11.08.2008 Georgia, Gori. Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili (in the flak jacket) during his visit to Gori.
Photo: Vasily Shaposhnikov
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“I Am not Going to Make Any Concessions to Putin’s Regime”
// Mikhail Saakashvili has no fear of World War 3
Yesterday Georgia’s parliament unilaterally voted for the country’s quitting the CIS, which became one of the results of the war in Georgia. Other results were summed up by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in his interview with Kommersant correspondent Vladimir Solovyov.
“You have stated on several occasions that Russia was the first to launch an assault on Georgia. But on August 8 the majority of TV channels broadcast footage where Georgia attacked South Ossetia.”
“First, Georgia was in control of South Ossetia’s major part and thus couldn’t attack it. We responded with firing at Tskhinvali after soldiers from that city had killed our peace-keepers and civilian population. This is what happened: the tanks (Russian tanks – Kommersant) moved from the north, and it was necessary to use long-range artillery not to allow them to enter the enclaves that we controlled. And we did it. In response, they opened mortar fire, and we used artillery once again.”
“Tskhinvali was bombed by the Georgian Air Force too.”
“Our Air Force twice bombarded the Roksky tunnel. We tried to stop a column of Russian tanks and managed to drop a few bombs. But we didn’t bomb Tskhinvali – I know what I say. We really bombed the Roksky tunnel and, with that, halted Russia’s tanks for a while. I prohibited our military to use aviation against Tskhinvali and shell buildings other than those administrative. I controlled it myself. I ordered that they should report to me every two hours. The city of Tskhinvali was destroyed by the Russian Air Force after Russia’s soldiers entered it. There were so many bombs dropped that there is simply no city anymore. Russia succeeded in turning it into another Grozny demonstrating once again its attitude toward the people of Ossetia and the world as a whole. You can’t sacrifice minor ethnic groups for the sake of your exaggerated geopolitical ambitions. It’s my principal position. But I think that Russia has no interest in South Ossetia. What is happening in Georgia is a clear-cut attempt to topple the government and restrict or eliminate Georgia’s independence.”
“As you gave an order to annihilate the bases from which, in your view, fire was opened on Georgia’s settlements, did you think that you’d have to deal with Russia in the end?”
“Russia had spent three months preparing for it. It built the infrastructure – both in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It built a base in Java, it issued leaflets for the Russian army describing the way they should free Georgia from my yoke. The preparation for the war was obvious and absolutely barefaced. They chose the perfect time – the Olympics. I was to depart on that day, and if I hadn’t put off my departure, it all would have caught me unawares – on board the plane. Meanwhile, the world’s leaders were in Beijing. Bush spent four days there while the situation developed. Sarkozy was there, and the rest too. Perfect time! By that day Russia’s railroad construction troops in Abkhazia had finished the repair of the railways, and the Abkhaz infrastructure was ready. Their goal was creating at least two enclaves completely free from Georgians. And creating a buffer zone round those enclaves. And suppress Georgia economically too. And topple the government. We received this data from our partners’ intelligence services a few months before the operation was started. We had no precise numbers, only the outline of Russia’s doctrine. So it was not surprising to us at all.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have kicked against the pricks cancelling the ceasefire moratorium?”
“We had no other way out. Russia was going to swallow Georgia as it had once done. Now we won’t get swallowed. Not only shall we preserve our sovereignty, we’ll also drive out Russia’s forces from Georgia – whatever the cost. I am not going to make any concessions to Putin’s regime.”
“With whose help?”
“With the help of our people and the friends throughout the world. It was suggested to me: You may stay in power – all you need to do is agree to the open status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. No. Never. You can rest assured: Georgia will never yield a centimeter of its territory to Russia or anyone else. We’ll fight to the bitter end. The people of Georgia have demonstrated brilliant self-mastery at the moment when 1200 tanks furrowed our land. Only advanced peoples are able to keep cool. We have rapidly developed within the 15 years, and Russia has somehow missed it. This time it caused quite a tragedy, many people died.”
“Russia reports at least 2.000 thousand killed people in South Ossetia as a result of Georgia’s shelling.”
“Utter nonsense. There were no 2.000 people there. Russia had evacuated all women and children. Our army had practically no contacts with civilian population. All villages were empty. If anyone stayed in Tskhinvali, they could only die from Russia’s aviation. So it’s a lie. A big lie. Just like their assertion that we launched an assault on them. As Germany attacked Poland, it also asserted that it was Poland that attacked first. As the USSR attacked Finland, Stalin claimed that Mannerheim attacked first. Such things always start with a big lie. Perhaps, they haven’t learnt anything except for using the principles described in all those textbooks of totalitarian regimes. It’s a classic scheme.”
“Did it take you much time and effort to seek George Bush’s help?”
“This is no help. America has just taken control of our airports and ports. It’s a hallmark in the present campaign and in the geopolitics of the region on the whole.”
“Why didn’t the USA take you under its umbrella immediately?”
“No one knew that Russia will go beyond humanity and unleash the hostilities. Even the USSR didn’t do such things. Russia has incurred so much loss upon Georgia, its infrastructure, people’s lives. But Russia’s reputation in the world has been affected more. The Russian government is heading to a pit they’ll have difficulty getting out of. Russia is a great country. But its authorities behave in an inappropriate manner.”
“Are you going to oust Russia’s troops with the help of Americans?”
“I didn’t mean it. We consider Russia’s troops occupation ones. And no occupier will feel at ease on the Georgian territory. Aggressors and invaders must get out. Russia could have Georgia as a friend, but now I don’t know how many centuries it will take to let the Georgian society recover. Russia’s jets, like carrion-crows, flew over us and threw their bombs. It won’t be erased from the memory of the Georgian people.”
“Russia’s government has stated that it won’t have any contacts with you anymore. It means that the status-quo in South Ossetia and Abkhazia will remain for a long time.”
“We’re not going to conduct talks about our territorial integrity with Russia. Russia has violated it, and now we can have negotiations about one thing only – the withdrawal of Russia’s troops. We are ready to discuss all other matters – ceasefire and things like that. But Russia won’t acknowledge Georgia’s independence and its integrity. Under such circumstances it’s difficult to begin talks. As soon as it gets back to the initial positions and acknowledges the united Georgia and its borders, it’ll be easy to negotiate. Now we can only conduct talks about normalizing the situation and putting an end to the monstrous crimes committed in our country.”
“Aren’t you afraid that World War 3 may start because of you?”
“I’ve seen so much vileness within a few days that I’m not afraid of anything.”
Vladimir Solovyov
All the Article in Russian as of Aug. 15, 2008
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