Burjanadze Requested Ivanishvili to Re-Consider His Decision on Suspension of TV9

Mikheil Mamalashvili, Kakheti

On August 20, election office of the political party Democratic Movement – United Georgia was opened in King Erekle II Street # 17 in Telavi. Presidential candidate of the party Nino Burjanadze attended the opening and presented the head of the office Jemal Bagatrishvili and her election program to journalists and society.

Head of Central Election Office of the political party Irakli Batiashvili and Gia Burjanadze were in Telavi together with Burjanadze. In case of victory, the presidential candidate promised Kakheti region population to realize their harvest and to restore justice.

Burjanadze said that Russian market shall be opened for better realization of Georgian products. And she can regulate relations with Russia.

“I am the person who can regulate relations with every state including Russia; I can do what others cannot do because they are afraid not to be blamed in having pro-Russian orientation. We will manage to estimate long-term and close relations with our neighbors and will not be afraid of being rebuked for it. We do hope that our Telavi office will work intensively and I am sure we will have huge support in Kakheti.”

Nino Burjanadze also commented on the closing of TV-Company TV9. “I do not agree with Bidzina Ivanishvili, who said that it is not correct when a politician has a TV-Company; but on the other hand we should be fair and admit that TV9 was impartial and balanced with regard to every political party in the country. So I am not pleased with this decision. I kindly request Mr. Bidzina to re-consider his decision; this problem could be resolved otherwise. He could assign the TV-Company to a council of society members, whom people trust, or find some other ways. TV9 shall not be closed now, before elections! When United National Movement owns so many TV-Channels and when Maestro TV is also almost closing down, suspension of the TV9 will not play positive role in the protection of media freedom. So, the arguments are acceptable but they might think of other forms,” Burjanadze said.

After Telavi, leader of the Democratic Movement met populations of Tsinandali and Karajali villages and presented her election programs to them.