Georgian opposition supporters at a rally near the television center in Tbilisi, January 15, 2008
Photo: AFP
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Georgian Opposition Gets TV Voice
The Georgian opposition has had its first victory: there will be a reform at the pro-government Georgian Public Television. They are unlikely to be given a second round of elections, however, which means that they will attempt to interfere with the inauguration of Mikheil Saakashvili on January 20. For that reason, the inauguration will be moved from Tbilisi to Kutaisi. The opposition is holding daily peaceful protest actions in Georgia.
About 5000 people attended a meeting in front of the Public Television building and blocked traffic on Kostava St. for an hour. They were told that the station's board of trustees will in the future contain an equal number of government and opposition representatives, after a decision made yesterday by Georgia's acting president Nino Burjanadze. Observers say she would not have made the decision without consulting with Saakashvili.
Reports in the Georgian press say that the authorities have expressed their readiness to negotiate with the opposition and that united opposition leader Levan Gachechiladze and two of his advisor have been offered high positions in the government. Neither Gachechiladze nor other opposition leaders will confirm that information, however. Republican Party member David Usupashvili told journalists yesterday that the opposition was negotiating with Burjanadze on “eight questions.”
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Jan. 16, 2008
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