NGO Ad Hoc Press Conference: Alleged “Spying” of Lira Tskhovrebova

December 16, 2008

We, the leaders of NGOs held a special press conference addressing the alarming news reports that were issued on December 15 dealing with the alleged “espionage” of Lira Tskhovrebova. Lira Tskhovrebova story was covered by all TV outlets of Georgia in much the same way.

We consider that yesterday’s  news pieces attempted to show all members of the civil society that people’s diplomacy is being discredited and those who are involved in this kind of activity are spies and foreign agents.

We consider that the news piece that was released yesterday on alleged espionage of Lira Tskhovrebova, our colleague is a warning to us- the NGO sector that we must forget all forms of people’s diplomacy in the future. Otherwise, we might be called enemies and spies of foreign of the state!!!!

The NGOs that are listed below have been the partners of Lira Tskhovrebova’s organization in various projects and programs for years.

Lira Tskhovrebova’s organization had been cooperating with very respectful organizations such as UN and OSCE also various international organizations and foreign embassies in terms of promoting peace, peaceful dialogue and reinstatement of confidence between participants to conflict. The shared perspectives that we share with Lira Tskhovrebova’s organizations is that peaceful forms and peaceful initiatives must be used in order to overcome the pain and tragedy that was caused by the recent war.

We are fully aware of the fact that dialogue is the only way that leads to lasting peace. With no dialogue only gun fire can be heard!

We regret that important personal potential was ignored once again. This fact indicates that there are some problems with the level of professionalism in the political diplomacy of our country.

The August war took not only the lives our fellow citizens but also brought an end to political diplomacy that  proved  to be so weak that it (diplomacy) could not stop people from being murdered.

The news pieces that were broadcasted yesterday demonstrated to us that there is an alarming tendency to further discriminate against people’s diplomacy and this is when we practically do not have the continued option of political diplomacy.

However, we can not refuse on our values such as peace, friendship and living peacefully in the same neighborhood. We need freedom, prosperity and development and finally, we must continue with our efforts to establish democratic values in Georgia.

We will not set back because we might be labeled as agents and traitors.  We will continue doing something that is humane and full of civic responsibility.

If you are looking for agents in people’s diplomacy, here we are:

Signatures:

Nino Tsikhistavi, Caucasus Women’s Network;

Arnold Stepanyan, Multinational Georgia;

Zakaria Kutsnashvili, Law for People;

Nana Kakabadze, Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights;

Mikheil Mirziashvili

Marina Paghava, Assist Yourself;

Arina Tavakarashvili, Net Georgia

Irina Putkaradze, Healthy World

Ucha Nanuashvili, Human Rights Center;

Manana Kobakhidze, Article 42 of the Constitution;

Lela Gaprindashvili, Women’s Initiate for Equality;

Elene Resetskaya, Women’s Informative Center;

Irakli Sesiashvili, Assosiation Justice and Liberty;

Aleksandre Shoshikelashvili, Center for the Defense of Constitutional Rights;

Manana Mebuke, the Union of Wives of Disabled and Deceased Warriors

Marina Tabukashvili, Fund Tasso

Lamara Shakulashvili, Shida Kartli Committee of Anti Violence Network in Georgia

Guguli Maghradze, Women’s Initiative Support Movement

More signatures to be signed