0'03 Mikhail Saakashwili is a president loved by the people. Since replacing Edvard Shevardnaze as President of the Republic of Georgia, his reputation as a strong, incorruptible and fearless leader has grown.
0'12 The latest test of Saakashvili’s presidency has come in hostile threats from the break away region of Adzharia. Once again, the troubled Caucasus are facing the very real threat of civil war. On an official visit to meet the local strongman Aslan Abishidze last month, Saakashvili was turned back at the border, sparking high level negotiations between the Georgian President and the man he has dubbed head of a ‘criminal regime’. Presidents Putin and Bush have also been dragged into negotiations, as has Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoban, in attempts to control the rapidly deteriorating situation since then.
0'51 This is…. Members of the human rights organisation “Liberty Now" have maintained e-mail communications with pro-Georgian opposition in Adzharia. The reports are that is brutally suppressed there, by a mafiosi clan, which earns billions from smuggling and drugs. Georgi Bokeria, a Georgian parliamentary delegate, feels the situation is going to test all the leadership skills of their new President.
0'51 OT Georgi Bokeria ENGLISH
Adzharia is a huge problem for Georgia. And has been for a very long time. The previous government just didn’t worry about it. All they wanted was to continue their economic business with Adzharia in peace, to have their bit of the cake and to make sure there were no problems during elections.
1'41 A well known story in Caucasus politics: forceful suppression of opposition, corruption, drug trade, nepotism.
But the accession of Saakashvili in January’s ‘rose revolution’ has brought renewed hope things can change. On 28 March the proportional representation seats were voted in Georgia’s two tiered election, with free and fair elections widely reported. Saakashvili’s National Democratic Movement claimed 67% of the vote.
2'02 Around the Georgian capital Tblisi people elections were always the last thing on people’s minds. Much more of a threat is the threat of civil war.
2'18 But the elections were nonetheless important, a key test for Saakashvili and his team. And more importantly, a key test for Georgian democracy. Rarely were candidate lists ever scrutinised in the same way that they were before these elections.
Historically, Georgian elections have been riddled with electoral fraud. Some Georgians voted twice, with false id papers.
But no longer. Saakashvili insisted on election monitors at all polling stations - trained, well paid and impartial.
2'49 Zura Tschiaberaschwili used to work for a critical NGO here, that monitored electoral fraud. Now he is the boss of the Electoral authority itself:
2'56 OT Zura Tschiaberaschwili leader central choice authority ENGLISH
The major difference in this election to previous parliamentary elections is the will of the current government to hold free and fair elections. We saw the last elections in November 2003. At that time the Government was not interested in ensuring free elections. The attitude of the current government is completely different.
3'26
The election threw up no surprises - the national movement that deposed Shevardnaze in the rose revolution were always is the clear favourites. And, as expected, only one party - the Rightist opposition coalition - even gained the 7% needed to enter parliament.
3'57 The election was Saakashvili’s first test. But, alongside the Adzharian problem, his major battle will be combating corruption in one of the most notoriously corrupt countries in the former USSR. Saakashvili has made spectacular and high profile arrests almost every day he has been in office, with many being broadcast on national television.
(wait for pix) The arrest of the former transportation minister, among others, has elicited applause, but also some concerns.
4'24 OT David Usupaschwili lawyer, IRIS ENGLISH
Sometimes the authorities are more concerned with the ‘showtime’ aspect of these arrests than about the legal protection of the men they’ve arrested. You can see that if you analyse the television reports.
4'51 But politicians here freely admit the occasional abuse of human rights is all part of the learning process. Georgia has little experience of democracy and freedom, and the police in particular have effectively to relearn their trade.
5'03 The next hot point for Saakashvili is the economy. Georgia, once the richest republic in the USSR, is today a poorhouse. Old industrial cities such as Rustavi, half an hour by car from Tblisi is more or less in ruins. Foreign investors are still a long way from putting their money in a country threatened by civil war, and hanging under the long shadow of authoritarian and corrupt leadership.
A few kilometres outside Tblisi, in the village Armazi, most of the houses are unheated, with no hot water or TV reception.
5'34 OT man,
The power supply is appalling. Early in the day we have about half an hour, then they turn it off again. In the evening we have half an hour. Then we sit in the dark and cannot watch the news on television.
5'56 Life here is hard, but Georgian hospitality is undiminished. It’s not long until glasses are raised in a famous Georgian toast. Drinks are downed to no poverty in a rosy future. That Georgia once again becomes the economic powerhouse it once was.
6'21 But Saakashvili’s most delicate problem is tempering the threat from Russia, it’s massive neighbour to the North and West. Russia still has two Military bases in the country, a very public reminder it intends to retain as much control as possible over the republic.
6'33 The USA are Georgia’s primary backer, financing equipment and training for elite special units in the Georgian army.
These young soldiers earn 250 dollars a month. Their jobs are highly sought after, since the arrival of Saakashvili, the prestige of the army has risen immensely.
7'07 the interest of the great powers in Georgia is rooted in strategic reasons, and is clear to see on any drive down to the coast. This enormous pipeline pumps millions of barrels of Caspian Sea oil to Europe.
7'24 OT Ghia Nodia... Caucasus-Institute - ENGLISH
From the Russian point of view there is no balance in political influence in Georgia. Because for the Russians all American activity in Georgia is an unwanted interference in their backyard. The building of the American oil pipeline from Baku, through Georgia, and into Turkey, was a symbol of this interference. But now there is also a training program with the Georgian army, “Train and Equip", a military co-operation. We have also this recent government, where many of them speak perfect English - for the Russians this is the embodiment of the American influence in Georgia. Russians see Americans in their back yard, and desperately want to change that.
8'08 But it’s clear Georgia itself see Russia as merely a partner, while the USA is a friend, with common values and aspirations. LISTEN TO SOUND
8'25 Among the most optimistic Georgians are the media. Journalists at critical TV station Rustavi-2 were chased and beaten up by Shevardnadze’s thugs. Only since the Rose Revolution and the presidency of Saakashvili has there been anything approaching press freedom.
8'39 OT David Kinalischwili journalist,
Rustavi 2
I always used to think: up to 40 I’ll be an optimist, after 40 I’ll be a pessimist. But now I believe that a really new, dynamic generation has come to power in Georgia. A generation with new values and ideas, without any of the communist hang-ups.
9'04 Saakashvili has had an unnerving but confidence boosting start to his presidency. This latest crisis is a real test of his leadership.
0'12 The latest test of Saakashvili’s presidency has come in hostile threats from the break away region of Adzharia. Once again, the troubled Caucasus are facing the very real threat of civil war. On an official visit to meet the local strongman Aslan Abishidze last month, Saakashvili was turned back at the border, sparking high level negotiations between the Georgian President and the man he has dubbed head of a ‘criminal regime’. Presidents Putin and Bush have also been dragged into negotiations, as has Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoban, in attempts to control the rapidly deteriorating situation since then.
0'51 This is…. Members of the human rights organisation “Liberty Now" have maintained e-mail communications with pro-Georgian opposition in Adzharia. The reports are that is brutally suppressed there, by a mafiosi clan, which earns billions from smuggling and drugs. Georgi Bokeria, a Georgian parliamentary delegate, feels the situation is going to test all the leadership skills of their new President.
0'51 OT Georgi Bokeria ENGLISH
Adzharia is a huge problem for Georgia. And has been for a very long time. The previous government just didn’t worry about it. All they wanted was to continue their economic business with Adzharia in peace, to have their bit of the cake and to make sure there were no problems during elections.
1'41 A well known story in Caucasus politics: forceful suppression of opposition, corruption, drug trade, nepotism.
But the accession of Saakashvili in January’s ‘rose revolution’ has brought renewed hope things can change. On 28 March the proportional representation seats were voted in Georgia’s two tiered election, with free and fair elections widely reported. Saakashvili’s National Democratic Movement claimed 67% of the vote.
2'02 Around the Georgian capital Tblisi people elections were always the last thing on people’s minds. Much more of a threat is the threat of civil war.
2'18 But the elections were nonetheless important, a key test for Saakashvili and his team. And more importantly, a key test for Georgian democracy. Rarely were candidate lists ever scrutinised in the same way that they were before these elections.
Historically, Georgian elections have been riddled with electoral fraud. Some Georgians voted twice, with false id papers.
But no longer. Saakashvili insisted on election monitors at all polling stations - trained, well paid and impartial.
2'49 Zura Tschiaberaschwili used to work for a critical NGO here, that monitored electoral fraud. Now he is the boss of the Electoral authority itself:
2'56 OT Zura Tschiaberaschwili leader central choice authority ENGLISH
The major difference in this election to previous parliamentary elections is the will of the current government to hold free and fair elections. We saw the last elections in November 2003. At that time the Government was not interested in ensuring free elections. The attitude of the current government is completely different.
3'26
The election threw up no surprises - the national movement that deposed Shevardnaze in the rose revolution were always is the clear favourites. And, as expected, only one party - the Rightist opposition coalition - even gained the 7% needed to enter parliament.
3'57 The election was Saakashvili’s first test. But, alongside the Adzharian problem, his major battle will be combating corruption in one of the most notoriously corrupt countries in the former USSR. Saakashvili has made spectacular and high profile arrests almost every day he has been in office, with many being broadcast on national television.
(wait for pix) The arrest of the former transportation minister, among others, has elicited applause, but also some concerns.
4'24 OT David Usupaschwili lawyer, IRIS ENGLISH
Sometimes the authorities are more concerned with the ‘showtime’ aspect of these arrests than about the legal protection of the men they’ve arrested. You can see that if you analyse the television reports.
4'51 But politicians here freely admit the occasional abuse of human rights is all part of the learning process. Georgia has little experience of democracy and freedom, and the police in particular have effectively to relearn their trade.
5'03 The next hot point for Saakashvili is the economy. Georgia, once the richest republic in the USSR, is today a poorhouse. Old industrial cities such as Rustavi, half an hour by car from Tblisi is more or less in ruins. Foreign investors are still a long way from putting their money in a country threatened by civil war, and hanging under the long shadow of authoritarian and corrupt leadership.
A few kilometres outside Tblisi, in the village Armazi, most of the houses are unheated, with no hot water or TV reception.
5'34 OT man,
The power supply is appalling. Early in the day we have about half an hour, then they turn it off again. In the evening we have half an hour. Then we sit in the dark and cannot watch the news on television.
5'56 Life here is hard, but Georgian hospitality is undiminished. It’s not long until glasses are raised in a famous Georgian toast. Drinks are downed to no poverty in a rosy future. That Georgia once again becomes the economic powerhouse it once was.
6'21 But Saakashvili’s most delicate problem is tempering the threat from Russia, it’s massive neighbour to the North and West. Russia still has two Military bases in the country, a very public reminder it intends to retain as much control as possible over the republic.
6'33 The USA are Georgia’s primary backer, financing equipment and training for elite special units in the Georgian army.
These young soldiers earn 250 dollars a month. Their jobs are highly sought after, since the arrival of Saakashvili, the prestige of the army has risen immensely.
7'07 the interest of the great powers in Georgia is rooted in strategic reasons, and is clear to see on any drive down to the coast. This enormous pipeline pumps millions of barrels of Caspian Sea oil to Europe.
7'24 OT Ghia Nodia... Caucasus-Institute - ENGLISH
From the Russian point of view there is no balance in political influence in Georgia. Because for the Russians all American activity in Georgia is an unwanted interference in their backyard. The building of the American oil pipeline from Baku, through Georgia, and into Turkey, was a symbol of this interference. But now there is also a training program with the Georgian army, “Train and Equip", a military co-operation. We have also this recent government, where many of them speak perfect English - for the Russians this is the embodiment of the American influence in Georgia. Russians see Americans in their back yard, and desperately want to change that.
8'08 But it’s clear Georgia itself see Russia as merely a partner, while the USA is a friend, with common values and aspirations. LISTEN TO SOUND
8'25 Among the most optimistic Georgians are the media. Journalists at critical TV station Rustavi-2 were chased and beaten up by Shevardnadze’s thugs. Only since the Rose Revolution and the presidency of Saakashvili has there been anything approaching press freedom.
8'39 OT David Kinalischwili journalist,
Rustavi 2
I always used to think: up to 40 I’ll be an optimist, after 40 I’ll be a pessimist. But now I believe that a really new, dynamic generation has come to power in Georgia. A generation with new values and ideas, without any of the communist hang-ups.
9'04 Saakashvili has had an unnerving but confidence boosting start to his presidency. This latest crisis is a real test of his leadership.