Suchergebnisse

A Look at the New Master of Soviet Diplomacy, by S. Kartveli
The choice of Eduard Shevardnadze to replace Andrei Gromyko cornes as a surprise. Nothing would seem to have predisposed this provincial apparatchik to diplomacy. However, his choice is perhaps well-considered and rational. A reformist, he was already practicing Gorbachevism in his previous functions before the advent of Gorbachev. He is a confidant of Gorbachev and a man of proven talents as a negotiator and political manipulator. In a world where image and appearance are often of paramount importance, the choice of Shevardnadze is also sound. He personifies the new breed of young, strong, reformist administrator, who is also less Russian and more authentically multinational. In the Russian subconscious, the prototype of a Georgian is a mixture of seducer, hunter, brave and vengeful fighter, and stubborn highlander with the soûl of an actor. Gorbachev undoubtedly took ail these factors into account in making his choice.

Salome Zourabichvili's story is extraordinary. This French diplomat of Georgian origin enjoyed a long, brilliant career in the diplomatic corps, culminating in her appointment as French ambassador to Tbilisi in November 2003. A few weeks later came the "rose revolution": the corrupt regime of Eduard Shevardnadze was toppled by a popular movement which brought to power the young -- & very pro-Western -- Mikhail Saakashvili. The new leader quickly made an exceptional decision: he appointed Salome Zourabichvili as his minister of foreign affairs! Alas, the rest of the story is not so rosy. Under fire from local political insiders, the former French ambassador was dismissed eighteen months later. But this reversal of fortunes has in no way altered her desire to work for the good of her country. Salome Zourabichvili has created her own political party & is determined to play a front-line role in Georgia's future, as she explains in this wide-ranging interview with Galia Ackerman. Adapted from the source document.