Thousands Rally for “Bloodless Revolution”

Shevardnadze’s Grip on Power Loosens, as Allies Step Back

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Around 25 thousand of protesters gathered today on Freedom Square, just couple of hundred meters away from the President’s office to demand Shevardnadze’s resignation.

Mikheil Saakashvili, a key opposition leader, called supporters for “peaceful, democratic and bloodless revolution.”

Couple of kilometer-long convoy of hundreds of cars, buses and minibuses of protesters advanced on Tbilisi on November 21, honking horns and chanting anti-Shevardnadze slogans. 

“I want to appeal to our mothers, sisters, brothers and all the citizens of Georgia – this is decisive day in the Georgia’s history. Shevardnadze’s regime is isolated. I want to appeal brothers from Adjara; you are ruled by despot and dictator Aslan Abashidze. We should liberate this country from Shevardnadze and Abashidze,” Saakashvili said.

“I urge the police and security forces to stand on people’s side,” he added.

While the protesters prepare, as the opposition says “for the decisive struggle against the Shevardnadze’s regime,” President Shevardnadze suffered with serious blow on November 22 as his aide slammed him for “violation of constitution,” while Secretary of the National Security Council went against the official line and admitted that November 2 parliamentary elections were fraudulent.

Levan Aleksidze, aide to President Shevardnadze for the issues on international law, issued a statement on November 21, saying that Eduard Shevardnadze is responsible for the November 2 ballot fraud.

“President Shevardnadze turned a blind eye on violations that took place in the Central Election Commission, neglected will of tens of thousands of Georgian citizens and asked for assistance to the separatist-minded leader of the Adjara Autonomous Republic Aslan Abashidze,” Levan Aleksidze says.

He also expressed concern regarding the President’s decision to ask for assistance to Russia, while ignoring the position of the western democracies.

Levan Aleksidze’s statement was another blow for Shevardnadze’s government. Earlier on November 21 Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Tedo Japaridze said that the November 2 parliamentary elections were fraudulent and blamed Shevardnadze’s inner circle for misleading him about the situation in the country.

“To avoid civil confrontation, I am supporting the proposal by representatives of the pro-government bloc that the new parliament should begin sessions but function only provisionally until early parliamentary elections are held.”

“Mr. Shevardnadze’s personal image is damaged, as well as his role as guarantor of all the citizens’ constitutional rights”, he added.

Earlier this week, chief of the state TV channel resigned, saying he could not “in the governmental television any more.”

Meanwhile the authorities prepare for the first session of the Parliament scheduled for today. The pro-presidential bloc, who according to the official results won the most of the seats in the new Parliament, intends to propose former State Minister Vazha Lortkipanidze for the post of Parliamentary Chairman.

Only several tens of meters separate the opposition’s rally from the governmental-led rally, which is held outside the Parliament building. Riot police built up a buffer zone between the two camps to prevent clashes.

The opposition leaders call supporters for calm and urge to keep distance with the pro-governmental rally, where around three thousand people are gathered, mainly men, who were bussed from Adjara Autonomous Republic.