Burjanadze Lists Some Issues Negotiated with Opposition

Nino Burjanadze, the acting president, listed some of the issues being discussed between her and the nine-party opposition coalition.

Speaking on a Rustavi 2 live political talk-show, Primetime, on January 17, Burjanadze said cabinet posts for the opposition, however, had not been discussed.

“Dialogue revolved around the Georgian Public Broadcaster, the Central Election Commission, the tax arbitration system to resolve disputes between businesses and the state, strengthening the judiciary and increasing the role of Parliament,” Burjanadze said. “These are very important issues for the country and discussing them should in no way imply capitulation by either the authorities or the opposition.”

She said she hoped opposition “rhetoric about election results” would end.

All opposition parties have said they would refuse to recognize Mikheil Saakashvili as the legitimate president, claiming that the January 5 election was rigged.

“I hope this rhetoric changes and maybe it will happen after the courts [have confirmed the election results],” Burjanadze said.

The courts have still not considered a New Rights Party appeal demanding the invalidation of the election results. Tbilisi City Court, however, has already rejected similar appeals by other opposition parties.