Shevardnadze Talks on Opposition

(Tbilisi, May 16, 2003. Civil Georgia) – In the interview to the Tbilisi-based Rustavi 2 independent TV Channel Georgian President Shevardnadze said that he would not “criticize opposition parties,” however he reminded opposition leaders that most of them used to enjoy his support in the past.

“Davit Gamkrelidze [leader of the New Rights Party] was a good boy, when he was the [Presidential-led] Citizens Union party member. Maybe he is a good businessman now, but he is still too far from good politician,” Shevardnadze said. 

Eduard Shevardnadze also talked about the Chairman of Tbilisi City Council and the leader of the National Movement Mikheil Saakashvili and said that Saakashvili’s “statements towards the President sometimes irritates” him.

The President refrained from talking about the leader of the United Democrats and the former Parliamentary Chairman Zurab Zhvania.

Shevardnadze also talked about Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze and said that he “highly respects her [Nino Burjanadze] and her family.”

The President welcomed opposition’s attempts to unite and said, “I can not call them for unification, but if it happens I will be glad.”