Mikheil Machavariani: ‘lightning flashes and thunderbolts lead to deadlock’
The statement of the US Secretary of State that the Authorities need to be changed through the 2012-2013 elections was received by the opposition as a farewell sign for Saakashvili. As regards the reaction of the majority to Hillary Clinton’s words, we had a short dialogue with Parliamentary Vice-Speaker Mikheil Machavariani.

A: Hillary Clinton talked about territorial integrity of Georgia noting that the US sees who is ignoring the six-point agreement. She also pointed out that America regards the work on election code as important.  In the private meetings with the opposition, there are talks that we would finally agree on biometric lists but not biometric IDs because the latter is very expensive to manufacture. It is better to start with specific places such as Tbilisi where the numbers of voters and listed voter-related faults are biggest. We will ask our foreign partners to engage in the process and fund it. As for other issues, we are ready for negotiations. I think we can find a common point.
Q: But not only revolutionaries but also the election-supporting opposition leaders plan demos!
A: Everybody has a personal task. Our task is to sort out unemployment, social and healthcare issues, help farmers with agricultural modernization.
Q: If processes unfold in the streets, they would go on not far away from the working place of the Authorities.
A: Last year there was a choice between thunderbolts and democratic elections. The elections were held and both domestic and foreign viewers called them a step forward. I welcome everybody’s different methods but I believe lightning flashes and thunderbolts lead to deadlock.
Q: But Popular Council plans change of regime in May.
A: American Secretary of State stated that the only way to change the Authorities is elections.
Q: Detention of Israeli businessmen exacerbated situation. Israelis now plan to start business activities in Apkhazeti.
A: Everyone should know that whoever commits a crime must stand to justice. These people came to Georgia in 1992 and paid a bribe. This was admitted by the person who took the bribe (by the way, he opted for a procedural deal because he received 30 000 dollars from the Israelis). These people are typical conmen. They wanted to make money at the expense of Georgian people. I am surprised about the position of those people who shed tears in defense of these conmen. Shimon Peres intervened because the arrested Israelis were funders of his party. By the way, Peres did not say they were innocent.