A biography for Eduard Shevardnadzehasn’t been written yet.
“I don't plan to return. I have a lot of unresolved things to do.”
“I think my resignation was the only way to avoid bloodshed.”
“The external world is committed to helping Georgia settle its problems.”
“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.”
“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.”
“But on second thought, after I decreed the state of emergency, I came to the conclusion that that was impossible to achieve without bloodshed because the street protesters were full of anger and nearly out of control. This is why I thought we needed to find another way out.”
“As for myself, I was never against Russia.”
“Zhvania was the general secretary of the organisation which I founded, the Citizens' Union. It was the biggest organisation and came first in all elections, and Zhvania was the leader.”
“But we cannot rely on foreign help indefinitely.”
“No Georgian has the right to evade or neglect his duties and responsibilities.”
“It is absolutely impossible to settle the debts to pensioners, teachers, and others. The country hasn't got enough money to do so.”