Gamsakhurdia, Zviad

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Georgian politician, president 1990–92. He was a fervent nationalist and an active anticommunist. After nationalist success in parliamentary elections when Georgia achieved independence in 1991, he was elected head of state by a huge margin. His increasingly dictatorial style of government and his hostile attitude to non-ethnic Georgians led to his forced removal and flight to neighbouring Armenia in 1992. He returned to western Georgia in 1993 to lead a rebellion against Edvard Shevardnadze's presidency, but Shevardnadze, with Russian help, destroyed his ill-equipped supporters, and the deposed president was later reported dead, although uncertainty remained as to whether he had committed suicide or been killed by Russian troops.

Red, white, and black are the colours of Arab nationalism. Effective date: 4 October 1984. >>