Day: May 3, 2024

Georgian PM and a US State Department advisor

The prime minister of Georgia, following a conversation with Derek Chollet, a US State Department advisor, posted on X that there were two attempted revolutions in Georgia between 2020 and 2023. He alleged that these attempts were supported by former US Ambassador Kelly Degnan.

Additionally, Kobakhidze denounced the rhetoric of State Department officials as false and concluded by stating he “did not express concern to Mr. Chollet regarding the brutal dispersal of student protest actions in New York.” Furthermore, Kobakhidze again referenced a second front in his conspiratorial text.

“I spoke with the Secretary’s advisor and expressed sincere concern about the two attempted revolutions between 2020 and 2023 through NGOs supported by the former US Ambassador and funded from external sources. If successful, these efforts would have opened a second front in Georgia.

Furthermore, I explained to Mr. Chollet that false statements made by State Department officials regarding the transparency bill and street protests resemble similar false statements made by the former US Ambassador between 2020 and 2023, which advocated for violence sponsored from abroad and supported revolutionary scenarios.

Additionally, I explained to Mr. Chollet that against this background, special measures are necessary to restore relations, which is impossible without a fair and honest approach,” the prime minister tweeted.

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• “The ‘foreign agents law’ in its current form clashes with European values,” – the head of the European Commission for EU Enlargement
• Generation Z protest: Who’s leading the frontline against the ‘Russian law’ in Georgia. Video
• “The Georgian side refused to discuss a strategic partnership with America,” – the US ambassador

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Following critical statements from the US State Department regarding the discussion of the “foreign agents law” (or “Russian law”) in parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze published his statement on X.

On May 2nd, Derek Chollet stated that he “explained” to prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze his concerns about Georgia’s trajectory. On the same day, it became known that members of the Georgian government refused to meet with senior US officials to discuss any issues of strategic partnership and assistance from the US. US Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunningan issued a statement on this matter.

According to the ambassador, the US urges the Georgian government to reaffirm its commitment to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, as outlined in the Georgian constitution. Dunningan also expressed deep concern about the choice of the Georgian government, which she believes has moved the country away from its Euro-Atlantic future.

The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified the government’s actions by stating that prime minister Kobakhidze was invited with the condition that before his visit, the Georgian parliament should suspend the consideration of the draft law “On the Transparency of Foreign Influence.” The ministry believes that this “does not correspond to the spirit of partnership.”

Georgian PM and a US State Department advisor

Fools

— Riwarolla (@riwarolla) May 3, 2024

World Press Freedom Day in Iran: Journalists face rising threats  Voice of America – VOA News

Israel Attack on Iran Is What World War III Looks Like  The Intercept

US to transfer advanced attack drones with firearms on board to Ukraine

Feloni Aero has announced the launch of its latest line of armed drones aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, Defense Industry Europe reports.

Feloni Aero will offer Ukraine drones… pic.twitter.com/urYMGMtsDJ

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 3, 2024

Henry Cuellar’s indictment “is just the tip of the iceberg” of yet undiscovered Azerbaijani bribery and corruption, explains ANCA’s Aram Hamparian.

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today called on the U.S. House to immediately expel Henry Cuellar (D-TX) over his indictment for accepting nearly six hundred thousand dollars in Azerbaijani bribes. The indictment, only recently unsealed, presents detailed accusations that Rep. Cuellar, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, accepted substantial payments from Azerbaijani state-controlled entities in return for advancing pro-Azerbaijan legislation.

“We call on the U.S. House to immediately vote to expel Henry Cuellar, condemn Azerbaijan’s brazen interference in our American democracy, and enact statutory measures to prevent ongoing attempts by Azerbaijan’s corrupt Aliyev family to rig U.S. foreign policy in its favor,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We have, for more than a decade now, fought Henry Cuellar at the ballot box and battled his genocide-enabling legislation on Capitol Hill – always shining a national spotlight on this foreign breach of the American public trust. By all accounts, this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

According to the federal indictment, unsealed earlier today, Rep. Cuellar and his wife are accused of receiving over $598,000 from an Azerbaijani state-owned oil company and other foreign entities in exchange for advancing Azerbaijani interests within the U.S. Congress.

The indictment explicitly states, “With respect to Azerbaijan, in exchange for the bribe payments, Henry Cuellar promised to influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan. Henry Cuellar agreed, among other things, to influence a series of legislative measures relating to Azerbaijan’s conflict with neighboring Armenia; to insert language favored by Azerbaijan into legislation and committee reports governing certain security and economic aid programs; to deliver a pro-Azerbaijan speech on the floor of the House of Representatives; and to consult with representatives of Azerbaijan regarding their efforts to lobby the United States government.”

In January 2013, Rep. Cuellar went on a trip to Turkey and Azerbaijan, facilitated by Azerbaijani connections, where he engaged with high-ranking Azerbaijani officials and business leaders. That trip, which was reported to cost close to $20,000, was covered by the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians, chaired by Kemal Oksuz, who was subsequently convicted for concealing the fact that other trips to Azerbaijan, organized by his group later that year, were actually paid for by SOCAR, the government-funded oil company of Azerbaijan. Rep. Cuellar’s trip laid the groundwork for subsequent corrupt dealings highlighted in the charges.

The communication exchanges between Rep. Cuellar and Azerbaijani officials revealed in today’s indictment paint a stark picture of collusion. In response to an Azerbaijani diplomat’s request for assistance with U.S. legislation, Cuellar indicated readiness to help, stating he would “try [his] best” to influence legislative outcomes favorably for Azerbaijan. This included efforts to modify legislative language in ways that supported Azerbaijan’s geopolitical interests over Armenia’s.

On multiple occasions, Cuellar communicated directly with Azerbaijani officials to discuss strategies for overriding Armenian interests in Congress. In one email, an Azerbaijani diplomat expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you, Congressman! This is good indeed,” acknowledging Cuellar’s efforts to steer U.S. policy in Azerbaijan’s favor. Azerbaijani diplomats reportedly referred to Rep. Cuellar as “el Jefe” or “Boss” in text messages.

The indictment further uncovers how Rep. Cuellar agreed to insert pro-Azerbaijan speeches into congressional records and to advance legislation that would undermine U.S. aid to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). In one email, Cuellar promised Azerbaijani contacts to “set up a meeting” with U.S. defense officials to discuss matters benefiting Azerbaijan, directly linking his legislative actions to the bribes received.

According to the Justice Department, Rep. Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, surrendered to authorities on Friday. After an initial appearance before a federal judge in Houston, they were released on $100,000 bond each.

Charges against Rep. Cuellar and his wife include bribery, conspiracy, acting as agents of foreign principals and money laundering. If convicted, they can spend decades in prison and may need to forfeit property linked to proceeds from the alleged scheme.

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The post #ExpelCuellar: ANCA calls for expulsion of Rep. Cuellar from Congress appeared first on The Armenian Weekly.

‘God and Country’: Georgia National Guard Changes Leadership  MDJOnline.com

Democratic US Rep. Henry Cuellar Of Texas And His Wife Are Indicted Over Ties To Azerbaijan – 1340 WJOL  1340 WJOL

Rep. Henry Cuellar, wife indicted over ties with Azerbaijan  KRMG