President to be Sued for Violating Agreement

President to be Sued for Violating Agreement

The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili made an agreement with veterans called the ‘Agreement with Tbilisi’ when he was a chairperson of the City Council. The President took on the responsibility to protect the dignity of veterans who fought for the territorial unity of Georgia. He promised to create rehabilitation and job centers for them but the agreement has not been fulfilled. The veterans are starting legal action in the courts. 

In addition to the President, the agreement was signed by Koba Davitashvili, Zviad Dzidziguri, Davit Berdzenishvili and Rezo Shavishvili, the Chairperson of the ‘Public Forum’. In 2002, they were within Saakashvili’s team and members of the City Council. Nowadays, they are in the opposition. They support the veterans, claiming that their request is legal and they have a right to demand the fulfillment of the agreement. 
The ‘Veterans’ Hall’ is one of those organizations that has already prepared a suit to bring to court. A representative of the organization, Chiora Tsiklauri, states that the veterans will hold protests in front of the State Chancellery. “Article 6 of the agreement states as follows:  In order to protect the dignity of veterans, who fought for the territorial unity of Georgia, we will create rehabilitation and job centers for them. Although the President promised us not to leave his position – as Chairperson of the City Council – until his promises had been fulfilled, we were never assisted.  A long time has passed since then and despite the fact that Saakashvili is now President and empowered to do anything he likes, nothing has been done for us yet. He lied to us. The only option we have is to sue him in court and fight for our rights”, state the veterans.

The others who signed the document can hardly remember doing so. However, they state that the President is a con artist, who did not keep his promise. “The project was being planed when we were the members of the City Council and the veterans were also involved in the project. Saakashvili did not keep his word. At that time Saakashvili needed people’s support to help him on his way to become leader. I cannot recall all the facts, because it occurred in 2002. In addition, it was a small detail and not a major issue”, remarked Zviad Dzidziguri.

Koba Davitashvili states almost the same, “Saakashvili did not fulfill many other promises such as ‘The Agreement with Georgia’, the issue concerning deposits, pensions according to work history, etc. That is the main reason why I am in the opposition. The majority of his promises have not been carried out. As one of those who signed the document I feel responsibility for the people. I will participate in the protests together with the veterans”, states Davitashvili.

Despite signing the document, one of the leaders of the ‘Public Forum’ - Revaz Shavishvili does not feel responsible for the veterans. He states: “It should be the person who was authorized and empowered to do something for these people who should feel personal responsibility. The population voted for him because of promises, which were not kept. The person who made the promise must be charged for it”, demands Shavishvili.

Those who are in the President’s camp prefer to keep silent and do not comment on the case. The veterans doubt that an objective decision can be made by the court.

Eka Gulua