caucasus newsletter
TRANSCRIPT
8/14/2019 Caucasus Newsletter
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/caucasus-newsletter 1/4
It is clear that January 5th presidential
election and plebiscite was a solemnmoment for the Georgian democracy
in which the electorate of Georgia hasmade a firm decision towards EuroAtlantic integration. An analysis of performed presidential election on allthose precincts that USCA observed,allows us to state that 2008 presiden-tial election and plebiscite in Georgiawas the most competitive in the his-tory of Georgia, however with viola-tion.Mostly violations had a technicalmanner, however USCA observers
detected incomplete voter lists andfalsification of results in some pool-ing stations. We hope Central Elec-tion Commission (CEC) will fairlyact in response to all involved parties;consequently the overall performanceof the presidential elections will notbe questioned.USCA mobility groups performedobservation on Georgian election inthe following areas: Tbilisi, Kutaisi,Batumi, Sarpi, village of Peria settled
with Abkhaz population, village of Khoni were eco-migrants reside, vil-lage of Ianeti were repatriated Muslim Mesks live and in those communityplaces of Tskaltubo were IDP’s re-side. It has to be underlined thatAbkhaz population in Peria , Achara’sregion is as integrated in the Georgiansociety as the rest citizens of Georgia.This in fact raises question of thevalidity of calling conflict in Abkhaziaa so-called “ethno-conflict” . Also,
internally displaced persons, repatri-ated Meskhets and eco-migrants hadan equal opportunity to express their
free will during the election and plebi-scite.USCA Democracy Project had 13locally trained professional observers,accredited by CEC and supervised bythe team of international experts from
USCA: Shota Mkheidze (Chairmanof USCA), Mike Hancock, (Directorof USCA) and Dr. Theodore Stumm (Director of USCA) supervisedUSCA mission. Prior to election,USCA observers underwent throughintensive groundwork. They met withCEC and party officials as well aswith electorate to receive importantinformation on the issues that couldundermine fairness of election. Theproject was sponsored by USCA and
local contributions.While commending efforts of CECcommitting towards free and trans-parent election, USCA recognize le-gitimacy of the disagreements betweencompeting parties. USCA declares itsreadiness to mitigate all disputes andurges all parties peacefully resolvethose disagreements.As a neutral party, USCA expressesits readiness to collaborate with allaccredited international observers andmass media and participate in discus-sions between opposed sides and pre-sent all facts of violations that USCAobservers detected. USCA believesthat peaceful resolution of all existingdisagreements will positively affect inperforming of fair and democraticparliamentary elections and will guar-antee peaceful future of Georgia.
Sincerely,
Shota MkheidzeFounder and Chairman of USCA
LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN'S DESK
Inside this issue:
Election Day 2
Facts of Violations 2
Compactly Settled
Abkhazians in Achara
Region
3
Muslim Meskhs during
Election and Plebiscite3
The Geopolitical Role of
Caucasus and Essential
Interests of Georgia
4
Ocean Distance does not Divides us But Unites!
4
Memorandum 4
Artifacts of FalsifiedProtocols
3
Letter from Chairman’s
Desk
1
February, 2008 Issue 1
United States and Caucasus Association for Democracy and Peace
SELECTED NEW S FROM CAUCASUS
-Voices from Free Nations-
Special points of inter-
est:
♦ West never asked to change
attributes of national identity
but to use them wisely
♦ New Georgian government
should consider steps to- wards regaining foot in Rus-
sian market
♦ Will NATO help to restore
peace in Caucasus
♦ How will West regulate
tensions over dividing Cas-
pian wealth
♦ Stability of Caucasus what
will be the next step? - Their
Commonwealth
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND PLEBISCITE IN GERGIA (Special Release)
“Through forming most competitive election in her history, Georgian people madehistorical step toward West” - Mike Hancock, Acting President
8/14/2019 Caucasus Newsletter
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/caucasus-newsletter 2/4
1. # of total voters in the united list 575
2. # of voters in the special list 11
3. # of voters in the additional list 20
4. # of voters moved to other precinct’s special list 1
5. # of total voters 605
6. # of signatures of voters in all sorts of lists:
a) by 12:00 p.m. 93
b) by 17:00 p.m. 279
7. # of voters participated in voting 298
8. # of received ballots 588
9. # of unused ballots 288
10. # of out of order ballots 2
Number of Votes:
Levan Gachechiladze 90
Arkadi Patarkatsishvili 89
David Gamkrelidze 6
Shalva Natelashvili 25Mikheil Saakashvili 52
Giorgi Maisashvili 0
Irina Sarishvili – Cahanturia 0
11. # of real ballots 262
12. # of void ballots 16
13. # of different envelopes sent to CEC 0
ELECTION DAY
Results in Original Version of Protocol
observers discovered that several peo-
ple were are not in registered list but
yet were allowed to vote.
Number of voters wore dress depicting
attributes of their candidates. Also
busses that were transporting votershad attributes of one of the presidential
candidate (#23 pooling station of #54
regional district).
Out of 25 pooling stations in #59 re-
gional district that USCA observed, in
9 of them, members of police units
presented at inside the pooling station.
Some pooling stations were opened
late, some were small and ill-prepared.
In several places election commissions
were highly disorganized, and had
imprecise lists of voters, creating jam
and dissatisfaction.
FACT OF VALIOTIONS
USCA observers detected serious viola-
tions in Achara region. Particularly in #83
Khelvachauri Election District, #20 Pool-
ing Station “Mnatobi”. Numbers in original
protocol that USCA observing group re-
ceived from the local election commission
did not match to the copy of the outcome
presented on the Central Election Com-
mission (CEC) website (see printed fig-
ures and photocopies below).There were also other violations detected
that had minor character. On #14 pooling
station of the #59 regional district USCA
The January 5th, 2008 was an impor-
tant day in the history of Georgia be-
cause of the early presidential election.
Seven candidates took part. Each of them presented country development
program to the population. PR cam-
paign was not long. Georgians had to
make the right choice.
More then 1500 organizations observed
the election. Among them were interna-
tional and local NGOs, diplomatic mis-
sions, Embassies and others.
Almost all pooling stations in the re-
gions of Georgia were observed by the
local non-governmental organizations“New Generation - New Initiative” and
ISFED. International observers were
mainly patrolling stations time by timenot spending the whole time at one
place.
Some incidents were found out by inter-
national and local observers during the
election. Local observers from theGeorgian Young Lowers Association
(GYLA) protested them at each time. In
order to make incidents open for public,
GYLA made several press-briefingsaddressing to the Central Election Com-
mission (CEC). Other organization didthe same. Opposition parties were pro-
testing because of negligence and falsifi-
cation of ballots. Several opposition par-
ties, especially United Opposition Party’s
leaders intended to terminate the head of
the CEC L. Tarkhnishvili’s employment.
Even today opposition parties claim that
the election was unfair and totally facili-
tated. Around 52 cases were brought in
the court.
Finally, after 2 weeks struggle interna-
tional and local observers conclude that
January 5th presidential election and
plebiscite was the most competitive in
the history of Georgia.
P AGE 2SELECTED NEWS FROM CAUCASUS
1. # of total voters in the united list 575
2. # of voters in the special list 11
3. # of voters in the additional list 20
4. # of voters moved to other precinct’s special list 1
5. # of total voters 605
6. # of signatures of total voters in all sorts of lists:
a) by 12:00 p.m. 93
b) by 17:00 p.m 389
7. # of voters participated in voting 550
8. # of received ballots 600
9. # of unused ballots 50
10. # of out of order ballots 0
Number of Votes:
Levan Gachechiladze 90
Arkadi Patarkatsishvili 89
David Gamkrelidze 6
Shalva Natelashvili 25Mikheil Saakashvili 340
Giorgi Maisashvili 0
Irina Sarishvili – Cahanturia 0
11. # of real ballots 550
12. # of void ballots 0
13. # of different envelopes sent to CEC 20
In her hundred years, Mrs. Marry resists
to be helped while voting. She believes in
democracy saying “Free and fair elec-
tion is essential for every European
nation”.
Results Posted by CEC on their Website
8/14/2019 Caucasus Newsletter
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/caucasus-newsletter 3/4
- Whether it is was done intentionally or is the result of a crime, will be judged by competent organs. One thing is
undisputable: such violations shows that sustainability of democracy is week. That is characterized for newly independent
former Soviet nations...We hope struggling for democracy and freedom in Georgia will continue in peaceful ways!-
ARTIFACTS OF FALSIFIED PROTOCOLS
USCA’s one of the international observ-
ers’ mobile groups (Irakli Silagadze,
Roman Giorgobiani, Natalia Chubabria)
monitored Achara’s region small com-
munity Pheria which is settled with
Abkhazians.
They were settled in Achara territory in
the period of Muhajiroba by the late 19th
c. They were prosecuted on behalf of
their Muslim religious and were forcedto leave their families and seek shelters.
Here are some fragments from the inter-
view given from Abkhazian voters. To
the question of Irakli Silagadze, the head
of the mobile group, if there were any
pressure when making their decision
during the election, the respondents Ten-
giz Mukhajba and Ruslan Khokhba an-
swer that no force were applied against
them.
Also to the question if they took part in
the election themselves as other citizens
or felt lack of attention in comparison
with locals, their only answer was that
they expressed their will freely without
any sign of rejection. In addition they
mentioned that since they have moved in
Achara the made friendly relationshipswith Georgians and hope this tradition
will be preserved by their generations.
At the end of the observation mission in
Achara USCA mobile group have made
conclusion that Abkhaz and Georgian
population living in a small village Phe-
ria have warm and kind neighborhood.
That resulted fair and objective election
at the pooling station #20. Abkhaz peo-
ple consider themselves as inseparable
part of Georgian people who are inte-
grated with Georgian citizens.
COMPACTLY SETTLED
ABKHAZIANS IN ACHARA REGION
Although Mrs.Nina Mukhajba freely makes
her choice; She does not favor NATO
MUSLIM MESKHS DURING ELECTION
AND PLEBISCITE
Repatriated Muslim Meskh’s that live in
Ianeti region (West Georgia) were exiled
from Georgia in 1944 by Soviet Empire.
USCA observers (Keti Svanidze, Paata
Gulua, Natalya Chubabria) observed
election and plebiscite in Ianeti pooling
station #23. Their aim was to observe
how objective and transparent was the
election procedures.
The OSCE observers, Russian and
Lithuanian groups also observed the
above mentioned pooling station. Be-
sides international observers, policemen
were inside the station. That made some
people angry as the law prohibits police-
men to be inside the station.
Around 13:00 p.m. the repatriated
Meskhs were taken by bus to the pooling
station. After they made their choice, theobservation group had interviewed some
of them (Mirza Mamisashvili, Malkhaz
Ayubov). Interviews showed that repa-
triated Meskhs had not experienced any
problems while voting.
P AGE 3SELECTED NEWS FROM CAUCASUS
8/14/2019 Caucasus Newsletter
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/caucasus-newsletter 4/4
On December 18th, 2007 United States
and Caucasus Association signed theMemorandum of Understanding dedicated
on the implementation of the newly
launched Caucasus Newsletter Project
(CNL). The project is aiming to:
• Develop and publish objective eco-
nomic and political information on
Caucasus regions;
• Promote media coverage in the
United States of the challenges of
former Soviet Union countries in the
Caucasus region and beyond;
• Expand intercultural relationships
between Georgian and American stu-
dents.
•
UNIVERSITY CONTRIBUTION:
• Assist in selecting volunteer students;
• Provide conference area and facilities
for meetings;
• Publish newsletter at the university
Publishing House on timely manner;
• Provide expert-consultants for stu-
dents writing newsletter articles;
• Provide recommendations and consul-
tation by experts.
THEGEOPOLITICAL ROLE OFCAUCASUS&
ESSENTIAL INTERESTS OFGEORGIA
Pliny the Great: “The Caucasus divides the
universe into two parts”
Georgia wants to find a golden middle
between pseudo liberal and funda-
mentalist approaches... While being in
search of this golden middle, Georgian
people already made their first step on
January 5, 2008 in favor of Euro Atlantic
Alliance. In order to reinforce this step it
is important to:
•Raise feeling of fairness and security
among people;
•Promote civic groups, orienting on
democratic and national values;
•Promote establishment of western
standards in science and education,
while maintaining concentration
towards traditional and cultural values.
- Prof. Tariel Putkaradze
Hello from far Georgia (Sakartvelo)!
We hope you have heard about us!
We are Teona Alavidze, Natalia Chu-
babria, Roman Giorgobiani, KhatiaJangavadze, Keti Svanidze, Nino Sal-
dadze, Ann Ushveridze and Mari Veru-
lashvili. We are interns and write short
articles on political and economic news
for Caucasus News Letter (CNL). The
CNL is the first program of the USCA
aiming at providing objective political
and economic information about Cauca-
sus region, also strengthening cultural
and educational relationship between
US and Georgia.
In spite of our age, education or charac-
teristics we have one common interest:
to make our contribution in building
democracy and peace in the region of
Caucasus.
Georgia is a country with antique civili-
zation, rich history and culture. We
want oversee students to know more
about our country. We also aim at in-
troducing Caucasus regions to US stu-
dents and other interested people. We
hope you will also find interesting to
contact with us and have friendly rela-
tionships with Georgian students. We
think that will assist us in making right
decision in future carriers. We need our
knowledge to use for making better
world.
We are ready to provide objective and
interesting news on Caucasus regions
for US students, lecturers or profession-
als. We are welcome to partnership op-
portunities.
P AGE 4SELECTED NEWS FROM CAUCASUS
CAUCASUS Mountain range
Division from EUROPE to ASIA
OCEAN DOES NOT DEVIDES US, BUT
UNITES!
Selected News form CAUCASUS is designed by the Caucasus News Letter Project (CNL) at the Georgian branch of the
United States and Caucasus Association for Democracy and Peace (USCA). USCA is an American independent, nonpartisan
nonprofit 501 (c) (3) corporation, dedicated to strengthening the relationship between the United States and Georgia, and
to promoting democracy, peace and economic development in the Caucasus region.
Reporting news is a privilege and great responsibility that must not be exploited but to be held to the highest standards.
CNL intents to present unvarnished news about Caucasus region to the world, because it is a vital key for Caucasus to con-
tinue exist in peace while maintaining its cultural uniqueness.
CNL Editorial Board: Shota Mkheidze - Author and Director; Tariel Putkaradze - Consultant, Khatuna Javakhadze, - Man-
ager and Editor in Chief; Irakli Silagadze - Editorial Board Member; Interns who developed articles: Teona Alavidze, Nata-
lya Chubabria, Roman Giorgobiani, Khatia Jangavadze, Keti Svanidze, Nino Saldadze, Ana Ushveridze. English translations
were provided by: Nino Saldadze, Teona Alavidze and Ana Ushveridze;
Special thanks to Ms. Manana Tkabladze, Kutaisi Akaki Tsereteli University lecturer for editing assistance.
www.uscadp.org
Finally, we want to express our team
readiness for future collaboration.
Please, send us your ideas and
opinions.
Phone: 904-237-5118; Fax: 904-358-3095E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
MEMORANDUM