Protests in Georgia against Saakashvili

[Armenum]

So yet again, protests rock the country of Georgia. Many of these protesters also accusing the US for propping up and defending Saakashvili who they are blaming for his autocratic rule. It is funny to sometimes hear how Western sources have glorified the "Democratic nature" of Georgia when in fact the country under Saakashvili has often slipped to the autocratic rule that people protested against during the colour revolution of 2003, also called the "Rose Revolution". Hopefully, the people of Georgia can get a more competent government that is not an outpost of the United States as its situated right next to Russia.

Georgia opposition calls for Day of Rage protest

TBILISI | Sun May 22, 2011 11:57am EDT
(Reuters) - A Georgian opposition party called for a "Day of Rage" Wednesday to try to force President Mikheil Saakashvili to resign after police used teargas and rubber bullets against protesters in the capital.

The protesters, who numbered around 10,000 Saturday, accuse Saakashvili of imposing autocratic rule on the former Soviet republic that sits on energy transit routes from the Caspian to western Europe.

Echoing language used to rally protesters in the uprisings in the Arab world, Sozar Subari, chairman of the opposition Georgian Party, said: "We are calling our supporters to come to the rally on May 25 and we call this day 'Day of Rage'."

He told a news conference Sunday the state was using its power against its own people.

An Interior Ministry spokesman said the police had intervened when a group of 10 protesters started smashing the windows of a police car with metal poles. Protesters had camped out in Tbilisi overnight.

"Police used teargas and rubber bullets against that aggressive group of protesters ... There was no intention to disperse the rally," spokesman Shota Utiashvili said.

Protesters said a group of them attacked the police car because they wanted to release an activist who had been detained. Independent Maestro television reported that one woman was taken to hospital.

By early evening, 2,000 people gathered near TV building in Tbilisi to hear about what further action was planned.

"Our doors are open to other opposition political parties. We expect that more people will join our protest and this regime will be over very soon," Nino Burjanadze, former Saakashvili ally and parliament speaker, told the crowd.

Former defense minister Irakly Okruashvili -- who is wanted by Georgian authorities and is in exile in Paris -- promised to return to Georgia on May 25 to join his Georgian Party colleagues.

"I can promise you two things -- that I will be in Georgia on May 25 and that this day will be the last one for this government," Okruashvili told Maestro television.

The rally would be on the day before Georgia marks its 20th anniversary of independence Thursday.

Opponents of the pro-Western Saakashvili accuse him of monopolising power since the 2003 "Rose Revolution" that ousted the post-Soviet old guard in the Caucasus state.

Weakened by the brief war with Russia in 2008, Saakashvili has since reasserted control, aided by an ineffective and patchy opposition.

Reuters

This is day before:



Watch video for more current protest
http://www.euronews.net/2011/05/22/p...rgian-protest/

[Gromovnik]

No fly zone?

[Armenum]

No fly zone?

Not for good old democracy leader Saakashvili...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

also called Western Puppet

[Gromovnik]

I wonder if he'll eat his tie again, that was hilarious.

[Salvatorel]

Well,in fact situation is rather interesting here,everybody hates Saakashvili,but... you got it,opposition is even nastier,so we get an interesting balance,resulting in almost total indifference.
As for the issues mentioned in the article,I must say that they are mostly true and includeand are not limited to:
-Monopolising almost all TV channels,as a result we have several "private" TV stations with almost identical set,that are even worse than Soviet media,prasing non existant successes 24/7.
-Spending taxpayer money and foreign aid and loans on things that have absolutely no purpose except satisfying one man's(who apparently happens to be Saakashvili) caprices(like total "Batumisation",financing concerts by Andrea Boccelli and other popular entertainers from so called President's fund that is financed directly from the state treasury,building new presidential residention when the old one was in a very good condition,etc)
-Selling almost everything in the name of liberal market policies(to the persons who happen to be surprisingly close to the regime)
-Human rights abuses,occassional cases of police brutality,selective justice(detention of opposition activists,infamous "Girgvliani case",total ignorance of prisoners' rights...)
-Questionable selection of government cadres,for example current minister for economy worked as an accountant in pizzeria in Canada and in her father's bakery,wrote false information in her official CV about her having worked for a Canadian TV station and being a graduate of St.George's(if I recall it correctly) college and even worse,along with being clearly incompetent,she can't even speak proper Georgian.
-Total disrespect for Georgian culture and language(and I don't mean pseudo "culture" like stuffing foreign guests with Khachapuri filled with salted pasta,chasing Russian girls and drunkeness),like abolition of the chamber of Georgian language,promotion of English over Georgian,abolition of the law that made using Georgian language on the sign and billboards compulsory(and as a result, if you don't know English or Turkish you can forget that there is a grocery near your home if you live in a neighborhood considered as "posh".)
-Monopolisation of the economy via one man "companies" registered in off-shore zones.
-Widening income gap,rising prices and inflation...
But despite all above mentioned problems,I don't think that existing opposition has any chance,because:
-It mostly consists of former loyal servants of the regime,who are as hated as the government(Irakli Okruashvili,father of Misha's repressive apparatus,Nino Burjanadze,former speaker of the parliament,Gachechiladze brothers,one being one of the chief campaigners for Saakashvili in 2003-04 and other opposition propagandist during Shevardnadze's presidency...)
-They have no clearly defined ideology,only thing they say is: "Misha must go" and they have no answer on the question: "what are you going to do after Misha steps down?" or "How are you going to fulfill promises you are making?"
-They are quite discredited in the eyes of people,especially after the scandal involving the Gachechiladze brothers,who supposedly took money from the government.
-They are disunited.
Anyway I'm staying here and going to continue following the news(alongside of sipping my coffee and playing on Kongregate)

[Pavlik the Rus]

Well,in fact situation is rather interesting here,everybody hates Saakashvili,but... you got it,opposition is even nastier,so we get an interesting balance,resulting in almost total indifference.
As for the issues mentioned in the article,I must say that they are mostly true and includeand are not limited to:
-Monopolising almost all TV channels,as a result we have several "private" TV stations with almost identical set,that are even worse than Soviet media,prasing non existant successes 24/7.
-Spending taxpayer money and foreign aid and loans on things that have absolutely no purpose except satisfying one man's(who apparently happens to be Saakashvili) caprices(like total "Batumisation",financing concerts by Andrea Boccelli and other popular entertainers from so called President's fund that is financed directly from the state treasury,building new presidential residention when the old one was in a very good condition,etc)
-Selling almost everything in the name of liberal market policies(to the persons who happen to be surprisingly close to the regime)
-Human rights abuses,occassional cases of police brutality,selective justice(detention of opposition activists,infamous "Girgvliani case",total ignorance of prisoners' rights...)
-Questionable selection of government cadres,for example current minister for economy worked as an accountant in pizzeria in Canada and in her father's bakery,wrote false information in her official CV about her having worked for a Canadian TV station and being a graduate of St.George's(if I recall it correctly) college and even worse,along with being clearly incompetent,she can't even speak proper Georgian.
-Total disrespect for Georgian culture and language(and I don't mean pseudo "culture" like stuffing foreign guests with Khachapuri filled with salted pasta,chasing Russian girls and drunkeness),like abolition of the chamber of Georgian language,promotion of English over Georgian,abolition of the law that made using Georgian language on the sign and billboards compulsory(and as a result, if you don't know English or Turkish you can forget that there is a grocery near your home if you live in a neighborhood considered as "posh".)
-Monopolisation of the economy via one man "companies" registered in off-shore zones.
-Widening income gap,rising prices and inflation...
But despite all above mentioned problems,I don't think that existing opposition has any chance,because:
-It mostly consists of former loyal servants of the regime,who are as hated as the government(Irakli Okruashvili,father of Misha's repressive apparatus,Nino Burjanadze,former speaker of the parliament,Gachechiladze brothers,one being one of the chief campaigners for Saakashvili in 2003-04 and other opposition propagandist during Shevardnadze's presidency...)
-They have no clearly defined ideology,only thing they say is: "Misha must go" and they have no answer on the question: "what are you going to do after Misha steps down?" or "How are you going to fulfill promises you are making?"
-They are quite discredited in the eyes of people,especially after the scandal involving the Gachechiladze brothers,who supposedly took money from the government.
-They are disunited.
Anyway I'm staying here and going to continue following the news(alongside of sipping my coffee and playing on Kongregate)

Heh, if i'll change "Misha" to "Vova" the sence of this words will be the same. Country and details are different, but in general, situation the same. Situation with oposition especcialy... sadly...

Look, our Ukrainean anti-Russian fans constatly tells the stories abot huge achievements of modern Georgian goverment in their fighting against corruption. But i can not found nothing, not in Rusian, not in Ukrainean. How about real situation? Better? Worse?

[Salvatorel]

Heh, if i'll change "Misha" to "Vova" the sence of this words will be the same. Country and details are different, but in general, situation the same. Situation with oposition especcialy... sadly...

Look, our Ukrainean anti-Russian fans constatly tells the stories abot huge achievements of modern Georgian goverment in their fighting against corruption. But i can not found nothing, not in Rusian, not in Ukrainean. How about real situation? Better? Worse?

Real situation? well,I really can't call it good,you can live(or exist,especially true for rural population and many people who live in smaller towns),but not in the way our Ukrainian friends think we do,as for achievements related to elimination of corruption,yes,it's indeed true that petty corruption,like street cops taking small bribes is mostly eliminated,but as long as it's about bribing higher officials(and I mean high officials,not some deputy ministers and petty bureaucrats) everything is as it used to be.

[4th Regiment]

Well,in fact situation is rather interesting here,everybody hates Saakashvili,but... you got it,opposition is even nastier,so we get an interesting balance,resulting in almost total indifference.
As for the issues mentioned in the article,I must say that they are mostly true and includeand are not limited to:
-Monopolising almost all TV channels,as a result we have several "private" TV stations with almost identical set,that are even worse than Soviet media,prasing non existant successes 24/7.
-Spending taxpayer money and foreign aid and loans on things that have absolutely no purpose except satisfying one man's(who apparently happens to be Saakashvili) caprices(like total "Batumisation",financing concerts by Andrea Boccelli and other popular entertainers from so called President's fund that is financed directly from the state treasury,building new presidential residention when the old one was in a very good condition,etc)
-Selling almost everything in the name of liberal market policies(to the persons who happen to be surprisingly close to the regime)
-Human rights abuses,occassional cases of police brutality,selective justice(detention of opposition activists,infamous "Girgvliani case",total ignorance of prisoners' rights...)
-Questionable selection of government cadres,for example current minister for economy worked as an accountant in pizzeria in Canada and in her father's bakery,wrote false information in her official CV about her having worked for a Canadian TV station and being a graduate of St.George's(if I recall it correctly) college and even worse,along with being clearly incompetent,she can't even speak proper Georgian.
-Total disrespect for Georgian culture and language(and I don't mean pseudo "culture" like stuffing foreign guests with Khachapuri filled with salted pasta,chasing Russian girls and drunkeness),like abolition of the chamber of Georgian language,promotion of English over Georgian,abolition of the law that made using Georgian language on the sign and billboards compulsory(and as a result, if you don't know English or Turkish you can forget that there is a grocery near your home if you live in a neighborhood considered as "posh".)
-Monopolisation of the economy via one man "companies" registered in off-shore zones.
-Widening income gap,rising prices and inflation...
But despite all above mentioned problems,I don't think that existing opposition has any chance,because:
-It mostly consists of former loyal servants of the regime,who are as hated as the government(Irakli Okruashvili,father of Misha's repressive apparatus,Nino Burjanadze,former speaker of the parliament,Gachechiladze brothers,one being one of the chief campaigners for Saakashvili in 2003-04 and other opposition propagandist during Shevardnadze's presidency...)
-They have no clearly defined ideology,only thing they say is: "Misha must go" and they have no answer on the question: "what are you going to do after Misha steps down?" or "How are you going to fulfill promises you are making?"
-They are quite discredited in the eyes of people,especially after the scandal involving the Gachechiladze brothers,who supposedly took money from the government.
-They are disunited.
Anyway I'm staying here and going to continue following the news(alongside of sipping my coffee and playing on Kongregate)

Heh, if i'll change "Misha" to "Vova" the sence of this words will be the same. Country and details are different, but in general, situation the same. Situation with oposition especcialy... sadly...

Rep+ for Salvatorel and his detailed info.

Well, Russia is big and independent country, so I would not make this comparation (apart from corruption, which is endemic in former communist countries), but all Serbian members here can assure you it is 100% indentical situation like in Serbia with pro western puppet goverment in power since 2000. Well, tehnically, both came to power in same manner (with Serbian "Otpor" activists even training Georgian, and latter Ukrainian activists) and are supported and working for same center..About week/crap opposition (in Serbia and other former Yugoslavian republics, is the same) it is part of the same project....to make people apphatic..there is not hope/reason to fight...Same crap here...in every single sentence you made. Only difference is - there is no single "bad guy Misha" but whole network of Mishas...Georgian system is 1.0 (imperfection is - you can mobilize peoples anger, to fight against that single bad guy), but Serbia has advanced 2.0 neocolonial puppet system, where even that is not possible...

[Rex Germanius]

It appears that the revolutionary wave that swept over the Arab world has washed its way into Europe. Any thoughts that this may spread to Russia?

[Acco]

It appears that the revolutionary wave that swept over the Arab world has washed its way into Europe. Any thoughts that this may spread to Russia?

There have been protests against Saakashvili long before the events in the Middle East.

[Rex Germanius]

There have been protests against Saakashvili long before the events in the Middle East.

Naturally. However, is it not plausible that the Arab Spring caused, at least in part, these particular protests?

Georgia should follow the foreign policy of complying multiple sides. The should keep good relations with both Russia and the West. They can still continue to integrate with EU, but hold good relations with both Russia and US. Given they are at the front door of Russia, maybe it's not a good idea to be so vocal on strategic ties with the West. Because of Saakashvili's idiocy, Georgia lost Abkhazia and S. Ossetia forever.

Armenia, for example, holds close relations with Russia, EU, Iran, United States, and Georgia. Though our strategic relations are with Russia (for good reason), we pursue active integration with EU and hold close political ties with EU. We also hold good economic relations with Iran and even better relations, especially economically, with Georgia. We actively participate in NATO exercises and have ones in Armenia as well. Meetings and cooperation with US is close. Of course, our foreign policy is not perfect, but in my view, given the region we are in, and the complicated webs of alliances and animosities, this is the best approach.

I'm not sure if I'm using this phrase correctly, but you're arguing apples and oranges. Armenia's and Georgia's respective strategic and political positions with their neighbours are somewhat different. It is possible that Georgia meets more difficulty in fostering close relations with the West and Russia.

[Carpathian Wolf]

Very good. This guy is a joke. Hopefully Georgia can get a strong ruler not relying on the west OR Russia.

[Lord Zhang Ku]

Georgia is in no position to do so carpatian wolf. The nation of Georgia is smack dab in between 3 regional powers, the Russians, the Turks, and the Iranians. Without the West's support, one of these nations would have to back the Geaorgians. The Russians hate them, so none of that. The Iranians are a theocracy technically, so no support there. The only support they can really get is from Turkey or the West.

[(s)AINT]

Russia should invade and annex.

[Kanaric]

Russia should invade and annex.

Their infamy score is too high.


Seriously, this is not EU3 Russia can't just annex a country like its the 1800s.

[(s)AINT]

Their infamy score is too high.


Seriously, this is not EU3 Russia can't just annex a country like its the 1800s.

You thought I was being serious?>

[Seether]

Their infamy score is too high.

+rep for EU3 reference

Seriously, this is not EU3 Russia can't just annex a country like its the 1800s.

If they were inclined to take over Georgia, who would stop them? Seriously, what foreign powers would do anything to help Georgia under threat from a Russian invasion? The US stood by and did nothing the last time Russia invaded, so why would a future invasion be any different?

[Armenum]

Georgia should follow the foreign policy of complying multiple sides. The should keep good relations with both Russia and the West. They can still continue to integrate with EU, but hold good relations with both Russia and US. Given they are at the front door of Russia, maybe it's not a good idea to be so vocal on strategic ties with the West. Because of Saakashvili's idiocy, Georgia lost Abkhazia and S. Ossetia forever.

Armenia, for example, holds close relations with Russia, EU, Iran, United States, and Georgia. Though our strategic relations are with Russia (for good reason), we pursue active integration with EU and hold close political ties with EU. We also hold good economic relations with Iran and even better relations, especially economically, with Georgia. We actively participate in NATO exercises and have ones in Armenia as well. Meetings and cooperation with US is close. Of course, our foreign policy is not perfect, but in my view, given the region we are in, and the complicated webs of alliances and animosities, this is the best approach.

Europe Day celebrated in Armenia
21.05.2011 19:09
Hasmik Dilanyan
“Radiolur”

The Europe Day was celebrated today at Yerevan’s Lovers Park. “The europea Day is one of the most important symbols of the European Union. We avail ourselves of the opportunity to celebrate the Europe day in Yerevan. We hope that all participants, especially the youth, will enjoy the event and will get additional information about the European Union,” Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Raul de Luzenberger said.

On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organized Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.

This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.

Today, the 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.

Armenia is part of Europe, Raul de Luzenberger says. According to him, “Armenia is a middle-income country and is our neighbor. We try to have good relations with all our friends including Armenia. Armenia is Europe. It is a member of the Council of Europe and shares our universal values from the point of view of democracy, human rights and rule of law.”

[Armenum]

I'm not sure if I'm using this phrase correctly, but you're arguing apples and oranges. Armenia's and Georgia's respective strategic and political positions with their neighbours are somewhat different. It is possible that Georgia meets more difficulty in fostering close relations with the West and Russia.

Well, I'm not saying for Georgia to adopt Armenia's foreign policy, I'm just giving an example of the notion that a country can have good relations on multiple dimensions. It doesn't have to be an outpost of the US, for example, to succeed.

[Salvatorel]

Georgia should follow the foreign policy of complying multiple sides. The should keep good relations with both Russia and the West. They can still continue to integrate with EU, but hold good relations with both Russia and US. Given they are at the front door of Russia, maybe it's not a good idea to be so vocal on strategic ties with the West. Because of Saakashvili's idiocy, Georgia lost Abkhazia and S. Ossetia forever.

Whatever goes,Saakashvili's blind,almost fanboyish attitude towards the USA and Europe is indeed disastrous for Georgia,as for balanced foreign politics... well,I fear now it's too late as there is no "reset" button in politics.

interesting article because i had just read this article a few days ago



http://www.eurasianet.org/node/63495

This article has some pieces of truth,but still,achievements of Georgian "civil society" are quite exaggerated,for example:

But some civic activism, at a very local level, is taking place, underlined Ketevan Vashakidze, country director for the Eurasia Partnership Foundation in Georgia, which has financed some $80 million worth of civil society projects in Georgia since 1992. V

They've either wasted that money or are exaggerating,only things they have achieved so far are several liberal leaning magazines(read by a very few people) and a couple of obscure human rights organisations(about which nobody has ever heard about).