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April 9, 2009
Opposition Rally in Georgia

Thirteen opposition parties in Georgia called for a public rally today to oust President Mikheil Saakashvili. They expect 100,000 demonstrators in Tbilisi. A equivilant would be a rally with 6.5 million protesters in Washington. Saakashvili is especially blamed for starting and losing last years war against Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia, but also for a general bad economy, cronyism, undemocratic behavior and special massages.

The oppositions asked foreign countries to stay back and let it happen.

It will be interesting to see how Washington reacts. The official State Department statement is fairly neutral. But Saakashvili recently spent over a million dollars to hire new lobbyists in Washington. He no longer relies on McCain's adviser Scheuneman but payed up for better connection with Democrats.He also bought off the Georgian Orthodox Church with a $15 million 'grant' eliminating a possibly strong moral voice that could be a danger for him.

The opposition will try to have a peaceful rally but it could be in the interest of some folks, including probably Saakashvili, to give it a violent bend.

Stay tuned …

Posted by b on April 9, 2009 at 10:40 UTC | Permalink
Comments

Just another U.S. proxy behaving badly. It was amazing to witness the Bush Administration´s firm support for the Georgian view subsequently torn apart by neutral observers.
I know many of you are skeptical of my views, but I genuinely sense a change in global attitudes towards war and peace, even in the West. Whether this ´change´ is born of desperation or goodwill is highly disputable, but at least it is occurring, which is something to be grateful for.

Posted by: Parviz | Apr 9 2009 16:06 utc | 1

i feel this change in global attitudes too parvis, check my next link.

Posted by: annie | Apr 9 2009 16:17 utc | 2

Georgian opposition says Saakashvili has ‘last chance’ to resign
thus far, reports are of a peaceful demonstration

> TBILISI, April 9 (RIA Novosti) – The Georgian opposition said at a large protest rally in Tbilisi on Thursday that President Mikheil Saakashvili should take his “last chance” to resign in order to ensure a peaceful change of power.
The largely peaceful demonstration against the president has brought at least 100,000 people out on to the streets of the capital.

check out this funny photo
one screamer amongst an otherwise peaceful crowd!

Posted by: annie | Apr 9 2009 17:13 utc | 3

The change in attitude is coming from countries who see a more level playing field opening up, who have less to gain from complying with the US agenda. Going out on a limb, I also sense a change in attitude in Washington, DC, not in the sense of a clearer, better Middle Eastern policy, but of a recognition that the old ones aren’t working — particularly in AFghanistan/Pakistan — and old attitudes toward Iran, Russia, even Europe, are out of date — those countries now figuring out how to get along without us.

Posted by: senecal | Apr 9 2009 17:47 utc | 4

You´re right, Annie, and I love the final paragraph of your 2nd article that announced, without the slightest hint of irony:
The government insists that it has learned its lessons from that and indeed not a single policeman was evident during yesterday’s protests – although hundreds of riot police, believed to be armed, have been stationed in parliament to prevent it being stormed.
Evidently Saakashvili remembers how easily he stormed the Parliament in 2003!

Posted by: Parviz | Apr 9 2009 18:20 utc | 5

annie @ #3, photo excellent, economical, shows how important the individual is, whatever is is. Our owners are careful in their spicing, miserly when prudent, profligate when profitable.
Re Italy last week, and epicenters like measles on much of the world last 3 years, ain’t earthquakes a trump?
There. Have used “epicenter” correctly, unlike the culture. No, measles are on the surface. Perhaps “epicenters like larvae” ?

Posted by: plushtown | Apr 9 2009 22:23 utc | 6

This nascent Georgian revolt has a distinctly Balkan circa 1989 flavor to it. A bankrupt superpower quietly walks away from its Black Sea satellite and leaves the former Quislings to fend for themselves? Bulgaria and Romania anyone?
For the Georgians’ sakes, we can only hope they are able to take the peaceful, Bulgarian route. However, Saakashvili may have a bit too much Ceauşescu in him, which means the end will be bloody for both sides.

Posted by: Night Owl | Apr 10 2009 5:01 utc | 7

The change in attitude is coming from countries who see a more level playing field opening up… senecal wrote.
Yes, and here Obama must be given some credit. At the NATO meeting and the G20 his stance for multilateralism, his attitude of potential cooperation with anyone, any country, without playing favorites, were relatively clear. Possibly it was over-interpreted due to the stark contrast with Bush, but that doesn’t matter too much. Politics!

Posted by: Tangerine | Apr 10 2009 8:09 utc | 8

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