I, as Georgia's acting president, as a politician and a citizen, want to address the entire population of Georgia, the society regarding the fact which was revealed today. The materials available for us give us a serious ground to state that there is a very serious threat directed against the Georgian state. This threat has existed and still exists. But I want to say that the authorities will never allow anyone to deprive the Georgian people, the Georgian population of the right to free choice! From now on, nobody will ever be able to use the society as a mean or to deprive them of their major civil right - the right to free choice! The society should decide themselves, whom they trust, whom they elect. Nobody should dare to achieve their own goals directed against the Georgian state through bribery and through using others trouble. Any person or any political force, which act this way, will be punished appropriately in accordance with the law.
I have numerously announced that there are certain forces, which are preparing for thwarting the January 5 elections. They are preparing not for helping our country's progress, but for throwing us back to unrests of 1991-1992. Much has been done recently deliberately in order to strengthen the perception in the society that the elections would definitely be rigged. I want to emphasize that the elections in Georgia will be democratic and free. The Georgian authorities will do their utmost to ensure that the will of each citizen of Georgia is expressed!
Earlier today I held a special meeting with the opposition and informed them about the today's fact. I consider it very important that all political forces existing in Georgia should voice their position towards the current developments. I call on all political forces, all citizens to do their best to avoid such a scenario, wherein the vulnerable people may be used as a mean. Everything should be done to avoid unrests in the country. Everything should be done to avoid those possible scenarios, which do not rule out even bloodshed.
I do not advise anyone to use illegal methods. All those, who try to endanger the Georgian state, its security and stability, as well as security of the Georgian citizens, will receive an adequate response in accordance with the law.
I also want to announce that objective and highly qualified investigation will be carried out into those grave facts, which were unveiled today. We will do our best to ensure that the results of the investigation are reliable for each member of the society, for our foreign friends.
I want to say that the international society is aware of the recent developments in Georgia, as well as about the dynamics of these developments. I express my gratitude to the international community for their cooperation and attention expressed by them under such difficult conditions.
Although the threat of thwarting the elections and a threat of post-election destabilization has not been fully averted, there is no reason for panic. We, however, need to be cautious.
During the pre-election period all the state structures will act appropriately, as it should be in a normal and already developed country. I want to ask everybody - it is very important that each of us - not only the authorities, but the political forces as well - acknowledge that huge responsibility, which is laid on each of us for the future of our country. Each person should understand what are those threats and forces, which confront our state, our people.
The state and the authorities have their serious, great responsibility. We do not shun away from this responsibility; on the contrary, we should do our best that is upon the state to defend the stability and democratic values in the country.
At the same time, all political forces and each citizen also have their responsibility. You should also decide not to support anyone in bringing destabilization to the country. Do not let anyone use your problems and difficulties for their own goals or ambitions. I stress again - we will do our utmost to hold democratic elections without any rigging. It will be guaranteed by the Georgian state, it will be guaranteed by the will of the Georgian people, it will be guaranteed by those numerous international observers, who will arrive in Georgia. The Georgian state will do its best to avoid any threat of destabilization. All actions will be made with full observance of law and constitution.
Press Office
of the President of Georgia