Free Republic

<p>The good news for the people of former Soviet Georgia is that their little Caucasus republic has advanced 160 years in political development in only a decade. The bad news is they still live in a violent, complex neighborhood, cursed with national borders that were expressly designed not to work.</p>

<p>U.S. extends support to Georgian government WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States offered its support Sunday to the interim leadership of Georgia after a tumultuous weekend, during which the president of the former Soviet republic resigned as his opposition threatened to storm his residence. (Related item: Georgian leader resigns amid protests) Secretary of State Colin Powell called opposition figure Nino Burdzhanadze, who will lead an interim government until new elections can be held, "to offer our support and to encourage her and her colleagues to proceed in a manner consistent with Georgia's Constitution," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.</p>

Georgian President Says He's Ready to Negotiate 30 minutes ago Add World - Reuters to My Yahoo! By Elizabeth Piper TBILISI, Georgia (Reuters) - Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said Sunday he was ready to discuss key opposition demands, including an early presidential election, if protesters calling on him to resign quit government buildings. It was the first clear signal that a solution might be in sight to end three weeks of political turmoil that has dragged impoverished Georgia deeper into crisis. Shevardnadze's comments came amid signs that even some of the security forces were moving over to the opposition side....