Saakashvili Lists Achievements, Calls for Patience

In a live televised address to the nation late on November 20, on the eve of the second anniversary of the Rose Revolution, President Saakashvili spoke about the achievements made by his administration since November 23, 2003. He said that despite ?a huge success? challenges remain and called on the population for patience.

Saakashvili, who was speaking live from Zugdidi – a town in the western Georgian region of Samegrelo – said that a ?sense of national pride? has increased since the Rose Revolution and that this is a major success.

He said that the authorities have been able to implement education system reforms, which enabled students to ?enroll into high education centers without illegal transactions and corruption.?

Saakashvili noted the reform of the law enforcement agencies which, as he said, resulted in the establishment of a police force which now enjoys the confidence of 75% of the country’s citizens.

He said that the Georgian state is on its way to establishing strong armed forces, which will enable Georgia to achieve it apirations to join NATO ?very soon.? 

?We have also started the withdrawal of Russian military bases, which means that the dream of many generations has come true,? he added.

He also listed the fight against corruption, education reforms, an increase of the state budget five-fold, social and economic policies – involving the timely distribution of increased salaries and pensions -as well as the introduction of a free ambulance service, tax exemptions for peasants, 9% economic growth and the large-scale rehabilitation of roads and infrastructure as the major achievements of his administration.

After listing the successes of his administration Saakashvili also spoke about his political opponents and cited Ilia Chavchavadze, a 19th century Georgian writer and public figure, saying: ?there is only one way to show your wisdom to a fool: just do not respond to him.?

He also said that the current generation ?has a chance to be included in history as the generation which could reunite Georgia.?

?I want to tell you openly that we will face many challenges? and we will need to be patient, cautious, wise.?

?We will face huge pressure, because everyone, including our ill-wishers, understand that the turning our country into a success story has become a reality? But we will need great patience,? he added.

He said that the restoration of Georgia?s territorial integrity is the number one priority for Georgia.

?Our Promised Land is a few kilometers from here [Zugdidi, which borders breakaway Abkhazia] and its name is Abkhazia. The task of our State is the return of Abkhazia and Abkhazians. We must resort to all the resources available for us in order to achieve this goal. This is a very difficult task because a huge force is against this? Georgia will never be happy without Abkhazia and Abkhazia will never succeed without being part of Georgia,? Saakashvili said.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)