Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations
Georgia's president on Sunday accused Russia of fomenting mass protests against him, saying his powerful neighbor would benefit from instability in the country. Mikhail Saakashvili's remarks were his first response to three days of protests in the capital Tbilisi with more than 100,000 people calling for the president's resignation.
"Consider the fact that this situation is taking place on the eve of elections in Russia, and the goal — to foment disorder in the country — is as clear as day," Saakashvili told Georgian Television. Four years after assuming power in the so-called Rose Revolution, Saakashvili is facing his the worst political crisis of his presidency. Now, as then, tens of thousands of people have amassed on the steps of parliament.
Sunday's crowd — estimated from 20,000 to 50,000 according to various sources — remained late in the evening, many waving flags and holding candles and shouting "Go away, Misha" — using the short form of the president's first name. Protesters initially demanded that the president revoke a decision to postpone parliamentary elections to fall instead of spring and reform the electoral system. But they later insisted the president resign. Saakashvili, however, was unmoved and said he would not reconsider the decision to postpone the ballot, which he made to save money. "There will be no giving in to dark forces," he said.
Saakashvili has sought to decrease the influence of Russia, which dominated Georgia for most of the past two centuries, by looking westward and pushing his nation to seek membership in NATO and the European Union. That policy put him on a collision course with Russia. Under his leadership, Georgia has introduced market reforms and improved both its business climate and democratic credentials. President Bush even visited the Caucasus country in May 2005, an event that boosted Saakashvili's prestige at home and abroad. Saakashvili reiterated his promise to integrate the country into Western institutions on Sunday.
"We will see our path to the end," he said. "We will join NATO and achieve everything that aggravates our northern neighbor."
Popular discontent with Saakashvili erupted after Irakli Okruashvili, a hawkish former defense minister, accused the president of corruption and plotting to murder a prominent Georgian businessman. Okruashvili was arrested, but then freed on a multimillion-dollar bail after he retracted his allegations. Saakashvili said opposition forces had organized a "campaign of lies" against him and dismissed the accusations as a ploy to weaken the Georgian state. Saakashvili also announced that he would run for a second term in the presidential election scheduled for late 2008. "I am confident that I will win," he said.
Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g..._6oVwD8SN6RIO0
In related news:
Georgia claims 3 Russian military aircraft violated its air space
Military officials said three Russian military airplanes violated Georgia's airspace over the breakaway region of South Ossetia on Sunday morning. Zaza Gogava, head of Georgia's joint forces command, said the Russian aircraft flew 3 kilometers (2 miles) into Georgian territory in the Kazbeg region of South Ossetia for one minute, according to Rustavi-2 television. Russian military officials denied the accusation. Air Force spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky told the Interfax news agency that two aircraft and two helicopters flew as part of a military convoy operating in the region, but that they were 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the Georgian border. In August, Georgia claimed Russian Su-24 bombers entered its airspace and fired a missile, which did not explode but landed near a village house. Russia heatedly denied the claim. The dispute created new tensions in already strained relations. South Ossetia maintains close ties with Russia and has a contingent of Russian peacekeepers. President Mikhail Saakashvili, who came to power in 2003, has vowed to bring South Ossetia back under Georgian control.
Source: http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=8179285
Georgia Leader Blames Protests on Russia
Georgia's president on Sunday accused Russia of fomenting mass protests against him, saying his powerful neighbor would benefit from instability in the country. Mikhail Saakashvili's remarks were his first response to three days of protests in the capital Tbilisi with more than 100,000 people calling for the president's resignation.
"Consider the fact that this situation is taking place on the eve of elections in Russia, and the goal — to foment disorder in the country — is as clear as day," Saakashvili told Georgian Television. Four years after assuming power in the so-called Rose Revolution, Saakashvili is facing his the worst political crisis of his presidency. Now, as then, tens of thousands of people have amassed on the steps of parliament.
Sunday's crowd — estimated from 20,000 to 50,000 according to various sources — remained late in the evening, many waving flags and holding candles and shouting "Go away, Misha" — using the short form of the president's first name. Protesters initially demanded that the president revoke a decision to postpone parliamentary elections to fall instead of spring and reform the electoral system. But they later insisted the president resign. Saakashvili, however, was unmoved and said he would not reconsider the decision to postpone the ballot, which he made to save money. "There will be no giving in to dark forces," he said.
Saakashvili has sought to decrease the influence of Russia, which dominated Georgia for most of the past two centuries, by looking westward and pushing his nation to seek membership in NATO and the European Union. That policy put him on a collision course with Russia. Under his leadership, Georgia has introduced market reforms and improved both its business climate and democratic credentials. President Bush even visited the Caucasus country in May 2005, an event that boosted Saakashvili's prestige at home and abroad. Saakashvili reiterated his promise to integrate the country into Western institutions on Sunday.
"We will see our path to the end," he said. "We will join NATO and achieve everything that aggravates our northern neighbor."
Popular discontent with Saakashvili erupted after Irakli Okruashvili, a hawkish former defense minister, accused the president of corruption and plotting to murder a prominent Georgian businessman. Okruashvili was arrested, but then freed on a multimillion-dollar bail after he retracted his allegations. Saakashvili said opposition forces had organized a "campaign of lies" against him and dismissed the accusations as a ploy to weaken the Georgian state. Saakashvili also announced that he would run for a second term in the presidential election scheduled for late 2008. "I am confident that I will win," he said.
Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g..._6oVwD8SN6RIO0
In related news:
Georgia claims 3 Russian military aircraft violated its air space
Military officials said three Russian military airplanes violated Georgia's airspace over the breakaway region of South Ossetia on Sunday morning. Zaza Gogava, head of Georgia's joint forces command, said the Russian aircraft flew 3 kilometers (2 miles) into Georgian territory in the Kazbeg region of South Ossetia for one minute, according to Rustavi-2 television. Russian military officials denied the accusation. Air Force spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky told the Interfax news agency that two aircraft and two helicopters flew as part of a military convoy operating in the region, but that they were 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the Georgian border. In August, Georgia claimed Russian Su-24 bombers entered its airspace and fired a missile, which did not explode but landed near a village house. Russia heatedly denied the claim. The dispute created new tensions in already strained relations. South Ossetia maintains close ties with Russia and has a contingent of Russian peacekeepers. President Mikhail Saakashvili, who came to power in 2003, has vowed to bring South Ossetia back under Georgian control.
Source: http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=8179285
Comment