Okruashvili Quits Politics, for Now

Irakli Okruashvili said on November 20 that he will be back to the Georgian army “very soon” to accomplish his main goal – the restoration of Georgian territorial integrity. Meanwhile, he plans to take courses in politics and defense-related issues abroad.

The November 20 press conference marked Okruashvili’s first comment following his resignation from the Economy Minister’s position on November 17. President Saakashvili reassigned Okruashvili from the Defense Ministry to the Economy Ministry on November 10.

On November 20 Mikheil Saakashvili, Irakli Okruashvili and Giorgi Arveladze, chief of the President’s Administration, made a joint appearance before the press. The latter was appointed by Saakashvili as new Economy Minister.

During the press conference, Saakashvili and Okruashvili were both clearly trying to show there were no cracks in their longstanding alliance and friendship.

“The reason for my presence here is the words that are written on our national emblem: strength is in unity. It will be impossible to make our dream – the restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity – come true without following this slogan. I am going, but I’ll be back very soon where my heart belongs – in the army. I will be back very soon to accomplish the job, which still needs to be accomplished… It makes no difference whether I will be a minister, or just a soldier, I will be back,” Okruashvili said.
 
President Saakashvili said Okruashvili will take courses in political-defense issues abroad.

“From the very beginning Irakli was telling me that he wanted to quit the Defense Minister’s position and wanted to increase his qualification and education in the political-defense sphere abroad. I made a request to him, saying that it would have been better for him to be the Economy Minister, but he adhered to his position very strongly and I respect his decision. I love Irakli very much. Although I thought that he would have been very good Economy Minister,” Saakashvili said.

“He has many offers for his future study… We will be very happy if our most important friend and teammate will continue his activities in this direction and it will be a good example for entire state apparatus, and I totally support him in this regard,” Saakashvili said.

“Look, he seems to be very glad and he has a smile on his face,” Saakashvili added, referring to Okruashvili standing next to him.

At the news conference Okruashvili voiced a clear complaint towards remarks made by Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava. Ugulava told the press that Okruashvili’s decision to quit the government was “hasty.” “Georgia will still achieve these victories, but without Irakli this time,” Ugulava said.

“Of course we will achieve our goals, but not in the way Gigi Ugulava thinks – without me – no, we will do what the Georgian people expect us to do jointly,” Okruashvili said.

Saakashvili strongly dismissed allegations that recent changes in the cabinet are sign of a crisis in the government.

“It seems that people have forgotten what a real crisis looks like… Those countries that make trouble for Georgia are having a crisis, and we will have no crisis despite their efforts,” Saakashvili said.

Opposition lawmakers said that Okruashvili’s decision to quit the politics at least for time being was the only option for him after he stepped down from the cabinet.

“He had no real chance, or power to confront Saakashvili. Okruashvili and Saakashvili know too much things about each other and none of them is interested in opposing each other,” MP Pikria Chikhradze of the opposition New Rights party said on November 20.

New Economy Minister

Saakashvili’s long-time ally Giorgi Arveladze, chief of the President’s Administration, has become the new Economy Minister.

“This is a very important Ministry for the country. So I am ready to appoint the second best cadre I have on this position. The frontline of our defense really lies on the economy,” Saakashvili said.

“The Georgian government has a very concrete action plan to develop our country and we will all work towards this goal jointly. I fully understand the importance of this new assignment for me. We should spare no efforts to overcome all the challenges ahead,” Giorgi Arveladze said.
 
Opposition lawmakers have already condemned Arveladze’s appointment, claiming that he has no economic background.

It is not yet clear who will replace Arveladze on the position of Head of the President’s Administration.