Georgian opposition: George Soros meddling in new government appointments

The Georgian opposition has attacked new government appointments saying that US billionaire investor George Soros is calling the shots. Georgian Labor party leader Gela Daneliya made his comments in a press conference on January 17 in Tbilisi. He added that President-elect Mikhail Saakashvili, interim President Nino Burdjanadze and Government Minister, who have led Georgia since the revolution in November, are selling the remains of Georgia that former President Eduard Shevardnadze did not have time to sell off.

Danelia said that new Economics, Industry and Trade Minister Irakly Rekhviashili, who is only 28 years old, is a Soros candidate. He said that Rekhviashili has not lived even half his life in Georgia, received his post on the day he arrived in Georgia and knows nothing about Georgia's economy. Danelia also criticized the appointment of the new Georgian Railways chief.

He said that Georgia has become the victim of 'Sorosization.' He added that Soros is battling with US President George Bush in the US and clashing with Labor Party Chairman Shalva Natelashvili in Georgia. At the present time, Natelashvili is meeting with Russian politicians and State Duma deputies in Moscow. Analysts say that Natelashvili is a strong advocate for a Russian political and economic presence in Georgia.