Newspaper Speculates over Cabinet Row

The Georgian daily Rezonansi (the Resonance) alleged, in an editorial published on January 10, that Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili?s recent confrontation with “Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania?s team” was triggered by his desire to take over the Prime Minister?s position.

Irakli Okruashvili, who replaced Giorgi Baramidze as Defense Minister as a result of a recent cabinet reshuffle in December, accused several current and former senior Defense Ministry officials last week of misappropriating funds.

In response, former Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze, who is currently the State Minister in charge of the country?s Euro-Atlantic integration issues, publicly accused Okruashvili of ?intrigues? against him. Baramidze is considered a close ally of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania.

?Reliable sources from the governmental circles say that Okruashvili will continue targeting officials from Zhvania?s team, which will eventually result in the taking over of the Prime Minister?s position [by Okruashvili],? the Rezonansi says.

The paper speculates that Okruashvili?s closest ally in his drive will be Prosecutor General Zurab Adeishvili, as well as MP Givi Targamadze, who chairs the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security.