Press Scanner
Complied by Liana Bezhanishvili
Monday, November 16
Noghaideli calls for dialogue with Abkhaz and Ossetian people
Akhali Taoba reports that Leader of the Movement for Fair Georgia Zurab Noghaideli has stated that the party has begun active dialogue with Abkhazians and Ossetians and appeals to all political bodies, non-governmental organisations and Georgian citizens to join them in order to find a way to pursue this dialogue.
“Several days ago we had a meeting in Moscow with the Abkhazian and Ossetian diasporas. We want to appeal to Georgian citizens to get involved in this dialogue. Because the more time goes on the more difficult it will be to resolve these issues,” stated Zurab Noghaideli.
Noghaideli added that it is very important to make economic connections with the breakaway regions and undertake different projects, such as highways linking to the Abkhazian railway, which would benefit Abkhazians, Sokhumians and the whole of Georgia.
Nino Burjanadze: It will make no difference who replaces Tarkhnishvili
In an interview with Alia the Leader of the Democratic Movement – United Georgia, Nino Burjanadze, has stated that it will make no difference who replaces Levan Tarkhnishvili as Central Election Commission head when the television stations are in the Government’s hands and there are no free courts.
“I really do not want to accuse the opposition representatives who think they should participate in elections of anything. At this stage we have different views on the best way to achieve Saakashvili’s dismissal. The part of the opposition I belong to thinks that Saakashvili remaining in power until 2013 would bring destructive results. This country is in danger of destabilisation and war. I really do not want to tell you that someone is working with Saakashvili but there are several opposition representatives whose position is very suspicious,” states Nino Burjanadze.
“Some opposition members really think that it is possible to influence Saakashvili through the domestic and Western press. I have had quite enough experience of relations with Saakashvili to say that this will make no difference. I think I made the clear statement when I said that the only way to change this Government is through an implacable fight against it. I have had important consultations with political parties and public representatives,” Burjanadze added.
“I am sure that the Alliance will ultimately decide not to take part in the local elections because the existing electoral problems will not be resolved and Saakashvili will not make any compromises. Therefore I think it will come over to the irreconcilable side,” stated Nino Burjanadze.
Sozar Subari – Primary elections should be held not to identify a common leader but a common candidate
“Those people who want Saakashvili’s regime to go should agree on a common candidate. People might refuse to do this for only one of two reasons: either they have extreme self-confidence or they are playing the game of the authorities,” Sozar Subari states in an interview with Akhali Taoba.
“Primary elections should be held not to identify a common leader of the opposition but a common Mayoral candidate. There are certain preconditions for holding them, and we must know who intends to participate in these primaries. If two or three parties want to present candidates the process would lose all sense.
“There are certain complications about primary elections. Some sort of large-scale enquires should be held in order to identify a candidate we can all agree on. We intend to gain victory in the primary elections but if Alasania fails to win them he will certainly withdraw his candidature for Mayor,” Subari said.
Akhali Taoba reports that Leader of the Movement for Fair Georgia Zurab Noghaideli has stated that the party has begun active dialogue with Abkhazians and Ossetians and appeals to all political bodies, non-governmental organisations and Georgian citizens to join them in order to find a way to pursue this dialogue.
“Several days ago we had a meeting in Moscow with the Abkhazian and Ossetian diasporas. We want to appeal to Georgian citizens to get involved in this dialogue. Because the more time goes on the more difficult it will be to resolve these issues,” stated Zurab Noghaideli.
Noghaideli added that it is very important to make economic connections with the breakaway regions and undertake different projects, such as highways linking to the Abkhazian railway, which would benefit Abkhazians, Sokhumians and the whole of Georgia.
Nino Burjanadze: It will make no difference who replaces Tarkhnishvili
In an interview with Alia the Leader of the Democratic Movement – United Georgia, Nino Burjanadze, has stated that it will make no difference who replaces Levan Tarkhnishvili as Central Election Commission head when the television stations are in the Government’s hands and there are no free courts.
“I really do not want to accuse the opposition representatives who think they should participate in elections of anything. At this stage we have different views on the best way to achieve Saakashvili’s dismissal. The part of the opposition I belong to thinks that Saakashvili remaining in power until 2013 would bring destructive results. This country is in danger of destabilisation and war. I really do not want to tell you that someone is working with Saakashvili but there are several opposition representatives whose position is very suspicious,” states Nino Burjanadze.
“Some opposition members really think that it is possible to influence Saakashvili through the domestic and Western press. I have had quite enough experience of relations with Saakashvili to say that this will make no difference. I think I made the clear statement when I said that the only way to change this Government is through an implacable fight against it. I have had important consultations with political parties and public representatives,” Burjanadze added.
“I am sure that the Alliance will ultimately decide not to take part in the local elections because the existing electoral problems will not be resolved and Saakashvili will not make any compromises. Therefore I think it will come over to the irreconcilable side,” stated Nino Burjanadze.
Sozar Subari – Primary elections should be held not to identify a common leader but a common candidate
“Those people who want Saakashvili’s regime to go should agree on a common candidate. People might refuse to do this for only one of two reasons: either they have extreme self-confidence or they are playing the game of the authorities,” Sozar Subari states in an interview with Akhali Taoba.
“Primary elections should be held not to identify a common leader of the opposition but a common Mayoral candidate. There are certain preconditions for holding them, and we must know who intends to participate in these primaries. If two or three parties want to present candidates the process would lose all sense.
“There are certain complications about primary elections. Some sort of large-scale enquires should be held in order to identify a candidate we can all agree on. We intend to gain victory in the primary elections but if Alasania fails to win them he will certainly withdraw his candidature for Mayor,” Subari said.