U.S. President Called on Georgia to Hold Fair Elections

U.S. President George W. Bush sent a letter to his Georgian counterpart Eduard Shevardnadze urging for holding free and fair November 2 parliamentary elections.

The U.S. President expressed hope that the Georgian authorities, as well as the opposition parties will meet their commitments undertaken in July, during the visit of U.S. former Secretary of State James Baker, who delivered to the Georgian political circles election guidelines.

George W. Bush called on the authorities and opposition to avoid violence. The letter condemned the recent facts of violence during the pre-election campaigning.

President Shevardnadze said today while commenting on the U.S. President’s letter, that Georgia should hold free and fair elections. “I appeal the population of Georgia to avoid ballot fraud,” he said.