United States and Caucasus Association for Democracy and Peace
SELECTED NEWS FROM CAUCASUS
-Voices from Free Nations-
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND PLEBISCITE IN GERGIA
“Through forming most competitive election in her history, Georgian people made
historical step toward West” - Mike Hancock, Acting President
LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN'S DESK
It is clear that January 5th presi-
dential election and plebiscite was a
solemn moment for the Georgian
democracy in which the electorate of
Georgia has made a firm decision
towards Euro Atlantic integration. An
analysis of performed presidential
election on all those precincts that
USCA observed, allows us to state
that 2008 presidential election and
plebiscite in Georgia was the most
competitive in the history of Georgia,
however with violation.
Mostly violations had a technical
manner, however USCA observers
detected incomplete voter lists and
falsification of results in some pool-
ing stations. We hope Central Elec-
tion Commission (CEC) will fairly
act in response to all involved parties;
consequently the overall performance
of the presidential elections will not
be questioned.
USCA mobility groups performed
observation on Georgian election in
the 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 Mus-
lim Mesks live and in those commu-
nity places of Tskaltubo were IDP’s
reside. It has to be underlined that
Abkhaz population in Peria, Achara’s
region is as integrated in the Georgian
society as the rest citizens of Georgia.
This in fact raises question of the
validity of calling conflict in
Abkhazia a so-called “ethno-
conflict”. Also, internally displaced
persons, repatriated Meskhets and
eco-migrants had an equal opportu-
nity to express their free will during
the election and plebiscite.
USCA Democracy Project had 13
locally trained professional observers,
February 25, 2008 Issue 1
(Special Release)
Special points of inter-
est:
accredited by CEC and supervised by ♦ West never asked to change
the team of international experts from attributes of national identity
USCA: Shota Mkheidze (Chairman but to use them wisely
of USCA), Mike Hancock, (Director
of USCA) and Dr. Theodore Stumm ♦ New Georgian government
(Director of USCA) supervised
should consider steps to-
USCA mission. Prior to election,
USCA observers underwent through wards regaining foot in Rus-
intensive groundwork. They met with sian market
CEC and party officials as well as
with electorate to receive important ♦ Will NATO help to restore
information on the issues that could peace in Caucasus
undermine fairness of election. The
project was sponsored by USCA and ♦ How will West regulate
local contributions.
tensions over dividing Cas-
While commending efforts of CEC pian wealth
committing towards free and trans-
parent election, USCA recognize le- ♦ Stability of Caucasus what
gitimacy of the disagreements be- will be the next step? - Their
tween competing parties. USCA de- Commonwealth
clares its readiness to mitigate all
disputes and urges all parties peace-
Inside this issue:
fully resolve those disagreements.
Letter from Chairman’s 1
As a neutral party, USCA ex- Desk
presses its readiness to collaborate
with all accredited international ob- Election Day 2
servers and mass media and partici- Facts of Violations 2
pate in discussions between opposed
sides and present all facts of viola-
tions that USCA observers detected. Artifacts of Falsified 3
USCA believes that peaceful resolu- Protocols
tion of all existing disagreements will
positively affect in performing of fair Compactly Settled 3
and democratic parliamentary elec- Abkhazians in Achara
tions and will guarantee peaceful fu- Region
ture of Georgia.
Muslim Meskhs during 3
Election and Plebiscite
Sincerely, The Geopolitical Role of
Caucasus and Essential 4
Interests of Georgia
Ocean Distance does not 4
Divides us But Unites!
Founder and Chairman of USCA Memorandum 4
SELECTED NEWS FROM CAUCASUS
ELECTION DAY
The January 5th, 2008 was an important
day in the history of Georgia because of
the early presidential election. Seven
candidates took part. Each of them pre-
sented country development program to
the population. PR campaign 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 time
not spending the whole time at one
place.
Some incidents were found out by inter-
national and local observers during the
election. Local observers from the
Georgian Young Lowers Association
(GYLA) protested them at each time. In
order to make incidents open for public,
GYLA made several press-briefings
addressing to the Central Election Com-
mission (CEC). Other organization did
the same. Opposition parties were pro-
Results in Original Version of Protocol
1. # of total voters in the united list
2. # of voters in the special list
3. # of voters in the additional list
4. # of voters moved to other precinct’s special list
5. # of total voters
6. # of signatures of voters in all sorts of lists:
a) by 12:00 p.m.
b) by 17:00 p.m.
7. # of voters participated in voting
8. # of received ballots
9. # of unused ballots
10. # of out of order ballots
Number of Votes:
Levan Gachechiladze
Arkadi Patarkatsishvili
David Gamkrelidze
Shalva Natelashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili
Giorgi Maisashvili
Irina Sarishvili – Cahanturia
11. # of real ballots
12. # of void ballots
13. # of different envelopes sent to CEC
PAGE 2
testing because of negligence and falsifi- observers discovered that several peo-
cation of ballots. Several opposition par- ple were are not in registered list but
ties, especially United Opposition Party’s
yet were allowed to vote.
leaders intended to terminate the head of
the CEC L. Tarkhnishvili’s employment. Number of voters wore dress depicting
Even today opposition parties claim that attributes of their candidates. Also
the election was unfair and totally facili- busses that were transporting voters
tated. Around 52 cases were brought in
had attributes of one of the presiden-
the court.
tial candidate (#23 pooling station of
Finally, after 2 weeks struggle interna- #54 regional district).
tional and local observers conclude that Out of 25 pooling stations in #59 re-
January 5th presidential election and
gional district that USCA observed, in
plebiscite was the most competitive in
the history of Georgia. 9 of them, members of police units
presented at inside the pooling station.
FACT OF VALIOTIONS
Some pooling stations were opened
USCA observers detected serious viola- late, some were small and ill-prepared.
tions in Achara region. Particularly in In several places election commissions
were highly disorganized, and had
#83 Khelvachauri Election District, #20
Pooling Station “Mnatobi”. Numbers in imprecise lists of voters, creating jam
original protocol that USCA observing and dissatisfaction.
group received from the local election
commission did not match to the copy of
the outcome presented on the Central
Election Commission (CEC) website (see
printed figures and photocopies below).
There were also other violations detected
In her hundred years, Mrs. Marry resists to be
that had minor character. On #14 pooling helped while voting. She believes in democracy
station of the #59 regional district USCA saying “Free and fair election is essential for
every European nation”.
Results Posted by CEC on their Website
575 1. # of total voters in the united list 575
11 2. # of voters in the special list 11
20 3. # of voters in the additional list 20
1 4. # of voters moved to other precinct’s special list 1
605 5. # of total voters 605
6. # of signatures of total voters in all sorts of lists:
93 a) by 12:00 p.m. 93
279 b) by 17:00 p.m 389
298 7. # of voters participated in voting 550
588 8. # of received ballots 600
288 9. # of unused ballots 50
2 10. # of out of order ballots 0
Number of Votes:
90 Levan Gachechiladze 90
89 Arkadi Patarkatsishvili 89
6 David Gamkrelidze 6
25 Shalva Natelashvili 25
52 Mikheil Saakashvili 340
0 Giorgi Maisashvili 0
0 Irina Sarishvili – Cahanturia 0
262 11. # of real ballots 550
16 12. # of void ballots 0
0 13. # of different envelopes sent to CEC 20
SELECTED NEWS FROM CAUCASUS PAGE 3

ARTIFACTS OF FALSIFIED PROTOCOLS

- 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!-

COMPACTLY SETTLED they expressed their will freely without MUSLIM MESKHS DURING ELECTION
ABKHAZIANS IN ACHARA REGION AND PLEBISCITE
any sign of rejection. In addition they
USCA’s one of the international observ- mentioned that since they have moved in Repatriated Muslim Meskh’s that live in
ers’ mobile groups (Irakli Silagadze, Achara the made friendly relationships Ianeti region (West Georgia) were exiled
Roman Giorgobiani, Natalia Chubabria) with Georgians and hope this tradition from Georgia in 1944 by Soviet Empire.
monitored Achara’s region small com- will be preserved by their generations. USCA observers (Keti Svanidze, Paata
munity Pheria which is settled with Gulua, Natalya Chubabria) observed
Abkhazians. At the end of the observation mission in election and plebiscite in Ianeti pooling
Achara USCA mobile group have made station #23. Their aim was to observe
They were settled in Achara territory in conclusion that Abkhaz and Georgian how objective and transparent was the
the period of Muhajiroba by the late 19th population living in a small village Phe- election procedures.
c. They were prosecuted on behalf of ria have warm and kind neighborhood.
their Muslim religious and were forced That resulted fair and objective election The OSCE observers, Russian and
to leave their families and seek shelters. at the pooling station #20. Abkhaz peo- Lithuanian groups also observed the
Here are some fragments from the inter- ple consider themselves as inseparable above mentioned pooling station. Be-
view given from Abkhazian voters. To part of Georgian people who are inte- sides international observers, policemen
the question of Irakli Silagadze, the head grated with Georgian citizens. were inside the station. That made some
of the mobile group, if there were any people angry as the law prohibits police-
pressure when making their decision men to be inside the station.
during the election, the respondents Ten-
giz Mukhajba and Ruslan Khokhba an- Around 13:00 p.m. the repatriated
swer that no force were applied against Meskhs were taken by bus to the pooling
them. station. After they made their choice, the
Also to the question if they took part in observation group had interviewed some
the election themselves as other citizens of them (Mirza Mamisashvili, Malkhaz
or felt lack of attention in comparison Although Mrs.Nina Mukhajba doesn’t favors Ayubov). Interviews showed that repa-
NATO she freely chooses her favorite candidate
with locals, their only answer was that triated Meskhs had not experienced any
problems while voting.
SELECTED NEWS FROM CAUCASUS
THE GEOPOLITICAL ROLE OF CAUCASUS &
ESSENTIAL INTERESTS OF GEORGIA
“The Caucasus divides the universe into two
parts” , Pliny the Great .
OCEAN DOES NOT DEVIDES US, BUT
UNITES!
Hello from far Georgia (Sakartvelo)!
We hope you have heard about us!
PAGE 4
Finally, we want to express our team
readiness for future collaboration.
Please, send us your ideas and opinions.

We are Teona Alavidze, Natalia Chu-

CAUCASUS Mountain range
Division of EUROPE from ASIA
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
babria, Roman Giorgobiani, Khatia Jan-
gavadze, Keti Svanidze, Nino Saldadze,
Ann Ushveridze and Mari Verulashvili.
We are interns and write short articles on
political and economic news for Cauca-
sus News Letter (CNL). The CNL is the
first program of the USCA aiming at
providing objective political and eco-
nomic information about Caucasus re-
gion, also strengthening cultural and edu-
cational relationship between US and
Georgia.
In spite of our age, education or char-
acteristics we have one common interest:
to make our contribution in building de-
mocracy and peace in the region of Cau-
casus.
Georgia is a country with antique civi-
lization, rich history and culture. We
want oversee students to know more
about our country. We also aim at intro-
ducing Caucasus regions to US students
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 professionals.
MEMORANDUM
On December 18th, 2007 United States
and Caucasus Association signed the
Memorandum 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.

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). Reporting news is a privilege and great responsibil-
ity 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 continue exist in peace while maintaining its cultural uniqueness.
USCA is an American independent, nonpartisan nonprofit 501 (c) (3) corporation, dedicated to strengthening the relation-
ship between the United States and Georgia, and to promoting democracy, peace and economic development in the Cauca-
sus region. All contributions are tax deductible. USCA News Letter Project team daily observes political and economic de-
velopments in North and South Caucasus and other peripheries.
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;
USCA members thanks to Mr. Giorgi Oniani, Akaki Tsereteli State University Rector for publishing CNL.

www.uscadp.org Phone: 904-237-5118; Fax: 904-358-3095

E-mail: infousca@gmail.com; info@uscadp.org