Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has said that he will lift the state of emergency in effect in the country when he deems it necessary and "not on someone's instruction". He also said of the events of 7 November, where police used force to disperse two opposition rallies and raided an opposition TV station, that Georgia had "passed a test for its statehood". He made these remarks in a speech to representatives of the local business community broadcast live by Georgian Public TV and also by Mze and Rustavi-2 on 10 November, the third day of the state of emergency.
"I understand the impatience of our friends, who may not like the form of the state of emergency - and I want to tell you that of course [it will be lifted] in the coming days-[changes tack] but when we deem it necessary and not when someone tells us, when I, as your leader, am absolutely convinced that all risks have been eliminated - and I am sure that this will happen in the nearest few days - not on someone's instruction. I want to tell our friends and our ill-wishers that I will not do this on someone's instruction because my responsibility is not before some country's foreign minister, but rather before the next thousand years of Georgian history," Saakashvili said.
"Our responsibility is not a short term one aimed at making people like us and reacting to pressure, our responsibility is before all of you, all citizens and before our future. Let everyone remember this. This is my answer for everyone. I - we know best what is good for Georgia in the short term and in the long term," he added.
"Georgia passed the main test, the test for its statehood, the test to determine whether we are a Bantustan or a real state once and for all, whether we are a failed state or whether we have a real state apparatus, whether we have a society or whether we have the same few hundred people who claim to be a society. Of course Georgia has a society."
Saakashvili stood by the decision to use force to break up opposition rallies on 7 November, though he acknowledged that it was "not pretty" to watch.
"Establishing order does not look too pretty on the television screen anywhere and in general, this is not a pleasant process. I saw many things on television, though of course I take responsibility for everything myself. I told all of our policemen ahead of time to act within the framework of the law, act without compromise and be very cautious and of course, if you have bad results, I will share responsibility with you. I will always defend you, but do understand that you are responsible for ensuring that nothing bad happens," Saakashvili said.
"We are building a state and in a state, the use of force within the framework of the law - I want to emphasize this - is monopolized by the state. No-one has the right to attack policemen, let alone throw stones at a policeman," he added.
He renewed his attacks on tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili, who on 10 November declared his intention to run for the presidency in the 5 January snap poll despite the fact that he is under suspicion for conspiracy to overthrow the government.
"In London, a certain Russian oligarch remade as a Georgian went from investor to investor saying: you crazy investing money in Georgia, investing money in Georgia is very dangerous. Not only did he set up this machine so that people would give up, he also ran around there telling people not to invest in Georgia under any circumstances. Why? The reason is very simple. Because if money is invested in Georgia, this money will be distributed to the whole Georgian public and if money is not invested, this one subject of very suspicious reputation, a very suspicious past and with very suspicious goals and intentions will be able to buy all of Georgia for dirt cheap," he said of Patarkatsishvili.
"Of course, I want to tell you that to a certain extent they achieved their goal over the past few days. They could not cause a real collapse of the Georgian economy, they could not cause a real collapse of the state. In the short term, however, they of course did manage to create some kind of illusion for investors in Georgia that they need to think before they invest.
"But I want to tell you that we passed this test, we stood so tall that after 5 January, we as a country will get back this money tenfold, there will be tenfold more investment, there will be tenfold more success, tenfold more optimism," Saakashvili said.
He again used the term "factory of lies" to describe opposition Imedi TV, which was founded by Patarkatsishvili and which was raided and shut down by police on the evening of 7 November.
"Over the past few months and the past few years, the factory of lies working against us did everything it could so that there would be no economic optimism in the country. Day and night it told us that there is no help for us, nothing is developing, we are falling into the abyss, there is no hope for the future, there is only Imedi ["imedi" is the Georgian word for hope].
Saakashvili briefly discussed the raid on Imedi, which he accused of encouraging viewers to "use force" and "stir unrest"
"Every day they curse the president's mother, father, grandmother and grandfather. And did I ever whine about that? But when they say go and use force and stir unrest in the country, that is no longer freedom of speech."
Speaking of Labour Party Leader Shalva Natelashvili, who on 9 November was declared wanted by police for conspiracy to overthrow the government and espionage, Saakashvili said that this "chief of the people" might as well come out of hiding, as he does not face arrest. Saakashvili added that Natelashvili was free to run for the Georgian presidency in the 5 January election.
The president said that his government would ensure that all political forces but the ones with criminal inclinations would be able to have their interests reflected in Georgia's political life and that the recent lowering of the election threshold from seven to five per cent served precisely that end.
Saakashvili spoke at great length about Georgia's economic achievements during his four-year presidency and pledged further success in this area.
He also thanked Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze for her determination and support amid the recent tension.
Saakashvili's address and the ensuing question and answer session with prominent businessmen lasted a total of 83 minutes. It was rebroadcast in full following Public TV's 1600 gmt news bulletin. The signal cut out twice during the live transmission, once for 13 seconds and the second time for three and a half minutes. During the second break, the venue of the meeting appeared to go dark. Public TV began showing news reports on other developments and then returned to the live broadcast.
Press Office
of the President of Georgia