Saakashvili May Consult with Ex-Putin Aide ? Paper Speculates

The Russian business daily Kommersant reported on October 30 that Andrei Illarionov, a former aide to the Russian President, may become a senior economic advisor to President Saakashvili.

But Illarionov, who was in Tbilisi as a participant of the Cato Institute-organized international conference Freedom, Commerce, and Peace: A Regional Agenda on October 25-27, denied the report. ?You can speculate on this issue,? he told the Kommersant.

In Tbilisi Illarionov met with Saakashvili, but he declined to comment whether the Georgian President offered him a new assignment.

Illarionov, who is now a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, served as the Russian President?s economic advisor before resigning in December 2005 to protest what he called the end of political reforms.

Currently, Estonia?s ex-Prime Minister Mart Laar is the Georgian President?s economic advisor. But he will again contend for the Prime Minister?s position in next year’s elections with the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian)