Shevardnadze lays part of blame for his overthrow on US groups

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2003

TBILISI (AFP) — Eduard Shevardnadze, who last weekend resigned as president of Georgia amid unprecedented protests, laid part of the blame for his overthrow at the feet of US groups in an interview late.

The 75-year-old former Soviet foreign minister, still feted in the West as a man who helped end the Cold War, also heaped praise on the youngsters who drove him from power.

"I don't want to talk about the United States. They have various bases of power, democratic institutes... various structures, there are embassies," Shevardnadze said in an interview with a handful of journalists in his study at the Ktstanisi presidential residence outside Tbilisi.

"Some participated, some helped, some aided. I don't think the administration itself participated in what...