Eduard Shevardnadze - ex-Soviet foreign minister, now president of Georgia, is one of the world's great survivors.

He has cheated death twice - the second time in February when his car was ambushed.

Since then Mr Shevardnadze has been receiving messages of support from political leaders around the world for his leadership of Georgia and his crucial role in bringing stability to the oil-rich Caucasus region.

The attack came as Georgia moved slowly towards stability after years of civil war and social unrest.

In this special report, the BBC's Moscow correspondent Robert Parsons talked to President Shevardnadze about Georgia's battle to consolidate her independence. His report begins with details of the recent attempt on the Georgian leader's life:

The president's car was hit by three rocket propelled grenades

As President Shevardnadze's cortege sped east along the river that runs in the capital Tbilisi, a rocket-propelled grenade slammed into the front of his armoured-plated Mercedes. Then a second, then a third, as it slewed out of control.

The ensuing gun battle lasted 10 minutes. It was the second attempt on his life in little more than two years.

He has little doubt where both attacks were planned.

Shevardnadze after first assassination attempt

"It is a well-known fact that the terrorists who tried to kill me in 1995 have found refuge in Moscow," he says.

"Despite our many requests for their extradition, they have still not been handed over to us.

"This leads me to believe that it was certain forces in Moscow who planned this latest terrorist action."

And the reason why he believes this is oil.

Oil helps secure Georgia's stability

Georgian workers weld the pipeline that will export Caspian sea oil

Georgia is ahead of Russia as the favourite route for the Caspian Sea's huge oil reserves.

This is a sign of the outside world's growing confidence in Georgia's stability.

Economic growth is now among the fastest in the world.

Alex Rondely, the director of the foreign policy research centre in Tbilisi, says that when the pipeline arrives the Russians are afraid that they will lose control of Transcaucasia.

Last week the EU sent a special mission to see Mr Shevardnadze. He told the president that EU leaders consider him "a factor of stability" in the Caucausus.

Hardline nationalists gather to demand Mr Shevardnadze's resignation

With such support from the West, the government appears more at ease now with political dissent.

A year or so ago the police would have been out in force at demonstrations.

If there's still fear in Georgia, it's more fear of Russian interference than internal strife.

Georgia needs 'a little more time'

"We've only been building our state intensively for the last couple of years," says Mr Shevardnadze.

"Before that we had civil war and bloodshed. We had to eradicate the consequences.

"All we need now is a little more time."

Despite the dangers surrounding him he remains hopeful.

"With each attempt on my life, I get stronger and stronger. As for those people with evil plans to destabilise our country - the Lord sees everything.

"And when the Lord sees that what you're doing is right he'll look after you."

But it's just not by faith that Georgia's white fox has prospered. Cunning has always been his trademark.

He may yet need all of it if he and his country are to survive.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©