OSCE Chairman praises peaceful transition in Georgia, offers help

THE HAGUE, 24 November 2003 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Netherlands Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, praised the people of Georgia on Monday for ensuring that the weekend change in the country's leadership was accomplished without violence.

"I commend the people of Georgia for having achieved political change in a peaceful and dignified manner, without resorting to violence," he said.

"Both demonstrators and the security forces behaved with admirable restraint. I deeply respect the brave decision of President Shevardnadze to step down in order to avoid a further escalation of tension."

The Chairman-in-Office called on all political groups to continue, in the coming weeks and months, to act in the interests of all the people of the country.

"It is up to the people of Georgia to determine their own political future and I want them to know that they can count on the OSCE's support in their efforts to establish full democracy and the rule of law," he added.

"If support is needed in the preparation of early elections, and if the people of Georgia so desire, the OSCE stands ready to provide active assistance in this process, for the benefit of its people and for the interest of peace and stability in the OSCE area."