Defiant Warlord Sets Political Demands

Emzar Kvitsiani, a defiant chief of the Kodori-based paramilitary group Monadire (the Hunter), said on July 23 that he demands from the Parliament not to approve Vano Merabishvili and Irakli Okruashvili on the position of Interior Minister and Defense Minister, respectively.

The Parliament will start discussion of the slightly reshuffled cabinet on July 24.

?If these two ministers are approved, people will come out in the streets with the demand to dissolve the Parliament,? Kvitsiani said in an interview with Imedi TV, which was recorded in Kodori gorge. TV footage also showed heavily armed men in battle dress uniforms from the Monadire paramilitary group.

Earlier on July 24 Kvitsiani said in an ironic manner in a phone interview with the Rustavi 2 television that he wanted PM Zurab Nogaideli, an influential parliamentarian Giga Bokeria and State Minister in charge of economic reforms Kakha Bendukidze to arrive in Kodori gorge for talks. These officials have strongly condemned Kvitsiani on July 23. Bendukidze said Kvitsiani should be ?arrested and punished.?

?If they come here [in Kodori] I think peace will celebrate not only in Kodori, but in entire Georgia,? Kvitsiani said.

Initially, when Kvitsiani first announced defiance to the central authorities on July 22 he cited alleged plans by Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili to disarm Monadire group. This paramilitary unit was part of the Defense Ministry, but was disbanded by Okruashvili in 2005 triggering Monadire members? discontent.

But later, Kvitsiani also attacked Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili and demanded his resignation ? a top demand of the opposition parties, which criticize the Interior Minister for police violence. But the opposition parties have already condemned Kvitsiani?s announcements about defiance towards the central authorities.

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