“The slogan of country’ march this year was – Move off!”

“The slogan of country’ march this year was – Move off!”

2010 is drawing to a close. Throughout past two decades, the country could not escape from walking on the razor’s edge. 20 percent of Georgia’s territory is occupied and the unified Russian military base is established in Akhalgori. Social background deterioration is also noteworthy. 

Analysts Are Evaluating Results of the Present Year 

“2010 was crucial for Georgia. Though, Saakashvili made good use of that crucial period as raising his rating”, - Ramaz Sakvarelidze told “GHN” while evaluating political outcome of the present year.  

“There were three crucial facts just as 2010 began. Mainly, lose of 2008 war, big demonstrations of 2009 that resulted cold relationship between old partners of the West 
(they also said that Georgia was isolated owing to Saakashvili’s isolation).  

If we take the fact into account that it was impossible to restore territorial integrity only in a year, major change really happened in the country’s political life – attitude towards Saakashvili changed, it still may be not like as it was during Bush’s administration, but several world importance tribunes were still available for Georgian President”, - declared Sakvarelidze.  

In his assessment, protest inspiration reduced due to main changes made in 2010 from the inner political viewpoint. 

“Inner political climate has been formed up in such a way that citizens are not egged on to indignation meetings in spite of their protest attitude (that surely exists). This is caused by the fact that people rely less on the opposition. They don’t believe the opposition can win Saakashvili”, - adds the political scientist. 

Sakvarelidze explains that in Georgian society Saakashvili created “undefeatable image” and he succeeded it by changing his political game into a passive style (he refused to use forcing methods and became more compassionate)“. 

In brief, 2010 was more difficult for the opposition. It took part in the elections but the result was no impressive. In addition, indignation meetings can not bring impressive influence to the population at the present in time either. So, these two ways of opposition activity look rather blunt”, - says Sakvarelidze.  

According to the assessment of the political scientist Soso Tsintsadze, 2010 was distinguished by foreign politics success but in inner politics it was full of transgressions. 

“This year proved the opposition weakness once again that mainly stressed on the fact that the opposition resource outside the parliament is minimized. Refuse of standing for the parliament was also one incorrect step that was especially noteworthy”, - said Tsintsadze to “GHN”.  

According to his explanation, it was for the first time in Georgia after post soviet period when the defeated party congratulated the winner one and admitted that the elections were fair. 

As per the foreign policy, the political scientist says that the civilized Europe admitted occupation of Georgian territories by Russia for the first time that is success of the country.  

The statements were made before, but statements never enjoy trust among international policy. Thus, after years and centuries, students will read and learn the documents passed at NATO parliamentary Assembly and Lisbon NATO summit about the fact that Russia is an occupant”, said he.  

According to the political scientist Soso Tsiskarishvili, the country made steps for restoring territorial integrity – marching: Move off.  

“When there is no progress in the country, it may be said that things are deteriorated then. The process means to restore previous things, but when it is not a movement, it indicates to a slight but real success of the opposition. Thus, the process of making no steps forward must not be expected also for the next year”, - said Tsiskarishvili while making a comment on the work related the above mentioned issues implemented by the authority throughout the year.  

In his assessment, the reality is that there have been a lot of lack of things in Georgia this year. 

“We spent the whole year in finding out what the term “occupation” meant in English and if it had the same meaning as in Georgian and Russian languages. As a result, all printed materials, including restaurant menus must be well titled as “20% of Georgian territories are occupied”.  

I can’t see any attractiveness in it from the political viewpoint and I am not sure whether those headlines can whet foreign tourists’ appetite when visiting the restaurants, but in point of fact, such incompatibility with the reality is not so rare”, - explained the political scientist.  

In his words, as time passes and false expectations turn into vain ones, it will be more difficult to make adequate steps then”.