Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov. 15 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
The Georgian People's Assembly plans to gather a congress of 12,500 delegates for mass rallies in Tbilisi on Nov. 25, Georgian ex-Parliamentary Speaker, opposition Democratic Movement-United Georgia leader Nino Burjanadze said in an interview today with the Georgian Asaval-Dasavali newspaper.
She noted that the authorities are "afraid" of the People's Assembly and to refused to allow the movement to hold rallies in the Sports Palace or Lokomotiv Stadium.
"This will not prevent us from gathering in the street," she said. "Now the authorities will bear full responsibility for the consequences of their decisions. We are continuing our negotiations to be provided with a large building. But if that does not happen, all of our 12,500 delegates will come here."
Burjanadze stressed that the People's Assembly will make its own choice regarding the current government headed by President Mikheil Saakashvili.
"I cannot predict its decision, but if the assembly decides that Saakashvili must be removed through rallies, then I will be with the people," she said.
She added that consultations are underway with the Labor Party to join the protests. Earlier Burjanadze criticized fellow opposition leader Irakli Alasania, who "decided to become a satellite of the government."
"We intend to act legally, as rallies, meetings and marches are permitted by law," she said.