Eighty parliamentary deputies from five opposition factions (the National Movement, the New Rightists, the United Democrats, the Union of Traditionalists, and the New Abkhazia-Christian Democrats) walked out of the legislature on 11 October to signify their rejection of the socioeconomic development program unveiled by President Eduard Shevardnadze in his annual address to the nation. Former parliamentary speaker Zurab Zhvania said Shevardnadze "sidestepped" all the most pressing problems facing Georgia. In his two-hour address, Shevardnadze advocated strategic partnership with both the United States and Russia, resolving the Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflicts on the basis of a federal model, reintroducing the post of prime minister and reducing the number of ministries, and creating a bicameral parliament. Describing the opposition walkout as "unfounded," Shevardnadze said he has no intention of resigning and will devote his final two years as president to accomplishing "many useful things for my country." (ITAR-TASS)