20 minute read
NEWS
from Issue #1335
Corona Updates: Omicron Strain Enters Downward Phase in Georgia
Image source: Netgazeti
Advertisement
BY ANA DUMBADZE
In Georgia, this week was marked with high numbers of newly detected Coronavirus cases and related deaths. However, health offi cials say that the peak of the Omicron strain has already entered its downward phase.
“The Omicron peak in Georgia has passed, but the current week will give a more precise picture,” Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabunia said on Wednesday. “The number of daily positive cases will likely shrink by the end of the month,” she projected, adding that coronavirus testing is no longer needed following isolation.
Amiran Gamkrelidze, Head of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), welcomed the stabilizing situation, but noted that wearing facemasks and vaccination remain as among the most effi cient measures of protection against Covid-19.
He noted that facemask wearing, both indoors and out, would be compulsory for a long time.
“There is a viewpoint that coronavirus may turn into an endemic seasonal infection. We should watch and remain cautious,” he said.
In recognition of the stabilizing situation in the country, the Coordination Council ruled that the clubbing industry will be able to resume operations from March 5-6, although only 60% of the maximum capacity will be allowed to enter the venues.
BY TEAM GT
Possible aggression by Russia toward the sovereign nation of Ukraine has been one of the most actively discussed topics in the panels of global affairs and international relations of late.
President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people have been in the global spotlight in messages of solidarity to prevent a devastating war and maintain peace at the very borders of NATO and the European Union.
Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, Irakli Kobakhidze recated to the global issue by noting that while they support Ukraine, Georgia’s response will depend on how events unfold.
“The starting point for us is the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. These are the principles by which we will be guided. We will observe the events as they unfold and take respective steps,” the GD Chair said, adding that he has no current plans to visit Ukraine. “I am not going to visit Ukraine. We are watching events and depending on how they unfold, we will make a specifi c decision. We will decide on any step according to the developments, be it a visit or a statement. We have expressed a very loud position in our resolution regarding the current events in Ukraine,” he said.
The GD Chairman also noted that all efforts were being made to ensure the security of Georgian citizens in Ukraine.
“Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement addressing Georgian citizens in Ukraine. Of course, we will do our best to ensure the safety of our citizens when needed,” he said.
“Given the high probability of further escalation in Ukraine, the Embassy of Georgia in Kyiv and the Georgian consulates in the cities of Odessa and Donetsk (with residence in Kyiv) have switched to an emergency working regime. A hotline has been set up for the citizens of Georgia in Ukraine: +380 (63) 376 77 68; +380 (93) 761 17 17. Georgia’s diplomatic representations keep constant communication with Georgian citizens in Ukraine and urge them to take into account the diffi cult security situation on the ground.”
At the same time, the US and the EU member states have called on their citizens to leave the territory of Ukraine.
THE RUSSIAN MILITARY
Russia on Wednesday said military drills in Moscow-annexed Crimea had ended and that soldiers were returning to their garrisons.
“Units of the Southern Military District, having completed their participation in tactical exercises, are moving to their permanent deployment points,” Moscow’s defense ministry said in a statement.
State television showed images of military units crossing a bridge linking the Russia-controlled peninsula to the mainland.
It comes a day after Moscow said it was pulling back some of the troops deployed at its neighbor’s borders.
However, Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden, remain concerned that Russia could still launch an attack on Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Russia should withdraw all troops from the Ukrainian border.
“We have a rule: do not believe what you hear, believe what you see. When we see that Russia is withdrawing its forces, we will believe in de-escalation,” he said. THE STATISTICS
Georgia reported 4,028 coronavirus cases, 22,517 recoveries, and 21 deaths on Monday. However, the NCDC’s Amiran Gamkrelidze that afternoon announced the number of coronavirus cases confi rmed on Monday, which was displayed on the website, did not refl ect the reality.
“The shown infection fi gure does not refl ect the real situation as we have a high positive rate, somewhere around 40%. The portal was being updated over the weekend and there was some technical work and not all data could be uploaded to the portal. We cannot judge by today’s numbers. Tomorrow the data will be updated, which includes both Sunday and Monday’s cases,” he said.
Georgia reported 19,049 coronavirus cases, 18,409 recoveries, and 51 deaths on Tuesday. Georgian capital Tbilisi recorded the highest number of 8972 Covid-19 cases, followed by the Imereti region with 2854 cases, and the Adjara region with 1317 cases.
Georgia reported 15,315 coronavirus cases, 10,894 recoveries, and 55 deaths on Wednesday. Tbilisi recorded 7055 cases, followed by Adjara with 2960 cases and Imereti with 2233 cases.
Georgia reported 15,644 coronavirus cases, 24,110 recoveries, and 46 deaths on Thursday. Tbilisi recorded the highest at 7574 cases within 24 hours, followed by the Imereti region with 2342 cases, and the Adjara region with 1109 cases.
The daily test-positivity rate now stands at 29.57%, down from 32.01% in the past 14 days. Georgia’s total case tally reached 1,511,800, among which 1,324,172 people recovered and 15,729 died.
As of 17 February, 2,787,627 people had received a Covid-19 vaccine.
THE CASES WORLDWIDE
The World Health Organization says just over 16 million new Covid-19 infections were reported globally last week, dropping by 19% week-on-week, while recorded deaths remain stable at around 75,000 deaths last week.
The organization noted that all other coronavirus variants, including Alpha, Beta and Delta, continue to decline globally as Omicron crowds them out.
WHO said the BA.2 version of Omicron appears to be “steadily increasing” with its prevalence having risen in South Africa, Denmark, the UK and other countries, Al Jazeera reported.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the acute phase of the pandemic could end by the middle of the year if about 70% of the world gets vaccinated.
HONG KONG
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday there were no plans for a citywide lockdown in the global fi nancial hub but "surrendering to the virus" was not an option, as authorities battle a surge of Covid-19 infections.
RUSSIA
The highest number of new cases was seen in Russia this week. Cases there and elsewhere in Eastern Europe doubled, driven by a surge of the hugely infectious Omicron variant.
EUROPE
In Europe, coronavirus case numbers slightly dropped in Germany, and the government plans to loosen restrictions.
THE US
Washington D.C. will no longer require people to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination to enter businesses.
Head of “Green Diamond Project” Jihad Chakir on Earthquake Safety
INTERVIEW BY MARIAM MTIVLISHVILI
Afew days ago a 6.2 (ML) earthquake hit Georgia. Strong tremors were felt countrywide, causing fear among the population. GEORGIA TODAY talked to Jihad Chakir, head of the largest construction companies Green Diamond Project and Macro Construction, about how safe their residents are in their homes, how well the construction companies comply with the regulations when they are constructing new estates, and whether our citizens have a reason to fear this and other safety details.
“The buildings of "Green Diamond" are constructed entirely in accordance with seismic regulations and are designed for earthquakes of magnitude 8 (ML),” Chakir tells us. “Compliance with all the conditions provided by the regulations is ensured in line with the applicable laws. Even before starting construction, a geophysical survey is conducted on the entire construction site at the design phase, and within the boundaries of each building block, a seismic and specifi c resistance measurement is made, and only then the project is begun. The second phase of the "Green Diamond" residential complex has already been completed and more than 600 families already live there. Protection is among the main priorities of our company,” he says.
TELL US WHAT TECHNICAL DETAILS ENSURE THE SEISMIC RESISTANCE OF THE BUILDINGS.
High strength concrete of C 30 category is used at the foundations and on all fl oors.
A reinforced concrete carcass system is used in the project. All vertical bearing elements in residential buildings are constructed with reinforced concrete, and walls are also reinforced concrete, designed following the conditions of “Systems for which all earthquake impacts are carried by reinforced concrete walls.” Building foundations are arranged as massive raft foundations, meaning the full concrete foundation is reinforced.
A tunnel formwork construction method is used in taller buildings and others are constructed using the monolith system.
In the Green Diamond Project, buildings are designed completely in compliance with the earthquake regulations. All conditions required by the regulation are provided for. Geophysical studies under each block and resistivity measurements and seismic breaking measurements are done in the whole area.
In the Green Diamond Project, roofs, fl oors, walls and ceilings are insulated. Furthermore, earth sand lightening rods are installed.
Russia’s Political and Military Demarche: More Explicitly on Its Separate Aspects. Part II
BY VICTOR KIPIANI, GEOCASE CHAIRMAN
Apressing issue for Georgia now is a speedy transformation of a lukewarm activity of the West into a proactive one. Russia’s demarche and its far-reaching implications virtually eliminate a possibility for our partners to continue staying in a “comfort zone” in post-Soviet space. The West – as we have historically known it and accepted by publicly declaring it as a modern Georgian civilizational choice in the 1990s – must take a principled decision now. In particular, it must decide whether it continues only making supportive, at this stage already out of context statements and declarations, providing targeted fi nancial injections and relatively limited programs for strengthening our defense capacity or turns around this rather dull, not-oriented-ontangible-result process to save our country from falling into a geopolitical abyss. Keeping the Georgia issue “hanging” for various reasons, leaving it untouched because of infl uence of actual “red lines,” giving one and the same excuses for not taking “risky” decisions, etc., make the West an involuntary accomplice in the Russian scenario. This might explain the Kremlin’s moderate tolerance of proWestern initiatives as well as Western infl uence in Russia’s neighborhood until a dividing line critical to Russia’s “vital interests” is not crossed. It should be noted, however, that by its recent demarch, Russia has already crossed this line. This, in turn, will now force the West, unexpectedly for it or at an inconvenient for it time, to drag itself out of geopolitical lethargy and take a principled position in relation to Georgia and even more so, demonstrate that by deeds because the expression of support through “impressive words” or “targeted programs” will, leaving aside unpleasant historical parallels, be assessed as, at least, hypocritical fl irtation; even more, a historical opportunity to strengthen its position in the region for the West and a full realization of its choice for Georgia, will be reduced to future abstraction.
A NEED TO BE SAID
We will refrain from more specifi c recommendations or sound advice and would also ask others to refrain from boldly giving any either. Taking about security, regional challenges and international positioning of our country is such a responsible action that it may take place only in such a discursive regime that is free from taboos and restrictions as well as benign “exclusivity” and is oriented on persuading or dissuading by reasoning and discussion. It is also necessary to conduct discussion of such sensitive topic (without infringing permissible openness and public interest) without the involvement of media. This will only benefi t the quality of discussion and improve the qualifi cation of discussants.
The above few reservations serve the aim to free us from restraining ourselves to express opinions and to argue.
Let’s start with the fact that the extraordinary geopolitical order around our country requires communication with our partners and stakeholders in an extraordinary regime. We must know what they want! They must know what we want! We must know what we expect and demand from one another! Such communication allows not to mince words and this may be even inevitable. Without a direct, comprehensive, sometimes uncompromised or reasonably compromised exchange of opinions it is impossible to act in a manner that is pragmatic, consistent and tailored to national interests.
In conversation with its partners, Georgia must necessarily establish a practice of receiving direct answers to direct questions: how and in what timeframe, in particular, is the West ready to formally complete the process of integration with us? Does it face an objectively obstructing barrier? Is it able to overcome it and what are we required to do for that?
These and other questions can, of course, be further elaborated. The key is not to shy away from raising those questions and receiving answers to them – one cannot imagine a true partnership otherwise.
Along with direct communication means it is necessary to employ all channels, that are available and have not been used so far, at every level - be it personal, quasi-institutional or any other. That is how a modern “transactional” politics is, unfortunately (?), done; thus, less “traditionalism” in approaches and more skilled improvisation for the aim of national security!
Among numerous noteworthy aspects there is one in modern relationship, which sounds in the following way: to be a player, you have to be a payer. In short, the meaning of this phrase is that a necessary balance in relationship can only be achieved by reciprocity. Thus, knowing what we can give, we should also know what they can give to us – what are the resources and willingness for that. Otherwise, it will be diffi cult to make a result-oriented advancement in any relationship.
ESCALATION OR DEESCALATION?
By the time of fi nishing this paper, both possibilities are theoretically equal. Clearly, if we apply conscientious diplomatic principles (which will not cite a further escalation as an excuse and threaten with “thwarting negotiations”), the crisis can be overcome through reasonable mutual compromise. It is also a fact that concrete parameters of possible resolution of the crisis are unknown for the moment, but the US State Department has already outlined some of them. In any case, the Western world and especially, the United States as well as the Russian Federation must be driven by two motives for negotiations. One is a threat of kinetic confrontation which in case of degrading, intentionally or unintentionally, into a nuclear confl ict will automatically exclude winners and losers. Another is that a disagreement between Americans and Russians will further strengthen China’s global infl uence, which is not in either a declared interest of Washington or undeclared interest of Moscow.
It is equally important to note that in the relations with Russia, the West will have to recall the experience of the Cold War: the created situation and its possible development does not, unfortunately, leave any other option. Furthermore, to better match own capacities with desires, the Western partners will have to take into account two very important factors regarding Russia. One is a “merger” of European economic structure with that of Russia as well as the infl uence of Russian money on Western political and business circles. It will not be easy to loosen this interdependence, but without a proper regulation of this issue the West will fi nd it diffi cult to improve a geopolitical weather.
We would like to add yet another opinion to the topicality of this factor. For example, in talks by the West with Georgia (as well as with Ukraine) about socalled de facto Russian veto, we must take into account one very important circumstance. In particular, by submitting the Western political and business
processes to Russian economic infl uence, does the West itself involuntarily facilitate the effectiveness of Russian de facto veto? Could it be that the strengthening of Moscow’s decisive vote with regard to its neighborhood has been facilitated, inter alia, by a fact that the freedom of decision making by the West has been signifi cantly restricted as a result of the abovementioned “merger”? Another factor, which is rather peculiar and serious, is Russia’s “asymmetric advantage” vis-a-vis the West – to achieve its goal, Russia does not basically and traditionally spare its own human, military or civil resources. In short, the key actors of the demarche discussed here and along with them, our country, have entered a new and very dangerous phase of geopolitical game. The entry into this phase has further complicated objectives of the Georgian state. The load of several most principled challenges faced by us has been increased by yet another, very weighty challenge: the challenge to succeed that the issues related to the fate of Georgia are not decided without our involvement. Under current conditions, this is an extremely diffi cult task. It must also be said say that if it is possible today to speak about even a tiny positive effect produced by the Russian demarche, it is precisely the triggering of discussions on rather uncomfortable but extremely principled questions raised in this very paper. The closer the culmination of events approaches, the higher the topicality of these issues. Political News of the Week at Home and Abroad
Continued from page 2
RECOGNIZING DONETSK AND LUHANSK
In Russia this week, the State Duma supported a draft resolution on the recognition of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics.”
The Duma considered two drafts- one submitted by the Communist Party and another by United Russia. The document submitted by United Russia provided for consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the one submitted by the Communist Party envisaged sending it to the President directly.
The document prepared by the Communist Party was supported by 351 deputies, 16 went against, one abstained. The version submitted by United Russia was supported by 310 deputies. As a result, the document of the Communist Party was selected. As such, the appeal of the chairman of the lower house of the Russian Parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, for recognition of the independence of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics will be sent directly to the Russian President.
GEORGIAN DELEGATION VISITS THE UK
A Georgian parliamentary delegation paid a visit to the United Kingdom this week, and on February 11, participated in a Round Table of the Council on Geostrategy in London to discuss the situation in the region and the cooperation between Georgia and Great Britain.
“At the meeting with the British experts on defense and security issues, and with the academic circles and analytical organizations, we overviewed the situation in Ukraine, in the wider region, and the risks in the Black Sea basin. We discussed the Britain-Georgia cooperation prospects in defense and security and regional cooperation in general. We will introduce these recommendations to the Georgian Government and consider them upon the planning of our further activity,” the First Deputy Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Giorgi Khelashvili, stated.
During the visit, Georgian MPs met with the Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Richard Burge.
According to the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Nikoloz Samkharadze, the parties discussed the investment potential and capacity of Georgia.
“London is one of the key fi nancial hubs of the world with more than 400,000 businesses registered and paying VAT. It is a city of the greatest opportunities and, hence, we discussed the investment capacity of Georgia and informed Mr. Burge about the tax remissions Georgia established for foreign investors. We agreed to host the Delegation from the Chamber of Commerce as the pandemic allows, to introduce the investment potential of Georgia,” he stated.
The Parliamentary Delegation is composed of MPs Nikoloz Samkharadze, Nino Tsilosani, Giorgi Khelashvili, and Teona Akubardia, and the Chief of the Speaker’s Cabinet, Levan Makhashvili. Saakashvili was also the topic of the news this week. Nika Gvaramia, Saakashvili’s lawyer, said the third president had been recognized as a “victim” by the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Offi ce.
He noted that they are thus investigating the actions of Georgian law enforcers against Saakashvili, and says they already confi rmed what was done to him, and now the only thing left is to identify the accused.
“Mikheil Saakashvili is recognized as a victim by Ukraine, with excessive use of force having been used against him. There is a fact, there is a victim, the only step that needs to be taken is to identify the accused, and, most likely, it will be the Georgian law enforcement agencies and maybe not only the law enforcement agencies, high offi cials and not only high offi cials,” Gvaramia said.
Mikheil Saakashvili, a citizen of Ukraine, was arrested in October last year after returning to Georgia.
GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE
Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, this week appointed Givi Tumanishvili as Chief of Staff at the National Security Council (NSC).
The NSC Offi ce provides information, analytical data, and organizational support to the National Security Council of Georgia. Identifi cation, assessment, analysis, and forecasting of threats and challenges are among the key directions of the Offi ce.
The PM wished success to the newlyappointed offi cial and highlighted the signifi cance borne by the effective performance of the NSC.
Givi Tumanishvili served as Head of the Analytics Directorate at the Intelligence Service of Georgia from 2019, while working in various positions within the Military Intelligence Department of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia.
The Legal Issues Committee started the hearing of candidates Emzar Gagnidze and Karlo Katsitadze, nominated by the Prime Minister for the vacant position of Chief of the Special Investigation Service.
“We will have questions to both candidates concerning their professionalism and experience, as well as their plans and visions. This process is maximally transparent and allows our society to observe the hearings,” Chair of the Committee Anri Okhanashvili stated.
After the hearing, the candidates will be voted for at the plenary session. Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure, the Parliament elects the SIS Chief with a majority of full composition to a term of 6 years.
On December 30, 2021, the changes introduced to the Law on State Inspector Service and the Law on Personal Data Protection entailed the establishment of two independent agencies – Special Investigation Service, and Personal Data Protection Service.
FOR GEORGIA MEMBER MADE CITY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN IN ZUGDIDI
supported by the United National Movement. The Georgian Dream party did not take part in the vote.
Members of the party “For Georgia” also became chairmen of the Rustavi, Chkhorotsku and Tsalenjikha City Councils.
“This is a process of ending the oneparty rule of the Georgian Dream in the municipalities. Chairs and high positions are not a priority for us. The election of Giga Parulava in Zugdidi is good for the people of Zugdidi in the fi rst place because he is a representative of a party that can compromise for citizens,” said Natia Mezvrishvili, member of For Georgia.
“With consistent politics of compromise, our political party ‘For Georgia’ has begun changes and the end of Georgian Dream’s one-party rule in Georgia by winning chairmanship in four municipal Councils- proof that doing politics without radicalism and boycott is possible and brings change,” she added.
MP STATUS SUSPENDED FOR 3 OPPOSITION MPS
In Tbilisi, the Georgian parliament approved the suspension of MP status for opposition politicians Elene Khoshtaria, Shalva Natelashvili and Badri Japaridze, and former Speaker Kakha Kuchava.
Kakha Kuchava, the Former Speaker of the Parliament, had his mandate terminated on the basis of a personal statement.
The grounds for termination of the mandates of Elene Khoshtaria and Shalva Natelashvili was their absence from plenary sessions, while Badri Japaridze lost his mandate due to the guilty verdict against him issued by Tbilisi City Court.
