Saakashvili Lists Cabinet Posts Offered to Opposition

President Saakashvili said on January 30 that he had offered the healthcare portfolio in the new cabinet to the opposition.

?The opposition, however, refused. After that we offered the post to Sandro Kvitashvili,? Saakashvili said, describing Kvitashvili, a political and cabinet newcomer, as a professional. Saakashvili was speaking with regional-based journalists.

?We also offered them vice-premierships in the new cabinet, and the environment portfolio, as well as [posts] in the economic [bloc]; we also offered them high-level positions in the law enforcement agencies.?

He said the opposition?s refusal to accept the posts had come as no surprise, given the approach of parliamentary elections. Their refusal, he saiid, was ?an election tactic.?

The opposition gave their refusal to recognize Saakashvili as the legitimate president as their reason for not accepting any post in his cabinet.

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