Shevardnadze apologizes for handing over authority to Saakashvili
Georgia's former President Eduard Shevardnadze says he regrets handing over the authority to the incumbent President, Mikhail Saakashvili, ITAR-TASS reports.
In an interview with Monday's issue of the Tbilisi-based newspaper Asaval-Dasavali, Shevardnadze said it was his "biggest sin before the nation" when he handed over the power to Saakashvili.
"Back then [in November 2003] I had no other choice but to vacate the office, but I am ready to say I am sorry and apologize before the Georgian people a thousand times for handing over the authority to Mikhail Saakashvili. I admit my mistake and present my apologies to the nation," he stressed.
The former president again voiced severe criticism of Saakashvili's policy and once again said the incumbent president "is unable to solve Georgia's most acute problems."
Changes took place in the Georgian government at the weekends, with Mikhail Saakashvili appointing his close ally [former Interior Minister] Vano Merabishvili, 44, as Prime Minister.
