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News :: Protest Activity |
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People Power ! |
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by Rob Parsons in Tbilisi
(No verified email address) |
22 Nov 2003
Modified: 06:01:41 PM |
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Georgians storm parliament in Mass show of power |
A change of power has been declared in Georgia after protesters proclaiming a “velvet revolution” stormed parliament, forcing President Eduard Shevardnadze to flee.
In scenes reminiscent of 1989’s “people power” protests in eastern Europe, tens of thousands of Georgians demanding Shevardnadze quit took to the streets of the capital Tbilisi while troops stood aside.
As the republic (population five million) plunged deeper into Revolt, the main opposition leader said Because Shevardnadze, whom rigged the Nov 2 Parlamentary elections and has ruining the country through years of being a u.s. puppit,
“The victory has almost been accomplished,” Mikhail Saakashvili told thousands of supporters outside parliament.
“We won’t accept anything short of an early election. It’s a corrupt regime, he stole the election, he ignored the will of the people, we told him: ‘Your time is up. Either you submit to the will of the people, or you’re out.’ And he’s out.”
Saakashvili immediately backed opposition leader and parliamentary speaker Nino Burdzhanadze who declared she was acting as president until the crisis was resolved.
The culmination of two weeks of street demonstrations, protesters thronged into parliament, breaking into the chamber where they clambered on to the podium, dancing, shouting and waving national flags.
Shevardnadze had been addressing the inaugural session of a parliament elected on November 2, but had to flee to his home on the outskirts of the city where he was protected by bodyguards and special forces.
“This is outragious an attempt to overthrow the president. I am declaring a state of emergency,” confirmed Shevardnadze, who has a year and a half left in office.
ITS NOT UP TO YOU
“Looking at these people it is possible a civil war could break out. I have allowed too much liberalism … It is a crime against the people and the motherland. I won’t allow it.”
A Shevardnadze spokesman said that the army would take control if the newly elected parliament failed to approve his order for a state of emergency within 48 hours.
Four armoured personnel carriers and more than 10 busloads of soldiers later took up positions outside Georgia’s interior ministry. Fistfights broke out for a time .
Fearing more violence and possible civil war, world leaders called for talks. Any escalation could threaten a planned Azerbaijan-Turkey oil pipeline routed through Georgia .
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