Opposition Confirms Talks with Burjanadze

The opposition confirmed on January 15 it was holding “intensive consultations” with Nino Burjanadze, the acting president, on various urgent political issues.

Speaking with journalists on January 15, Burjanadze said that she was in talks with the opposition parties on “eight issues,” on one of which – reform of public TV – an agreement had already been reached. She refused to reveal further details.

Davit Usupashvili, leader of the Republican Party, part of the nine-party opposition coalition, has also declined to comment on the other seven issues. “I cannot say what these seven issues are; we have many more questions for the authorities. We raised the issue of reorganizing the Public Broadcaster long ago. Since the board of trustees has failed to justify itself, the director of the station should be changed as well,” Usupashvili told Civil.Ge on January 15.

He said that he was personally engaged in the talks with Burjanadze, but refused to name other participants.