Arno Khidirbegishvili: pressed in motherland

“We protect the journalists’ rights. No one can fright them and let’s not have illusion about this.  Georgian state or I not let the terror against them.”- said President Mikheil Saakashvili.

  “House where the crime happened” – this is the title of Alberto Moravia’s story, although now we are not going to speak about the famous Italian. The house where the crime happened is not less sunny then Italy –it is placed in Georgia. It is too difficult to believe that crime has place in the 21^st  century. In the center of Tbilisi  2007.10.08.  at 4 p. m. government in face of armed police leadership economic Ministry and City Mayor’s officials invaded in Building on Merab Kostava str. N14 and saying that there was bomb more than 80 editorial staffs,2 telecasts, tens of publishing houses were thrown out. In result 3000 persons lost their jobs. It is special event when the guilty is not punished. How can the government judge itself?!

  So entered the death in Publishing House (“SAMSHOBLO”).

  - They were not stopped even before the earthquake and the thick walls which were built in communism period. The security guard could not control  20000 km the huge territory with also huge empty building- hundreds rooms, a lot of underground technical and store houses. Later the strange sounds came out of this place. They said the poor people, drug users, drunkards and cheap prostitutes find refuge there. Pilferer stole everything from publishing house: tables and chairs, doors and conditioners, window glasses, electric wires and even heater tubes. They also said the building where none of journalist can enter all this scum of society paid sum to policemen and they were let in.

  One year before 2008.10.08. our government moved in the refugees from Kartli and Tskhinvali. I will never forget their eyes…After terrible days during the war they were astonished saw in the center of Tbilisi building ruined without the war.

  The government was not able to sale this house even in symbol price. The businessmen were taken from everywhere but in vane. The house with its specific planning has very narrow profile. It can not be used as hotel, casino or for living in without destruction. But in this case it must be blown up and so hard that it would damage the central part of Tbilisi including the historical buildings, monuments and even underground station “Rustaveli”.

  Then what was the profit for the government?

  Perhaps money?!- no! They could have the great profit giving the right to people working there to expiate it themselves.

  Influence?! No, all pro-opposition high rated organizations functions even nowadays and harder than before.

  Popularity?! No,-only humiliated. They deserved publishers anger. They could find some words of praise staying this house in their ownership. The place would be enough for everyone for the whole editorial system which is now placed very spontaneous in railway station undergrounds. In this case the journalists would not take the pen to say oath words of the government…

  For the reason now this nightmare is in Merab Kostava str. It can be called the rashness monument. But the authority is our. We elected them ourselves?! Although the main thing and pity is when day-time the “murder” happened no one say a word. So became clear the illusion of journalists collegiate and professional unity-it was the authority’s main achievement.

  Failure they can see when the authority was running on 10^th of August in 2008 lasting killed and wounded young generation-soldiers and peaceful inhabitants becoming refugees in one second. The government last them without their houses as well as journalists-in 2007.19.08.

  Does the authority know what conditions have the refugees in former publishing house? – I mean Refugee and Urban Minister Subeliani and his subordinate Elene Tevdoradze –human rights “selfless” defender, who was heading the accordant parliamentary committee, or senior of parliament human rights committee Arsenishvili? Tbilisi Mayor Ugulava who was in the same course in eclesiastic seminary with Subeliani or parliament vice-speaker and at the same time the owner of the biggest building company “Center-point” God fearing madam Kervalishvili, who likes to speak about her charity. Economic Ministry Jvania?   Is Subeliani going to provide refugees with dwelling. Especially the most of them are women and children e.g. by giving them area in George Soross funds comfortable office? Is Jvania going to return under his minister balance being the publishing house to journalist?! Perhaps the authority do not regard journalists as humans and what can we do with Joe Biden’ indication – Let’s build the democracy.

   Probably this article and photos took by me a few days ago would fall to thinking our authority and instand of building five stars hotels, new state institutions and new living complexes for rich people they try to build even “Khrushchovka”.

  Only kids allowed me to take photos while poor frightened people tried to hide. So I insist not punish them by chance being on some my photos. Though I do not Know what can be more punishment?

  When I was going I saw the old “SHANSE” poster and I thought have the refugees chance of returning, have we journalists chance to return in “Samshoblo”, Has my country the chance to be survived?..