Opposition Leaders in Georgia Agree to Meet with President Eduard Shevardnadze - 2003-11-09

Opposition leaders in Georgia have agreed to meet with President Eduard Shevardnadze, who has proposed dialogue with opposition groups demanding his resignation due to last week's flawed parliamentary elections. Mr. Shevardnadze met with hundreds of anti-government protesters early Sunday, who have staged a 24-hour protest outside the former Soviet republic's parliament. The president briefly consulted with opposition leader Nino Burjanadze, who agreed to hold further meetings with him if Mr. Shevardnadze announces new elections. Mikhail Saakashvili, another opposition leader, stated he would participate in the negotiations provided Mr. Shevardnadze resigns, which the president has stated he does not intend to do. Meanwhile, Defense Minister David Tevzadze warned that public protests could spiral out of government control this week. Burjanadze, who is also the parliament spokesperson nearing the end of her term, expressed her willingness to meet with Mr. Shevardnadze along with other opposition leaders. These statements followed Mr. Shevardnadze's early Sunday appearance before hundreds of anti-government protesters outside the parliament building in Tbilisi. Following this, Minister Tevzadze told reporters that the situation is out of control, dismissing any immediate military intervention but stating that time would reveal what actions should be taken.