Georgian party funding - clinging to political power "no holds barred"

Georgian party funding - clinging to political power "no holds barred"

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24313

I see various groups are up in arms about this already, and have called on Georigan president Misha Saakashvili to veto the new regulations.

Under the new regulations the various opposition groups have three days to return all the money which Bidizna Ivanishvili gave them, or it goes to the state.

The new regulations also award sweeping powers to the Chamber of Horrors (Control Chamber) as it is charged with overseeing party funding. So, if they decide that Ivanishvili and his political  force is guilty of providing money to a political party, and that political party doesn't declare it (not his fault) does he lose his house and his goes to money to the state?

"It will gain powers to impound property, including bank account, of a political party, legal entity or of an individual person; this decision by the Chamber of Control can be appealed to the court, but the agency’s decision on impoundment will not be suspended during the court proceedings.

Political parties will have to notify the Chamber of Control about donations within three working days after receiving such donations. Parties will submit their financial declarations to the Chamber of Control every year before February 1 and the Chamber of Control will have to post these declarations on its website. Chamber of Control will be authorized to impose GEL 5,000 fine on a political party in case of its failure to meet disclosure requirements envisaged by these regulations."

The GYLA and others are saying that this new regulation (to give back money which was LEGALLY given to them before they change the law) is unconstitutional. Not only is it unconstitutional it's also yet another fucking stupid ham-fisted attempt by the government to cling on to power using any means possible. No wonder I speak to so many people who are afraid to invest their money here - and quite rightly so when the government can just bring in a new law to expropriate whatever they like.

News like this is likely to make any potential foreign investors fall off the fence laughing, and thanking their lucky stars that they held off putting money into the place. The only people really investing are those "best friends of Georgia", and various new entities which are shrouded in mystery, all of whom have the governments hands in their pockets.

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GLYA Report on Human Rights, Violations of May 26, 2011, Tbilisi Georgia

What Really Happened May 26 in Tbilisi Georgia?

By I.G. Chopan

On Friday 23^rd December the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) formally launched a new report on human rights violations observed during the dispersal of the anti-government demonstrations of 26^th May, which, as the report confirms, constituted nothing more than the peaceful assembly regarded as a democratic right in Western countries, a right safeguarded, at least in theory, by the Georgian constitution.

The report is entitled Analysis of Facts of Human Rights Violations During and Related to the Dispersal of the May 26 Assembly. Its launch in Tbilisi was the conclusion of a series of human rights related events held by GYLA in the latter part of this year.

The report points out that the events of May 26^th were the culmination of an ongoing campaign of restrictions of the right to peaceful assembly guaranteed by various international treaties Georgia is a signatory to, such as the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as Georgia’s own constitution. Prior to that day over 100 individuals had been illegally detained, and illegally tried, for alleged offences related to either attending a peaceful assembly or attempting to organize one, including assemblies planned for the May 21^st-25^th period. GYLA maintains that even if the events of the day itself are set aside, these detentions and trials need to be investigated, as there was no legal basis for them or for the conditions in which those arrested were detained.

The May 26^th assembly was designed to clash with the annual Independence Day military parade. GYLA notes that it could be feasibly argued that the parade was in the public interest and holding it could be deemed to take precedence over allowing the assembly to take place, particularly when this was specifically designed to disrupt the celebrations of the parade, even if only to a small degree. However, no attempt had been made during the previous assembly, the day before, to negotiate a resolution of this clash of events, and the state must bear responsibility for this, as it was not the business of demonstrators to make decisions concerning the parade, such as its details or route. GYLA argues that as the state failed to use other means of ensuring the parade could take place before resorting to dispersing the assembly, the dispersal was, in itself, disproportionate, regardless of the way it was carried out.

The manner of the dispersal is also described as disproportionate. It is noted that prior to using force the police blocked the main exits, meaning that if anyone wanted to leave the assembly for any reason, even if they had decided they did not agree with it and did not want to support it, there was no way they could escape the violence which ensued. GYLA also points out that as a result of the violent dispersal of the assembly at least five people lost their lives and many others were injured, a violation of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights which obliges the state to plan the dispersal of an assembly in such a way that life is not threatened.

Furthermore, the investigation into these deaths was highly questionable, the presumption of innocence of those counteraccused of crimes was violated and their right to a fair trial compromised. GYLA contrasts this with the situation which should exist in Georgia under the terms of its constitution and the international treaties it has signed and notes that there is no effective means of controlling the actions of the police due to deficiencies in Georgian legislation.

The report was compiled by using internationally accepted methodology. Nevertheless, much material was not made available to the investigators, including that on the whereabouts of a number of people reported missing after the dispersal, why certain journalists were allowed to report the events without hindrance and others not, why detained persons were moved around without the families being informed, etcetera. In some cases state agencies did not make important information available, in others people involved in the events felt it unsafe to cooperate. However, even given these limitations, and their consequences for the standard of proof which could be obtained, the report paints a clear picture of a state which violated the human rights of many of its citizens in clear contravention of the wording, spirit and principles of Georgia’s own laws, quite far from any international standard.

GYLA illustrates its report with photographs of those physically beaten by police and the bodies of people killed during the dispersal, as witnessed by contributors to the report, deaths which the Georgian government has alleged did not occur. It calls on all the human rights violations outlined in detail in the report to be fully and impartially investigated and those responsible be held criminally responsible.

 http://gyla.ge/attachments/1166_angarishi%2026%20maisi%20ENG.pdf
 

"As for assessing the thoroughness of the conducted investigation, GYLA mentions that none of the witnesses interviewed by the working group    (Ian Carver, Jeffrey K. Silverman, Otar Tskhadadze) were ever interrogated by the official governmental investigation."

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Sam Patten, Jeremy Roser, Temuri Yakobashvli and Black PR in Georgia

Digging up dirty on Sam Patten?  

Georgians beware of the Republican sleaze behind the scenes!!!

Only that he works closely with Temuri Yakobashvili, Georgian Ambassador to the US, and with right wing extremists ["non-partisan" says this article], ATLANTIC COUNCIL, and with global Zionist leaders [through Yakobashvili and Johns Hopkins/GSFIS] is bad enough. There appears to be a link here with NED, National Endowment for Democracy, modern day US gunboat diplomacy.

 In short it is clear that the scheme in place is to taking away the democratic process in this part of the world for the sake of narrow-minded US foreign policy, other than for energy and arms merchants - appears to be a track record in this respect, lots of media spin, turn coating, and playing a media game that is not in the best interests of Georgia and regional security. Enough said as background, and it is downright “undemocratic.”

The Northern Supply Network is in good hands.   The number 2 over at the Georigan Institute for Strategic Studies is also on the take with Russian intelligence. I need not worry too much that Sam Patten is going to be that successful in his PR efforts. The Russians have the opportunity to turn off the supply line to Afghanistan anytime they want.

Yakobashvili/Sam Patten.

http://washingtonjewishweek.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=15220

THIS MAKES YAKOBASHVILI a great human and champion of humanity's rights, don't you agree?  When do you read such praise of a Palestinian, or ANY GOY, for being nationalist and a zealot for one belief?:

"Soon after the funeral, Yakobashvili began to secretly explore his grandfather's ancient prayer books, leafing through the pages with a curious fascination. "It was the first time I saw the alef bet, and couldn't understand anything in it," recalled Yakobashvili, who now speaks fluent Hebrew.....within a short time Yakobashvili had spearheaded the creation of several Jewish campus groups that united activists from across the USSR. It wasn't long before Yakobashvili was organizing political demonstrations at home and across Europe. Jewish advocacy helped to introduce Yakobashvili and his Jewish compatriots to the global Zionist community. "

Sam Patten on Wikipedia cable releases

Now think to yourself, if you were Pentagon and Neo Con and Atlantic Council Intel, what would be the VERY BEST say to stuff a rag down the throats of snotty Yale staff members at US Embassies all around the globe, so they mind their Ps and Qs when writing their internal memos, at the upper end of Unclassified reports?

Read this cable below, and just think how CAREFUL every embassy robot will be in the future, writing cables to report to the State Dept. what is going on.

http://cables.mrkva.eu/cable.php?id=152088

On April 30, 2008, the Ambassador Bass met with political consultants Jeremy Rosner and Sam Patten, of Greenberg Associates, the American political consulting company hired by the ruling National Movement party.  Rosner said the UNM [has close ties with republic party in the US, via Sam Patton].

Patten said their April 20 numbers show that the overall ballot position has been consistent for two months.  It would be interesting to know who carried out this research and the nexus to the US State Department and just how the poll was actually conducted. Rosner said after allocating undecided voters likely to vote, the polls indicate about 57 percent support for the United National Movement [UNC], which will likely equate to another constitutional majority in Parliament.  He added that their research shows jobs are people's foremost concern, and territorial integrity and social benefits alternate in second place. 

According to Rosner, “the UNC and other opposition have failed to articulate a message, which has resulted in sinking numbers.  The pollster said the UNM's biggest challenge is to ensure their expected victory is accepted as politically legitimate, both by the Georgian people and the international community.”  (Rosner accurately predicted the results of the January 5 presidential election.  End comment.)

Bigger Picture

Hard to separate the good guys from the bad guys these days, and even members of the tribe are doing nasty un-Jewish things.

http://washingtonjewishweek.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&A...

Sam Patten, a political adviser to Irakli Alasania, a leading voice in Georgia's opposition party, anointed by the US State Department to be the next in line. There is no comparison to what is happening in Israel to the Jewish State and Patton believes that "the comparison to Israel should raise eyebrows." Unlike the Jewish state, Patten said, Georgia "is a backsliding democracy in a tough part of the world."

Patten called Yakobashvili a "bright and competent guy," but said that he's speaking for an "increasingly authoritarian" Georgian government. As the country's top representative in America, Yakobashvili's "challenge is a tough one," Patten said.

Others observers are more confident in Yakobashvili. "He's one of the best strategic thinkers in the region," said JHU's Starr, who's known Yakobashvili for upwards of 15 years. When it comes down to it, Starr said, the ambassador will succeed because he is "bold - not a shrinking violet."

It is clear that this guy Sam Patten plays both sides with a straight face too.  Patten is a 'human rights champion' for the underdog with Eurasia.org and NGOs paid through Johns Hopkins and USAID and NED but he also writes rabid pieces against Russia and he was a top strategist to get GW and Cheney into office.

Subject: Sam Patten

Date: Friday, 23 December, 2011, 11:18

Sam Patten

Principal at Office of Sam Patten, LLC

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Public Relations and Communications

•           Principal at Office of Sam Patten, LLC

•           Senior Program Manager, Eurasia at Freedom House

•           Senior Advisor/Speechwriter to Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs at U.S. Department of State

•           Director, International Ventures at Marsh Copsey + Associates

Education

Sam Patten's Summary

Professional Experience

--Counseled senior political figures both in the United States and multiple countries on communications strategies [rigging elections and media spin]

--Designed innovative public affairs and strategic communications programs in complex environments;

--Managed successful political campaigns domestically and internationally;

--Written as a journalist and speechwriter to political and corporate leaders;

--Written scripts and co-directed advertisements in multiple countries

Goals

--Continue to broaden practice internationally, especially in Asia, Africa and South America

Specialties

-Writing

-Campaign design and management

-Creative problem-solving

Sam Patten's Experience

Principal

Office of Sam Patten, LLC

January 2009 – Present (3 years)

Providing advisory services for international communications projects in partnership with governments, political parties, non-governmental organizations and private sector concerns. Currently, I am advising a presidential campaign in Romania.

Senior Program Manager, Eurasia

Freedom House

Nonprofit; 51-200 employees; Nonprofit Organization Management industry

2009 – April 2011 (2 years)

Managed programs in support of freedom and human rights in former Communist countries, analyzed policies and developed expert opinions, testified before Congress and published widely in advocating for these goals.

Senior Advisor/Speechwriter to Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs

U.S. Department of State

Government Agency; 10,001+ employees; International Affairs industry

June 2008 – January 2009 (8 months)

Advised the undersecretary on democracy promotion and served as speechwriter and public affairs officer

Director, International Ventures

Marsh Copsey + Associates

April 2005 – March 2008 (3 years)

Developed and managed international political and strategic communications projects in Iraqi Kurdistan, Thailand, Albania and Ukraine. Directed public opinion research activities, media production and general campaign consulting.

Resident Political Director for Iraq

International Republican Institute

Nonprofit; 51-200 employees; International Affairs industry

March 2004 – February 2005 (1 year)

Implemented research, campaign training, political party development, voter education and GOTV programs in advance of Iraq's first free election. Conducted monthly national polls, focus groups and created media products in support of programmatic objectives. Directed staff of 20 and co-administering annual budget of approximately $10MM.

Country/Political Director

International Republican Institute

Nonprofit; 51-200 employees; International Affairs industry

April 2001 – February 2005 (3 years 11 months)

Served as country director in Russia from 2001-4 managing representative office in Moscow, conducting political training programs and designing special projects in public opinion research, media coaching and production. Transferred to Baghdad, Iraq in March 2004 to help with preparations for first election. Built a political research and training program, oversaw active polling and focus group program and launched a media center focusing on Get-Out-the-Vote promotion [AKA vote rigging].

Country Director, Russia

International Republican Institute

Nonprofit; 51-200 employees; International Affairs industry

April 2001 – March 2004 (3 years)

Administered a $1.5 MM annual democratization program focused on training political party leaders in campaign strategies, and other related initiatives to advance USG interests in the region. Conducted three nation-wide polls and produced GOTV televisions spots in run-up to

Legislative Assistant

U.S. Senator Susan Collins

September 1999 – April 2001 (1 year 8 months)

Advised the Senator on foreign policy and defense issues. Also served as a state office representative in Portland, Maine responsible for constituent outreach and political operations.

Campaign Coordinator

Bush-Cheney 2000

July 2000 – November 2000 (5 months)

Drafted and implemented state campaign plan, directed earned media activities, coordinated surrogate visits, organized multiple rallies by Governor Bush and directed major donor events.

Public Affairs Director

Golden Eagle Partners

January 1998 – September 1999 (1 year 9 months)

Almaty, Kazakhstan; co-founded and directed the activities of a client service group providing governmental and public affairs advice to companies in Kazakhstan.  Published the authoritative daily news wire on industry and politics.

Government Affairs Manager

Hurricane Investments

March 1997 – December 1998 (1 year 10 months)

Almaty, Kazakhstan; coordinated government and public affairs activity for the first oil production company to be privatized in Central Asia. Designed and implemented high-impact public affairs plan.

Public Affairs Consultant

Chevron Munaigaz, Inc

December 1996 – March 1997 (4 months)

, Almaty, Kazakhstan; advised on the administration of a $1.3 MM public affairs program, coordinated a human resources campaign and authored a manual on hiring.

Finance Director

Collins for Senator

March 1996 – December 1996 (10 months)

directed fund-raising activities in a successful U.S. Senate campaign that raised $1.6 MM and closed with a surplus, out-raised principal opponent by more than 2:1.

Public Affairs Director

Golden Eagle Advisors

July 1995 – March 1996 (9 months)

Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics & Strategic Research, Almaty, Kazakhstan; responsible for the institute's image-building and placing graduates with jobs in public and private sectors. Taught graduate-level course on comparative politics.

Press Secretary

Collins for Governor

July 1994 – November 1994 (5 months)

Coordinated media activities and assisted in development/implementation of campaign strategy.

Reporter

The Camden Herald

July 1993 – July 1994 (1 year 1 month)

Covered news in five municipalities, wrote regular columns and won awards from the Maine Press Association for investigative journalism and opinion/editorial writing.

Investigator

District of Columbia Public Defenders Service

March 1992 – May 1992 (3 months)

Assisted criminal attorneys in investigation of cases.

Intern

Senator William S Cohen

September 1990 – March 1992 (1 year 7 months)

Conducted research on broad-ranging topic including defense and foreign policy. Assisted with writing and constituent relations projects.

Sam Patten's Education

Georgetown University

Bachelor of Arts, in American Government

1989 – 1993

-

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Tourism Development in Georgia - a foreign perspective

Thoughts Georgian Tourism

“perspective from a foreign eye”

Daniel W. Silverman

Tourism is an essential component of local business in many countries, serving as a main source of income for a large part of the population. This is also the case in Georgia with its many attractions and longstanding tourism tradition. Georgia’s many cultural and natural attractions can be enjoyed by foreign and domestic visitors alike. However, just as with any other business, tourism requires good management, which includes advertising, information support, and especially well-trained and courteous staff, and buttressed with appropriate infrastructure.  

Although I am not an expert on this field, I have travelled across much of Georgia and the region in the last few years. I can observe from my own personal experience the various kinds of problems that the tourism industry faces here. Also, my family is involved in this business – helping to develop tourism and is very active in rural development.

First of all I want to mention the overall lack of information about tourism in the region, especially what seems to be a dearth of information available to locals, about the potential for local tourism and the many attractions that Georgia processes. Visitors are not well-informed about tours to the various regions. I have often heard from my foreign friends who have travelled around Georgia that it is always “full of surprises”.

They mentioned that they are not accustomed to such extreme travel – sometimes good extreme and sometimes extreme bad. Whenever I want to go somewhere I first look for information on the internet and a well-organised website is almost always a guarantee in supporting my choice of where to go, what to do, or in which hotel or guest house to stay. Transport continues to be a problem, especially in getting to the regions.

I’m sure that few, if any, region and tourist centre in Georgia effectively provides such information so I think that if the government invested in a well presented and easily accessible website describing the nature, culture and tourist routes in the Georgian regions it would be immensely helpful to the development of local tourism. This website must be kept up-to-date and all contact information accurate.

Tourism development is especially important for the mountainous regions where the population has a tendency to migrate to big cities to find jobs. The second most important thing which I think would improve the appeal of Georgia to tourists would be to train locals to work in tourist information centres. Their current level of knowledge about their own region is often inadequate, and not to a standard that allows to work in such places.

 Locals are now unable to provide adequate services to foreign visitors. They need to be able to provide information about other regions as well. Such as how to get from region A to B, how much does it cost, and then how to return to where you started. It is also important to have foreign language knowledge in the regions. At least for tourism companies, as it would be cheaper to have local guides rather than someone from the main city accompanying tour groups.

Svaneti region, one of the most isolated in Georgia, has the greatest development potential among the mountain regions, with regard to the benefits which a properly funded and well-run tourism centre would provide. Cultural tourism in this region is just as popular as mountain activities such as skiing and hiking. Generally ski runs are working here even in summer, and the main advantage of Svaneti region, when compared other mountain regions, is that the villages have not yet been deserted by people looking for work elsewhere.

A large part of the process of tourism development depends on public facilities. Even in such a crowded and big city as Batumi in summer along the promenade you can’t find more than one toilet or outside shower, a changing room or a snack bar to buy cold drinks.  Surely it’s not so difficult for local businesses to get together and fix such problems? Even where there are toilet facilities but these are stinking and the conditions are less than pristine, not to an acceptable level for domestic or foreign tourist alike.

Finally, I have to say that tour operators and tourism companies need to be more active, creative, resourcefulness and demonstrate flexibility and initiative in developing their businesses.  

Daniel Silverman, recent graduate of Shepherd University, Shepherdstown West Virginia, BS Environment Studies, 2010, Concentration Natural Resource Management.

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Bio threat in Tbilibi Georgia, bio weapons lab?

Would a bio weapons lab be considered as terrorism – especially if located in friendly Georgia?

New Generation of Bio Weapons in the Grey Zone!

Secretive American network of labs in Georgia and the former Soviet Union raises many suspicions. Are they purely defensive, peaceful as the U.S. government and Bechtel National claims, a long term defense contract, or are they something more sinister, offensive and deadly. There are some who claim that research being carried out on some of the most terrifying weapons ever created?

The Caucasus region is an ideal location if the United States would wish to outsource its 'grey zone' research. According to investigative journalists in Georgia, many questions surround a facility located near the Tbilisi International Airport.  However, before divvying deeper, it should be understand that many of the most 'attractive' viruses and bacteria ever used for weaponisation lives naturally in this region, so this is the place to study them more intensely in their natural habitat.

Moreover, this is a region known for its thriving black market economy and trafficking, corrupt governments where the lack of democracy and a civil society makes it easier to hide things from the world, not to mention those living in close proximity to the impressive covert facilities, and the Georgian public as a whole.  

Near the airport in Tbilisi, Georgia, a huge compound is nearly operational. The American military has initially spent about $150 mill on building the research lab, and this includes correcting earlier workmanship that was not to standard.
 International and local journalists are denied access, and often given misleading information about it.  The U.S. has fought against a verification mechanism which the world community would get access to the new labs being built by America in the Caucasus region, to dispel fears that are not again part of American offensive military strategy.

Playing the “Devil’s Adovate” Just what kind of lab is it, and why has there been so much speculation about it? It lies at a place called Alekseevka, an abandoned Soviet military base, today a suburb with a few thousand people living within a mile of the new building.

Tbilisi biolab - why worry?

Georgian authorities have built a new laboratory on the outskirts of Tbilisi near the international airport, assisted by American defense authorities, such as Bechtel National and various subcontractors. However, source within the facility that management is not Georgian.
Locals protested against it in 2004, some fearing the risk of a leak, others that the new lab will produce biological weapons. The leader of the Georgian Green party, Giorgi Gachechiladze, was one of the leaders of the demonstrations. He argues strongly against building the lab, and points to all the secrecy and misinformation.

Both the American staff and the Georgian government have denied foreign journalist access to the new facility. They have given misleading information over the course of this investigation, so much so that it would be hard even to write the story they want to get across, or writing about it from a popular science perspective, without hard facts.

For instance, the health minister (who is formally responsible for the project) told that the new lab has nothing to do with non-proliferation, all the while in the old pathogen storage room there were big posters made by the United States' Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) explaining how the DTRA had secured the pathogens, preventing proliferation.

You can also find articles on the net showing that during the early stage of this project, it was run by the Georgian Ministry of Defense, whilst now it's under health, and that U.S. senator Richard Lugar - a significant person in non-proliferation work, Senate Foreign Relations Committee - called it a storage lab for biological weapons in one of his trip reports after visiting Georgia.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, a branch of the United States Ministry of Defense, is a key stakeholder in the building project and oversees it and similar facilities in the Caucasus, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The stated aim is to rapidly detect disease outbreaks, whether accidental, natural or deliberate (terrorism).

The DTRA - better known as Nunn-Lugar - started out with dismantling weapons of mass destruction capability in the former Soviet countries, but is now building up preparedness against outbreaks of disease, whether natural or as a consequence of terrorism. The US has been striving to integrate the two areas. The new bio-shield is a countermeasure in the developmental stage, the details of which remain obscured.

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Will the US Government use Georgia as an address for bio warfare against Iran?

Will the US Government use Georgia as an address for bio warfare against Iran?

Bechtel Inc.
4, Freedom Square Tbilisi, Georgia

Joni Simonishvili & Jeff Silverman

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE, Organisation Mondiale de la Santé Animale), Georgian and U.S. microbiologists and virologists are conducting joint research into the cholera virus in Georgia. Bodies participating in this project include the United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID, Fort Detrick) and the Georgian Institute of Bacteriophage, Microbiology and Virology. This project is thus best classified as being military rather than public health in nature.

It's really strange that USAMRIID (a military research organization which studies the possibilities of using microorganisms as biological weapons) is the Georgian side's main partner in this research. According to the Italian information resource "Wanted in Rome", it is being conducted in a secret laboratory near Tbilisi, in Alexeevka village, another peculiarity in work supposedly designed for public health benefit.

Officially this facility, called the "Central Laboratory for Animal Health" was opened in September 2004. Its construction reportedly cost more than 100 million USD but further information about its activities is completely classified. It is also clear that the construction cost increased due to shoddy workmanship and the grave public health concerns this raised. Now it has been renamed a Central Reference Lab – which is even more impressive than one designed to deal with bird flu and hoof and mouth disease – all part of the subterfuge.

"The construction of this laboratory in Georgia was driven by its geographical position and need," U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Bass said in a recent interview. However, as one journalist with close knowledge of this facility has confirmed it real nature, “unless you've got a lab flying the stars and stripes next to a mountain of cute dead bunnies, such a story is hard to sell”. The one thing we do know about it is that, according to all the official sources, the lab will not be used for bio weapons research, as was initially reported in the Georgian press, U.S.-Funded 100 mln Bio Lab Opens in Tbilisi, http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=23257

According to European and American journalists, the laboratory in Georgia is part of a chain of such institutions established by the Americans in Eastern Europe. Thailand, Egypt and Kenya are strategically important for the United States nowadays, as Thailand is the USA’s Asian foothold, Egypt is a bulwark against further uncontrolled Arab revolutions and Kenya is the American influence-spreading base in East Africa and the Indian Ocean. Georgia’s proximity to the Russian and Iranian borders was most likely the key factor in the decision to construct a laboratory on its territory. It is likely not happenstance that the facility is very near Tbilisi International Airport.

Three years after the construction of the laboratory an African swine fever epidemic suddenly broke out in Georgia. Coincidence or not, there have also been isolated outbreaks of rabbit fever and other deadly diseases in recent years, which is not usual for this region. The outbreak of swine fever mainly impacted the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, where the ethnic Armenian population is concentrated. In addition, a new strain of swine flu, H3N2, was identified in Georgia in early 2011.

Experts consider the cholera virus to be the biological weapon of the future, mainly because of its ability to infect a significant number of people in a short time, the possibility of re-infection throughout life, and the 50 percent mortality rate of those left without treatment and the lack of an effective vaccine which can be widely produced at short notice.

Naturally, this fact could have significant application for US foreign policy in the region – and if so, this would not be the first time that the US government has engaged in bio warfare. One only needs to revisit the plight of the American Indians, who were deliberately given blankets from smallpox hospitals as part of a campaign of wholesale genocide of Native Americans.

Now may not be a bad time to cut loose a bio infection, as so many people are looking in so many other directions. It may serve a political payoff, and even help the NATO and US war effort in the Arab World; the PR machine is being slowed down a bit these days by the flack coming from unintended consequences of US military operations. There may no longer be any choice but to get nasty - anything is possible, even anthrax type attacks, and naturally it will be assumed that one of the crazy Arab leaders who had a weapons program must have had a few petri dishes which were overlooked.  

In the final analysis, however, one must keep in mind that “to build counter-agents you must first have the weaponized grade material or "infecting agent", which means that they have to predict or know what someone might use (the storage vats they have in Georgia are important for this) and then build a counter-agent. The question is, if the counter agent is already prepared, and if not it is just a matter of timing.”

You may not find a lab flying the stars and stripes next to a mountain of cute dead bunnies, but soon you may find piles of bodies of dead Georgians and others living in its neighborhood in the Near East as a result of this collaborative joint effort.

But all of this is open source stuff, and currently in line with known US policy. It's easy to argue that because Georgia is amok with chem-bio nasties that makes it the ideal place to spend millions soaking up all those idle brains and empty labs and putting them to (good/bad) OUR use.

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Northern Distribrition Route linked to "illegal" US arms exports

Northern Distribution Network and US Arms Dealers in Georgia

Joni Simonishvili -Tbilisi Georgia

The U.S. is "demented" now.  “Thinking people you shit on are your friends when you need them, what goes around comes around!”

We are shitting all over Russia now.  With missiles in Romania and Hillary laughing at our NED and NGO infiltrates fucking with their elections and manufactured discontent protests there.

You think Russia will just roll over and ignore the "hold" [re. this needed transport link] they have over their fake friend USA? And look at the other countries "trust" needed for this transport link.  Very dicey proposition; Kyrgyzstan is a mess too, with as many KGB/FSB/GRU  agents as CIA over there, in the field, as there are in Georgia and Turkey. From the Eurasia.org news article below:

 "The NDN comprises of a rail link starting in Latvia going through Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan; a road route via Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for goods initially delivered to the Manas Transit Center near Bishkek; and a Caucasus pathway "

“But the real question is whether the NDN can fully compensate for what’s happened in Pakistan. We have a good NDN, but we also have Central Asian roads that are not the best,”

Something is "cracking" in the Empire!  The Anglo-US-Israel global Empire; this Northern Distribution Route is faulty logic, wishful thinking, [except the part of transport through Georgia to Turkey via seaport Poti].  Even in Georgia people are starting to understand.

The work ‘Threats of the Development of Ethnic Separatist Terrorism in Georgia and  Preventive Measures Against It ’by TSU Assistant Professor and Doctor of Law Giorgi Gorashvili, is the first attempt at a terrorism study in Georgian scientific literature. This work has both practical and theoretical significance. The author has clearly analyzed the social nature of terrorism, from earlier ages to the modern implications of terrorism.

He describes how terrorism differs from war, the activities of partisan movements and other forms of conflict. The first way is in its target. Under international humanitarian law it is prohibited to attack civil society, but civil society is the main target of terrorist groups. Terrorists are likely to attack the Ministry of Interior or national defense forces but their overall strategy is to attack institutions not involved in conducting armed activities. The terrorists’ target is not the armed forces, thus and their common methods do not comply with those acceptable under the rules of war. Rather it can be softer targets, such as port and railway links, and to entail fear in those that support the war in Afghanistan which has great political ramifications at home.

Giorgi Gorashvili points out that many resources provide discussions on the main elements and objectives of terrorism. In discussing terrorist threats against Georgia three main possible forms these may take must be taken into account – state-supported, ethnic-separatist and religious terrorism.

The existence of Islamic terrorism threats in the south of the Russian Federation should be a real concern for Georgia. This concern is quite reasonable, as the establishment of Islamic states in North Caucasus would leave Georgia almost surrounded by Islamic states. The main source of the country’s internal separatism and the activation of radical Islamists is Russia, whose aim is to weaken Georgia’s sovereignty. However, it is obvious that the above mentioned threats cannot be beneficial for Russia either, [or is it]?

By harming Georgia Russia loses a serious partner in the fight against terrorism, or [does it]. Russia’s actions against Georgia run the risk of creating a grey zone in Georgia in which various manifestations of terrorism and organized crime can flourish, and this is done by allowing the NDR to expand, espeically in Georgia. However, it must be careful so not to compromise the national security of the Russian Federation. In consequence, Giorgi Gorashvili believes that the course of action Georgia takes to control the separatist regions is vital [as potential flashpoints] and how this must comprise not only formal monitoring of these regions but their full involvement in the country’s social and economic life.” However, more is involved here than just theory alone, and 

Sample of how this system really works:

“So, in principle, the delivery time is eight to ten days. That means they ship it to the shore, then by plane through Koln, ah, Ba… Baku or Tbilisi – Tbilisi.  So, and… all together with the weapons, yes? For now, we are only talking about vehicles, so as not to frighten them beforehand.”

Mm-mm. [long pause] what do you need from us so that we can follow your direction? Okay, let’s mention we would agree to have one by _____ let’s say, so uh how do you feel about the success of getting export license in this case, and what do you need from us to start everything.

That being said, there are ways of doing these deals, but it’s at considerable risk to myself, my company, and considerable cost to you guys because it’s not with the license. Does that make sense? Okay, so let’s say we won’t guar… we won’t have export license, but we will get the car to the final destination. Do I understand correct? Car, gun, correct, armament, if that’s what you want? Oh, no conversation has started, now we understand each other. That is, what Ameican is suggesting and they, naturally, are reflecting his thoughts; but they won’t give us the export license. They won’t even deal with it.

Mm-mm.

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/64650, Afghanistan: presssure is now on Central Asian Supply Route.

But does that include Turkmentistan?

Continued:

                        "The shipment have two sets of document” one that goes to the US Company. You guys don’t even have to see that one.  Uh, typical contraband approach, that is, he says they will prepare two packets of documents: the product leaves with one and arrives with the other; in your set everything will be correct, just as you requested."

I think there might be a deal with the Russians to help Ivanishvili as part of keeping alive the Northern Distribution Network. Culturally and personally, Ivanishvili is a person the Kremlin can relate to and understand, as Misha is not – and it might be the best protection against terrorist threats from South of the Border, even greater than the Russian army in close proximity. In short the policy stays same, especially in light of the status quo and the Northern Distribution route. You be the judge as how all these things are linked!

http://www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=10TBILISI146

the wikileaks cable is almost two years old.  But it shows just how deeply US Ambassador John Bass is in the pocket (s) of the pentagon, and Georgian flinkies, not to mention Dick Chaney, KBR, Halliburton, etc.

(C) WHAT ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE POINTS -- POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, OR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE -- IN THE HOST COUNTRY THAT, IF CHALLENGED, WOULD AFFECT ITS WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE NDN COOPERATION WITH THE US? None of the aforementioned potential vulnerabilities affect Georgia's willingness to participate in the Network. Georgia is eager to demonstrate its continued willingness to contribute to the Allied effort in Afghanistan, including by committing a battalion (approximately 750) of troops to serve alongside the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan with no caveats (ref B), so we would not expect any of the factors listed to deter Georgia from participating. BASS

-- http://www.fastmail.fm - A fast, anti-spam email service.

US Ambassdor Bass helps destroy Georgian Media in setting up new supply route to Afghanistan

John Bass, to destroy Georgian Media in setting up new supply route to Afghanistan

IN REF: Private Message

“So what's your analysis of recent events? First they strangle the  newspapers, then Maestro - or are the opposition misreading this? Maybe  Kitsmarishvili, formerly of Rustavi2 and Ambassador to Russian Federation, was imagining himself as the next president, and can't  stand the sight of Ivanishvili and his popularity??

And to John Bass: Would he or anyone else in the US government DARE says something like that to American media? He said they need to know how editorial decisions are made, and that also applies to internet news. Let's see how the Huffington Post would have liked to let the government have more insight into their editorial process.

I don't quite understand what Bass is talking about, but it's clearly an imperialist point of view. It is part of the normal work of media to do what Maestro TV has been doing. The media is another part of society than government and NGOs, and neither have ANY right to lecture journalists like that. Freedom

-- http://www.fastmail.fm - Same, same, but different...