| Georgia's parliament on Sunday chose a new foreign minister to boost international confidence in the country following President Eduard Shevardnadze's ousting. Tedo Dzhaparidze, a former ambassador to the United States and security council chief, was voted in as foreign minister by 112 out of 126 parliament deputies in the Caucasus country. Speaking to parliament Dzhaparidze said he would strive for good relations with both the United States and Russia, the two main powers competing for influence in a region which is a political faultline between East and West. Dzhaparidze is part of the new westward-looking leadership led by Mikhail Saakashvili which swept Shevardnadze aside in a bloodless coup on November 23 after weeks of street protests. Saakashvili's grouping has voiced hopes of eventually joining both the European Union and NATO — the latter aim being certain to annoy Russia's current leadership. The US-educated Saakashvili is expected to romp to victory in presidential elections on January 4 while a date for fresh parliamentary elections has yet to be set. |
