But on second thought, after I decreed the state of emergency, I came to the conclusion that that was impossible to achieve without bloodshed because the street protesters were full of anger and nearly out of control. This is why I thought we needed to find another way out.Collection: Anger
Zhvania was the general secretary of the organisation which I founded, the Citizens' Union. It was the biggest organisation and came first in all elections, and Zhvania was the leader.
I'm sure that was the right step, even though, formally speaking, it may seem disadvantageous for a president to resign. But, looking into what is happening today and what is going to happen in the future, I think history will show I made the right decision.
I believe that with the help of foreign countries - and under that condition only, because they have no other source of financing - the new government may temporarily extricate Georgia from the current situation.
It is absolutely impossible to settle the debts to pensioners, teachers, and others. The country hasn't got enough money to do so.
But the Americans have no extra money. They have their own problems. They can provide financial assistance for two, three, four, or six months at most.
True, other countries are helping us. Germany is determined to provide substantial help. So are the Netherlands and other states. But a day will come when we have to count on our own resources.
Corruption has its own motivations, and one has to thoroughly study that phenomenon and eliminate the foundations that allow corruption to exist.
They're making a song and dance because that serves their immediate interests. But what will happen tomorrow? They will have to pay salaries and pensions.
Now, the entire world community recognizes Georgia. We are members of the United Nations and the Council of Europe. Everything is being prepared so that we will soon enter the European Union.
Germany is determined to provide substantial help. So are the Netherlands and other states. But a day will come when we have to count on our own resources.
I think if someone else other than Reagan, someone less of a hardliner, had been in power then the breakthrough in ending the Cold War would not have happened.Collection: War
I don't want to go down in history as a man who allowed blood to be shed...Collection: Men