US official remarks offer little on Tbilisi protest, while Russia speaks of a ‘farce’
Wednesday, November 7, 2007, #213 (1480)
By Anna Kamushadze
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza have both spoken out on the political situation in Georgia.
Speaking in Washington on November 5, Bryza called for a dialogue between the administration and the political opposition.
He said protestors had become more radical due to mistakes made by both the government and the opposition.
Bryza underlined that Georgia must stay the course of democratic development.
The US diplomat added that the situation should be resolved within the framework of the constitution and the law, and that the government should begin a dialogue.
While the original demands of the protesters were reasonable, demands for President Mikheil Saakashvili’s resignation exceeded acceptable requests, he said.
Saakashvili was democratically elected, Bryza stated, and a change in government should be effected through elections only. “Democratic processes are happening in Georgia now. There are democratic institutions and they will solve everything without US help,” he said.
Referring to the speech made last night by Irakli Okruashvili, Bryza said the former minister has the right to express his views on any issue.
According to Imedi TV, he also emphasized the importance that politicians do not interfere with the independent courts.
In a statement on November 6, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declined to respond specifically to President Mikheil Saakashvili’s recent speech about the protests.
In a televised interview on November 4, Saakashvili said the protests were linked to Russian oligarchs who aimed to “stir chaos” in Tbilisi ahead of Russia’s December parliamentary elections.
“The farce that accompanied the Georgian leadership's actions is obvious to all,” Lavrov said according to RIA Novosti.
The Foreign Minister also stated Russia is “concerned about what is happening in Georgia,” and told the Georgian population they could look north for aid.
He added that the Georgian people “deserve better, and they can rely on Russia’s support here.”
Speaking in Washington on November 5, Bryza called for a dialogue between the administration and the political opposition.
He said protestors had become more radical due to mistakes made by both the government and the opposition.
Bryza underlined that Georgia must stay the course of democratic development.
The US diplomat added that the situation should be resolved within the framework of the constitution and the law, and that the government should begin a dialogue.
While the original demands of the protesters were reasonable, demands for President Mikheil Saakashvili’s resignation exceeded acceptable requests, he said.
Saakashvili was democratically elected, Bryza stated, and a change in government should be effected through elections only. “Democratic processes are happening in Georgia now. There are democratic institutions and they will solve everything without US help,” he said.
Referring to the speech made last night by Irakli Okruashvili, Bryza said the former minister has the right to express his views on any issue.
According to Imedi TV, he also emphasized the importance that politicians do not interfere with the independent courts.
In a statement on November 6, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declined to respond specifically to President Mikheil Saakashvili’s recent speech about the protests.
In a televised interview on November 4, Saakashvili said the protests were linked to Russian oligarchs who aimed to “stir chaos” in Tbilisi ahead of Russia’s December parliamentary elections.
“The farce that accompanied the Georgian leadership's actions is obvious to all,” Lavrov said according to RIA Novosti.
The Foreign Minister also stated Russia is “concerned about what is happening in Georgia,” and told the Georgian population they could look north for aid.
He added that the Georgian people “deserve better, and they can rely on Russia’s support here.”