Malahat Ibrahingızı, the president of the Women’s Council of Western Azerbaijan Society and a deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan, participated in the third supplementary session on human rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on “Integrity, non-discrimination, and gender equality,” held on June 24-25 in Vienna, the capital of Austria. Azernews reports.
Day: June 26, 2024
FOOTBALL UNITES GEORGIANS ….. AROUND CONSPIRACIES
A large part of the Georgian electorate feels unrepresented by the political parties, at least according to polls, but thank God there is football! As political turmoil temporarily gives way to football fever, and each match produces new heroes, nowhere do Georgians feel more seen than in the stories of individual athletes. Some may identify with those known for their hard work or those who have had to battle poor health to get where they are. Others may be inspired by those with personal courage or feel close to those Atlas types burdened by heavy expectations. We, too, have to admit that we felt something when one of the most admired footballers, Giorgi Kochorashvili, shyly confessed that he enjoys writing. And when it comes to economic or geographic backgrounds, our national team can be far more representative than Georgia’s legislative body. But you know that representation game went too far when people start to massively relate to the oppression – real or imagined – of their football idol.
Here is the Dispatch newsletter and Nini, back with weekly updates on what is bothering Georgia.
It’s hot summer days in Georgian cities, and it looks like instead of looking for relaxation, everyone is beating their brains out with their newfound passion for… mathematics. After the first miracle of making it to the European Football Championship, Georgian fans grew appetite for another miracle: making it to the knockout stage. The performance in the first two matches against Turkey and Czechia earned Georgia a single point and the hearts of many international fans. Individual players excelled in various categories, including goalkeeping, defense, and attack. But it will take more than admiration and individual stats to advance to the next stage, especially as the team prepares for their final group match against group leader Portugal. Bleak prospects? Not when you come from Georgia and have a rich history of things out of your control coming to your aid.
Over the past few days, all anyone has been doing is calculating the odds. Portugal, who are guaranteed a place in the knockout stages, have to conserve their energy and not beat us… other potential third-place finishers in other groups can’t suddenly start playing better football than they did before, and one of them has to lose to a favorite by at least three goals, and if the moon is in the seventh house, Jupiter trines Mars, and other stars aligning for Georgia, we still stand a chance. But the perfect plan has one problem: one of those stars is suspiciously missing.
Where is Budu?
The past few months have catapulted Budu Zivzivadze, a Georgian striker who plays for Karlsruher SC in Germany’s second-tier league, into the limelight. His many qualities quickly earned him the status of a golden boy with golden retriever energy. His dance to Freed from Desire on the night of March 26, after a historic qualifying win over Greece, became one of the most memorable moments in Georgian football. When he offered Georgians his place to stay in Germany if they could not book hotels for the Euro games, many saw him as embodying the best of his hometown, Kutaisi. Then protests against the foreign agents law began, and he was one of the first to speak out against the law, earning him a reputation as a good citizen as well.
Most importantly, Budu knows how to find the back of the net, scoring both winning goals in the crucial first qualifying play-off against Luxembourg in March. He scored again in a recent friendly against Montenegro just minutes after coming off the bench. He scores, smiles with his whole face, celebrates with the Gen Z heart gesture, and continues to gain more and more fans. The growing popularity has booked him places on magazine covers and in commercials. This led many to look forward to seeing him play in the Euros, only to be disappointed when he barely got a playtime, fueling anger and… conspiracy theories all over the country.
I don’t believe in conspiracy theories, but…
It all began in early June. In a lengthy podcast interview, Zivzivadze reiterated his support for those who endured police violence during the protests and went on to criticize Russia as “an enemy state not only for [Georgia], but for almost everybody.” His remarks were picked up by various media outlets, and soon social media was flooded with cards featuring his comments. But the frenzy didn’t last long: some outlets then took down the cards, explaining their decision by Zivzivadze’s own request, citing his need to focus on the European games.
This led some to attribute the act to pressure from above. The Georgian Football Federation is headed by ruling Georgian Dream party MP Levan Kobiashvili, a Georgian football veteran. Tbilisi mayor and GD general secretary Kakha Kaladze, another former football star, is also seen as having a hand in sports affairs. The party now has a long record of meddling in usually non-political areas, such as sports and culture. To the suspicion of pressure were adding the claims that Zivzivadze received some coordinated hate on social media after those remarks, and when he scored against Montenegro, pro-government Imedi TV was unusually late in celebrating the goal online.
It takes only seconds for Budu’s innocent look to transfrom into a full-on grin. Photos: Georgia’s National Football Team
This was soon about to be forgotten, but then came the European Championship and Zivzivadze wasn’t in the starting line-up against Turkey. There were some initial complaints, but those more familiar with the game agreed that it was logical for him to be second choice to alternative striker Georges Mikautadze, who was coming off a great season in the French top league (and scored in both of the last two Euro games). And anyway, Zivzivadze is known to be particularly effective when he comes off the bench later in the game. But on this day, he wasn’t allowed to enter the field until the 85th minute, sparking discontent and conspiracies that Budu was being punished for his political stance. Still, many fans didn’t want to believe it – even for those who are critical of the government, such perceptions can easily rob them of the much-awaited joy of the historical football moment.
But when Budu was not allowed to take the field during a match against the Czechia, even the longtime fans had second thoughts: after all, conspiracy theories exist because conspiracies exist, right? The issue quickly exploded and a campaign of sorts emerged on social media, demanding truth, justice, and playing time for Budu. Adding to the backlash was the fact that those who were allowed to play in his place failed to make the most of real chances to end the match with a Georgian victory.
Again, some ardent fans don’t want to buy into these theories, and others have even attributed such claims to dangerous levels of conspiratorial thinking in Georgian society. Willy Sagnol, the French coach of the national team and a former player for France and Bayern Munich, won’t be swayed by political interference, the argument goes, attributing Budu’s benching to Sagnol’s ill-considered football decisions. And there were other players who were also critical of the law but weren’t benched (the counter-argument being that it’s harder to find their alternatives on the substitutes’ bench).
‘Twat‘ Contest
With not all the stars aligning the way we wanted them to over the past two days, it looks like Georgia’s only option to advance to the knockouts is to beat Portugal later today. Will Mr. Sagnol finally reach for the missing star to make things work? It’s unclear, but whatever the decision, the damage has been done: if Budu plays, he’ll have to deal with the immense pressure the controversy has put on his shoulders.
“I am insulted every day by some twats (…) I say it again, twats” Sagnol told the press on June 25, apparently tired of receiving backlash “for absolutely no football reasons”.
A legitimate response from a professional who has been inundated with some grave accusations? Well, Mr. Sagnol might as well save a few kind words, at least in his mind, for those responsible for poisoning the political environment like that right before a historic tournament. Or he can simply win the game and make us forget all about it.
FOOTBALL UNITES GEORGIANS ….. AROUND CONSPIRACIES
A large part of the Georgian electorate feels unrepresented by the political parties, at least according to polls, but thank God there is football! As political turmoil temporarily gives way to football fever, and each match produces new heroes, nowhere do Georgians feel more seen than in the stories of individual athletes. Some may identify with those known for their hard work or those who have had to battle poor health to get where they are. Others may be inspired by those with personal courage or feel close to those Atlas types burdened by heavy expectations. We, too, have to admit that we felt something when one of the most admired footballers, Giorgi Kochorashvili, shyly confessed that he enjoys writing. And when it comes to economic or geographic backgrounds, our national team can be far more representative than Georgia’s legislative body. But you know that representation game went too far when people start to massively relate to the oppression – real or imagined – of their football idol.
Here is the Dispatch newsletter and Nini, back with weekly updates on what is bothering Georgia.
It’s hot summer days in Georgian cities, and it looks like instead of looking for relaxation, everyone is beating their brains out with their newfound passion for… mathematics. After the first miracle of making it to the European Football Championship, Georgian fans grew appetite for another miracle: making it to the knockout stage. The performance in the first two matches against Turkey and Czechia earned Georgia a single point and the hearts of many international fans. Individual players excelled in various categories, including goalkeeping, defense, and attack. But it will take more than admiration and individual stats to advance to the next stage, especially as the team prepares for their final group match against group leader Portugal. Bleak prospects? Not when you come from Georgia and have a rich history of things out of your control coming to your aid.
Over the past few days, all anyone has been doing is calculating the odds. Portugal, who are guaranteed a place in the knockout stages, have to conserve their energy and not beat us… other potential third-place finishers in other groups can’t suddenly start playing better football than they did before, and one of them has to lose to a favorite by at least three goals, and if the moon is in the seventh house, Jupiter trines Mars, and other stars aligning for Georgia, we still stand a chance. But the perfect plan has one problem: one of those stars is suspiciously missing.
Where is Budu?
The past few months have catapulted Budu Zivzivadze, a Georgian striker who plays for Karlsruher SC in Germany’s second-tier league, into the limelight. His many qualities quickly earned him the status of a golden boy with golden retriever energy. His dance to Freed from Desire on the night of March 26, after a historic qualifying win over Greece, became one of the most memorable moments in Georgian football. When he offered Georgians his place to stay in Germany if they could not book hotels for the Euro games, many saw him as embodying the best of his hometown, Kutaisi. Then protests against the foreign agents law began, and he was one of the first to speak out against the law, earning him a reputation as a good citizen as well.
Most importantly, Budu knows how to find the back of the net, scoring both winning goals in the crucial first qualifying play-off against Luxembourg in March. He scored again in a recent friendly against Montenegro just minutes after coming off the bench. He scores, smiles with his whole face, celebrates with the Gen Z heart gesture, and continues to gain more and more fans. The growing popularity has booked him places on magazine covers and in commercials. This led many to look forward to seeing him play in the Euros, only to be disappointed when he barely got a playtime, fueling anger and… conspiracy theories all over the country.
I don’t believe in conspiracy theories, but…
It all began in early June. In a lengthy podcast interview, Zivzivadze reiterated his support for those who endured police violence during the protests and went on to criticize Russia as “an enemy state not only for [Georgia], but for almost everybody.” His remarks were picked up by various media outlets, and soon social media was flooded with cards featuring his comments. But the frenzy didn’t last long: some outlets then took down the cards, explaining their decision by Zivzivadze’s own request, citing his need to focus on the European games.
This led some to attribute the act to pressure from above. The Georgian Football Federation is headed by ruling Georgian Dream party MP Levan Kobiashvili, a Georgian football veteran. Tbilisi mayor and GD general secretary Kakha Kaladze, another former football star, is also seen as having a hand in sports affairs. The party now has a long record of meddling in usually non-political areas, such as sports and culture. To the suspicion of pressure were adding the claims that Zivzivadze received some coordinated hate on social media after those remarks, and when he scored against Montenegro, pro-government Imedi TV was unusually late in celebrating the goal online.
It takes only seconds for Budu’s innocent look to transfrom into a full-on grin. Photos: Georgia’s National Football Team
This was soon about to be forgotten, but then came the European Championship and Zivzivadze wasn’t in the starting line-up against Turkey. There were some initial complaints, but those more familiar with the game agreed that it was logical for him to be second choice to alternative striker Georges Mikautadze, who was coming off a great season in the French top league (and scored in both of the last two Euro games). And anyway, Zivzivadze is known to be particularly effective when he comes off the bench later in the game. But on this day, he wasn’t allowed to enter the field until the 85th minute, sparking discontent and conspiracies that Budu was being punished for his political stance. Still, many fans didn’t want to believe it – even for those who are critical of the government, such perceptions can easily rob them of the much-awaited joy of the historical football moment.
But when Budu was not allowed to take the field during a match against the Czechia, even the longtime fans had second thoughts: after all, conspiracy theories exist because conspiracies exist, right? The issue quickly exploded and a campaign of sorts emerged on social media, demanding truth, justice, and playing time for Budu. Adding to the backlash was the fact that those who were allowed to play in his place failed to make the most of real chances to end the match with a Georgian victory.
Again, some ardent fans don’t want to buy into these theories, and others have even attributed such claims to dangerous levels of conspiratorial thinking in Georgian society. Willy Sagnol, the French coach of the national team and a former player for France and Bayern Munich, won’t be swayed by political interference, the argument goes, attributing Budu’s benching to Sagnol’s ill-considered football decisions. And there were other players who were also critical of the law but weren’t benched (the counter-argument being that it’s harder to find their alternatives on the substitutes’ bench).
‘Twat‘ Contest
With not all the stars aligning the way we wanted them to over the past two days, it looks like Georgia’s only option to advance to the knockouts is to beat Portugal later today. Will Mr. Sagnol finally reach for the missing star to make things work? It’s unclear, but whatever the decision, the damage has been done: if Budu plays, he’ll have to deal with the immense pressure the controversy has put on his shoulders.
“I am insulted every day by some twats (…) I say it again, twats” Sagnol told the press on June 25, apparently tired of receiving backlash “for absolutely no football reasons”.
A legitimate response from a professional who has been inundated with some grave accusations? Well, Mr. Sagnol might as well save a few kind words, at least in his mind, for those responsible for poisoning the political environment like that right before a historic tournament. Or he can simply win the game and make us forget all about it.
Georgian society respects diversity, but more action is needed to recognize national and religious minorities as an integral and valuable part of its society.
A general atmosphere of support for the protection of minority rights prevails in Georgia, but more action is needed on the part of the authorities to…
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation headed by Minister of Defense of the Italian Republic Guido Crosetto, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Trend.
The post President Ilham Aliyev receives delegation headed by Italian defense minister appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned about the risk of World War III, amid the escalation of regional crises and the threat of nuclear war, as he highlighted Türkiye’s diplomatic priority of ensuring regional and global peace, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Daily Sabah.
“I think the world needs to take this scenario, this threat seriously,” Fidan told a live broadcast late Monday, in response to a question about whether the world should expect a bigger war, amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and Israel’s atrocities in Gaza and recent attacks on Lebanon.
The top Turkish diplomat said Türkiye has been holding discussions with all actors regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, in addition to talks with President Vladimir Putin.
Fidan recently visited Moscow and held meetings with several Russian officials, including Putin. He told the live broadcast that he got the chance to discuss in detail President Erdoğan’s messages to his Russian counterpart, who may meet him in Kazakhstan soon.
He continued by highlighting strong Türkiye-Russia cooperation regarding Syria and bilateral trade and energy, as he said he conveyed Ankara’s position regarding the war with Ukraine, which he said could be costly for the region and the world, amid the risk of spillover and the use of nuclear weapons.
“We told our counterparts that peace is fundamental regarding the issue of Ukraine and that Russia needs to determine its stance,” Fidan said, adding that Putin ended up announcing a list of necessary steps for Russia to end the war, shortly after two days discussing the issue.
“It was important for President Putin to voice this,” Fidan said, as he added that there is always a ground for the negotiation process, which he said needs to be “assisted,” but he pointed to the upcoming elections in Europe and the U.S., which are pushing the issue to be delayed.
Fidan also warned that there is no escape from the threat of nuclear weapons as long as the war keeps going, which could also spark other conflicts in the region.
He pointed to Türkiye’s location, as it faces the threat of the Russia-Ukraine war in the Black Sea basin and the Israeli threat in the eastern Mediterranean.
“Turkish diplomacy prioritizes efforts to end wars, and our president also has a will in this regard,” Fidan said.
‘Greek Cyprus turned into base for Israel’
The top Turkish diplomat also warned about the Greek Cypriot administration, which allowed Israel to turn its part of the island into what he called “an operational base.”
“Regional actors need to see militarization on the island and prevent it,” he said, as he warned about the serious threat of spillover as long as Israel continues to carry out its genocide. He pointed to the recent escalation of tensions between Israel and Lebanon, as well as Lebanese actors’ threats against Cyprus.
Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah last week said nowhere in Israel would be safe if a full-fledged war broke out between the two foes and also warned the Greek Cypriot administration against aiding Israel.
Tensions have soared along Lebanon’s border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
The Iran-backed group has said it would not stop until there is a cease-fire in Gaza, where Tel Aviv has killed more than 37,600 Palestinians since the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion.
Türkiye seeks to convince world powers to join it for a permanent solution to the ongoing conflict and Erdoğan made personal visits and held phone calls with leaders of the countries with a say over the matter, from Qatar and Egypt to Saudi Arabia and Russia to mobilize the international community.
International organizations, including U.N. agencies, have demanded a cease-fire in Gaza and increased humanitarian aid access to address medical shortages, hunger, thirst, and hygiene deficiencies leading to diseases in Gaza. The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the U.N.
Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.
Türkiye-Russia cooperation on Syria ensures lull
Regarding cooperation between Ankara and Moscow on Syria, Fidan said it has ceased the war between the Assad regime and opposition forces, through the Astana format and other initiatives.
He noted that the regime should take advantage of the calm and ensure voluntary return of millions of Syrian nationals who fled the country as a result of the war, to rebuild the country.
“I highlighted this in my discussions with my Russian counterparts,” Fidan said, adding that Türkiye thinks it is important for Syrians to return to their homes and that a unified Syria with its government and opposition forces will be an important actor in the fight against PKK terrorists.
The Astana peace process is the ensemble of initiatives and plans launched in 2017 under the guarantors Türkiye, Russia and Iran to resolve the Syrian civil war, which began in early 2011 when the Bashar Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protestors with unexpected ferocity. The war displaced nearly 7 million people and caused the deaths of over 300,000 people in total.
The YPG is PKK’s Syrian affiliate and the United States has strongly backed it under the pretext of fighting the Daesh terror group. Thanks to U.S. help worth millions of dollars, the YPG has grown stronger in northeastern Syria. Along with the PKK, it still controls much of the war-torn country’s east, making it impossible for Assad to establish territorial integrity.
Since the civil war broke out, Türkiye has backed the opposition as the Bashar Assad regime frequently denounced Ankara’s support that paved the way for liberating Syria’s north from PKK, YPG, as well as Daesh.
Relations between the two, however, thawed after the Feb. 6 earthquakes that killed more than 56,000 people combined in both countries. Turkish officials have since been floating the idea of cooperating with Damascus on counterterrorism efforts.
Upcoming NATO summit
Fidan also touched upon the upcoming NATO summit in Washington next month, saying that Ankara will continue to convey its concerns about counterterrorism fight to its allies.
“We voiced this concern in Madrid,” Fidan said, adding that Türkiye believes NATO member-states should not implement restrictions on the defense sector. He said President Erdoğan is expected to bring issue of solidarity among NATO allies.
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