The Ajaria crisis refers to a political crisis in Georgia’s Ajarian Autonomous Republic led by a local strongman Aslan Abashidze, who refused to obey the central authorities after President Eduard Shevardnadze’s was ousted during the Rose Revolution of November 2003. The crisis threatened to develop into military confrontation as both sides mobilized their forces at the internal border. However, Georgia’s post-revolutionary government of President Mikheil Saakashvili managed to avoid bloodshed and with the help of Adjarian opposition reasserted its supremacy. Mr. Abashidze was forced into exile in May 2004. Official language Georgian Capital Batumi ISO code GE.AJ Head of the Government Levan Varshalomidze Area  - Total  - % water 2,900 km² n/a Population  - Total (1989)  - Density 392,432 135. ... Aslan Abashidze (Georgian: ასლან აბაშიძე) (born July 20, 1938) was the leader of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic in western Georgia from 1991 to May 5, 2004. ... Eduard Amvrosiyevich Shevardnadze (Georgian: ედუარდ შევარდნაძე, Russian: Эдуа́рд Амвро́сьевич Шевардна́дзе; pronounced ed-oo-ard am-vro-see-ye-vitch she-va-rd-nad-zuh) (born 25 January 1928) is a Georgian politician. ... Mikhail Saakashvili and his supporters marched on the parliament carrying roses as a symbol of nonviolence Rose Revolution refers to a peaceful 2003 revolution in the country of Georgia that displaced president Eduard Shevardnadze. ... Jump to: navigation, search For other uses, see November (disambiguation). ... Jump to: navigation, search 2003(MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mikhail Saakashvili briefing the press at UN headquarters Mikhail Saakashvili (Georgian: მიხეილ სააკაშვილი) (born December 21, 1967), Georgian jurist and politician, is the President of Georgia. ... This article is about the month of May. ... Jump to: navigation, search 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Tensions

Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze, being in strong opposition to the Rose Revolution, declared the state of emergency immediately after Eduard Shevardnadze’s ouster on November 23, 2003. Following the negotiations with central authorities, the state of emergency was temporarily canceled on January 3, 2004 just day before the presidential elections in Georgia. The renewal of the state of emergency on January 7 was followed by the crackdown of an oppositional demonstration. On January 19, dozens were injured as a result of the clash between the protesters and the police in the southern Ajarian village of Gonio. The protesters demanded resignation of Aslan Abashidze, the head of Adjara Autonomous Republic. In the wake of Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze’s visit to Moscow, Russian foreign Ministry issued a statement on January 20 backing Abashidze’s policy and condemning his opposition as “extremist forces.” In the late January, Georgian officials, including Acting President Nino Burjanadze and President-elected Mikheil Saakashvili met with Abashidze in Batumi. Aslan Abashidze (Georgian: ასლან აბაშიძე) (born July 20, 1938) was the leader of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic in western Georgia from 1991 to May 5, 2004. ... Mikhail Saakashvili and his supporters marched on the parliament carrying roses as a symbol of nonviolence Rose Revolution refers to a peaceful 2003 revolution in the country of Georgia that displaced president Eduard Shevardnadze. ... Eduard Amvrosiyevich Shevardnadze (Georgian: ედუარდ შევარდნაძე, Russian: Эдуа́рд Амвро́сьевич Шевардна́дзе; pronounced ed-oo-ard am-vro-see-ye-vitch she-va-rd-nad-zuh) (born 25 January 1928) is a Georgian politician. ... Jump to: navigation, search November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 2003(MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search January 7 is the seventh day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... January 19 is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Aslan Abashidze (Georgian: ასლან აბაშიძე) (born July 20, 1938) was the leader of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic in western Georgia from 1991 to May 5, 2004. ... Moscow (Russian: Москва́, Moskva, IPA:   listen?) is the capital of Russia, located on the river Moskva. ... Jump to: navigation, search January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search Nino Burjanadze Nino Burjanadze (Georgian: ნინო ბურჯანაძე) (born on July 16, 1964) is a Georgian jurist and politician. ... Mikhail Saakashvili briefing the press at UN headquarters Mikhail Saakashvili (Georgian: მიხეილ სააკაშვილი) (born December 21, 1967), Georgian jurist and politician, is the President of Georgia. ... A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ...

On February 20, the opposition movement’s offices were again raided after the opposition had staged a protest rally in Batumi. The clashes between the supporters and opposition of the Ajarian leader also took place in Kobuleti. Disorders coincided with the visit of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) Walter Schwimmer in Batumi, who held talks with Aslan Abashidze. President Saakashvili demanded from Ajarian leadership to abolish Autonomous Republic’s Security Ministry which was Abashidze’s main weapon of repression. Jump to: navigation, search February 20 is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ... Kobuleti is a town in Georgias southwestern region of Achara (Ajaria). ... The Palace of Europe in Strasbourg The Council of Europe is an international organisation of 46 member states in the European region. ... Walter Schwimmer (born 1942) is a diplomat from Austria. ... A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ... Aslan Abashidze (Georgian: ასლან აბაშიძე) (born July 20, 1938) was the leader of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic in western Georgia from 1991 to May 5, 2004. ...

At the Choloki Bridge

The situation escalated on March 14, when the central Georgian officials took advantage of Abashidze’s being in Moscow and headed to Ajaria to hold campaign for parliamentary elections scheduled on March 28. However, pro-Abashidze armed groups blocked the administrative border of Adjaria at the Choloki River and prevented President Mikheil Saakashvili and other members of the government to travel to the Autonomous Republic. The Ajarian authorities claimed Saakashvili was going to took control over the region by force. March 14 is the 73rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (74th in Leap years) with 292 days remaining in the year. ... Moscow (Russian: Москва́, Moskva, IPA:   listen?) is the capital of Russia, located on the river Moskva. ... Official language Georgian Capital Batumi ISO code GE.AJ Head of the Government Levan Varshalomidze Area  - Total  - % water 2,900 km² n/a Population  - Total (1989)  - Density 392,432 135. ... Jump to: navigation, search March 28 is the 87th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (88th in Leap years). ... Official language Georgian Capital Batumi ISO code GE.AJ Head of the Council of MInisters of Adjara Levan Varshalomidze Area  - Total  - % water 2,900 km² n/a Population  - Total ( 1989)  - Density 392,432 135. ... The Choloki River in Georgia forms the border between the autonomous province of Adzharia and the province of Guria. ... Mikhail Saakashvili briefing the press at UN headquarters Mikhail Saakashvili (Georgian: მიხეილ სააკაშვილი) (born December 21, 1967), Georgian jurist and politician, is the President of Georgia. ...

In retaliation, Georgia’s central authorities imposed partial economic sanctions against its defiant region in a bid “to exhaust Ajarian regime's resources.” Tensions defused between Tbilisi and Batumi on March 16 after President Saakashvili and Aslan Abashidze met and struck a deal that allowed for economic sanctions on Ajaria to be lifted. An agreement has been reached over disarmament of paramilitary forces in Ajaria, release of political prisoners, joint control of the customs and port of Batumi, and providing conditions for free election campaigning in Ajaria. However, Abashidze refused to disarm his paramilitary forces in April. On April 19-April 21, Batumi-based military commanders Major General Roman Dumbadze and Murad Tsintsadze officially announced their insubordination to central authorities’ orders. On April 24, Ajarian Senate approved Aslan Abashidze’s proposal to impose a curfew in the region. However, dozens of soldiers of Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze’s elite special purpose unit began to leave the region and pledged loyalty to the country’s central authorities. Several Ajarian officials also did so. Local opposition resumed series of protests in Batumi, being broken up severely on April 30. View of Tiflis from the Grounds of Saint David Church, ca. ... A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ... Jump to: navigation, search March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in Leap years). ... Aslan Abashidze (Georgian: ასლან აბაშიძე) (born July 20, 1938) was the leader of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic in western Georgia from 1991 to May 5, 2004. ... A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ... Official language Georgian Capital Batumi ISO code GE.AJ Head of the Government Levan Varshalomidze Area  - Total  - % water 2,900 km² n/a Population  - Total (1989)  - Density 392,432 135. ... Jump to: navigation, search April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four with the length of 30 days. ... Jump to: navigation, search April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... April 21 is the 111th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (112th in leap years). ... A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ... Jump to: navigation, search April 24 is the 114th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (115th in leap years). ... Aslan Abashidze (Georgian: ასლან აბაშიძე) (born July 20, 1938) was the leader of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic in western Georgia from 1991 to May 5, 2004. ... A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ... April 30 is the 120th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (121st in leap years), with 245 days remaining, as the last day in April. ...

At the end of April, Georgia launched its largest ever military exercises at the Kulevi training ground, near the Black Sea town of Poti. The Large-scale war games, some 30 km away from Ajaria’s administrative border, was a show of strength, amid confrontation between central authorities and the self-minded Adjarian leader. In retaliation, the two key bridges connecting Adjaria with the rest of Georgia over the Choloki River were blown up by Abashidze's forces to prevent incursion in Ajaria allegedly planned by the country’s central authorities. On May 3, the U.S. Department of State condemned Abashidze’s activities and accused him of “trying to provoke military crisis.” Jump to: navigation, search April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four with the length of 30 days. ... Map of the Black Sea. ... Poti is a city in the Samegrelo province in the west of the Republic of Georgia. ... Official language Georgian Capital Batumi ISO code GE.AJ Head of the Government Levan Varshalomidze Area  - Total  - % water 2,900 km² n/a Population  - Total (1989)  - Density 392,432 135. ... The Choloki River in Georgia forms the border between the autonomous province of Adzharia and the province of Guria. ... Jump to: navigation, search May 3 is the 123rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (124th in leap years). ... ... The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ...

Adjaria’s Revolution

On May 4, a large opposition protest rally was attacked by the local security forces in Batumi. Dozens of protesters were reportedly injured. But the violent break up of peaceful demonstration proved a catalyst for even larger protests later on the same day. Tens of thousands from all Ajaria headed for Batumi to demand Abashidze’s resignation. Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze crossed the Choloki River on May 5 and had the talks with Ajarian Interior Minister Jemal Gogitidze. The latter agreed to withdraw his forces and paramilitary groups from the administrative border provided he would be guaranteed with security. Abashidze's position became untenable when local protesters took control over the central part of the city of Batumi and Georgian Special Forces entered the region and started to disarm pro-Abashizde militants. Later on the same day, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Igor Ivanov arrived in Adjarian capital Batumi. Abashidze stepped down after the overnight talks with Ivanov and left for Moscow. May 4 is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (125th in leap years). ... A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ... Zurab Zhvania Zurab Zhvania (Georgian: ზურაბ ჟვანია; Cyrillic: Зураб Жвания) (December 9, 1963–February 3, 2005) was a prominent Georgian politician and former Speaker of the Georgian Parliament. ... Giorgi Baramidze Giorgi Baramidze (born 1968 -) is a Georgian politician and current State Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration. ... Jump to: navigation, search May 5 is the 125th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (126th in leap years). ... Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov (Russian, Игорь Сергеевич Иванов) became Russias Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1998, succeeding Yevgeny Primakov. ... A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ... Moscow (Russian: Москва́, Moskva, IPA:   listen?) is the capital of Russia, located on the river Moskva. ...

“Aslan has fled, Adjara is free,” President Saakashvili announced at the dawn of St George’s Day on May 6 and congratulated Georgians, as he described, “with a second bloodless revolution” in Georgia. President Saakashvili also said that Abashidze’s resignation “will pave the way for Georgia’s prosperity.” “It will be the beginning of Georgia’s territorial integrity,” he added. For alternate uses, see Saint George (disambiguation) Saint George on horseback rides alongside a wounded dragon being led by a princess, late 19th century engraving. ... May 6 is the 125126th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (127th in leap years). ...

Saakashvili left for Ajaria shortly after Aslan Abashidze’s departure and met celebrating Ajarians in Batumi. A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ...

On May 7, direct presidential rule was imposed in Ajaria and 20-member Interim Council was set up to run the Autonomous Republic before the fresh local elections could be held in the region. Levan Varshalomidze was appointed as the Chairman of the Council. Jump to: navigation, search May 7 is the 127th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (128th in leap years). ... Official language Georgian Capital Batumi ISO code GE.AJ Head of the Government Levan Varshalomidze Area  - Total  - % water 2,900 km² n/a Population  - Total (1989)  - Density 392,432 135. ... Jump to: navigation, search L. Varshalomidze Levan Varshalomidze (b. ...

Regional parliamentary elections were held on June 20. Victorious Ajara, party backed by President Saakashvili won 28 seats out of 30 in the local legislative body. Remaining two seats were occupied by Saakashvili's former allies, the Republican Party members. There were allegations of vote-rigging from the Republicans, after they won less than 15 per cent of the vote. June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ...

On July 20, the Ajarian Supreme Council approved Levan Varshalomidze as the Chairman of the Autonomous Republic’s Government. Jump to: navigation, search July 20 is the 201st day (202nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 164 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search L. Varshalomidze Levan Varshalomidze (b. ...

See also

• History of Ajaria
• Rose Revolution
• List of events known as crises

The article refers to the history of Georgia’s autonomous province of Adjaria. ... Mikhail Saakashvili and his supporters marched on the parliament carrying roses as a symbol of nonviolence Rose Revolution refers to a peaceful 2003 revolution in the country of Georgia that displaced president Eduard Shevardnadze. ... A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1973 energy crisis 1994 economic crisis in Mexico A Abdication Crisis of Edward VIII Abyssinia crisis Agadir Crisis Asian financial crisis Australian constitutional crisis...

External links

• Crisis in Ajaria: The Military Dimension
• In pictures: Ajaria's 'velvet revolution'
• Georgian territories: Ajaria
• Timeline – 2004