Elmira Tariverdiyeva, Trend European Desk Commentator.
Observers waited opposition's demonstration, which was started in Georgia a week ago, with anxiety and great interest. The memories of November 2007, when President Mikheil Saakhashvili put his democratic principles to serious test, by sending troops to disperse demonstration, still vivid.
However, opposition's demonstration is going on without any excess. President is working over the documents in his residence, while oppositionists are erecting a tent city.
Part of opposition is ready to hold a dialogue with the authorities, and the authorities in its turn want to launch a dialogue with the opposition. So what is the meaning of the demonstration? Even if the opposition will hold demonstration for one and half year, Saakashvili will not resign. This is untreatable for everybody, including opposition leaders. Staff changes in the government are of Washington's competence, rather than the president. Nobody will surprise if the U.S. Department of State official Matthew Bryza will arrive in Georgia to start a dialogue between the opposition and the authorities.
The fact is that the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze in Washington. Clinton appreciated the current events in Georgia, which were beyond the democratic frameworks, Georgian Ambassador to the United States Batu Kutelia said.
This means that the protest action was not more than a theatre decoration. The August war was very serious event, so that to be forgotten in Georgia. If oppositionists would not demand president's resignation and put al the accusation on president, then it will contradict the norms of democracy. Tbilisi's elder brother Washington would not be able to protect such undemocratic system in a separately taken region.
Demonstrations were held and complaints were made. If there was not be Azerbaijan opposition in Georgia, then it would be invented.
Opposition does not have a common leader, which makes the issue of president's resignation more complicated. Unlikely the Georgian population needs such emotional turmoil. Objectively, the level of confidence to Saakashvili on the economy and combating corruption is great. Political mistakes ... well, who did not make political mistakes? Everything except bread is on the background in terms of global financial crisis. The time for another change had not yet come. Who argue that it would be better?
Georgian opposition is weak because of lack of a person who might have gained full confidence of both Georgians and U.S administration. The only candidate from opposition at the last presidential elections Levan Gachechiladze, French woman of Georgian origin Salome Zurabishvili, ex-minister on conflicts settlement Georgi Khaindrava, none of them is supported by U.S administration.
But close friend of U.S state department Irakli Alasania recently representing Georgia in UN and Nino Burjanadze being speaker of the Georgian Parliament twice do not have any popularity within Georgia.
Alasania is young. He is not so popular in Georgia as outside. But Burjanadze is associated with Revolution of Roses. She backed current President and it means that there is no necessity in meaningless changes.
Another member of opposition in exile, ex Minister of Defence Irakli Okruashvili was condemned by default on bribe, official negligence, abuse of power and money laundry in Georgia. Before his detention in October 2007 Okruashvili accused Saakashvili of lobbying interests of family while buying armaments for army and preparation for operation on physical liquidation of late businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili on air of one of the Georgian TV channels.
After detention Okruashvili was released on bail and left for France.
But Okruashvili is unlikely to risk and return to the country because French proscription is better than imprisonment in native Georgia.
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