A key ally of the Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze has resigned amid an escalating political crisis. The departure of state broadcasting chief Zaza Shengelia is being seen as a sign that support for Mr Shevardnadze is weakening among his allies.
| G'bye, Ed. It's been nice... Well, it's been okay. |
Opposition leaders have been calling for the president to step aside since a disputed parliamentary election at the beginning of the month. International observers say the vote was riddled with irregularities. Mr Shengelia left his post on Wednesday following criticism of his coverage of the current situation in the former Soviet Republic. Mr Shengelia, a long-standing friend of the president's, announced he was stepping down as the chairman of state television and radio.
| I wonder if this sort of thing will spread next door to Azerbaijan? |
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