Georgian's Seize Parliament - Eduard Shevardnadze Declares a State of Emergency

Date:Saturday November 22, @09:20AM
Author:admin
Topic:News
from the abcnews.com dept.

UPDATE: CNN Breaking: Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze RESIGNS



(AP Photo)
Update: Timeline of Georgia 'coup' (BBC 11/22)

Parliament Takeover Prompts Georgia Crisis

Parliament Takeover by Opposition Prompts Georgia's President to Declare State of Emergency

The Associated Press
TBILISI, Georgia Nov. 22
The opposition seized Georgia's parliament Saturday, chasing out President Eduard Shevardnadze and declaring an interim government as tens of thousands of supporters thronged the streets of the capital. Shevardnadze, backed by his head of police, declared a state of emergency.

Facing a possible confrontation with the army and security forces, the opposition appealed to its supporters in the streets to defend the parliament building.

Opposition leader Nino Burdzhanadze, the speaker of the outgoing parliament, proclaimed herself acting president until early elections that the opposition called to take place in 45 days. She warned Shevardnadze's government to avoid bloodshed.

"The fate of our country is being decided now," said protest leader Mikhail Saakashvili. "We give guarantees to Shevardnadze that he will not be harmed, but let him know that if there is at least one shot fired at people, he will face justice."

The parliament takeover was an exuberant moment for protesters who for days have been demanding the president's removal over elections that the opposition says were rigged. Just as Shevardnadze began speaking in parliament, Saakashvili and hundreds of supporters swarmed through the chamber doors, pushing and shoving lawmakers.

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printed from Georgian's Seize Parliament - Eduard Shevardnadze Declares a State of Emergency on 2004-06-03 09:51:06