Reposted from the Nixon Center web site
The November 23 democratic revolution – not coup – in Georgia succeeded without a single person being shot. This is an historic moment in Georgia, a pivotal, pro-US state on the frontline of the war against terrorism.
Demonstrators succeeded in peacefully enforcing their constitutional rights and refused to let the election be stolen. Georgia may now become a beachhead in US efforts to promote democracy throughout the greater Middle East.
All parties behaved very responsibly-including former President Eduard Shevardnadze, who resigned yesterday. He did not resort to the use force and left office in dignity. He has proven that he is a true statesman after all. Even Nino Burjanadze (acting president) and opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili (the likely next president of Georgia) said very positive things about Shevardnadze’s “historic role” following his resignation.
Shevardnadze’s honorable departure will hopefully teach lessons to other leaders across the region. Similarly, Georgian opposition’s methods of defending their democratic future should teach lessons to opposition groups across the region. Saakashvili had promised to represent the people and deliver a peaceful, non-violent revolution. When democratic forces entered the Georgian parliament on November 22, their hands were in the air to show that they were not holding arms, but only roses.
According to the Georgian constitution, there will be presidential and parliamentary elections in 45 days. The next several weeks are crucial for the successful rebirth of Georgia. There are still tremendous challenges ahead.
Topping them is the autonomous Ajaran republic’s leader Aslan Abashidze. Georgian elections were stolen in Ajara under the leadership of the corrupt and authoritarian Abashidze. In fact, he did more damage to Georgia than Shevardnadze. Abashidze will primarily listen to Russia and Turkey, two of his business and political backers. It is absolutely essential for both neighbors to stand by the democratic forces in Georgia during this difficult transition period.
Russia has already played a constructive role under the leadership of Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, who was engaged in the negotiations over the weekend that led to Shevardnadze’s resignation. However, historically, various groups in Russia and in Georgia have used transition periods to provoke confrontation, and, thus, Georgia’s democrats have a deep concern regarding Moscow’s ability to maintain its positive engagement with Georgia. These next few weeks will be an important test for Russia to prove, once and for all, that it is a committed partner of the US and the EU in supporting Georgia’s independence and territorial integrity.
Washington has played a tremendously constructive role in Georgia and has proven that its commitment to democracy is not rhetorical. In addition to many years of political and financial assistance, the US recently invested $2.4 million to create the infrastructure required for free and fair elections.
In addition, President Bush invested his personal prestige in Georgia’s political future by sending former Secretary of State James Baker to promote election transparency.
The exit polls and the parallel vote tabulations, funded by the US, allowed everyone in Georgia to see the real results and to identify that massive fraud had occurred. Now, the US needs to remain engaged at high levels and, together with its European allies, help Georgia’s interim government complete this historic mission they have begun.
Zeyno Baran is Director of International Security and Energy Programs at the Nixon Center.
