Rose Revolution

Rose Revolution refers to a peaceful 2003 revolution in the country of Georgia that displaced president Eduard Shevardnadze.

In Ajaria

In May 2004, the so-called "second Rose Revolution" took place in Batumi, Ajaria. After months of extreme tension between Saakashvili?s government and Aslan Abashidze, the virtual dictator of the autonomous region, thousands of Ajarians protested against Abashidze?s policy of separatism and militarization. Abashidze used security forces and paramilitary groups to break up the demonstrations in the streets of Batumi and Kobuleti. However, he failed to suppress the protests which later became more and more massive. On May 6, 2004 (again St George?s Day), protesters from all Ajara gathered in Batumi despite being broken up heavily the day before. Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze negotiated with Ajarian Interior Minister Djemal Gogitidze to withdraw his forces from the administrative border at the Choloki River and led Georgian Special Forces into the region. Abashidze bowed to the inevitable, resigned in the same evening and left for Moscow. President Saakashvili visited Batumi next day and was met as a liberator by celebrating Ajarians.

Related Topics:
May 2004 - Batumi - Ajaria - St George - Georgian Prime Minister - Giorgi Baramidze - Djemal Gogitidze - Choloki River - Special Forces - Moscow

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