“Ukraine calls on all Georgian political forces to come together”

Akhali Taoba reports that Ukraine is calling on all of Georgia’s political parties to cooperate with each other.

Deputy Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Konstantin Eliseev made a public statement after meeting with opposition coalition candidate Levan Gachechiladze on December 12.

According to Eliseev, Ukraine wants to see a civil campaign and democratic elections in Georgia this January 5—and responsible actions the next day.

“Regardless of the election results, the people should come together, not fall apart,” Eliseev said.

He added that, like Ukraine, both the ruling party and the opposition support Georgian integration into NATO and, eventually, the EU.

Ukrainian election observers would be in the country for January 5, he said.



“The US does not care who becomes president of Russia”

US President George W. Bush says he doesn’t know anything at all about the likely successor to the Russian presidency, Dmitry Medvedev, writes Rezonansi.

“It doesn’t matter who becomes the new president of Russia, the US will continue to cooperate with the country,” Bush said.



“Salome Zourabichvili thinks Georgian emigrants’ votes will be forged”

Georgia’s Way leader and opposition coalition candidate for prime minister Salome Zourabichvili is warning that Georgians living abroad are in danger of having their votes forged, according to Sakartvelos Respublika.

At a December 12 press conference, the newspaper writes, Zourabichvili pointed out that most of the estimated 1.2 million Georgians living abroad are without papers, and so cannot take part in the presidential election on January 5.

“I want to ask the families of illegal Georgian emigrants to address Georgian representatives of the country they live in, and let them know they do not live in Georgia. This will be the only way to prevent having their votes [used fraudulently in the election],” Zourabichvili stated.



“Levan Gachechiladze met with representatives of the US National Democratic Institute”

Akhali Taoba reports that opposition coalition presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze met with representatives of the National Democratic Institute on December 12. Ex-foreign minister and opposition coalition for prime minister Salome Zourabichvili was also in attendance.

According to Gachechiladze, the NDI representatives are interested in the details of the election process to date.

“We talked about the [political] violence that is taking place every day in Georgia. We also discussed those changes that should be made in the election laws to provide for fair elections,” Gachechiladze said.



“Mikheil Saakashvili met with Gori and Dusheti residents”

Mikheil Saakashvili, bidding for reelection as president, campaigned in the districts of Gori and Dusheti on December 12, Rezonansi writes.

Saakashvili said his roots are in Gori.

“My main priority is to revive Gori, to restart closed businesses and to find employment for the people,” Saakashvili promised.

According to the newspaper, more than 15 000 supporters gathered in the center of Gori to see Saakashvili.

“On January 5 next year, you should vote for a better future,” Saakashvili told voters.

He also played volleyball at a local sports complex.