GEORGIAN LEADER SAYS HE QUITS

* Eduard Shevardnadze declared that he was quitting as Georgia's leader during a heated parliamentary debate on Sept. 14 over the imposition of emergency rule in the troubled former Soviet republic.

President Shevardnadze's office could not immediately confirm whether the former Soviet foreign minister actually was resigning -

as he has threatened to do several times before - or simply playing hard-ball politics with lawmakers. There was no formal announcement of his resignation, his office said, and the parliament did not give formal approval of the resignation.

If true, Shevardnadze's resignation could throw the nation of 5.5 million people into deeper political turmoil. The Tbilisi government is already contending with at least two separatist movements and a simmering insurrection led by former President Zviad Gamsakhurdia.

Shevardnadze, who returned to lead his native Georgia after Mr. Gamsakhurdia was ousted in 1992, erupted in anger at legislators who questioned his request for a state of emergency to crack down on Gamsakhurdia's followers. ``In these conditions, I don't see any sense in remaining as head of state and I am resigning,'' he said, then walked out of the chamber.

Shevardnadze pulled off a similar surprise move in December 1990 when, as Soviet foreign minister, he abruptly resigned during a speech to the parliament in which he warned of a ``creeping dictatorship.''

Georgia lawmakers seemed surprised and uncertain whether Shevardnadze actually had quit. They called a break in their session, but several meandered around the chamber wondering what would happen next.

Outside the parliament building, several hundred people gathered demanding the lawmakers vacate the chamber and that Shevardnadze remain as president, according to the independent Georgian news agency Iprinda.

You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to GEORGIAN LEADER SAYS HE QUITS
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/1993/0915/15022.html
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us