Military

DATE=11/24/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= GEORGIA / EUROPE REACT (L)

NUMBER=2-310175

BYLINE= DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN

DATELINE=LUXEMBOURG

CONTENT=

INTRO: The European Commission has welcomed the peaceful transition of power in Georgia, and says it is ready to help out in economic reconstruction efforts in the impoverished country. Douglas Bakshian reports from Luxembourg.

TEXT: In a statement, the Commission says the resignation of Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze opens the way for the restoration of constitutional law and order, and it is essential that the country hold democratic elections according to international standards.

Commission spokesman Diego de Ojeda in Brussels says trust in the political system must be restored.

/// DE OJEDA ACT ///

We hope that all of the political parties in Georgia will now agree on conditions and calendar (schedule) for bringing the situation forward and by calling for new elections.

/// END ACT ///

The European Commission also welcomes the fact that all sides have refrained from violence, and expresses hope that they will remain peaceful.

Mr. Shevardnadze resigned Sunday after massive demonstrations over charges that he rigged this month's parliamentary elections, which were won by his supporters.

Critics say the Georgian leader allowed widespread corruption. Economic problems also left many Georgians impoverished.

Georgian politicians have indicated they will need large amounts of foreign aid to rebuild their country's economy. Commission spokesman de Ojeda says the European Union is ready to consider such aid.

/// SECOND DE OJEDA ACT ///

We will be looking carefully at any specific requests to the European Union through our crisis management mechanisms that we may be able to mobilize if we think, if there is a request in the first place, and we think that we can possibly contribute.

/// END ACT ///

Georgia is of key strategic interest to the West, in part as a transit route for oil from the Caspian Sea.

But Professor Michael Cox of the London School of Economics says whatever foreign aid and political support are involved, Georgians themselves will play the primary roles in their country's drive for economic and political reconstruction.

/// COX ACT ///

Most of the work for the restoration of Georgia is going to have to be done by Georgians. However, the West and the Russians can do quite a lot. We do have an interest, a real vested interest in supporting, giving aid, as much as we think is necessary. With the recognition that if it goes badly wrong in Georgia, then its problems will end up on our doorsteps. We have to recognize that although Georgia is a country a long, long way away in the trans-Caucasus a security breakdown there, the collapse of the state there can feed into more general problems of terrorism.

/// END ACT ///

Professor Cox says the first task for Georgia's new leaders is to restore security and confidence in the government. He says that is the basic requirement for economic recovery and a successful future. (SIGNED)

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