MP Inashvili breaks into conference during ‘Russia panel’
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Wednesday, September 11
The second day of the 5th international conference organized by the Center for Economic Policy Research and the McCain Institute, which is underway was noisy. Irma Inashvili, Deputy Chairperson at the Parliament of Georgia and representative of the pro-Russian oppositional party Alliance of Patriots has interrupted a panel composed of human rights activists and U.S diplomats during the International Conference in Tbilisi Rooms Hotel, giving rise to verbal disputes and tension.
The panel, titled “Where is Russia Going?” was to discuss issues of violation of human rights and international law by Russia, with a special focus on Georgia. It’s noteworthy that the start of the unrest coincided with this particular panel.
Inashvili explained that “she was listening to the blackmail of her party by the participants of the conference on TV over the past two days.”
“I have come to brief the attendees about the party and our goals. I was not invited. However, I am vice-speaker of the Georgian parliament and have the right to attend the event and deliver a speech,” Inashvili said.
She arrived at the site with journalists of Obieqtivi TV, which was co-founded by her in 2010. One of the journalists of the channel, Giorgi Kasradze claimed that he was unable to ask questions during the conference, he was escorted outside by Georgian law enforcers.
“This man was trying to disrupt the conference. I think it was a planned provocation. This panel today is dedicated to how Russia is trying to expand its influence in this country, and I think that this provocation intended to break down that panel. I would like to remind you once again that anyone who tries to disrupt the conference through provocations will be removed from the space,” said Nino Evgenidze, Executive Director of the Center for Economic Policy Research.
Inashvili was asked by event organizers and the former assistant secretary of state and a researcher of Florida University David Kremer to leave the hall, but the lawmaker did not obey. A verbal dispute took place between Inashvili and Kramer: “Any individual can attend the conference, the only thing that we are asking for is to register. We are not interested in anyone’s political beliefs. However, to be sincere, breaking into the conference is rude.” Kramer commented. As he explained later, he didn’t know who that woman was, his only goal was to ease the tensions and continue the panel.
Inashvili attended the conference and even delivered a speech. According to Irma Inashvili, the organizers of the event today showed disrespect for the Georgian Constitution when she, as Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament was not allowed to speak at the panel – She also demanded apologies from Kramer.
According to the leader of the Alliance of Patriots, some politicians are trying to demonstrate seizing property from businessmen and portraying election frauds as pro-Western actions. “I know exactly that these are not Western values. It is Bolshevism and fascism. The "Alliance of Patriots" is truly a party of Georgian and Western thought. So be aware that when the Bokeria and Saakashvili and their experts talk about us, everything is untrue,” claimed the MP.
“I came to tell our international partners that Giga Bokeria, who tagged different labels on us yesterday, is a Victimizer… Bokeria-Saakashvili is trying to maintain a monopoly on you” – Inashvili said. Most of her speech focused on opposition leaders, yet she also recalled the necessity of direct dialogue with Russia, that, according to her was mentioned at the conference the previous day.
Former US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said in response to a question by Inashvili, that Saakashvili and Bokeria had been removed from power years ago in a peaceful way, which is a sign of the strength of the Georgian democracy. ”Georgian politics is not to be judged by me or any American, but I am glad that the government is changing through democratic elections - I would not say the same about Russia,” said Fried.
Former US diplomat, Matthew Bryza and international expert Michael Carpenter also commented on the incident.
“This person [Irma Inashvili] shows the worst side of the Russian plan and the obvious signs. It is a plan to disrupt - disrupt politics, our conference, destroy Georgia - by invasion and occupation, destroy Ukraine - by invasion and occupation so that Russia will gain control and not lose those countries to NATO. It’s so obvious, that it’s funny”-said Bryza.
As for Carpenter’s assessment, he emphasized the Russian influence: “Georgia has done much to resist Russian propaganda and the harmful political, economic and informational tools of Russian influence. However, Georgia remains vulnerable to it, and this episode shows exactly that. Pro-Russian forces are active in this country, trying to implement their message. The more effectively the Georgians will fight and dispel these messages, the better. It is unfortunate, however, that the ones with the similar view are part of the ruling coalition.”
The Alliance of Patriots, created in 2012, entered parliament in 2016 with 6 MPs. The party urges for closer ties with Russia and is against Georgia’s integration into NATO.
It is the first time that the Tbilisi International Conference has been interrupted by pro-Russian activists during its five years. Many journalists and TV channels stormed the room to record Inashvili’s declaration but were escorted back shortly after. It’s noteworthy that this incident was handled shortly and it didn’t prevent the panel from resuming.
2019 Conference “Now What?” Opened on September 9.
Participants include US and Western European leaders in politics and security, including US diplomats Matthew Bryza and John Tefft. Also, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Philip Ricker and representatives of the international press.
The conference is attended by members of the Georgian ruling party and opposition, as well as representatives of NGOs.
