Open letter to the leaders of the opposition
Tuesday, March 31
I am writing to you at the time you are preparing to hold demonstrations on April 9, a time when businesses are very worried and apprehensive, hoping that your protests will remain a peaceful expression of opinion.
I am writing to you at a time of unprecedented world financial crisis, something which has greatly affected Georgia, at a time when our banking sector is facing difficulties in borrowing money from international markets and therefore in lending it to needy businesses, at a time when investors are witnessing the meltdown of their assets, and at a time when emerging markets have lost their competitive edge for the West, and especially at a time when many Georgian businesses are struggling to survive.
Since November 2007 the Georgian business climate has suffered a lot. It all started with protests, which were followed by a period of stagnation while preparing for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Then came the August war and, on its heels, an international financial crisis of geopolitical magnitude.
This chain of events has kept foreign investors and capital away from Georgia, and for months now, we’ve suffered major job losses. What are badly needed for our economic survival at this crucial time are foreign partnerships and their financial investments.
In a democracy, it is the privilege of each and every citizen to express their opinion. However, with this privilege comes the ultimate responsibility of preserving the country’s integrity and fostering the rights and properties of all of its citizens. While the Government as well as the international community welcomes peaceful, civilized demonstrations, the business community views the upcoming April 9 demonstrations as most untimely, very dangerous to our economy and therefore detrimental to our country.
The April 9 protests will receive extensive international media coverage, with footage of the “unrest in Georgia” reaching millions of households all over the globe. You, “the stars of the day,” will view this as a great victory, just as you did back in November 2007. Diplomatic missions will interpret it as a sign of a new emerging democracy. But for international investors, Georgia will thus become another unstable country to avoid at all costs. The only losers in this “expression of democracy” will be Georgia and every single Georgian citizen, including each and every member of the opposition.
What is really tragic is that many of the protesters will end up losing their jobs as well, thus becoming more collateral victims of the negative impact your protests will have on investors worldwide.
Democracy is a healthy exercise for a country, just as physical exercise is for individuals. However, common sense dictates that one should refrain from engaging in any physical exercise when ill, so as to avoid further health complications. Georgia today is ill from the November protests, ill from having waited for the outcome of the Presidential and then Parliamentary elections, ill from the consequences of the August war, ill from the impact of the international financial crisis; no individual in their right mind, who truly cares for this country, would put Georgia at risk by exposing it to yet another round of street protests, which have no set agenda or programme whatsoever. Such actions will unfortunately turn into anarchy and be doomed to failure.
Leaders of the opposition, I am appealing to your patriotism, the same patriotism that you bravely showed this summer during the Russian invasion of Georgia. However, if back then it was easy to identify the enemy, this time the enemy is not visible, although it is very much present. That enemy is hiding, waiting for you to do what they couldn't do themselves, achieve the total destruction of our economy. Do not fall into their trap, because in the end you can be sure that history will not judge you kindly.
There is nothing that street protests can solve and constructive dialogue cannot. We therefore urge you to sit down immediately with the authorities and discuss openly and transparently, in a civilized way, of all your grievances and apprehensions. It is only through a constructive dialogue that your demands will be met and the interest of the country secured.
Sincerely yours,
Fady Asly
Chairman
The Georgian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce
The World Business Organization