Zourabichvili Speculates on Burjanadze, Patarkatsishvili Ties

In her article published in the Georgian daily Rezonansi on May 4, ex-Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, who is now leader of the opposition political party Georgia”s Way, unleashed criticism towards Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze made allegations about a connection between Burjanadze and tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili.

Zourabichvili says in the article that it was not simply a coincidence that the popular weekly TV program Droeba, aired by Patarkatsishvili”s Imedi television, broadcasted a feature story about Burjanadze that tried to create very positive image of the Parliamentary Chairperson, which was then followed by a story about President Saakashvili”s security guard beating-up a local resident in the Svaneti region.

“Is it accidental when a campaign of total discrimination hits only Saakashvili”s circle, including [Interior Minister Vano] Merabishvili, [General Prosecutor Zurab] Adeishvili, [Defense Minister Irakli] Okruashvili, [chief of Financial Police Davit] Kezerashvili, while another circle – Burjanadze, [Vice-Speaker Mikheil] Machavariani, [chairman of parliamentary committee for foreign affairs Kote] Gabashvili, [chairman of parliamentary committee for human rights Elene] Tevdoradze – are often depicted as angels,” Zourabichvili says.

Zourabichvili also said that the “Russian-educated Burjanadze” is trying to create an “image of a patriot” for herself through harsh criticism of Russia – a policy which has further deteriorated ties with Moscow.

Zourabichvili says that last year, especially after the death of late PM Zurab Zhvania, Burjanadze began circulating the idea among international circles that she is a moderate and a more balanced option than Saakashvili.

“As she [Burjanadze] has already succeeded in creating the image of a “patriot” she can now calmly wait for the moment when a social crisis arises in the country (apparently in autumn), when an extremely negative stance will accumulate among society towards the President and his circle. After this, she can go to Moscow, use her links there and help us “prevent” a crisis… This will be regarded as a failure by Saakashvili but she [Burjanadze] will be portrayed after this as a savior of the Georgian people, Georgian peasants and Georgian wine,” Zourabichvili writes in the article.

“It is also possible that she has prepared some other links apart from those with Patarkatsishvili. Some of the opposition parties may be interested in closer ties with this new wealthy opposition force; a part of business community may also find this new alliance very interesting and it might be regarded [by businessmen] as a chance to survive against the background of [chief of Financial Police Davit] Kezerashvili”s and [Interior Minister Vano] Merabishvili”s pressure. So there is a great chance that the new union will become so powerful that Saakashvili”s party will appear absolutely inept,” Zourabichvili added.

Salome Zourabichvili was sacked from the Foreign Minister”s position last October, chiefly because of a categorical demand of a group of the parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party, in particular Nino Burjanadze.

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