Nine-Party Opposition Coalition’s Statement

January 17, 2008

We, the National Council of United People Movement, state:

• In the line of the Georgian people’s will, we are continuing struggle against injustice and illegality, as well as for invalidation of the falsified results of the presidential election and for recount of votes;
  


• We do not recognize the legitimacy of elections, as well as the legitimacy of the president-elect [Mikheil Saakashvili]. We refuse to cooperate with him and reject any governmental posts offered by these authorities;
  


• We express our protest against the pompous, military inauguration [military parade is planned after the Saakashvili’s inauguration on January 20], which will be perceived by the majority of the population as a provocation and can, in no way, promote civil conciliation. On our part, as an expression of our protest, we invite the population at a large-scale peaceful protest rally at the Hippodrome at 2 pm on Sunday.

At the same time, at the request of the Georgian society and based on the country’s interests, we call on the Georgian Parliament, as a legitimate legislative body, to meet the following categorical demands:

• To suspend all forms of political persecution, including against those persons, who were arrested or punished in connection with the recent developments [mainly referring to the November street protests]; to release those persons, who were arrested for their political activities during the recent years; to suspend a practice of illegal phone tapping and intimidation; to create an efficient system of monitoring over the law enforcement agencies;
  


• To compose the election administrations of all levels on a parity basis between the opposition and the authorities and to appoint the chairman of the Central Election Commission through the agreement between the sides;
  


• To return the Georgian Public Broadcaster to the people; to compose the board of trustees on a parity basis; to appoint the director general through the agreement between the sides; to provide equal distribution of airtime in news and analytical programs between the authorities and the opposition.

It will be possible to resume public trust in the elections and restore civil unity after the parliamentary elections only if these demands are met and relevant changes are made to promote independent judiciary, increase the parliament’s role and freedom of business.