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Opposition Parties Reaffirm Pro-NATO Stance

Ten opposition parties, jointly campaigning for early parliamentary elections, said in a joint statement they supported Georgia?s NATO integration, but warned that the authorities? policies were possibly endangering the bid.


In a petition sent to all NATO-member states, the opposition parties said they were ?extremely concerned over President Saakashvili?s incompetent policies.?


The petition reads that Saakashvili’s administration’s failure were partly abetted by NATO-member states and ?certain representatives of the international organizations? turning a blind eye.


?The Georgian public is committed to democratic values and it should not be punished and the country?s European integration process should not be hindered because of several persons in power and their irresponsible backers.?


The petition is of special significance given recent allegations levelled by the ruling party against some opposition groups, accusing them of being Russian-leaning parties. The Labor Party and the National Forum were in particular signalled out. Activists from the National Forum have previously said that NATO integration should not be a priority if the alliance fails to guarantee assistance in restoring Georgia?s territorial integrity. Both parties, however, have signed the petition.


The petition was also signed by the Republican, Conservative, Georgia?s Way, Freedom, On Our Own, Party of People, Movement for United Georgia and Georgian Troupe parties.


The petition also says that the only way out of the current political crisis in Georgia is to hold parliamentary election in April 2008, as was originally scheduled before last year?s controversial constitutional amendments.


Presidential and parliamentary elections, in line with last December’s constitutional amendment, will be held simultaneously sometime between October and December 2008. It is up to President Saakashvili to set the exact date for the polls. The amendment was slammed by the opposition as ?undemocratic? as it has prolonged the term of the sitting Parliament for several months. It, however, has also decreased President Saakashvili?s term in office by several months.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)

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