Official Communications Act Needed

Some may doubt the sincerity of the Parliamentary Commission to investigate August War, but its hearings shed rare light on functioning of Georgia's political system and, to a great extent, also civil service. The angry brawl at yesterday's hearing was controversial, and thus revealed with more certainty the shortfalls that were only pale contours during the previous, more academic hearings.

It is quite amazing to see how much of the country's policymaking - even (or maybe especially) on strategic matters - is taking place orally, beyond the official bodies, and how much of perception is shaped by hints, nods and the like. It is even more surprising of how little of paper - minutes, notes, memos, official communication - has been produced during these hearings to prove crucial points. The one and only written document to speak of was produced by Mr. Iakobashvili, Minister for Re-integration, and that was a memo drafted by the Russian peacekeeping forces...

If the notes of the meetings are not kept, if the communication is only verbal then the citizens can not receive the information they are entitled to. Of course, there is a need to keep sensitive information under wraps, but at some point, the historian should be able to look back and see what was happening behind the closed doors.

Georgia needs an Official Communications Act right now, which would legally bind the government and the president to keep all records of the meetings and communications, to have them open for the public when they are not classified, and to set a specific date for opening them up fully after a certain period.