Today President Mikheil Saakashvili met with new head of OSCE mission to Georgia Terhi Hakala at the State Chancellery. At the meeting the President stated that it is extremely important for Georgia that OSCE - the most important European election watchdog organization - sent hundreds and, if necessary, thousands of observers to Georgia. "This is necessary, because a campaign has been launched against Georgia that aims to portray it as an instable country where elections are not held and where there are no democratic processes," President Saakashvili said, stressing that the Georgian people with their dignity, restraint and high activity will prove to the world that it is a distinct European nation.

President Saakashvili offered OSEC to monitor the elections to see, what the opposition's opportunities will be in terms of holding pre-election campaign and exercising their policies without media relations and any kind of interference.

"We are not creating any problem to any candidate, including problems related with criminal proceedings. Although some of them may have some problems with the law, we have made it clear that no one will face any criminal proceedings and no one will have any restrictions" the President said.

According to Mikheil Saakashvili no one will be able to alter Georgia's course. "Without your involvement, January 5 elections might have some problems," the President said, stressing that the Georgian people will respond to every question during the election.

Communications Office
of the President of Georgia