Eduard Shevardnadze

Prospects of normalizing our relations with Russia look good.

When I came back to power, Georgia was completely isolated on the international stage.

But the Americans have no extra money. They have their own problems. They can provide financial assistance for two, three, four, or six months at most.

It is absolutely impossible to settle the debts to pensioners, teachers, and others. The country hasn't got enough money to do so.

The external world is committed to helping Georgia settle its problems.

I think my resignation was the only way to avoid bloodshed.

In my life I have always found ways of dealing with a situation.

Corruption has its own motivations, and one has to thoroughly study that phenomenon and eliminate the foundations that allow corruption to exist.

Now, the entire world community recognizes Georgia. We are members of the United Nations and the Council of Europe. Everything is being prepared so that we will soon enter the European Union.

True, other countries are helping us. Germany is determined to provide substantial help. So are the Netherlands and other states. But a day will come when we have to count on our own resources.

They're making a song and dance because that serves their immediate interests. But what will happen tomorrow? They will have to pay salaries and pensions.

I'm sure that was the right step, even though, formally speaking, it may seem disadvantageous for a president to resign. But, looking into what is happening today and what is going to happen in the future, I think history will show I made the right decision.