhetoric in its history. The Duginian version of Neo-Eurasianism has been hailed by scholars as "a form of fascist ideology in which Russia must create a totalitarian, Moscow-dominated Eurasian empire that will lead to war and ultimately defeat its eternal enemy, the United States and its allies, which will usher in the Golden Age of Global Cultural and Political Anti-Liberalism."

Other scholars believe that Dugin's NeoEurasianism has nothing to do with Eurasianism at all.

Alexander Dugin is a philosopher who is constantly looking for a place under the sun. In the 1980s, he was a dissident and anti-communist. In 1988, he joined the Neo-Nazi organization Pamyat (Память). The Pamyat leaders considered the organization to be a "People's National-Patriotic Orthodox Christian Movement." This organization played an important role in spreading Neo-Nazi ideas in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Afterwards, Dugin emerged as one of the authors of the political program of the newly formed Communist Party of the Russian Federation (whose undisputed leader is Gennady Zyuganov).

In 1993, he founded the National-Bolshevik Party, which he led until 1998.

The emblem of the party was the flag of the Third Reich, except that instead of a swastika in its center, a hammer and sickle were depicted. Influenced by the ideas of this party, in 2006, another political force was established in Russia - the National-Bolshevik Front. In 2001, Dugin founded the Pan-Russian Eurasian Movement, and a year later, another party called the Eurasian Party. However, the political parties founded by Dugin have never achieved even a modicum of success.

Although Dugin's influence has never been particularly significant, there are still moments of glory in his biography.

He was an adviser to the speaker of the State Duma, Gennady Seleznyov. He also consulted with Sergei Naryshkin, who at various times was the head of the Russian presidential administration and the speaker of the State Duma, and currently heads the foreign intelligence service.

However, at the time Dugin was working as his adviser, Naryshkin was a Duma deputy.

Dugin is the author of over thirty books and dozens of articles, but two of his most popular works are: The Fundamentals of Geopolitics - Russia's Geopolitical Future, published in 1997, and The Fourth Political Theory, published in 2009.

Dugin came into the spotlight right after the publication of "Fundamentals of Geopolitics". The book soon became a textbook for the Military Academy of the Russian General Staff. Dugin was assisted in writing the book by ColonelGeneral Leonid Ivashov. According to Gennady Seleznyov, the then speaker of the Duma, "the Dugin doctrine should have become an integral part of the school curriculum."

What does The Fundamentals of Geo-

politics preach? It shows the way for Russia to become the hegemon of the Eurasian space and regain the "old glory".

The main opponents on this path are the United States and its allies. Russia must destabilize US domestic politics, undermine the foundations of its stability, encourage racist groups, and provoke various social and ethnic conflicts. In this way, American influence will be significantly weakened, which will create favorable conditions for Russia to establish and control the Eurasian space.

The same paper discusses how Russia should treat different neighboring countries. Finland, for example, must join Russia. One part of it is to be united into the Republic of Karelia, and another part the Murmansk Oblast; Estonia will be included in Germany's "sphere of influence". Lithuania and Latvia should be given special status in the Eurasian space; Ukraine should not exist as an independent state because, according to Dugin, it is an anomaly and has no cultural or geopolitical identity; Azerbaijan should be divided into several parts, or handed over to Iran; Iran is a key partner for creating the Moscow-Tehran axis and Armenia should be a strategic base for the functioning of this axis; Georgia should be divided into several parts.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia should join the Russian Federation. Georgia should not pursue an independent domestic or foreign policy.

‘The Fundamentals of Geopolitics’ is a large bouquet of Dugin's fascist, chauvinist and Bolshevik views. It may indeed reflect the sentiments and aspirations of a significant portion of Russian society and political elite, yet its practical realization is unimaginable even under Putin's conditions in Russia. As a result, Dugin himself was disappointed many times.

Most of Georgian society met Dugin during the August 2008 events. During the days of the August War, Dugin "surpassed" himself and uttered one of his most distinctive xenophobic speeches.

In this speech, Dugin blamed the Georgian military for killing helpless women, elderly and children with grenades, the genocide of the Ossetian people, a shooting in the back of Russian "peacekeepers", bombing kindergartens, etc. In this speech, Dugin asked another rhetorical question: "And do you think that Georgians are human after all?!", to which he answered "I do not think so. People who act like animals do not deserve to be called human beings." After that, he noted that Georgia attacked Russia and in this situation, there is only one solution - "complete victory", to achieve which, according to Dugin, it was necessary to "fully occupy Georgia and establish a" democratic order" there. To bring Ossetia and Georgia under the Russian protectorate. “Tanks on Tbilisi! That's the only formula for our victory!"

Dugin's hopes were not fulfilled. The full occupation of the territory of Georgia did not take place. The main "culprit" in this, along with Georgia, was the West.

It turned out to be a heavy moral blow to Dugin. The declaration of Abkhazia and the former South Ossetia as independent states was not enough for him, as he demanded the annexation of both territories to Russia and named the Abkhazian and Ossetian "pleas" as the basis.

In this famous speech, Dugin referred to the people in power in Russia as patriots, but assessed Russia's "delayed" response as "criminal". After the war ended, he turned to open criticism of the Kremlin.

After the August 2008 war, Dugin began working at the Faculty of Sociology of Moscow State University. In 2009, he became the Deputy Head of the Department of Sociology and International Relations. In the same year, his book ‘The Fourth Political Theory’ was pub-

lished. The paper tells us that until now there were three political theories: liberal democracy, Marxism and fascism. At the center of liberal democracy is the individual, in Marxism - the class, and in fascism - the nation. As for the fourth political theory, according to Dugin, Dasein is at its center. Dasein is a German word that can be translated into Georgian as "presence on the ground".

According to some researchers, this paper laid the ideological basis for the 2014 occupation of Crimea and the events in Donbas. Just then, another moment of glory came for Dugin.

During the occupation of Crimea and the events in Donbas, Russia actively considered the project of creating "Malorossia", which was completely in line with Dugin's ideas. During this period, he was relatively frequently invited to major Russian television stations; however, after the Malorussia project failed, Dugin again switched to criticism of the Kremlin and Putin.

At the same time, he became embroiled in a serious scandal, this time over hate speech about Ukrainians - "Ukrainians must be killed, killed and killed! More reasoning is not necessary. I'm telling you this as a professor," he said. Due to similar statements, Dugin also appeared in the list of persons on whom Western countries imposed sanctions.

After the failure of the "Molorossia" project, Dugin lost his academic position, and his complete marginalization began. Soon, Dugin was being listened to only by the leaders of the "People's Republics" of Donetsk and Lugansk.

DUGIN AND RELIGION The issue of Dugin and Orthodox Christianity deserves a special mention. In 1968, he was baptized by his great-grandmother in the Michurinsky Cathedral.

In 1999, he joined the Starover wing. This religious movement rejects the reforms carried out in the Russian Church in 1652-66 and is separated from the Moscow Patriarchate. With this gesture, Dugin emphasized that he has not lost touch with the indigenous Slavic roots and beliefs, thus trying to strengthen his own conservative image. Nevertheless, in geopolitical matters, he supports the expansionist policy of the Moscow Patriarchate and advocates the concept of an "Orthodox World" of which Russia is, of course, the leader.

DUGIN AND GEORGIA Dugin's attitude towards Georgia and Georgians can be seen in the already mentioned ‘Fundamentals of Geopolitics’ and his August 2008 speech, so we will not dwell on this issue. In this section, we will talk about his connections with Georgian entrepreneur-politicians and ultra-right groups, chief among them Levan Vasadze, a businessman and now a politician, who has become his Georgian confidante. In fairness, it should be noted that Vasadze never tried to hide his connection to Dugin.

In addition to personal meetings, he appeared on Tsargrad TV, which was headed by Dugin after its establishment.

Tsargrad is financed by the Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeev. In 2020, due to sanctions against Malofeev, YouTube blocked the channel's content on its own platform.

According to Vasadze, his relationship with Dugin was motivated by patriotic motives and he even managed to convince the hostile Russian imperialist to make a complete u-turn in Georgia’s favor. Probably, to strengthen this sympathy, Vasadze met with his friend on May 26, 2021, on the Independence Day of Georgia, in Moscow.

It is noteworthy that Vasadze was not a guest on Tsargrad, yet Dugin visited the Georgian TV channel Alt-Info, a sharply chauvinistic, ultra-rightist and active disseminator of Russian narratives. On the show, he talked about various issues related to his attitude towards Georgia. In addition to claiming that he loves Georgia and the Georgian nation very much, Dugin also spoke about what kind of state Georgia should be: "orthodox", "conservative", "really independent" state, which will have good relations with Russia and will not have Western or North Atlantic aspirations. There was nothing new in this statement, nor is the attitude that Vasadze claimed has changed evident anywhere. This is exactly what Russia wants from Georgia - not to have an independent policy and to rule a puppet regime that will act according to the directives of its northern neighbor.

Dugin actively responded to the events of July 5-6 in Georgia and shared the posts of members of Georgian chauvinist groups on his Facebook page.

All this clearly shows that Alexander Dugin, who according to a certain part of our society, including the influential media, is the "main ideologue of the Kremlin", is today a completely marginalized and bankrupt "intellectual" who is no longer listened to in Russia and is forced to periodically voice his opinions in conversations with Alt-Info and Vasadze.

Consequently, the notion that these marginalized groups operating in Georgia have direct links to the Kremlin and that they could potentially "sort out" relations with Russia is far removed from reality. These groups have no resources to talk to Russia, they are only responsible for carrying out the tactical tasks of the lower-middle-ranking representatives of Moscow, for which they receive the appropriate resources. Some of them do so deliberately, some of them are useful idiots who are doing something beneficial for Moscow's direct interests.

About the same as Dugin writes in his ‘Fundamentals of Geopolitics:’ create discord within the country, bring into action various chauvinist and aggressive groups, and dismantle the foundations of the functioning of the state so that it can no longer concentrate on real problems.

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POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021

IRI Poll on Snap Elections, Party Popularity and Growing Support for Gakharia

BY ANA DUMBADZE

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ased on the new survey by the International Republican Institute (IRI), 29% of respondents definitely support snap parliamentary elections in Georgia.

When asked whether they support the opposition’s demand for snap parliamentary elections, 29% said they definitely support it, 22% – somewhat support, 27% – definitely oppose, 12% – somewhat oppose, 10% do not know/do not have an answer to the question.

IRI says data was collected throughout Georgia between June 15 and June 30, 2021, through face-to-face interviews in respondents’ homes.

The sample consisted of 1,500 permanent residents of Georgia aged 18 and older and eligible to vote, which is representative of the general population by age, gender, region and settlement size.

The margin of error does not exceed

plus or minus 2.5%. The response rate was 74%.

FORMER PM GAKHARIA RETAINS HIGH PERSONAL RATING

PARTY POPULARITY

The IRI reported that former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia maintains a high personal rating, being acceptable to 56% of the respondents.

According to the survey, 88% of the respondents like the Georgian Patriarch, 58% like Tbilisi mayoral candidate Kakha Kaladze, 56% prefer former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, and 40% prefer the current Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili.

Giorgi Gakharia resigned as PM in February 2021 due to differences of opinion with his party regarding the arrest of the opposition UNM Party leader Nika Melia.

Following his resignation, the former PM established a new political force ‘For Georgia,’ noting that they were “uniting for Georgia, but against no-one.”

Member of his party and publisher George Sharashidze wrote on social media after IRI published its findings.

“What conclusions can be drawn from the latest IRI study?

“1. The Party ‘For Georgia’ is the fastestgrowing political organization, whose rating rises in parallel with the declining ratings of not just one party, but of all parties, both from the majority and the opposition, disproving the artificial myth that ‘For Georgia’ only deprives votes for the ruling party.

“2. The party ‘For Georgia’ is the party with the highest “second choice” at 9%, when the parties in the first and second place at this stage have almost exhausted growth potential, which clearly indicates

IRI reports 26% of respondents would vote for the Georgian Dream party, 14% for the United National Movement and 9% for former PM Giorgi Gakharia’s party ‘For Georgia,’ if elections were held next week.

Regarding the other parties, in response to the question “which party would you vote for if the municipal elections were held next week,” the votes were distributed as follows: * Labor Party – Shalva Natelashvili: 3%; * Girchi, more freedom – Zurab Girchi Japaridze: 2%; * Strategy Builder – Giorgi Vashadze: 2%; * Lelo – Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze: 2%, * Alliance of Patriots: 2%; * Citizens: 2%; Eri – Levan Vasadze: 1%; * European Georgia – Giga Bokeria: 1%; * For people – Ana Dolidze: 1%; * Droa – Elene Khoshtaria: 1%; * Girchi: 1%; * Other parties: 1%.

20% of respondents said that they didn’t have an answer, while 7% refused to answer.

the chances for the party ‘For Georgia’ to at least double the current result and overcome the 20% limit without any problems at the October elections and change the government even at the early parliamentary elections!

“3. Gakharia continues to maintain a high personal rating. A large part of the population is positive about him even a few months after his resignation. As such, the ruling party’s assessments that Gakharia’s rating was conditioned by the party’s rating were not justified.

“4. The real reason for the annulment of the Charles Michel Agreement by the ruling party has been confirmed: the fall of the 35% rating to 28% in April, which confirms an irreversible decrease in the population’s support for the ruling party.

“5. The situational alliance of the ‘National Movement’ (UNM) with the ruling party to cancel the agreement of Charles Michel was confirmed, because its rating, like that of the ‘Georgian Dream,’ has been reduced from 18 to 15%,

and if we compare the current rating of the UNM with the 2020 parliamentary elections, 27%, it becomes even clearer why the party with a halved rating was upset by the cancellation of the Charles Michel agreement and the early parliamentary elections.

“6. It has been confirmed that the ratings of almost all parties have reduced, yet the support for the party ‘For Georgia’ is increasing, which is not surprising given that, based on the survey, 97% of the population negatively assesses the current political polarization. The ruling power and the opposition are doing the exact opposite.

“7. Finally, the majority of the population, 61%, are dissatisfied with the existing political spectrum and expect change from the new political force, while 75% intend to participate and vote in the elections, which once again confirms that change is inevitable for Georgia!

“The challenge is accepted! We can.

We will change!” Sharashidze wrote.

BUSINESS

Start.Up! Germany Tour 2021

BY KETEVAN SKHIRTLADZE

F

or the first time, the German Business Association is allowing Georgian startups to participate in the project START. UP! GERMANY TOUR 2021.

The German Business Association invites all interested startups that meet the program requirements to participate in the first stage of the business competition.

On August 17, 10 startup finalists will have the opportunity to be presented before the jury, they will be able to pitch their projects at a competition event organized by the German Business Association . The same evening, the winner will be announced by the German Ambassador to Georgia, Mr. Hubert Knirsch.

The winner, on October 5 this year, will compete in a regional competition with finalists from countries such as Romania, Lithuania, Sweden, Belarus, the Netherlands, Portugal, Croatia, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Poland.

The four companies that win the regional startup competition will travel to North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, where the final event of the business competition will be held from 14 to 17 November 2021.

The final winner will be announced from among 15 different countries.

The finalists will be awarded with cash prizes: 7,500 Euro (first place), 5,000 Euro (second place) and 2,500 Euro (third place). An exclusive one-day program will be prepared for the finalists, during which they will meet companies and organizations of interest to them in North Rhine-Westphalia.

If you have any further questions, please contact Alina Dost (alina.dost@dwv.ge) or Marika Bregadze (maria.bregadze@ dwv.ge).

SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021

9

SABUKO: Revitalizing the Ecosystem & Ensuring Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in the Iori River Valley

BY ANA DUMBADZE

C

onsidering the importance of preserving and protecting natural resources, the role and contribution of organizations that work tirelessly in this direction becomes even more valuable.

One such organization operating locally, known for its dedicated work promoting conservation of wildlife in Georgia and encouraging the sustainable use of natural resources, is SABUKO, the Society for Nature Conservation and Birdlife Partner in Georgia. SABUKO aims to protect wild birds and their habitats, and to raise awareness about the value of nature and the importance of protecting it.

To prevent the conflict between humans and nature, SABUKO has chosen a way of cooperation and works with local communities, finding the best results come through direct contact and joint efforts.

One of the most distinguished and important projects being implemented

by SABUKO is ‘Restoring Gallery Forest and Grasslands in the Iori River Valley.’

The Iori River, and the gallery forest which stretches along the valley, are integral parts of south-east Georgia’s steppe ecosystem. The gallery forest which runs along the Iori riverbed acts as a wildlife corridor, providing breeding sites and core habitat for many species. Yet, the steppe areas have been subjected to overstocking with livestock, causing overgrazing, erosion, and competition with native herbivores. Despite this degradation, the landscape is relatively intact, and connectivity to other areas in the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot offers an opportunity for restoration.

The landscape restoration project launched by SABUKO aims to revitalize this steppe-riverine ecosystem while enabling local pastoralists to manage land sustainably in the long-term.

The project has been implemented since January 1, 2019 with the support of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative in cooperation with SABUKO, Birdlife International and Protected Areas under the Endangered Landscapes Program.

There is also the biodiversity of Chachuna Managed Reserve, which has faced a severe problem of degradation due to unregulated grazing. Despite this degradation, the landscape is relatively intact, and there is an opportunity for restoration, which is currently being used by SABUKO and its partner organizations.

The project aims to promote and conserve the restoration of forests and surrounding areas of the Iori River floodplain through the introduction of rotational grazing, improving the living standards of the locals. Importantly, SABUKO aims to achieve all this through working in partnership with local shepherds. The organization not only gives them recommendations on how to preserve natural resources on the spot, but also helps them in various directions, shares knowledge and experience with locals and does its best to improve their living conditions.

In particular, the following activities were carried out on the ground:

STUDY OF THE IORI FLOODPLAINS SABUKO, in collaboration with Ilia State University, assessed the condition and health of the Iori River floodplain forest.

The aim of the study was to describe and assess the condition of the Iori River floodplain forests, to determine their natural boundaries, to compare them with the present boundaries, and to determine the reasons for the changes.

Also, to find out whether the Dali Reservoir specifically reduced the area of floodplain forests in the Chachuna Reserve, whether it had an impact on the changes in the floristic composition on the ground, etc.

In addition, a hydrological report of

the Iori River and flood modeling was developed. The forest assessment concludes that the upper and lower part of the reservoir differ from each other in floristic composition: the lower part of the reservoir are less characterized by floodplain forest species than the upper part due to the reservoir and hydrological regime. A written and oral agreement with the relevant authorities on the periodic release of the Dali Reservoir has already been reached. In addition, the recommendations made in the report are reflected in the EU Water Initiative Plus under the Alazani-Iori River Basin Management Plan.

The research area (2232.9 ha) covers the Iori River and Chachuna Managed Reserve gallery forests and adjacent areas. These gallery forests are located in Kakheti, near the border of Georgia and Azerbaijan, in south-east Georgia.

Grazing is the biggest challenge for such Tugay type gallery forests. The Dali Reservoir has transformed the ecosystem since the 1980s, though the impact needs a more thorough study.

The study results show that the forest cover (area covered with trees and bushes) has generally reduced in the research area, yet there is a tendency of growth over the last decade. Chachuna’s forest cover increased over the last two decades, although it is still less than in 1978. This may mean that the Dali reservoir has not had a direct and significant impact in terms of forest areas over the past 30-year cycle, as it was put into operation in 1992 (Benjankar et, all., 2016).

In terms of floristic composition, there are quite big differences in the upper and lower parts of the reservoir. It may depend upon flooding regime and intensity, which would have been changed once the Dali reservoir became operational.

Further research in this direction is required, SABUKO says, ideally on grazing intensity and quality in both parts of the reservoir in the gallery forests, as grazing has a direct impact on the change of floristic composition.

“This will enable us to exclude grazing as a factor and to observe the direct impact of the dam over time,” SABUKO experts concluded.

HELPING LOCAL FARMERS AND PASTORALISTS The issue of food safety is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the safety of the environment and to avoid economic losses caused by possible diseases, SABUKO provided local farmers with veterinary medicines and regular training on ecology and rotational grazing, which helps to introduce and further implement the principles of sustainable land management. Farmers also have the opportunity to participate in workshops on degradation, erosion, land management, biodiversity, etc.

In order to reduce grazing cases in the floodplain forest, SABUKO assessed the potential location of the areas where sheep drink water. Based on the results of the study, SABUKO has arranged 8 facilities for sheep to drink water, wells and a 2.5-kilometer corridor, which will significantly help to reduce the impact of sheep grazing on floodplain forests and the River Iori.

RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT ROTATIONAL GAZING & SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT SABUKO made a short animated film about rotational grazing in Georgian and Azerbaijani. The main purpose of the animation is to provide the audience with information on degradation and sustainable land management and raise awareness about rotational grazing.

The organization reviewed existing pasture regulations and legislation and developed a report. In addition, SABUKO, together with other stakeholders, is actively working on the development of a Georgian policy document on pasture management.

Photo: Sopho Apciauri

SABUKO, in cooperation with the Export Development Association, assessed the potential of sheep and lamb products in the EU and Gulf countries.

The report provides information on the following products: milk and dairy products, mutton and meat products, live sheep and sheep wool. The study also includes information on sales channels, technical regulations and standards in the local market, EU and GCC countries.

In order to raise awareness about conservation and degradation, SABUKO developed a board game "Playing in the Iori floodplain", which introduces players to the River Iori floodplain forest, biodiversity, principles of sustainable grazing, etc. In addition, the board game will help players master the information about the steppe ecosystem and their maintenance.

As part of a collaboration with local media, SABUKO has developed articles, photos, videos and multimedia materials to raise awareness about the Chachuna Reserve in both Georgian and English.

Active sharing of materials takes place through social media and other platforms.

SABUKO continues to study and monitor animal species in the Chachuna Reserve and surrounding areas using camera traps. To do this, about 25 camera traps have already been installed in the Chachuna Reserve and its surrounding areas.

Aleksandre Mikeladze, Project Manager, says one of the main problems on the ground is degradation, which dates back to Soviet times.

“Too many sheep gather there, even though, there is not much water. Due to the high number of sheep and lack of grass, along with food shortage, sheep encroach into the forest. We should do our best to preserve the wildlife. Farmers often complain that sheep enter the forest on their own, as when they are taking sheep down to the river for watering, they scatter, and because they have to walk many kilometers from the farm to the river, they are hungry and enter the forest on their own to graze. Farmers say they do not have enough shepherds to look after the sheep to prevent them entering the forest while going to the river for water. Our priority is to promote the restoration of the floodplain forest and to arrange a funnel type fenced corridor to reduce the number of sheep entering the forest, while also providing access to the watering points.

“The main problem is that resources are used unsustainably. In order for the grass to grow, the area needs to be rested for some time from grazing. We presented a rotational grazing scheme to the Agency of Protected Areas, which put this point in the contract for the farmers. Some farmers are skeptical about Rotational grazing, but when we planned and implemented it with one, others also became interested.

“We decided to interview the farmers and help solve the problem that matched the project goals. One of the main problems turned out to be limited access to water. SABUKO arranged watering points near farms, which sparked hope among the farmers.

“We’ll be working on creating a policy

document on pastures in parallel with interviewing farmers, getting acquainted with their opinions and needs, that will be considered while developing the policy document.

“Not only do we monitor the conservation of natural resources, but we also help local shepherds. We provide farmers with vet medicines, share our experience and knowledge. We cooperate with Ilia State University, aiming to involve the young generation in this important work. We use innovative approaches, such as exploring sheep movement routes by GPS, etc.

“Rotational grazing turned out to be fruitful, as, afterwards, better grass grows in the area. This turned out to be a very happy moment for SABUKO. The project will continue for another 2 years, during which even more useful work will be done to improve the living standards of the locals and to preserve the existing natural resources and ecosystem,” Mikeladze says.

“The legislation regarding pastures is very general, there are no relevant normative acts,” says Tinatin Arveladze, Policy Manager.

“Under these conditions, SABUKO developed a rotational grazing scheme.

For example, when a plot of land was leased, they were instructed to follow SABUKO’s rotational grazing scheme as enshrined in the lease agreement by the Agency of Protected Areas. SABUKO actively cooperates with pasture tenants issued by the Agency of Protected Areas to implement a rotational grazing scheme or meet other requirements set out in the contract.

“We obtained important information from the shepherds, it turned out that they only made deals orally. There were no defined obligations. Shepherds have no interest in pursuing sustainable grazing principles because they only stay on the ground for 1-2 years and then leave.

We also shared this issue with the Agriculture Committee.

“We are also involved in the research carried out by Parliament, because we aim to share the interests and needs of farmers with the government. Our strength is that we work on the ground and are well aware of the situation. We also conducted a socio-economic survey among the locals and made relevant conclusions,” Arveladze notes.

“Earlier this year, SABUKO attended a public hearing on the Dali Reservoir.

At the meeting, we highlighted the importance of the reservoir in flooding the floodplain forest and presented key research findings on the health of the Iori River floodplain forest, highlighting the difference in floodplain composition in the upper and lower parts of the reservoir. During the public hearing, the licensee and representatives of the Ministry agreed on the periodic release of the reservoir. SABUKO reached an agreement with Georgian Amelioration on the periodic release of the Dali Reservoir.

However, the study found that a barrier is needed for effective flooding. SABUKO conducted a "Chachuna GE0000003" Impact Assessment, which includes identifying and assessing the potential impacts on the emerald site species and

habitats that the site is designed to protect. In the current quarter, documentation was submitted to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia for further proceedings.

In addition, we developed a barrage management plan that includes activity monitoring and determines the effectiveness of mitigation measures taken.

“We are going to release water from the reservoir, ” Arveladze says. “We have prepared an appropriate assessment document and are waiting for permission. SABUKO uses this data for advocacy. These needs have been identified by scientific research. Natural flooding will occur as it did before the existence of the Dali Reservoir on the ground.

Accordingly, the water will be released in stages. This reservoir contributed to desertification, replacing floodplain forest species with species characteristic of an arid space.

“The state policy regarding the reservoir should be related to conservation and should not only serve irrigation purposes. We have to take care of this in the future as well. The reservoir must first serve a conservation purpose.

“In the future, we want to regulate the principles of sustainable grazing through lease agreements.”

“We started the Chachuna Biodiversity Survey in the winter of 2019, at which time we had no tangible data,” says Khatia Basilashvili, Biodiversity Conservation Manager. “We installed 25 camera traps and actively check the data, and now fully understand which species of animals live there. It has been proven that the Iori floodplain in Chachuna is very important, as it is the only shelter for wild species, because they come there to drink water, hide from extreme heat during summer, forage and survive “We have found wolf families there, and want to determine if they really live there or just follow the sheep.

“We also photographed a lynx that is on the verge of extinction. There is a prospect that lynx will breed here and even more interesting wildlife representatives will live together in the Iori floodplain, such as, gray wolf, European hare, golden jackal, fox, wild boar, black francolin, jungle cat, chukar partridge, porcupine, etc. The population of birds of prey is very diverse in Chachuna.

“During these two years, we got very close to local rangers, farmers and border police guards. Cases of poaching have decreased, which can also be considered our contribution. We have created a quiet and harmonious environment there, which makes us proud.”

Marinus Gebhardt, Natural Resources Manager, highlights the positive impacts of the rotational grazing scheme developed by SABUKO on the local environment. He also points out the importance of successful cooperation with local shepherds and farmers and raising awareness on the benefits of rotational grazing among them.

“As a result of direct and active cooperation with SABUKO, the locals are gradually developing the skills of rotational grazing, which is quite beneficial for the environment. As such, the growth of grass in the areas of grazing is notable, and the negative impact on the environment is reducing, which makes us very happy. Sometimes it’s difficult to change behavior the locals had had over years, but it’s still achievable and we can see the progress clearly. Sharing experience and gaining their trust is quite important.

Over time, our team is expected to have more tangible results in this direction.

Our main advantage is that we work with them directly on the ground, which helps us to communicate with more people and involve them in the process of receiving profit without harming nature.”

In the upcoming two years, SABUKO is expected to bring even more benefits to both wildlife species and the local population through its dedicated work and innovative approaches, supporting economic activities and preserving Georgia’s unique natural resources at the same time.

10

SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021

Again with Ushba: Svaneti It did continue to clear up, and as we drove as far as we intended to, the sharpest view of the day loomed out of the clouds. So we had the best of all worlds in a half-hour time space: from invisibly misted over to well-defined in all its details. The little “fangs” called Babua and Bebia (Grandfather and Grandmother) also stood out well on the left hand side, adding a third dimension.

It is such a privilege for me to live so close to this towering presence. The irony of not being able to see it from our house at all is mitigated by views from five minutes’ walk away, and many other angles, from our own village of Etseri, Pari, various points on the road, Becho, Tskhumari, Latali, Mestia, the Khatsvali and Tetnuldi ski resorts, K’ala and far above Ushguli. I have seen it from all these places, and mostly still lack the view from above Nak’ra, which I’m told will throw in Elbrus, highest peak in the Caucasus, in the same frame as Ushba for free. A balloon ride is still a firm dream, getting my wife and me perhaps closer and to more exotic angles than any other way (except by helicopter, also on my bucket list). Now THAT will be something to write home and here about.

BLOG BY TONY HANMER

W

ell, the hardest climb (though not the highest) in the Caucasus certainly has a personality, as much as mountains can. It stunned me again recently with some new looks I’d never seen before.

I was driving back from Mestia to Etseri with my wife and some dear friends who are also guests of ours at the moment, a lady and her niece from Kakheti who had never been to Svaneti before. We saw clouds covering Ushba near Becho on the way out at midday, and I held out little hope for change at our return late afternoon, Mestia also offering no difference. The best time to catch the mountain uncovered is usually mornings, though it can surprise at any time, as my 700+ photos over 21 years point out.

As we swung around the corner where one’s next view happens, above Becho near the turnoff to the village of Tskhumari, there it was. But only just: a veil of mist covered the magnificent top part, barely but definitely visible through it, almost taunting me. I stopped the car and ran out with camera ready, and took a few shots of this apparition.

We stopped again a few minutes later as my wife wanted to check out the concrete block factory above Becho, still going strong since it had finished making raw concrete for President Saakashvili’s road renovation of the region some years ago. There the view of Ushba was still

veiled, but getting clearer, yet still as mysterious as ever. While she discussed our café’s materials needs with the factory overseer, I shot away, even finding a smooth puddle of water for muchdesired reflections.

Then, business there finished, I decided on a whim to take us on the new asphalt

road into Becho itself, to its far end at Mazeri and the Grand Hotel Ushba, to see how the road was and whether the Mountain would continue to reveal itself.

Clouds around it really help the dramatic mood, I find, more than a plain blue sky, which can be a bit boring in its featurelessness. Clouds at least let you know

that you should count yourself lucky to see the mountain at all. I also find myself converting my color original RAW files to black and white most of the time for this and most landscape work nowadays, and will likely make new monochrome versions of all my old Ushba shots in future too.

Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a weekly writer and photographer for GT since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook group, now with nearly 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/ groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

Shanae’s Tragic Death: Investigation Underway men in that location trying to pursue them. Some claim they reported such incidents to the police but faced obstacles in either translation or resources, with many reporting a lack of interest from the authorities.

Early this week, an English-language group was set up on Facebook called ‘Safe Tbilisi,’ bringing together professionals (lawyers, self-defense trainers, translators, journalists, IT experts, and others- both foreign visitors and foreign/ local residents) who want to see a safer capital city. Suggestions and offers have been made to this end, among them pushing for CCTV and security patrols to be set up on the most popular hiking routes, for a map to be made pin-pointing “risk” areas of past incidents, for training courses to be run in self-defense, and for women hikers to carry selfdefense weapons or personal alarms.

Reaction to the tragedy of Shanae’s murder has been a mix of sadness, anger,

Continued from page 1 Within the frames of the ongoing investigation, a forensic examination was conducted, the results of which are yet to be made public.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia quickly classified Shanae’s death, and investigation is underway under Article 108 of the Criminal Code which envisages “premeditated murder.”

The MIA initially launched the investigation into the disappearance of the 31-year-old Australian under Article 143 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates illegal deprivation of liberty.

The agency says operative-investigative activities are underway to identify and arrest the culprit.

Shanae’s friends, colleagues and neighbors were questioned as part of the investigation. Shanae’s brother was also questioned by police. The details of questioning are unknown.

Shanae Brook Edwards was an English teacher who came to Georgia a year and a half ago and worked at International House. She was a big fan of the

Georgian culture, nature and alphabet.

She went missing on July 30. At 3:35pm, she left home in her jogging clothes, planning to exercise on the Mtatsminda slope before meeting a friend at 6pm.

Reportedly, she encountered two male passers-by while walking: one of them approached her to ask something, while the other followed at a close distance.

She was then seen across from the Church of Mikhail of Tver, a popular hiking start-point.

At 4:32pm, a friend in California, and the last person she had called before her hike, received a call from her and heard her screaming and saying “Let me go. Get your hands off me.”

She was not seen or heard of after that, and local friends called for a public search to begin the next morning after police and rescue workers failed to locate her that night.

The K-9 department was also called in.

Some 300 citizens co-ordinated a search, using a WhatsApp chat group and Facebook, which spread from KusTba to the outer reaches of

Okrokhana village. Suspicious or potentially related objects (a spade, glove, glasses, bracelet, items of clothing) were photographed and shared, routes were decided and drones were brought in, as were spare charging devices so searchers could stay online, some kindly donated by an unnamed company.

At just after 7pm on Saturday evening, rumors began to spread on Georgian media that the K-9 unit had found a body the police suspected was Shanae’s.

The WhatsApp searchers, out of respect for the family, asked the civilian searchers in the chat to refrain from spreading possible falsities and to wait for an official announcement. This came within the hour, and the WhatsApp group was shut down following a thank you message to all who had tried to find Shanae.

Shanae, like many foreigners, including other lone female joggers, had visited the Mtatsminda slope often before, and was known as a pro hiker.

Allegedly, this is not the first incidence of an attack on a foreign woman occurring in that area. Other foreign women also recall cases of seeing suspicious

and a determination that such an act be prevented from happening again. Many local citizens wrote on social media that they feel ashamed and deeply saddened by what happened. Some called it the “last straw” for Georgia’s already damaged reputation, although others claim that the aggressive acts of a few cannot be thought by foreign visitors and investors to represent an entire population or country.

On Mtatsminda, where the tragedy occurred, Shanae’s friends, and those who had searched in vain for her throughout the day on Saturday, lit candles and brought flowers to honor her memory.

Others took flowers to the gated entrance of her flat.

Society is now eagerly awaiting the results of the investigation, hoping that the perpetrator will be severely punished by law, and that lessons will be learned and such tragedies prevented in future.

CULTURE

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021

11

Writers, Jury Members Boycott ‘Litera’ due to Inclusion of Culture Ministry Rep on Jury

BY TEAM GT

T

he annual literary contest ‘Litera,’ organized by Writers’ House, faced an unexpected challenge this year after the Minister of Culture Tea Tsulukiani nominated her representative, advisor Ioseb Chumburidze, to the jury of the competition.

Publicist Ioseb Chumburidze is known for his anti-Western views and especially loyal attitude towards the founder and former chairman of the ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Following this move, on July 29, the

authors began to withdraw their works from the competition as a form of protest at the intervention of the Ministry in literary activities.

The representatives of Writers’ House noted that such a case had never occurred in the history of the award.

The annual competition was initially boycotted by Toresa Mossy and Mate Saralishvili over Minister Tsulukiani’s tough policies and strict approach towards the arts sector and the opposition-minded media. They were soon followed by 15 authors withdrawing their works from the competition: Nino Samkurashvili, Rati Mujiri, Eka Kevanishvili, Toresa Mossy, Jaba Zarkua, Mate Saralishvili, Irakli Kakabadze, Davit Kashiashvili,

Bela Chekurishvili, Elene Kvirkvelia, Zviad Kvaratskhelia, Natia Giorgadze, Irina Tabagua, Andro Dadiani, Giorgi Shonia, designer Natalia Avaliani and Teona Chanishvili.

The decision of the Ministry was also protested by the members of the Writers’ House Supervisory Board.

“The members of the Supervisory Board of the Writers’ House consider this year’s change unacceptable because we believe that no member of the jury should be accountable to the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Georgia.

“The Writers’ House Supervisory Board does not have any legal leverage to change this, but we protest and hope that each member of the jury will continue to be

selected independently so that they can continue to work freely and without any pressure,” read the statement signed by the members of the Supervisory Board of the Writers’ House.

Writers protesting the move assessed the decision of the Ministry as interference in creative activities. A large number of writers and publishers ended up refusing to participate in the competition and withdrew their applications. Four members of the jury selected by the Writers’ House also refused to work. Out of 110 books submitted to the competition, 92 books were removed from the competition by publishers and authors.

“In the current situation, it has become impossible to hold this year’s literary competition Litera,” Writers’ House announced August 2. “We hope to reexamine the situation with the Ministry and representatives of the literary field and find the best solution for next year.”

Pencenter, which unites Georgian writers, also responded to the recent developments regarding Litera, saying that

“such an arrogant interference of the Minister in the literary processes is offensive.”

“We call on Tea Tsulukiani to immediately summon back the member of the ‘Litera’ jury appointed by her, to stop trying to impose censorship in a field completely unknown to her, and stop dreaming of turning writers into party members. We, Georgian writers, translators, literary critics, critics, and publishers, regardless of our different political views, are united and will remain united on this issue. We will not allow party control over Georgian literature!” reads the statement released

by Pencenter.

The Minister of Culture did not comment on the issue herself, yet the Ministry noted it considers the criticism unfounded and says that they were not interfering in the competition. They also emphasized that GEL 50,000 had been transferred to the Writer’ ‘House for the competition, to be managed by them independently.

SPORTS

Tokyo Olympics – Success in Wrestling, Not So in Shooting or Shot-Put

BY KETEVAN SKHIRTLADZE

T

he Olympic Games end on August 8, having seen 34 sportsmen from Georgia competing in 11 sports.

Shooter Nino Salukvadze and wrestler Lasha Talakhadze are the flag bearers of the Georgian Olympic team.

Olympic champion Salukvadze, 52, represented Georgia in pistol shooting for her 9th Olympics, a record number for women. Salukvadze has won three medals: gold and silver at the 1988 Beijing Olympics, and bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Yet, on July 30, she failed to reach the final in the 25-meter shooting with a sports pistol in Tokyo. After a two-day qualification stage, Salukvadze gained a total of 578 points and took 25th place among 44 sportspeople.

SHOT-PUT Unfortunately, 36-year-old Georgian shot putter Benik Abramyan, who competed at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics, was disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics when he failed a steroid test.

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The Georgian National Olympic Committee stated: “Before leaving for Tokyo, almost all licensed athletes, including Benik Abramyan, underwent doping control. As per the established rule, Abramyan is removed from the Tokyo Olympics.

Journalists: Ana Dumbadze, Vazha Tavberidze, Tony Hanmer, Emil Avdaliani, Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Michael Godwin, Ketevan Skhirtladze Photographer: Aleksei Serov

His future sports career will be discussed later by the relevant sports organizations.”

WRESTLING On August 4, on behalf of Georgia, Georgian recordholder,heavyweightLashaTalakhadze

Website Manager/Editor: Katie Ruth Davies Layout: Misha Mchedlishvili Webmaster: Sergey Gevenov Circulation Managers: David Kerdikashvili, David Djandjgava

won the gold medal. He lifted 245 kg and scored a total of 488 points, setting another world record. Talakhadze has set three world weightlifting records and is well on his way to becoming the first two-time Olympic champion in Georgia’s history.

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