While Russia’s ambassador in Georgia Vladimir Chkhikvishvili was commenting in the live broadcast of the State television, a blast occurred outside the State TV and Radio Corporation late on December 3.
No one was injured as a result of explosion. The blast blew windows in the building. The explosion further increased speculations over the anticipated disorders on the eve of the presidential elections scheduled for January 4.
Presidential candidate Mikheil Saakashvili announced on December 4 about the launch of his election campaign saying that holding of free and fair presidential elections is the new leadership’s top priority.
“We will do our best to maintain order and stability before and after the January 4 presidential elections. However there are forces wishing to trigger chaos in the country. We will not permit destabilization, as this would be a disaster for the country,” Saakashvili said at the presentation.
“Everyone, who will try to trigger destabilization, will be strictly punished,” Saakashvili added.
The presidential candidate said they would not permit postponement of presidential elections, “as this would be potential source of chaos.”
“This [blast outside the State TV] is a part of series of acts that aim at destabilization of situation in the country,” Giorgi Baramidze, the Interior Minister told reporters on December 3.
The explosion outside the State TV and Radio Corporation followed the blast of hand-grenade blown up outside the opposition Labor Party’s headquarters in Tbilisi on December 1.
On December 2 unknown person fired at Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia’s house. She was a spokesperson for the Shevardnadze’s party For New Georgia – the party collapsed after Shevardnadze resigned on November 23.
In a televised interview Sarishvili-Chanturia said that shot allegedly aimed against her life. Georgian General Prosecutor Nugzar Gabrichidze said it “was an assassination attempt and we launched investigation of this attack.”
The series of attacks come in the wake of the Georgian State Security Ministry’s warning, which did not rule out that “political terror” may occur in the country before the presidential elections in order “to trigger destabilization and chaos.”
“According to our information particular forces are masterminding assassinations of the political leaders, businessmen and chiefs of the media companies. One fatal shot may put an end to the stability in Georgia,” spokesman of the Security Ministry Nika Laliashvili said on December 1.
State Minister Zurab Zhvania also said, that “particular forces” are seriously preparing for regaining power by force.
“We know that some people gather to discuss how to regain power. We have information that they even intend to smuggle arms,” Zurab Zhvania said on December 1.
Speculations over “the political terror” further flared up after the statement of Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia, who said on December 3 that the assassination of Mikheil Saakashvili, candidate for the presidential elections, who is most likely to become the Georgia’s next President.
Nino Burjanadze, the Interim President, said in the televised interview on December 3 that there are some forces in Georgia which are interested in “bringing panic to this society.”
“But I want to tell our society that we new leaders won’t allow it. We will be able to hold normal presidential elections in January,” she added.
Nino Burjanadze also said that despite “some forces’ intentions” to flare up tensions “there is no need to dramatize the situation.”
Officials say that “enemy of the country” is interested in the tensions in Georgia; however no one gives specific details regarding these “enemies.”
When the explosion rocked the State TV and Radio Corporation, Vladimir Chkhikvishvili, the Russia’s ambassador in Georgia was commenting on the recent developments in Georgia.
He said the blast was a further proof that Georgia, had not settled down after the “velvet revolution,” which led to Shevardnadze’s resignation.
“What has just happened is evidence of the unstable situation n Georgia,” he added.
Observers say that one month period before the presidential elections would be a crucial for the new leadership and the country. The interim leadership, which took over the power after the velvet revolution, says that maintaining of the fragile stability and holding free and fair elections are the top priority.
The western powers have already assured Georgian leadership to assist to overcome the crisis. Members of the U.S. interagency team led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Lynn Pascoe visits Georgia on December 3-6 to review specific assistance proposals for Georgia’s upcoming elections and support for Georgia’s political and economic reform.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is also anticipated to visit Georgia on December 5.
