Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Shevardnadze still in Georgia
Former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze met with Catholicos-Patriarch Ilya II of All Georgia on Monday evening in Tbilisi amid rumors that he had fled to Germany.
Former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze met with Catholicos-Patriarch Ilya II of All Georgia on Monday evening in Tbilisi amid rumors that he had fled to Germany.
The meeting, which took place at Shevardnadze's home at the Krtsanisi government residence in the outskirts of Tbilisi, refuted earlier suspects that the ousted leader had left the country after his dramatic resignation Sunday evening in the wake of intensified demands by protesters.
In a speech televised by several Western television channels in Tbilisi on Monday, Shevardnadze said, "My home is Georgia, and I feel that my duty is to stay here."
The German leadership, which "remembers all that he (Shevardnadze) did for Germany's unification," has said that Shevardnadze is welcome if he wishes to come to the country.