By Giorgi Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi
The United National Movement of Georgian ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili has declared preparations for the largest national protest set for March 21. The protest will be held on Shota Rustaveli Avenue, where the most essential events in the modern history of Georgia happened on April 9, 1989.
The opposition will demand the resignation of the Cabinet. The main accusation against Prime Minister Irakli Gaaribashvili’s executives is constant concessions to Moscow. The Georgian Dream coalition continues the course towards joining NATO and the EU, the government has signed the EU Association Agreement, refuses to restore diplomatic relations with Russia, and considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be territories occupied by Russia. Easing the penalties for Russians visiting Georgia after visits to Abkhazia and South Ossetia was not passed by the parliament.
Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili is labeled a Russian oligarch, though he sold all his assets in Russia in 2012.
The opposition blames the government for the economic downfall, devaluation of the national currency by 30%, reduction of workplaces, promotion of relatives and friends to state posts and the rise of prices for essential commodities.
Georgian Prime Ministerial Envoy to Russia Zurab Abashidze will not cease talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin, the lari rate will not rise, new workplaces will not open.
Irakli Bariashvili, a former head of Georgian intelligence and member of many parliamentary callings, said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that Saakashvili had strengthened his positions in Ukraine and had a platform to return to Georgia. The official does not rule out violence at the protest.
The United National Movement reported that Mikheil Saakashvili will arrive at Sarpi, on the Georgian-Turkish border, on March 21 to express his support. He cannot enter Georgia due to four criminal cases initiated against him. Last year he visited the same place and organized a presidential-style council in a café on the coast, moving tables together.
Saakashvili claimed earlier that ending Russian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili’s power in Georgia democratically was impossible.
The United National Movement says that the upcoming demonstration will be nationwide, hundreds of thousands of Saakashvili’s supporters from all regions of the country will participate in it. According to information of Vestnik Kavkaza, offices of the United National Movement have already been ordered to ready buses for marches to Tbilisi from the Kakheti Region in the east and the western parts of Georgia.
Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri warned that the police will interfere should any provocations be sighted. The Interior Ministry will use all its force if necessary, he stated.
By Giorgi Kalatozishvili, TbilisiThe United National Movement of Georgian ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili has declared preparations for the largest national protest set for March 21. The protest will be held at the Shota Rustaveli Avenue, where the most essential events in the modern history of Georgia happened on April 9, 1989.Opposition will demand resignation of the Cabinet. The main pretension towards Prime Minister Irakli Gaaribashvili’s executives is constant concessions for Moscow. The Georgian Dream coalition continues the course towards joining the NATO and the EU, the government signed the EU Association Agreement, refuses to restore diplomatic relations with Russia, considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia territories occupied by Russia. Easing penalties for Russians visiting Georgia after visits to Abkhazia and South Ossetia was not passed by the parliament.Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili is labeled a Russian oligarch, though he sold all his assets in Russia in 2012.Opposition blames the government for the economic downfall, devaluation of the national currency by 30%, reduction of workplaces, promotion of relatives and friends on state posts and the rise of prices on essential commodities.Georgian Prime Ministerial Envoy to Russia Zurab Abashidze will not cease talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin, the lari rate will not rise, new workplaces will not open.Irakli Bariashvili, a former head of Georgian intelligence and member of parliament of many callings, said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that Saakashvili had strengthened his positions in Ukraine and had a platform to return to Georgia. The official does not rule out violence at the protest.The United National Movement reported that Mikheil Saakashvili will arrive at Sarpi, the Georgian-Turkish border, on March 21 to express his support. He cannot enter Georgia due to four criminal cases initiated against him. Last year, he visited the place and organized a presidential-style council in a café on the coast, moving tables together.Saakashvili noted earlier that ending Russian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili’s power in Georgia democratically was impossible.The United National Movement says that the upcoming demonstration will be nationwide, where hundreds of thousands of Saakashvili’s supporters from all regions of the country will participate. According to information of Vestnik Kavkaza, offices of the United National Movement have already been ordered to ready buses for the march to Tbilisi from the Kakheti Region in the east and the western parts of Georgia.Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri warned that the police will interfere, should any provocations be sighted. The Interior Ministry will use all its force if necessary, he stat
