President Aslan Abashidze is a political figure who is widely discussed in Georgia and often mentioned as a probable candidate for President of the country in the 2005 election. His supporters cite his depth of his political thinking and an ability to look to the future with much wisdom. Those who believe in him as a leader sense that he is looking out for the welfare of the nation with all his heart and soul.

Georgia has undergone many tragedies in its first decade as an independent nation, including a coup d'état, a civil war, breakdown of the territorial integrity, impoverishment of the population and repeated violations of human rights. In all these difficulties President Abashidze has fought for the most positive values in the national culture.

During this period of urgency, Mr. Abashidze accepted much responsibility for social change. His followers say he has achieved very helpful and positive results, all serving to strengthen Georgia.

Mr. Abashidze, and his generation, experienced the horrors of the Soviet Union, including death and incarceration of his family and a variety of other political repressions and extreme poverty. The result of this suffering and deep experience has been the instilling of courage, a quality precious for any politician at any time, but particularly during a crisis.

The totalitarian experience left a rather depressing heritage for Aslan Abashidze and for Georgia. The structures of society and politics were used up and worn out, healthcare and transportation was in a poor state, there was an energy crisis and an artificially created ethnic problem.

Upon taking national office in 1991, Mr. Abashidze had to help find a path to democracy and general reform. His accomplishment was to build up new structures for politics and economics, to protect the dignity of the population, promote and support the spiritual life of the society and champion a revival of the culture.

Mr. Abashidze’s path was to avoid tragedy by establishing a realistic order and to work on practical solutions to the the socio-economic crisis. His efforts made a mighty contribution to avoid deeper war and more wide-spread starvation.

Of this period, Mr. Abashidze wrote that “during the most difficult time, man will either gather his might and find a solution, or if he is weak and without will power, he will wash away with the negative flow. This is the same for a nation, for in hardship its strength and ability to endure, its wisdom and intelligence, will be revealed.”

He believes that only people with a sense of high morality and a rich spiritual life can build a truthfully developed democratic country, to protect the rights and dignity of every citizen despite their national and religious inheritance.

Each person – young and old, civil and ecclesiastic – should bear their share of burden. All must do what they must do and the country will be promoted. This is Aslan Abashidze’s principle and this is what he expects from everyone.