Web Portal on Human Rights in Georgia

The deputy Minister said that Marshal Foundation noted Georgian side that they decided to cancel the visit to Georgia because of Dieter Boden’s presence in the delegation. “The wrong information was spread, as if we blocked the delegation’s visit to Georgia. I declare with full responsibility that it is not true”, Kalandadze said.

She added that the Government of Georgia has close cooperation with German Marshal Foundation and Robert Bosch Foundation and Georgia is ready to host the delegations. The deputy Minister said Dieter Boden publicly criticized initiatives of the Georgian party that are agreed with our international partners. Kalandadze said Boden calls the Georgian government’s strategy regarding occupied territories illusory and unrealized.

Nino Kalandadze compares the Government of Georgia with the third Reich and fascist Germany in his public statements. “He said Georgia has to admit its mistakes to its enemies and victims once and for all, like Nazi Germany did”, Nino Kalandadze said.

Kalandadze said it is a position that is categorically unacceptable for the Georgian side and any Georgian person. Kalandadze underlined that cooperation with Boden on any official level and in any form will be restricted.

“It’s difficult for me to imagine the form we can cooperate with this person”, Kalandadze said.

She added that despite this fact, he can arrive in Georgia any time with any status. The Deputy Minister said that the only requirement of the government of Georgia, considering all the arguments, was that Georgia would restrain from taking part in high level meetings with the delegation if Dieter Boden was in the delegation.

Kalandadze said that the Foundation decided to review the membership of the delegation and canceled the visit.

“We are ready to host the delegation at any time, including the members that are critical against government of Georgia, have different positions from official Tbilisi, though the issue must not concern principal and fundamental topics that are absolutely unacceptable for Georgia. If Dieter Boden’s participation is still considered, we will prefer not to meet him on high level meetings”, Nino Kalandadze said.

Dieter Boden’s comment about President Mikheil Saakashvili’s statement was published by media; Mikheil Saakashvili refused to host the Marshal delegation if German diplomat Dieter Boden was delegation member.