NEW
GEORGIAN PRESIDENT TAKES HELM
26 January 2004
Mikhail
Saakashvili officially took office on Sunday, pledging
an end to corruption and an effort to resolve separatist
conflicts in Abkhazia and elsewhere. US Sec. of State,
Colin Powell, was on hand, urging Russia to withdraw
troops from Georgia, promising no US interest in bases.
Powell heralded the new infusion of democratic sensibility,
embodied by the young president, who rose to prominence
after November's 'velvet revolution' in Tbilisi.
A
WRINKLE IN THE VELVET REVOLUTION
GEORGIAN REGIONAL LEADERS IN MOSCOW
28 November 2003
Leaders
from three Georgian regions with appetites for independence
met in Moscow yesterday, raising questions about the
stability of an integrated Georgia under the new interim
government. The meetings, touted as dealing with economic
issues, are thought to be an attempt to halt any plans
in Tbilisi to move against the regional movements
by force. [For more: Moscow
Times]
SHEVARDNADZE
RESIGNS
23 November 2003
BBC
Radio reports that Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze
has resigned, amid the opposition takeover of government
buildings. The resignation follows meetings with opposition
leaders and the Russian foreign minister. The uprising
was reportedly sparked by allegations of widespread
fraud in recent elections, which encouraged the view
among many Georgians that Shevardnadze was consolidating
power and beginning to move against democratic structures.
POLITICAL
UPHEAVAL IN GEORGIA
22 November 2003
President
Eduard Shevardnadze, embattled by an opposition that
alleges widespread election fraud, has declared a
state of emergency. Crowds of opposition supporters
and leaders stormed the Parliament as President Shevardnadze
addressed the first session since his party's dubious
electoral victory. Reuters is reporting troops surrounding
the Interior Ministry, though the military has not
responded to the crowds.
An
opposition leader, Ms Burjanadze, declared herself
interim president on national television. The BBC
quotes her as saying:
"Until
the issue of the president's capacity is finally
resolved and until the date of the new presidential
and parliamentary elections is fixed, I have to
assume upon myself those functions for which I am
responsible by the constitution"
Shevardnadze said a civil war could begin tomorrow,
due to the nature of the opposition he faces. [For
more: BBC]
