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25/11/2003
Government 'pleased' Georgia remains peaceful
Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell has said he is pleased the situation in Georgia has so far remained peaceful, but that President Shevardnadze's resignation does not mean the country's problems are resolved.
President Shevardnadze stood aside after Sunday's 'velvet revolution' – the culmination of weeks of discontent at his regime.
The state's supreme court earlier today annulled the elections which propelled Shevardnadze into office. New presidential elections are now scheduled to take place on January 4.
Mr Rammell said that the intervening period between now and fresh elections would be "crucial", and he called on all parties to remain calm and to work together.
"Major constitutional issues, respecting the territorial integrity of Georgia, remain to be resolved. But the important thing, at least in the immediate future is, that all parties should avoid steps which could make peaceful settlement more difficult. It is crucially important for Georgia that the democratic process is respected and be seen to work," he said.
He said the UK will work closely with the international community, especially the EU and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to help the Georgians bring this about.
The OSCE is the largest existing regional security organisation. The 55 participating states include all of Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the USA and Canada.
The OSCE was established as a primary instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations
(gmcg)
President Shevardnadze stood aside after Sunday's 'velvet revolution' – the culmination of weeks of discontent at his regime.
The state's supreme court earlier today annulled the elections which propelled Shevardnadze into office. New presidential elections are now scheduled to take place on January 4.
Mr Rammell said that the intervening period between now and fresh elections would be "crucial", and he called on all parties to remain calm and to work together.
"Major constitutional issues, respecting the territorial integrity of Georgia, remain to be resolved. But the important thing, at least in the immediate future is, that all parties should avoid steps which could make peaceful settlement more difficult. It is crucially important for Georgia that the democratic process is respected and be seen to work," he said.
He said the UK will work closely with the international community, especially the EU and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to help the Georgians bring this about.
The OSCE is the largest existing regional security organisation. The 55 participating states include all of Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the USA and Canada.
The OSCE was established as a primary instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations
(gmcg)
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