Saakashvili Denies Split within the Government

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili explained the recent reshuffle of the cabinet as a necessity to increase the government?s efficiency and denied speculations over a split within the country?s leadership.

?The government is a unified team and not separate teams of Saakashvili and [Prime Minister Zurab]Zhvania,? President Saakashvili said at a government session on December 15.

?If Zhvania had a separate team, he would not have been here,? the Georgian President added. 

?The government needs more coordination and interaction. This, and only this, is the reason behind the recent decision [over the cabinet reshuffle],? Mikheil Saakashvili said.

He called on the Ministers ?to work with the people more actively.? 

He also said that the bureaucracy of the governmental structures should be reduced.

?The most important is that the people should not suffer from the bureaucratic obstacles,? President Saakashvili said.
 
President Mikheil Saakashvili and Prime Minister Zhvania announced, late on December 14, plans to restructure the government and reshuffle the cabinet in an attempt, as they put it, ?to boost reforms.?

He also said that the bureaucracy of the governmental structures should be reduced.

?The most important is that the people should not suffer from bureaucratic obstacles,? President Saakashvili said.