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Saakashvili Has New Opposition
Former Georgian prime minister Zurab Nogaideli is founding a new party, the Movement for a Just Georgia, which will be in opposition to the current authorities. The main mission of his party, according to Nogaideli, will be “to replace the unsound style of governing with correct government.” The party was founded, according to its manifesto, “to avoid the unavoidable political and economic crisis brought on by improper governance and save statehood.” Nogaideli resigned the post of prime minister in November 2007. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili praised Nogaideli’s performance.
The Movement for a Just Georgia considers it necessary to “make peace” with Abkhazia and Ossetia and to begin a dialog with Russia to begin a course that will lead to the return of refugees and the full unity of Georgia. The party is now working on a program that “will help avoid the political and economic crisis, ensure a correct and optimal form of government, ensure the supremacy of law, ensure free and fair elections at all levels and put an end to injustice.” Party leaders will begin to hold meetings with the public in various regions of the country at the end of the month.
Nogaideli is not the only opposition politician who wants to improve relations with Moscow. The Labor Party of Georgia has already made similar announcements. “We will begin dialog with political circles in Russia and enter into intensive work to save the country. During negotiations, besides the territorial question, possible trade relations with Russia and free movement will be discussed. The Georgian leadership is incompetent in the international arena, especially with Russia,” Labor leader Shalva Natelashvili stated. Natelashevili considers dialog with Russia the only possibility for restoring Georgia’s territorial integrity. “The keys to that problem are in Moscow and they should be returned to Georgia,” he has said.
www.kommersant.com
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