Saakashvili Attempts to Restore Sense of Political Calm in Tbilisi

After a week of cabinet reassignments and resignations in Georgia, President Mikheil Saakashvili on November 20 sought to restore a sense of political calm in Tbilisi.

At a news conference, Saakashvili announced the appointment of a new economics minister for the second time in 10 days, and bid adieu to one of his closest political allies, Irakli Okruashvili. "I love Irakli very much. Although I thought that he would have been very good economy minister, he has lots of offers," Saakashvili said. Okruashvili has announced that he now intends to seek an advanced academic degree abroad in the "political-defense sphere."

The president joked that the former minister "now looks happy." Members of the government, most notably MP Elene Tevdoradze, had commented that Okruashvili was "depressed" after his removal as defense minister and his reassignment to head the Economics Ministry in a November 10 cabinet shuffle. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Okruashvili resigned the economics portfolio abruptly on November 17, providing no explanation for the decision. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

The president downplayed the notion that his original cabinet moves were prompted by dissatisfaction with Okruashvili's outspoken management style at the Defense Ministry. "From the very beginning Irakli was telling me that he wanted to quit the defense minister's position and wanted to increase his qualification and education in the political-defense sphere abroad," Saakashvili stated. "I requested him that it would have been better for him to be the economy minister, but he adhered to his position very strongly and I respect his decision."

Okruashvili, meanwhile, vowed that he would return to serve in the government. "The reason of my presence here is those words which are encrypted on our national emblem: strength is in unity. It will be impossible to make our dream – the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity – come true without following this slogan," he said. "I will be back very soon to accomplish the job, which still needs to be accomplished."

Despite the evident feelings of goodwill during the news conference, some government members openly criticized Okruashvili's hasty decision to leave the government. According to MP Beso Jugheli, Saakashvili "died" when his former defense minister announced his resignation via a phone call from Kyiv. "He [Okruashvili] made a mistake," Jugheli told the Imedi television channel.

"The entire [government] team, including Irakli Okruashvili, had great victories ahead. However, Georgia will still achieve these victories, but without Irakli this time," the Civil Georgia website quoted Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava as saying on November 18.

Opposition MP Levan Berdzenishvili noted Okruashvili's behavior was unusual. "Usually when a politician leaves his office, he makes a statement to explain himself, which Okruashvili did not do," he said in a telephone interview. "I think he is a little late."

Irakli Menagarishvili, Director of the Strategic Research Center and a former minister of foreign affairs, suggested that Okruashvili's departure was indicative of intra-governmental tension. "It is clear that there are some internal problems in the government that will be cleared up in the future," Menagarishvili said.

However, Saakashvili dismissed concerns of a budding government crisis, and then proceeded to take a swipe at Russia. "It seems that people have forgotten what a real crisis looks like," he said. "Those countries that cause trouble for Georgia are [in] crisis, and we will have no crisis despite their efforts." [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Saakashvili named his former chief of staff, Giorgi Arveladze, to head the Economics Ministry. Arveladze –who has served as an MP, as well as general-secretary of the governing United National Movement Party -- does not appear to have an extensive background in economics. Saakashvili did not explain the motives behind the appointment.

Despite news reports that UN envoy Irakli Alasania would take over the Defense Ministry from newly appointed Davit Kezerashvili, 28, the president did not mention any other cabinet changes. No one from the president's office could be reached for comment.