Moderate Georgian premier found dead

TBILISI, Georgia -- Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania was found dead Thursday following an apparent gas leak from a heater, dealing a blow to the young government's efforts to wipe out corruption and resolve two simmering separatist conflicts in the former Soviet republic.

Authorities played down any hint of foul play, but many Georgians were skeptical, given the impoverished country's history of often violent political intrigue. One lawmaker linked Zhvania's death and a car bombing in a town west of the capital two days earlier, and hinted at Russian involvement.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili was visibly shaken by the death of the 41-year-old Zhvania, who played a key role in the "Rose Revolution" that brought the leader to power little more than a year ago.

Hundreds of Tbilisi residents, many with tears in their eyes, gathered outside the home of Zhvania's mother to watch his wooden coffin carried inside.

Saakashvili said he would take on Zhvania's duties but did not give any information about naming a replacement.

"I assume control over the executive branch and I call on members of the Cabinet to return to work and to continue their work as normal," Saakashvili said after lighting candles in Zhvania's memory at St. Trinity Cathedral.

Eduard Shevardnadze, the longtime Georgian leader who was forced from power by popular protests in late 2003 led in part by Zhvania, called the death of his onetime ally "an irreparable loss."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also called Saakashvili Thursday to express condolences, the State Department said.

"The United States is deeply saddened by (Zhvania's) tragic death," State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said in a statement, calling the late prime minister "a catalyst for democratic change in Georgia, a dynamic leader and a friend."

Several Tbilisi residents said the death was suspicious.

Authorities "have removed Zhvania from the political scene and have cleared the way ... for themselves," said Kote Dgebuadze, a 55-year-old engineer.

An autopsy was under way. Initial tests showed Zhvania's blood had nearly double the fatal level of carbon monoxide, a forensics service spokeswoman said.

FBI experts also would help conduct forensics tests, either in the United States or in Turkey, according to the prosecutor general's office.

The prime minister was visiting the Tbilisi apartment of his friend, Zurab Usupov, deputy governor of the Kvemo-Kartli region, who also died, Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said on Rustavi-2 television.

Zhvania arrived at the apartment about midnight Wednesday, and when his security guards heard no signs of life about four hours later, they broke in through a window, Merabishvili said.

"It is an accident," he said. "We can say that poisoning by gas took place."

A gas-fired heating stove was in the main room of the apartment. An open backgammon set, along with a loaf of bread and pieces of sausage were on a table in the room.

Zhvania's body was in a chair. Usupov, the deputy governor of the Kvemo-Kartli region, was found dead in the kitchen. Police declined to give further details.

Deputy Prosecutor General Georgy Dzhanashia said the heater was installed "with serious technical violations ... there was no ventilation in the apartment."

Central heating is scarce in Georgia. Many people rely on gas or wood stoves in their homes and fatal accidents are common.

Zhvania's death poses a challenge for Saakashvili, who was elected in January 2004.

Zhvania was considered a moderate and he worked to overcome endemic corruption, which had enriched some Shevardnadze-era officials while the economy deteriorated.

Zhvania also was a key figure trying to resolve the separatist conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia -- two regions that broke away from the central government after wars in the 1990s. Tensions between separatists and government-allied fighters occasionally erupts into gunfights and shelling, particularly with South Ossetia.

Ramaz Sakvarelidze, a political science professor and former Shevardnadze spokesman, said Zhvania's calm nature contrasted with Saakashvili's fiery temperament and he warned that Georgian policies could take a harder line.

"His absence will bring great radicalization to the politics of the current leadership," Sakvarelidze said.

Georgian lawmaker Alexander Shalamberidze linked Zhvania's death to a car bombing that killed three policemen in Gori, the city nearest to South Ossetia, earlier this week. On Wednesday, Zhvania had cautioned against blaming South Ossetians for the car bombing.

Shalamberidze pointed the finger at "outside forces" -- remarks aimed at Russia, which has ties with the separatist regions. He alleged Russia would try to take advantage of the situation to "prevent Georgia from getting stronger."

Russian officials rejected the link made by Shalamberidze.

"The statements of those who rush to make judgments ... will remain on their consciences," Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, when asked about the allegation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, sent his condolences to Saakashvili, praising Zhvania for promoting ties between Russia and Georgia.

The funeral for Zhvania, who is survived by a wife and three children, was set for Sunday.