Baker’s Plan Rejected as Pro-Presidential Factions Vote Against

(Tbilisi, July 31, 2003, Civil Georgia) – The Parliament rejected today by the second hearing rule of the composition of the Central Election Commission, as pro-presidential factions, as well as Revival and Industrialists, voted against, causing opposition’s protest.

The proposal was based on the recommendations of the US administration. The document, which already approved by the first hearing on July 24, includes all main provisions delivered to Georgia by the former US Secretary of State James Baker in early July.

The document considered creation of the 15-member commission, where the chairman will be nominated by OSCE and approved by the CEC members. 5 members will be appointed by the President and the remaining 9 seats will be distributed evenly among the following opposition parties: Revival, Industrialists, New Rights, National Movement, United Democrats, Labor Party, Unity, Traditionalists and supporters of the ex-President Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Each opposition party will have one member in the CEC. However, Revival and Industrialists obstructed the proposal demanding more than one seat.

Representatives of the opposition factions United Democrats, New Rights, Traditionalists, New Abkhazia blamed President Shevardnadze for failure to adopt the Baker’s Plan, as the pro-presidential faction voted against the proposal. President Shevardnadze repeatedly voiced his support for the Baker Plan earlier.

“Unfortunately promise was not kept,” Nino Burjanadze, Chairman of the Parliament said after the voting.

“This means [rejection of the proposal], that President did not keep his promise to support the Baker’s Plan,” Davit Gamkrelidze leader of the New Rights said after the voting.

“Eduard Shevardnadze proved today that he lied while saying that he would support Baker’s Plan. This is a threat to democracy in Georgia. Shevardnadze is a threat to democracy in Georgia,” Kote Kemularia of National Movement Party said.

The opposition intends to propose a new draft of the rule on the composition of the Central Election Commission.

Kote Kemularia of the National Movement said that the opposition would demand from the government to give one seat to the authorities of the Adjarian Autonomous Republic and one to Abkhazian authorities in exile from its five seats in the commission.

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