Whoops! There Goes Another One...
Georgia, once a part of the U.S.S.R., has declared a 15-day state of emergency - violent clashes between police and anti-government protesters enlivening the scene. Oh and yes, the main opposition television station has been forced off-air. President Mikheil Saakashvili declared a nationwide state of emergency.As a result, restrictions have been imposed on public gatherings and the media. Only the state-controlled media have been permitted to remain open and operative. Earlier, it was only in Tbilisi, the state capital where the emergency was declared, ostensibly in reaction to a failed state coup.
Not to fear, the state of emergency would be lifted when the emergency itself dissipated. Makes sense, no?
Battles between the police and demonstrators demanding that Mr. Saakashvili resign led to the emergency declaration. Police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons. Those injured were quickly treated for minor injuries and teargas exposure, and released. Government special agents entered the pro-opposition's television station and it quickly went off air.
And, surprise! in a televised address to the nation Mr. Saakashvili announced that Russian special services were somehow, mysteriously involved in the unrest, making common cause with radical opposition parties. The president announced the expulsion of several Russian diplomats for engaging in "subversive espionage activities in Georgia".
Truly, the plot sickens.
Pakistan is a mirror-image in civic lock-down, battling its opposition parties, and besieged by Islamic terrorists.
Georgia is a copy-cat in civic lock-down, battling opposition parties, incidentally besieged by a Russia intent on reforging inter-nationalist ties.
Labels: Political Realities, Troublespots, World News
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, November 08, 2007
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