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, the former Soviet Foreign Minister, reflects on his decision to declare a state of emergency in response to street protests. He initially thought it was the only way to restore order, but later realized that it would only lead to bloodshed and chaos.
Shevardnadze's quote highlights the importance of considering alternative solutions to conflict resolution, rather than resorting to drastic measures that can exacerbate the situation.
The quote is set in the context of the late Soviet era, when the country was experiencing significant social and political upheaval.
Eduard Shevardnadze was a Georgian politician who served as the Soviet Foreign Minister from 1985 to 1991. He played a key role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
The quote can be applied to any situation where a leader is faced with a crisis and must decide whether to take drastic measures or explore alternative solutions.