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Monday,
July 30,
2007, #143 (1410) US diplomat Matthew Bryza paid another trip to Georgia on Friday. As what seems to have become a tradition now, he meets not only with ruling party officials, but makes it a point to meet with lawmakers representing the opposition parties (New Rights, Industrialists, Conservatives, Republicans). During his last visit to Tbilisi on March 29, Bryza explained that his meeting with the opposition demonstrated that “the United States is watching developments in Georgia with increased interest.” While in March, topics focused on NATO, economic policies, human rights and the judiciary, this meeting focused on the opposition’s primary concern of the moment—electoral reform. In early July, the opposition released a memorandum with two key demands: staffing the election commissions with some representation from opposition and changing the rules for electing majoritarian MPs. The ruling party has unsurprisingly paid little attention to these demands as the current legislation favors the dominant party in elections. Opposition parties are also concerned about the seven percent election threshold being too high, but at this point they say reducing it is not one of their main focuses for the fast approaching 2008 elections. “We need steady guarantees even from the US that the elections will be held more democratically in Georgia in 2008 than in previous years,” stated Democratic Front MP Kakha Kukava after the meeting with the US diplomat. According to Industrialist MP Zurab Tkemaladze, Bryza was the first to raise the issue of elections and was already aware of the opposition’s concerns and demands in detail. According to the newspaper Rezonansi, Tkemaladze added that US diplomat said the government was working on amendments to the Georgian Electoral Code to try to make the elections more fair, though he didn’t elaborate on what the amendments were. Republican MP Ivliane Khaindrava said Irakli Batiashvili’s case was also raised during the meeting with Bryza. Batiashvili was convicted of providing “intellectual support” to rebel warlord Emzar Kvitsiani before the failed Kodori Gorge uprising last July. Georgian courts sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment based on scanty evidence. Property protection issues were also raised during the meeting. Khindrava stated after the discussion, most opposition members felt the US side “fully understands the numerous problems existing in this country.” A marginal political movement that is skeptical of the US role since the Rose Revolution wasn’t so impressed by the diplomat. According to the newspaper Kvela Siakhle, National Forum member Gubaz Sanikidze called Bryza, “Director Condoleeza Rice’s 47th assistant for Georgia.” Though Bryza isn’t winning over all oppositional voices, he seems to be gaining the trust and confidence of opposition lawmakers. Even if he has no intention of promoting their ideas to the ruling party, they still benefit from meeting with him as spending time with them adds some credibility to their positions and standing. |
Bryza Helps Boost Opposition’s Credibility, Slightly