Tbilisi/Agency Caucasus – Mikheil Saakashvili, the nationalist leader of Georgia who rose to power in 2003 in an American-backed public uprising, is renewing his past pledge to take over both Abkhazia and
South Assetia
.
Saakashvili announced plans to hold early elections in response to fierce opposition he faced. He handed his powers over to Parliament Speaker Nino Burcanadze because he had to resign as president to announce his candidacy for the post.
"I will take over the control of Abkhazia and
"What matters for me is not the preservation of my post as the president but the successful conduct of business that I think is important for ," Saakahsvili said. "The business to be done covers complete immunity on the part of Georgians to poverty, construction of regional totality and integration with
The Georgian Parliament granted approval in its extraordinary meeting on Sunday to the proposal from Saakashvili to hold presidential elections on January 5, 2008. KU/AP/ÖZ/FT
