Burjanadze: Opposition Suspension of Talks Incomprehensible
Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said the nine-party opposition coalition?s decision to suspend talks was ?strange? and ?incomprehensible.?
?The meetings we have already held were actually very constructive. We have taken steps regarding a number of issues. One of the [joint] working groups [of the opposition and the authorities] was today clarifying issues which are related to the release of prisoners [arrested during the November 7 unrest],? Burjanadze told journalists on February 8. ?Therefore, I think that it is strange to make statements about the suspension of negotiations while we are in the process of reaching agreement. I reiterate our readiness to reach agreement and to undertake concrete steps. Speaking in the language of ultimata is unacceptable.
She added: ?I want to hope that at least a part of the opposition will remain constructive.?
She was apparently referring to a statement by the Industrialist Party leader, MP Zurab Tkemaladze, who said earlier on February 8: ?The final deadline [given to the authorities by the opposition] expires on February 15 and I think we should wait until then, wait for answers and then make decisions.?
The Industrialist Party, like the New Rights Party, is not part of the nine-party opposition coalition, but both of them signed the 17-point joint memorandum.
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