The News in Brief
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Georgian Government Dismisses Ambassadors to UK, Switzerland, NATO, and UN
The Government of Georgia has announced the dismissal of several key diplomats, including ambassadors and representatives in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, NATO, and the United Nations offices in Geneva. The government has submitted relevant proposals to the President and published the corresponding decrees.
The following diplomatic positions are affected:
- Ramaz Lominadze, Ambassador to Switzerland, will leave his post on October 1, 2024.
- Aleksandre Maisuradze, Permanent Representative to the UN offices in Geneva and other international organizations, will also step down on October 1, 2024.
- Sofia Katsarava, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, will have her authority terminated on October 15, 2024.
- Viktor Dolidze, Representative to NATO, will leave his position on September 21, 2024.
All four diplomats were appointed in 2020. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that their dismissals are due to the expiration of their rotation periods.
Additionally, on August 20, the government requested the dismissal of Zurab Pataradze, the Ambassador to Azerbaijan since 2018, also citing the end of his rotation period.
Tbilisi Mayor Responds to Russian Intelligence Claims: Criticizes Opposition and Danish Government
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi party, responded to recent claims by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) that the United States is preparing a "color revolution" in Georgia. While addressing the SVR's statement, Kaladze claimed that the Georgian opposition itself has been openly promoting revolutionary ideas, questioning the need for Russian intelligence to make such statements.
"Why does this need a statement from Russian intelligence? The oppositionists came out and directly preached revolution," Kaladze remarked, claiming that opposition figures have been openly discussing and instructing on how to carry out a revolution in the country. He added, "Why are you so attached to the statements of the Russian special services? This also raises many questions regarding you and the opposition in general."
Kaladze further criticized the involvement of foreign governments in Georgia's internal affairs, specifically pointing to the Danish government. He accused Denmark of financing opposition activities, including their visits to regions and their direct involvement in the election campaign. "Neither Russia, America, nor the West can interfere in Georgia's affairs. An attempt to do this is funded by non-governmental organizations. The Danish government, which finances the trips of the opposition spectrum to the regions and is directly involved in the election campaign, is this normal?" Kaladze said.
Georgian Government Dismisses Ambassadors to UK, Switzerland, NATO, and UN
The following diplomatic positions are affected:
- Ramaz Lominadze, Ambassador to Switzerland, will leave his post on October 1, 2024.
- Aleksandre Maisuradze, Permanent Representative to the UN offices in Geneva and other international organizations, will also step down on October 1, 2024.
- Sofia Katsarava, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, will have her authority terminated on October 15, 2024.
- Viktor Dolidze, Representative to NATO, will leave his position on September 21, 2024.
All four diplomats were appointed in 2020. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that their dismissals are due to the expiration of their rotation periods.
Additionally, on August 20, the government requested the dismissal of Zurab Pataradze, the Ambassador to Azerbaijan since 2018, also citing the end of his rotation period.
Tbilisi Mayor Responds to Russian Intelligence Claims: Criticizes Opposition and Danish Government
"Why does this need a statement from Russian intelligence? The oppositionists came out and directly preached revolution," Kaladze remarked, claiming that opposition figures have been openly discussing and instructing on how to carry out a revolution in the country. He added, "Why are you so attached to the statements of the Russian special services? This also raises many questions regarding you and the opposition in general."
Kaladze further criticized the involvement of foreign governments in Georgia's internal affairs, specifically pointing to the Danish government. He accused Denmark of financing opposition activities, including their visits to regions and their direct involvement in the election campaign. "Neither Russia, America, nor the West can interfere in Georgia's affairs. An attempt to do this is funded by non-governmental organizations. The Danish government, which finances the trips of the opposition spectrum to the regions and is directly involved in the election campaign, is this normal?" Kaladze said.