U.S. Secretary of State Powell (left) was among the high-ranking officials who attended the inauguration of M. Saakashvili as president of Georgia Jan 25. Photo by Skynews
Mikhail Saakashvili was sworn in as president of Georgia Sunday two months after his so-called Rose Revolution swept away President Edouard Shevardnadze. In his inaugural address Sunday Saakashvili said Georgia must have Russia as a friend and ally, not an enemy. He said his country appreciates the support given it by the U.S. The 36-year-old Saakashvili, educated at George Washington University and Columbia Law School, swept the presidential election victory on January 4 after protests toppled Shevardnadze on November 23. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Passy, OSCE Chairman-in-Office attended the inauguration.