"I think my resignation was the only way to avoid bloodshed"

Eduard Shevardnadze's quote recommends that he thought his resignation was the only method to avoid a violent dispute. This indicates that the circumstance he remained in was unstable which there was a danger of violence if he had not stepped down. It is possible that Shevardnadze was in a position of power and that his resignation was the only method to prevent a civil war or other violent dispute. It is also possible that he remained in a position of power which his resignation was the only method to prevent a coup or other type of political discontent. In either case, Shevardnadze's quote recommends that he wanted to compromise his own position in order to prevent a violent dispute. This speaks with his dedication to peace and his determination to put the requirements of his people prior to his own.