Security Chief Links Cabinet Reshuffle to South Ossetia

The Secretary of the Georgian Security Council, Vano Merabishvili, who, if approved by parliament, will take the post of Security Minister in the new cabinet, linked the recent reshuffling of the government to the recent developments in breakaway South Ossetia.

?Priorities of the Georgian government have changed after the return of Adjara back to Tbilisi?s fold. It is not a secret that now we are focused on the reunification of South Ossetia and this needs more effective coordination, not only within the security agencies but other ministries as well, including the Agriculture and Healthcare Ministries,? Vano Merabishvili said in an interview with Rustavi 2 television on June 7.

Within the capacity his newly designated position of Security Minister, Merabishvili will also perform the duties of the Vice Premier, which entails the coordination of activities within the law enforcement and security agencies.