Eduard Shevardnadze Quotes

Georgia, Politician
January 25, 1928 – July, 7, 2014.

Eduard Ambrosiyevich Shevardnadze, 25 January 1928 – 7 July 2014) was a Georgian politician and diplomat. He served as First Secretary of the Georgian Communist Party (GPC), the de facto leader of Soviet Georgia from 1972 to 1985 and as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. Shevardnadze was responsible for many key decisions in Soviet foreign policy during the Gorbachev Era including reunification of Germany. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, he was President of Georgia (or in equivalent posts) from 1992 to 2003. He was forced to retire in 2003 as a consequence of the bloodless Rose Revolution.

Also known as President, Diplomat

Prospects of normalizing our relations with Russia look good.

Eduard Shevardnadze
- Good
- Look
- Russia
But on second thought, after I decreed the state of emergency, I came to the conclusion that that was impossible to achieve without bloodshed because the street protesters were full of anger and nearly out of control. This is why I thought we needed to find another way out.

Eduard Shevardnadze
- Why
- Control
- Thought

I think my resignation was the only way to avoid bloodshed.

Eduard Shevardnadze
- Think
- Way
- Resignation
I am not responsible for the actions of Saakashvili and even for those of Gamsakhurdia.

Eduard Shevardnadze
True, other countries are helping us. Germany is determined to provide substantial help. So are the Netherlands and other states. But a day will come when we have to count on our own resources.

Eduard Shevardnadze
- True
- Help
- Day
I was a member of the Politburo for seven years, a foreign minister.

Eduard Shevardnadze
- Years
- Seven
- Member
But eradicating corruption is not enough to sustain a country.

Eduard Shevardnadze
It is time to realize that neither socialism, nor friendship, nor good-neighborliness, nor respect can be produced by bayonets, tanks or blood.

Eduard Shevardnadze
- Time
- Good
- Respect