Moscow and Tbilisi ties begin from economy and culture

By Vestnik Kavkaza

The new prime minister of Georgia began his work this week. Bidzina Ivanishvili stated that he needs one more week for composing the cabinet; two weeks later he plans to make the first official visit abroad, probably to Brussels.

Yesterday the leader of the movement “Georgia’s Voice for Fair Elections” Teimuraz Shengelia expressed his view on the situation in Georgia. Shengelia called members of the new government “prominent specialists, professional people well-known for their decency.” “The only person who caused many questions is the famous football player Kakha Kaladze. He is not only the minister of energy, but also the vice-premier of Ivanishvili’s government. What are their arguments? He has never worked in this sphere. It is true. But he had business in energy segments. He was the owner of KALA GROUP, a big company which deals with energy problems. Of course, he couldn’t remain the shareholder in this company after becoming the minister. At the moment the process of alienation is taking place. Given his talents, in a short term he would probably become a very goof minister of economy.”

Recently Ivanishvili met more than 200 Georgian businessmen. “The following was stated: the state and officials will not interfere into business; and any attempt of such interference will be immediately punished. Secondly, Ivanishvili paid attention to monopolies. He said that the Anty-Monopoly Committee would be established. In due time it was closed down, for businessmen would regulate prices by themselves. There was a dialogue and a discussion. It was stated that ahead of the committee’s working, businessmen should reconsider price formation. Next day fuel prices reduced by 8-10%, as well as medicine prices and prices on some other goods. On November 1st municipal service rate will be reduced. The minister of internal affairs Irakly Garibashvili has already forbidden all wiretaps which were spread across whole Georgia. That huge structure literally terrorized the Georgian population not only in Georgia, but also us who live abroad – we knew that any our phone call to Georgia was recorded – the servers located in the new building of the Ministry of Justice. It is the other good sign for the population – real changes are happening in the society,” Shengelia said.

Speaking about problems in Georgian economy, he stated: “Promises given by the former prime minister – that the budget has more than two billion lari – were not fulfilled. According to the new minister of finances, there are only 200 million lari. Of course, an investigation will be initiated. It will be found out where money had gone and why. We will see very interesting facts and even scandalous legal proceedings.”

Commenting on normalization relations between Moscow and Tbilisi, Shengelis said that “it will begin from economic and cultural ties. There is a packet of proposals which in a short term will be presented, however, some time is still needed. But our society, our movement, doesn’t let let the grass grow under feet and present our own ideas and plan to organize arrangements which don’t require any diplomatic efforts from the governments. Yesterday I talked to Goga Khaindrava, the prominent director and photographer, documentary director, political activists who used to be a minister in Shevardnadze’s and Saakashvili’s government. He is my close friend. He shot a movie about Saakashvili’s regime and presented it in Brussels this summer to politicians of Europe, the EU administration, and as far as I know the US. The movie caused a great interest. I offered him to bring the film in Moscow. He was glad to agree. He is a friend of many Russian directors. It would be important to show that picture in Russia. I haven’t seen it yet, but I was told it shows a real picture of that regime.

Our organization prepares a big visit of Georgian businessmen living in Russia to Georgia. We initially agreed with Ivanishvili that this visit will take place in November. We haven’t defined a certain date, but it doesn’t matter. The total majorities of people with whom we negotiate accepts the idea enthusiastically and are ready to go to Tbilisi and think about future investments into their historic motherland. After numerous talks with our colleagues and friends I can say there are certain proposals on cultural exchange. I mean guest tours of Georgian artists in Russia. We begin in the nearest future. Everybody will feel difference between that and this epoch.”