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BAKU: Georgian leader surprised at election results - Azeri TV

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  • BAKU: Georgian leader surprised at election results - Azeri TV

    Georgian leader surprised at election results - Azeri TV

    ANS TV, Baku
    31 Mar 04


    Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has expressed his surprise at
    the returns in the parliamentary election. He told Azeri commercial TV
    channel ANS that he had expected that his coalition would do well, but
    not that the opposition would do so badly. Saakashvili said that the
    Azeri population in Georgia had been active in the elections, but
    urged them to play a greater role in public life. He said that Azeri
    and Armenian MPs had not been chosen for their ethnic origin, but for
    their political experience and reputation. The Georgian leader highly
    praised relations with his Azeri counterpart. The following is an
    excerpt from the interview by ANS on 31 March; subheadings inserted
    editorially:

    Presenter The Georgian parliamentary election returns were unexpected
    not only for the opposition, but also for President Mikheil
    Saakashvili. He shared his impression about this in an exclusive
    interview with ANS immediately after the elections.

    Correspondent Qanira Pasayeva, in Russian with Azeri voice-over Mr
    President, we congratulate you. How did the elections go? How do you
    assess the current situation? Did you expect such results?

    Election results paradoxical

    Saakashvili in his office, in Russian with Azeri voice-over The point
    is that the elections ended with paradoxical results. I hoped we would
    win. But I did not expect that no party would be able to enter
    parliament and that they would not manage to overcome the 7-per-cent
    barrier. Incidentally, I would have very much liked someone to have
    overcome this barrier. But this is not the point. The point is that
    the people expressed their wish and were very active. I did not expect
    this activity. The people took to the streets. We won a great victory
    in the Autonomous Republic of Ajaria. Because the local government
    failed to seriously meddle in the election results. That is they won
    six times fewer votes than in past elections. I think we showed that
    the Georgian people support the fight against corruption, the process
    of democratization, the improvement of the social situation, the
    creation of warm neighbourly relations with our neighbours and
    integration into Europe. In general, our people support the Georgian
    government and the president.

    Correspondent European bodies stated that a 4-per-cent barrier was
    enough for the parliamentary elections. Why was the 7-per-cent barrier
    not reduced?

    Saakashvili We did not have time to change it. I did not confirm
    this. This was valid when former President Eduard Shevardnadze was in
    power. To be frank, I thought that the 7-per-cent barrier could unite
    the opposition. Unfortunately, this did not happen. But we will
    probably be able to reduce this barrier to 5 or 6 per cent. The
    parties should be strengthened. They should have smooth
    programmes. They should advance serious proposals in favour of the
    people. Of course, then the people will appreciate this.

    Correspondent Won't it be difficult for you to work without
    parliament's criticism?

    Saakashvili First, I think there will be criticism. Because
    approximately 50 of the 75 deputies elected under the first-past-the
    post system are opposition members. Overall, parliament consists of
    230 members. As you see, the opposition is already obvious. Second,
    our party is a coalition of different parties and groups. The people
    there have different views. We often argue. This will not be a Soviet
    parliament. It will be an ordinary parliament which will also have
    people with a radical position. Some will be less radical. I think the
    president will have certain problems with the parliament. I am ready
    for this. Democracy exists for the presence of some problems. At the
    same time, there should be constructive cooperation.

    Correspondent Whom would you like to see as Speaker?

    Saakashvili I would like to see Nino Burjanadze in the post of
    Speaker. Of course, the political group will decide this. In general,
    my position is that the process of democratization should start from
    inside in all issues. Let the people decide themselves. I think
    Burjanadze will hardly have a problem in this issue.

    Azeris were quite active in elections

    Correspondent Were you satisfied with the activity in the
    parliamentary elections of Azeris living in Georgia?

    Saakashvili I think Azeris were quite active in the elections. This
    time there were fewer irregularities than in the previous
    elections. The irregularities were at the same level as those in other
    Georgian districts. Unfortunately, I could not conduct an active
    election campaign on the whole of Georgian territory, also among
    Azeris. As for the next elections, I would like to visit all places
    and speak to everybody. I want the Azeri and Georgian compatriots to
    be more active. Therefore, we should of course provide them with
    explanations. Everybody, including those Azeris, should consider
    solving their problems by voting. I have always told them that they do
    not need to support the opposition or the government. Let them
    struggle for the resolution of their problems. Let them raise their
    problems and demand that the government tackle those problems. For
    instance, we abolished land tax. Azeri programmes are broadcast on our
    TV channels now and we will extend the reach of their broadcast. We
    will teach Azeris Georgian on a high level so that they can integrate
    into society and succeed. At the same time, we have practically
    resolved the problem regarding the Azeri theatre. We have done this to
    protect Azeri culture in Georgia and to provide the theatre with a
    building. There are various issues, which differentiate Azeris from
    other citizens of Georgia. Their issues should be resolved as well as
    heard . Of course, there are general social problems. These problems
    should be resolved equally among Azeris, Georgians, Russians and other
    nations. I think Azeris should state their conditions when they go to
    the elections. Incidentally, many of them have done this. This would
    benefit our statehood.

    No ethnic quota for Azeri and Armenian MPs

    Correspondent Could you please explain the reasons why the number of
    Azeri MPs dropped and the number of Armenian MPs increased in this
    parliament?

    Saakashvili I have not defined their number by their ethnic origin. I
    think one active MP might be equal to a few MPs. We do not intend to
    create artificial obstacles to anyone for their activity, reputation
    and political experience. There were Azeris in the former parliament
    who did not utter a word in favour of their compatriots. We need
    people who will not sit and do nothing, but who will really
    fight. This is not a Soviet parliament that needs a quota. Leaders
    should appear who could lead others, enabling them to get the
    opportunity to play a more active role in public life. I do not know
    what the proportion is. But I can say that I do not collect people by
    these indices.

    Elections show Ajarian leadership has lost popular support

    Correspondent Mr President, what steps will you take to fully control
    the port of Batumi and the Sarpi customs post in Ajaria?

    Saakashvili I think the parliamentary elections were alarm bells for
    the local government. Because they cannot rely on the support of the
    local population now, unlike before. I think that the agreements we
    have reached will come into effect. We will have our representatives
    there. They will supervise everything. The only issue left open is the
    disarmament of the armed groups called the local voluntary
    brigades. We are not going to joke on this issue. We want to resolve
    everything peacefully. But if we need to bring someone to book, then I
    am ready to do this. We have all the possibilities to do so.

    Correspondent Do you rule out an armed conflict?

    Saakashvili Of course, I will rule out using any force. But there was
    a group in the Georgian region of Svanetia which kept the whole region
    under threat. We sent soldiers there to neutralize the situation and
    we neutralized them. We will undoubtedly neutralize such elements if
    they exist there as well. The state should use limited force, if need
    be. But this is the last option for a solution. The best thing is
    reaching an agreement and using softer methods. But we are ready to
    take any steps for the sake of the integrity of our society, not
    causing problems to local civilians, in line with the constitution and
    civil dialogue to prevent any threat against our statehood.

    Georgia glad to have Azerbaijan as neighbour

    Correspondent What do you think of Azerbaijan's role in this issue?

    Saakashvili I generally think that Azerbaijan has always supported us
    closely. We have no problems with Azerbaijan and this cannot be the
    case. The Azerbaijani president is my personal friend, ally. He is
    someone whom I can phone and rely on in my very hard times. In
    general, the presence of such partners on the personal and state level
    has always played a decisive role for states. I think that the world
    would have developed more, if at least half of the countries had had
    such a leader. I think you are happy from this viewpoint. You have a
    leader whom you can rely on. He will not leave you in trouble. He
    seldom gives promises. But he keeps his promise if he gives one. I
    feel comfortable that we have such neighbour. Not only I, but also
    normal citizens of all Georgia feel quiet.

    Correspondent How do you see Georgia's future - as a unitary or
    federal state?

    Saakashvili In all, I support decentralization. What is
    decentralization? This means all bureaucratic issues are tackled on
    the spot so that they are not prolonged in future.

    Passage omitted: more about the future plans about decentralization,
    resolution of the Abkhaz conflict.

    Georgia always together with Azerbaijan

    Correspondent Do you intend to cooperate with Azerbaijan in the fight
    against separatism? Is it possible to expect any pact to be signed on
    the joint fight against separatism?

    Saakashvili I do not know what specific documents should be
    signed. But I know one thing, that we are together with the
    Azerbaijani people in their difficult times. Azerbaijanis have always
    been our friends in our hard times. For this reason, we will closely
    cooperate in numerous spheres. We regard all Azerbaijan's problems as
    close to us. The Azerbaijani president and the people have been well
    informed of this. We will also cooperate with international
    organizations so that we could resolve issues as peacefully as
    possible and constructively within the framework of those
    organizations. Georgia is interested in tidiness, peace, cooperation
    and the presence of a general political and economic space in the
    region. I think our views in this sphere fully coincide with those of
    the Azerbaijani leadership.

    Correspondent Thanks a lot.
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