GEORGIA THROWS DOWN CHALLENGE TO SAAKASHVILI

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.05.2009 18:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iliya II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia
called on Mikhail Saakashvili and his team to conduct extraordinary
elections. The authorities were shocked over the statement.

Firstly, as the Patriarch’s authority in Georgia possesses is
considered colossal and indisputable. Secondly, as early as the day
before Iliya II made the opposite statement: extraordinary elections
could be dangerous. Now it has been clarified that the statement was
made under the pressure of Saakashvili’s closest team-mates.

"Our yesterday’s statement was made to take the strain off the
situation. It was known that the authorities were not prepared to
compromise; in case of decisive actions on behalf of demonstrators,
bloodshed could be expected. Based on national interests, The Church
assumed a heavy burden and made a step to protect our nation from
serious danger. It does not mean the problem is solved. The situation
remains serious. The authorities have to undertake steps in order to
relieve the strain – by either conducting extraordinary election or
negotiations," Izvestia cited the Patriarch as saying.