Impressions from Georgia.

Recent events in Georgia have shocked many people, who welcomed years ago „The Rose revolution” and had supported the Georgia’s turn to West, its radical reforms and build-up of democracy. Their hopes were badly hurt as a result of violent demonstrations and use of force against them, closure of independent media and declaration of emergency situation. Georgia’s international image and specially President Mikhail Saakashvili’s personal reputation was seriously damaged as a result of all this. Warnings of Saakashvilis „uncontrolled temper” and unpredictable decisions suddenly looked to become true.


The situation in Georgia nevetheless is more complicated. Looking to it from outside, it is easy to get a wrong or too simplified picture. I visited Georgia on last weekend, met both from people from government and outside it. So these are some of my impressions. First of all the decisions on emergency situation was not passed by President alone, but by President Council, where nearly all Georgia’s political leaders, included speaker Nino Burjanadze took part. So when it was mistake, then it was common mistake. It’s clear that the government overreacted and made mistakes, but from other side it must be recognized, that the activities of some opposition politicians, speacially oligarch Badri Patarkatsishvili were not responsible either. Everything was made to provoke government to use force and unfortunately authorities fell to the trap. The situation in Tbilisi to the evening of 7 November was so near to larger conflict that probably only thanks to the declaration on emergency situation, Georgia avoided loss of lives. Most important was, that the government coalition did not answered to opposition demonstrations with demonstrations of their supporters, calming so the situation down.

The evening of 7.November was clearly low-point for Georgia during this millennium. From this on, the situation has started to improve – slower as supporters of Georgia want, but with every day with better speed. The Western States were first of all ready to act quickly, condemning the step back from democracy and suggesting Georgia to abolish the emergency situation and start negotiations with opposition with the goal to find political solution to the conflict. At the same time countradictory to some expectactions Georgia was not left alone, it was not isolated. This helped Georgian leaders to calm down, analyze the situation and move forward.


First positive step in positive direction was President Saakashvili’s announcement that he is holding snap president elections on January 5, 2008. With this the politics moved back from the streets to election polls and hopefully it stays there at least till elections. The referendum on time of parliament elections will be held at the same time. Next step forward was the start of negotiations with opposition on changes in election code, which by have have lead to positive results. Even more important was decision to lift emergency situation in Georgia from 16.November 2007.


The Georgian authorities must nevertheless understand that these are only first steps toward normalization of situation and restoration of democracy. Freedom of media must be restored. Opposition must be granted all possibilities to participate and campaigne in elections without fear. The cooperation and negotiatons with opposition must continue, the government must recognize, that the opposition politicians are not Russian spies or collaborators. From the other side opposition must act responsibly aswell. Calls for violence and overthrow of „fascist regime” must be canceled. It will be practical for democratic opposition to make clear cut between themselves and people like Okruashvili or Patarkatsishvili. Both sides must make absolutely clear, that they recognize results of democratic elections, whatever these would be. Recent calls from part of opposition on new demonstrations are counterproductive and can be lead to new clashes. Georgians must understand, that when the politics will be moved to the streets, Georgia’s future will be under serious doubt. It looks that some opposition politicians are just afraid of real elections, happily other parts of it are looking for solutions. 


Georgian history would ofcourse not end with President elections. Way to democracy would not be easy and short. Will it be succesfull, it depends mostly from Georgian’s themselves. We can try only to share our experiences from the same road and to give good advice. It is important also to move away Russia’s pressure on Georgia and not let anybody to intervene to Georgia’s interial affairs. It must be made absolutely clear that no country is having right to block Georgia’s integration with European structures. Georgia is not lost, it’s future lies in the hand of Georgia’s people.