From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Tue Jul 31 2001 - 09:30:44 EDT
Georgian president interviewed on killing of TV journalist
President Eduard Shevardnadze has said that officials investigating the
killing of Georgian journalist Giorgi Sanaia are working hard on the case.
He told Georgian radio that "several leads have emerged that could help the
law-enforcement authorities establish the truth". He urged the
investigators to act quickly and warned that their efforts would only be
judged by the outcome. Speaking about the postponement, because of Sanaia's
killing, of his visit to Baku, where he was to have to signed a gas
pipeline agreement of "historic importance" to Georgia, Shevardnadze
thanked Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev for accepting his decision with
"full understanding". He also said that he would not attend the forthcoming
CIS summit in Sochi. The following is the text of Nato Oniani's interview
with Shevardnadze broadcast by Georgian radio on 30 July; subheadings
inserted editorially:
[Interviewer] Mr President, for reasons that are well understood, the only
subject of today's interview is the tragic death of our colleague,
journalist Giorgi Sanaia. One can say without exaggeration that it has
shaken Georgian society.
[Shevardnadze] Good morning. At a meeting with members of the media I
expressed my deep condolences, heart-felt concern and utter outrage about
this heinous murder. This is the second such case. The first one was in
1993. I mean the outrageous murder of [journalist] Dato Bolkvadze. Villains
have again taken the life of a well-known journalist.
I have met Giorgi Sanaia on many occasions. Whenever I could, I tried to
follow his work both for the press and Rustavi-2 TV company. In my opinion,
Giorgi was a very gifted, conscientious and professional young man, blessed
with outstanding personal qualities.
I would like to repeat something I have said before: this is not just the
murder of one man. Although Cain's sin is always an unforgivable crime,
Giorgi Sanaia's premature death has broken the hearts of all members of the
public, all people of goodwill and the whole of Georgia.
The very fact that a young man has managed to create an unforgettable image
is noteworthy. It is tragic for the nation to be saying good-bye to such a
son. The violent death of a young man is a thousand times more tragic when
the victim's only weapon is a pen or a video camera, especially during a
period of peace when the guns are silent.
Law-enforcement authorities must act quickly to solve murder case
Naturally, all of us feel responsibility for this tragedy. I have said many
times that we still have not completed the construction of a fully-fledged,
powerful state capable of protecting each of its citizens, especially
prominent figures, from such unforeseen events. It must be noted, however,
that even the most developed and powerful states are not insured against
such tragic incidents. A lot of work and effort is still needed for us to
achieve this goal. Unfortunately, we have failed to protect ourselves
against casualties.
The main thing now is to establish the truth and ensure that justice
prevails. Punishment is not an end in itself. Several years ago we took the
decision to abolish the death penalty. I am sure that it was the only
correct decision. The public supported us enthusiastically. At the same
time, the inevitability of punishment for a crime that has been committed
is the one of the foundations of a civilized society.
Giorgi Sanaia's murder must certainly be cleared up. It is our first
priority at present. It is a state priority that is linked to the
temperature of the social atmosphere.
It is inadmissible to spread various theories, false rumours and reports and
keep the public hostage to these theories. The arrest of the culprit or
culprits must put an end to the proliferation of such theories. This is
needed to allow Giorgi's soul to rest in peace and his memory to be
respected. It will be extremely important for the younger generation.
I am not ruling anything out at present. One cannot ignore the possibility
that we are dealing with a treacherous act of provocation with far-reaching
consequences. It is aimed at creating instability and chaos in Georgia and
sowing alienation and discord between the authorities and the public. Its
ultimate goal is to drag the country into a quagmire of civil
confrontation. At the same time it is aimed at undermining the country's
international reputation, causing suspicions among our friends and wrecking
the great plans we have drawn up and are implementing to uphold Georgian
independence.
Therefore, I categorically demand that the law-enforcement authorities do
their utmost to solve this heinous crime without delay. I am sure that, as
much as they can, citizens will support this effort.
I know that the best specialists from the Interior Ministry, Security
Ministry, prosecutors' office and intelligence department are involved in
investigating this case. They are working on it day and night. However,
what matters is the outcome. The effort will only be judged by the outcome.
Murder investigators are following up "several leads"
[Interviewer] Are there already any specific leads? I understand that you
will not want to reveal the details, but what can you say in general about
the progress of the investigation?
You have just said that he was a young man who managed to create a unique
image for himself. He really did that, which is no mean feat in TV
journalism. Although they did not know him personally, viewers loved him.
Is there any specific lead? Does the investigation have anything to work on,
so that there is hope that Giorgi's killing will not be yet another
unsolved case of murder?
[Shevardnadze] First of all, let me explain that I as president have no
right to look into and interfere in every minute detail of the
investigation. Of course, I have general information. As far as I know,
several leads have emerged that could help the law-enforcement authorities
establish the truth. There is quite a lot of information that could help
the investigators work productively.
At the same time, we have appealed to our friends abroad. I must repeat that
we have appealed to the US administration. They responded immediately, and
their experts will join the investigation into the Georgian journalist's
killing. This is needed in order to achieve a higher level of objectivity
and transparency.
By the way, FBI experts have given us a great deal of assistance in clearing
up some well-known terrorist acts and other serious crimes in the past.
Georgian state has "vital interest" in freedom of speech
I hope our listeners and readers will understand me correctly if I say that
freedom of speech and thought is the main achievement of Georgian
democracy. This victory belongs to all of us together. It was achieved
despite a huge number of problems and obstacles.
Of course, our ill-wishers are concerned because in a society that can
breathe freely, in which thought and speech are not suppressed and
persecuted and in which favourable working conditions have been created for
journalists, including regular meetings with the president, it is very hard
to instigate negative and destructive processes. However, this phenomenon -
freedom of speech in Georgia and freedom of the individual - is not a
windfall gain. It is the result of our collective will and faith.
The freedom of the individual and speech is also the fruit of interaction
between the state and civil society. We have created a system that can no
longer exist without freedom of speech. Without it, the system will simply
decay and collapse. Therefore, not only individuals, but the entire state
system has a vital interest in the preservation of freedom of speech. It
means that, if Georgia did not have a democratic system, there would be no
freedom of speech.
This great achievement is underpinned by the talent and honesty of specific
individuals and figures. It breeds on truth and unbiased reporting. I am
referring to such well-known persons and journalists as Giorgi Sanaia.
As for my personal feelings about this tragedy, whatever the motive for the
killing, any normal, well-meaning and patriotic person has been shaken
badly by this tragedy. This is the pain I feel too.
Cancellation of visits to Azerbaijan, CIS summit in Russia
That is why I decided to postpone what would have been without exaggeration
a historic visit to Baku, where a treaty of historic importance, at least
for Georgia, is ready for signing. It provides for the transit of natural
gas via Georgian territory. It means that Georgia will finally and forever
have sufficient supplies of energy sources.
I am extremely grateful to President Heydar Aliyev, who, having expressed
profound regret over the death of Giorgi Sanaia, accepted with full
understanding the need for the visit to be postponed. On my part, it was a
gesture of solidarity with Georgian journalists.
For well-known reasons, I believe it is impossible for me to take part in
the informal CIS summit in Sochi. Of course, there are other reasons for
that, but the main one is the death of Giorgi Sanaia. Parliament has also
suspended proceedings as a sign of solidarity. We all genuinely see what
happened as a national tragedy.
Naturally, the Georgian mass media have closed their ranks, at least that is
what I can see and what I wish to see. I would like to thank journalists
for the restraint and responsible patriotic attitude which they have shown
over the past few days. They know full well that this horrible crime may be
aimed precisely at destroying the democratic system and freedom of speech
in Georgia and replacing them with chaos and instability.
As never before, we must be firm today. I am not appealing for calmness. You
cannot stay calm after a gifted and well-known man like Giorgi Sanaia has
been killed. However, our unity in the face of this tragic event will make
sure that evil will be unmasked and will not escape its just punishment.
I also wish to thank all those who were first to arrive at the right place
and in a way tried put the investigation on the right track.
I appeal to journalists to be vigilant, together with the authorities, in
the protection of democracy and freedom in Georgia. No force will defeat
Georgian democracy. Georgia will be a free and happy country.
Source: Georgian Radio, Tbilisi, in Georgian 0603 gmt 30 Jul 01
BBC Mon FS1 FsuPol gv
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