Purge of Georgian Ambassadors Expected

Georgian Ambassador to Russia Irakli Chubinishvili, who resigned recently, will be replaced by Erosi Kitsmarishvili, the founder and former owner of Rustavi 2 TV, Georgian media sources reported on February 6.

According to the reports, Zaza Begashvili, chairman of Tbilisi City Council, will become Georgian ambassador to China, replacing Mikheil Ukleba. 

Ex-governor of Guria Mikheil Svimonishvili will become Georgian ambassador to Switzerland, replacing Giorgi Gorgiladze.   

Gorgiladze is expected to be made Georgian ambassador to Italy, replacing Zaal Gogsadze.

Georgian Ambassador to France Mamuka Kudava, a former deputy to ex-Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili, is also thought to be likely to lose his position. His replacement is still unknown.    

The Foreign Ministry has not actually confirmed the reports. Speaking to Civl.Ge, a Foreign Ministry press officer merely said that ?the foreign minister has not yet presented new ambassadorial nominations to the president.?

The possible diplomatic changes follow recent comments by President Saakashvili. in which he said that he was unhappy with the performance of some unnamed ambassadors. 

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