Riots Georgia Ussr

At first the tableau seemed familiar, and yet something was jarringly new. Thousands of people had come into the streets of this warm, sun-dappled city to demand the ouster of the leader, a man they branded a dictator. He protected himself and his government with loyal troops, banned dissenting media and threw some opponents in prison. One night, there was a fusillade in the streets, and people were shot to death.

Georgia's Parliament met in emergency session Sunday and appealed to the southern republic's citizens to refrain from violence in their political dispute. President Zviad Gamsakhurdia called the Parliament into session after at least one person was killed and more than 80 were injured in clashes Saturday in Tbilisi, capital of the republic of more than 5 million people. Some opposition leaders and legislators boycotted the session.

Georgia's Parliament met in emergency session Sunday and appealed to the southern republic's citizens to refrain from violence in their political dispute. President Zviad Gamsakhurdia called the Parliament into session after at least one person was killed and more than 80 were injured in clashes Saturday in Tbilisi, capital of the republic of more than 5 million people. Some opposition leaders and legislators boycotted the session.

At first the tableau seemed familiar, and yet something was jarringly new. Thousands of people had come into the streets of this warm, sun-dappled city to demand the ouster of the leader, a man they branded a dictator. He protected himself and his government with loyal troops, banned dissenting media and threw some opponents in prison. One night, there was a fusillade in the streets, and people were shot to death.