However, there is a lot of opposition to the Shevardnadze regime. The sound of this monstrous machine relaying the popular head of state around Tbilisi literally rocks the foundations of neighbouring buildings. But a more serious opposition comes from the western region of Ajaria where the local leader, Aslan Abashidze, is challenging the president in forthcoming elections on 9 th April. Georgian-style Abashidze has regularly accused Shevardnadze of plotting to kill him. He certainly takes no precautions as he strolls around the local capital Batumi surrounded by gun-toting guards.
Snipers keep watch from the roof of the regional parliament.
However, whatever the faults of Abashidze the comparison between life in Batumi and Tbilisi is startling. Salaries are paid on time and the electricity works. In any normal democracy people would be turning out in droves to vote for Abashidze but in the last parliamentary election his party Revival trailed Shevardnadze s Citizens Union. The usual Western commentators predict another victory for the popular president in the April poll. The rhetoric from Moscow is gaining momentum by the day.