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.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

True, other countries are helping us. Germany is determined to provide substantial help. So are the Netherlands and other states. But a day will come when we have to count on our own resources.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

They're making a song and dance because that serves their immediate interests. But what will happen tomorrow? They will have to pay salaries and pensions.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

I believe that with the help of foreign countries - and under that condition only, because they have no other source of financing - the new government may temporarily extricate Georgia from the current situation.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

But the Americans have no extra money. They have their own problems. They can provide financial assistance for two, three, four, or six months at most.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

You know in the West they support realistic forces.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

When I came back to power, Georgia was completely isolated on the international stage.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

The external world is committed to helping Georgia settle its problems.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

Prospects of normalizing our relations with Russia look good.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

No Georgian has the right to evade or neglect his duties and responsibilities.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

In my life I have always found ways of dealing with a situation.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

I was a member of the Politburo for seven years, a foreign minister.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

I don't plan to return. I have a lot of unresolved things to do.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

I couldn't stand the idea of bloodshed, casualties.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

But we cannot rely on foreign help indefinitely.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

We also have a real opportunity to join NATO.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

I think my resignation was the only way to avoid bloodshed.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

Germany is determined to provide substantial help. So are the Netherlands and other states. But a day will come when we have to count on our own resources.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

To sum up, what has been our policy? We looked for and found friends all throughout the world.

- Eduard Shevardnadze

It is absolutely impossible to settle the debts to pensioners, teachers, and others. The country hasn't got enough money to do so.

- Eduard Shevardnadze