Military

DATE=11/24/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=GEORGIA / POLITICS ALTERNATE (L)

NUMBER=2-310190

BYLINE=LISA MCADAMS

DATELINE=TBILISI, GEORGIA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Georgia's acting interim president has taken the first steps toward solidifying a peaceful transition to democratic rule, a day after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned amid massive anti-government protests. V-O-A's Lisa McAdams is in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and reports on the difference a day can make.

TEXT: Georgia's new leadership moved quickly Monday to shore up support beyond the country's borders, preparing appeals to the West for urgent financial aid to stage new elections. Allegations of widespread fraud during the November 2nd parliamentary election sparked the popular unrest.

Acting interim President Nino Burjanadze has pledged to move quickly to restore order and hold new elections in Georgia within 45 days. In her first address to the nation Monday, Ms. Burjanadze commended the Georgian people for defending freedom and democracy. And she said the nation has her word that she will do the same.

/// BURJANADZE ACTUALITY ///

I will do my best to create a real democratic environment in the country. I will do my best to have peace and stability in the country. Now, it's very important to have rule of law in the streets. Everywhere in the country, we need to implement a lot of legal instruments and legal acts.

/// END ACT ///

Ms. Burjanadze's comments came as she convened a meeting of the old parliament. She says because of the widespread fraud in the last election, members of the old parliament will remain in office until new elections can be held.

The peaceful overthrow of the Shevardnadze government is reminiscent of the 1989 anti-Communist revolt in Czechoslovakia, which became known as the "Velvet Revolution." With the president's resignation Monday, Georgia stands on the brink of what many of its people are hoping will be a new era of fundamental political and economic change.

Mark Mullen is the director of the National Democratic Institute's Georgia branch. He says the fast-moving turn of events is truly extraordinary.

/// MULLEN ACTUALITY ///

For the entire world, seeing something like this happen is really something that people should take note of. People that care about democracy around the world and how it works -- how it's a little bit messy sometimes. It's not all the T's always crossed and I's dotted - but this is really how it works, and people standing up for their rights is serious business, and international support for that is important.

/// END ACT ///

Some analysts have raised questions about whether Georgia's political opposition is ready for the new-found power it has gained, stressing that organizing public discontent is far easier than actually governing.

Mr. Mullen said he, too, used to have his doubts, but he said, after witnessing the events of the past few days in Tbilisi, he feels far more confident in the opposition's abilities.

After a night of jubilant celebrations, the streets of Tbilisi returned to normal Monday, with many residents coming out to shop or work on this their first day free of Mr. Shevardnadze's rule.

"We are happy," was the most frequent reply from Georgians, when asked how they felt about the upheaval in their country. (SIGNED)

NEB/LAM/MAR/FC/TW