Leader Takes Control of Georgia Area
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili took charge of the Adzharia region Thursday, securing its port and pledging to entrench democracy there with new elections.
Saakashvili flew into the regional capital of Batumi the morning after opposition rallies and weeks of increasing pressure drove away rebellious Adzharian leader Aslan Abashidze.
Saakashvili, a 37-year-old U.S.-trained lawyer elected by a landslide in January, strode down palm-lined streets to a chorus of cheers. Cars packed with chanting passengers circled the streets.
A spokesman said the president intended to stay in the region for four days.
Saakashvili had greeted news of his rival’s departure by saying that restoring control over Adzharia was the start of reunifying Georgia.
That showed new resolve to win back its other breakaway territories, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. But Georgia’s acting foreign minister injected a note of caution and suggested that it would be tougher to bring back into the fold the other regions -- which have long declared independence.
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