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| Opposition’s huge symbol hangs over the President’s office. Click on image to view other pictures. |
“Let’s give Shevardnadze 60 minutes to resign,” Mikheil Saakashvili, main opposition leader told the tens of thousands of protesters outside the Parliament.
“We are close to our victory. Please keep calm. We have to be patient for a little while and we will win,” Nino Burjanadze, Chairperson of the outgoing Parliament, who declared herself as an acting President.
It seems that the opposition leaders are waiting for some good news to come within the hour, because they seemed very optimistic, while addressing the protesters.
There are no confirmed reports that Shevardnadze is really at the Krtsanisi governmental residence.
Decision comes after several units of the special-purpose units of the Interior Ministry and Justice Ministry and several battalions of the Defense Ministry announced that they will not obey Shevardnadze’s orders any more.
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, dispatched in Georgia by President Putin tried to mediate between the opposition and Eduard Shevardnadze to resolve the standoff. Ivanov met with the opposition leaders twice on November 23. He also held talks with Shevardnadze.
Shevardnadze says he is ready for compromise, “even regarding the election issues,” however he sets ultimatum to the opposition.
“I am ready for a dialogue and for making a compromise on condition that they [the protesters] leave the State Chancellery and the Parliament. I am even ready for the compromise,” Shevardnadze told reporters after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on November 23.
He emphasized the importance of the statement made by Defense Minister Davit Tevzadze this morning.
“I am against the use of force. However Defense Minister said that he is ready to obey all of my orders,” Shevardnadze said.
However Eduard Shevardnadze’s claims that he controls the troops is undermined by the facts on the ground, as more and more units of the defense and interior ministries join the protesters. Chief of Tbilisi and Rustavi police departments also refused to obey Shevardnadze’s orders.
Thousand Keep Protesting to Defend “Bloodless Revolution”
Thousands of protesters spent a sleepless vigil night celebrating “bloodless revolution,” after the crowd seized Parliament and State Chancellery buildings on November 22; however opposition leaders say it is too early for celebration, as Eduard Shevardnadze announced state of emergency.
Tens of thousands protesters gathered this morning outside the parliament building following the calls of the opposition leaders to keep rallying “in order to defend success and accomplish bloodless, velvet revolution with final victory.”
“We will celebrate the final victory over the Shevardnadze when acting President Nino Burjanadze will set date for new presidential and parliamentary elections,” Mikheil Saakashvili, main opposition leader, said in a televised address to supporters this morning.
Nino Burjanadze, the Chairperson of the outgoing Parliament and the opposition leader, declared herself as an acting President, saying “Eduard Shevardnadze is incapable to perform on the post of the President anymore.”
After fleeing from the Parliament building, as the protesters stormed the chamber, Eduard Shevardnadze announced state of emergency. However it is unclear whether the state of emergency will be implemented or not.
There are no signs that the President is in full control of troops in the country, as many high-ranking law enforcement officers have already refused to obey Shevardnadze’s orders.