U.S. Supports Georgia’s New Leader
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| Georgia’s new leader. Click on image to view other pictures. |
Nino Burjanadze, the Interim President of Georgia made a televised appeal to the nation calling Georgian citizens for calm and order. The U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in the phone conversation with Nino Burjanadze expressed support to the Interim President.
“We should be proud. We overcame serious crisis without any drop of blood,” Burjanadze said in her appeal.
“These were exciting days of fighting for civil rights. We should be grateful to those who participated in protection of freedom during last weeks,” Nino Burjanadze said while commenting on the recent developments in the country.
“Now we can say that Georgia is a great nation,” she added.
She called on Georgian citizens for returning to “the normal way of life.” “This victory is crucial for development of democracy in Georgia,” she said.
She also said that the new presidential elections will be held within 45 days. Burjanadze explained that the previous parliament would remain in place, “as the new Parliament, elected as a result of fraudulent November 2 elections failed to recognize its authority.”
Nino Burjanadze said that Georgia’s “foreign policy priority remains integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.” She also emphasized the importance of relations with the neighboring countries, particularly with Russia.
She thanked the police and the troops for not using force against the peaceful demonstrators.
Nino Burjanadze has limited power as an Interim President and has no right to appoint or dismiss the ministers.
Following the Georgian new leader’s appeal the U.S. Department of State issued a statement saying “the U.S. supports the stability and sovereignty of a democratic Georgia and is committed to helping the Georgian people emerge from this crisis.”
“We look forward to working with Interim President Burjanadze in her effort to maintain the integrity of Georgia’s democracy as she strives to ensure that this change in government follows the constitution. The United States and the international community stand ready to support the new government in holding free and fair parliamentary elections in the future as required by the Constitution,” the statement reads.
Nino Burjanadze held first meeting of the government members midnight on November 24 to discuss the current situation in the country. Interior Minister Koba Narchemashvili, who remained beside Eduard Shevardnadze till the very end, did not appear at the meeting. Reports say he will file resignation today.
The meeting of the National Security Council of Georgia will be held later today, which will be chaired by Nino Burjanadze.
‘Flower Revolution’
“I am going home,” Georgia’s ex-President Eduard Shevardnadze said after the talks. When asked who will be the next president Shevardnadze replied: “It is not my business.”
“It was obvious that what was happening in the country would have triggered bloodshed. I have never betrayed my people. So, I considered necessary to resign to avoid bloodshed,” Shevardnadze said.
“I had important talks with Mikheil Saakashvili and Zurab Zhvania [before resignation]. I am grateful to them for their frankness. I have too much to write. This is happiness for me, as until I am alive, I want to write [memoir],” the President said after his resignation.
“I am accustomed to resignation. It is not new for me,” Shevardnadze said, hinting on his resignation from the Foreign Minster’s post of Soviet Union in 1990.
Opposition leaders said Shevardnadze’s decision to resign was “honorable,” adding that “Shevardnadze stood on his dignity.”
“He [Shevardnadze] avoided bloodshed in the country. His step admirable and the history will appraise it,” opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili.
Another opposition leader Zurab Zhvania also hailed the President’s decision, saying that “we should respect Shevardnadze’s decision.”
“He [Shevardnadze] is not going to leave the country and intends to stay in Georgia. He even offered to share his experience with his successor,” Zurab Zhvania said.
“This is matter of our pride to ensure security for the ex-President,” Mikheil Saakashvili said.
Shevardnadze’s grip on power was loosening hour by hour in last couple of days as tens of thousands protesters were mounting pressure on Shevardnadze, demanding his resignation.
There were no signs that Shevardnadze intended to step down in the morning on November 23. Earlier on November 23 Shevardnadze was setting ultimatums to the opposition.
“I will meet the opposition leaders and even compromise if they withdraw from the Parliament building and the State Chancellery,” Shevardnadze said after talks with the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.
Protesters seized the Parliament building on November 22, while Eduard Shevardnadze was addressing newly convened Parliament, which was boycotted by the opposition leaders, claiming it was illegal, as November 2 parliamentary election results were rigged by the authorities.
In the wake of storming the Parliament, protesters seized the State Chancellery – the President’s office.
The inner circle of Eduard Shevardnadze was in favor of “radical measures to restore order.” Shevardnadze even announced the state of emergency after the protesters break into the Parliament and the President’s office.
But it became clear later on November 23, that it was impossible to enforce the state of emergency, as more and more units of the defense and interior ministries were joining the protesters, rejecting to obey Shevardnadze’s orders.
After successful bloodless revolution the opposition leaders called supporters for maintaining rule of law and order.
“Everything should return to its place from now on. Our main goal now is to hold presidential elections, within 45 days, as considered by the Georgian Constitution,” Mikheil Saakashvili said.
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| Igor Ivanov meets opposition leaders |
Russian Mediation
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, dispatched to Georgia by President Putin late on November 22, mediated talks between Eduard Shevardnadze and the opposition leaders, that was followed with Shevardnadze’s resignation.
Igor Ivanov has been involved in a shuttle diplomacy all day long on November 23. He held talks separate talks with President and twice with the opposition leader. He said Russia seeks for peaceful solution of the political crisis.
Late on November 23 Igor Ivanov accompanied Zurab Zhvania and Mikheil Saakashvili to the Krtsanisi governmental residence for talks with Shevardnadze.
After the Shevardnadze’s resignation Igor Ivanov left for Batumi to hold talks with Aslan Abashidze, head of the Adjara Autonomous Republic.
Aslan Abashidze, who was Shevardnadze’s ally during the political crisis, slammed the developments in Tbilisi saying “we will do everything to secure Adjarian population and Adjarian authorities.”