Tbilisi, Nov 23: Diplomatic efforts were launched early today after Georgia was plunged into chaos following the storming of Parliament by angry demonstrators and a state of
emergency declared by embattled President Eduard Shevardnadze.
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov arrived in Tbilisi hours after protestors broke into Parliament holding its first session since controversial elections and marched inside, forcing Shevardnadze to interrupt a speech and flee.
Ivanov said he would hold talks with both the opposition and Shevardnadze and his government, voicing hope that the crisis could be resolved without endangering the
country's Constitution and order.
"We are concerned in principle that all developments evolve in the framework of the Constitution and law, and any such resolution will answer the longterm interests of Georgia and Caucasus as a whole," the Minister said upon arrival.
Shevardnadze also talked by telephone late yesterday with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Georgian President's office said.
Both Powell and Putin expressed concern over the political crisis in the Caucasus country and their hope that it would be resolved peacefully. Powell had also said he would
visit Georgia soon, albeit without giving a date.
Bureau Report
