The Messenger #147 (1414)

Friday, August 3, 2007, #147 (1414)

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Headline: Indifference cut down the forest
Investigations continue into the alleged complicity of Borjomi-Bakuriani Forest Department officials in the illegal cutting down of trees, the newspaper Sakartvelos Respublika reports.
Ivane Grdzelishvili, former director of the Forest Department, is accused of abusing his official position and will be given a two-month pretrial detention.
The Prosecutor's Office discovered 144 reports of law abrogation between January 1 and April 20, 2006, which were not forwarded to the Borjomi-Bakuriani Forest Department court. Estimated losses to the Georgian government due to illegal harvesting of timber are in the region of GEL 37 200.

Headline: Government's vampirism
Economist Gia Khukhashvili believes Georgian government officials do not appreciate the potential consequences of selling strategic assets to companies close to the Russian government.

He especially criticised Minister of Energy Nika Gilauri, writes Sakartvelos Respublika, who recently stated in parliament that selling hydroelectric power stations to Russian oligarch Anatoly Chubais would not have political ramifications.

Khukhashvili describes the government as practicing "vampirism," as it constantly seeks new sources of revenue. "Engaging with these new investment companies undermines the safety of our country," he says.

He warned that Georgia may soon be like a joint-stock company controlled by the Kremlin.

Headline: It is a matter of our dignity to investigate Girgvliani's murdering
The decision to reduce by six months the sentence of those convicted of the murder of Sandro Girgvliani provoked a fierce reaction from the New Rights opposition party, the newspaper Akhali Taoba reports.

New Rights MPs Pikria Chikhradze and Mamuka Katsitadze held a press conference to discuss the issue. Chikhradze said that the Girgvliani case was not investigated objectively.

"They slapped us in the face impudently and amorally. Not only did not investigate the case properly, but against society's wishes they've also managed to decrease the sentences for the accused," Chikhradze said.

She also claimed that the government hopes the case will receive less attention now that Irina Enukidze-Girgvliani's mother and a vocal campaigner-is suffering from an illness.

"This matter does not only concern Irina Enukidze and Girgvliani, it is a matter of dignity for everyone, this is a matter of dignity for me and my friends, and the murderers must be punished as I am sure they will be, sooner or later," Chikhradze declared.

Headline: We will never get used to the loss of Abkhazia
Paata Davitaia, head of the advocacy group Chven Tviton (We Ourselves) informed Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava that his organization will protest in front of parliament on August 14 to mark the 15 year anniversary of the Abkhazian war.

"The protest will show the whole world that we won't get used to loss of Abkhazia; we won't get used to the fact that somebody is making investments to strengthen separatism. We won't get used to the fact that Abkhaz criminals remain unpunished. Today, Georgian society is ready to stand together and show the whole world that it is of vital importance to combat separatism," Davitaia said.

He said that a film will be screened at the protest in front of parliament, detailing how separatists commit crimes, how they kill peaceful settlers, and how Russian officers ordered the bombing of Sokhumi.

Davitaia called on people to attend the August 14 protest in support.