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Georgian president says G8 to decide future world politics - fuller version
Imedi TV, Tbilisi
11 Jul 06
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has said that the forthcoming
G8 summit in St Petersburg will determine the future direction of
world politics. He was speaking at a news conference in Tbilisi
broadcast live by Imedi TV and other Georgian networks. Saakashvili
again described his meeting with US president George Bush on 5 July
as "historic" and said that Bush's support for Georgian territorial
integrity and membership of NATO carried "much more weight" than
statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said that
Russia had reacted to his meeting with Bush by increasing pressure
on Georgia but noted that Georgia would not bow to the pressure
as it would be counterproductive anyway. Saakashvili also accused
Moscow of attempts to overthrow the Georgian government. He said that
Georgia should act quickly and decide on its future in the CIS and the
future of the Russian peacekeepers in Georgia. He rejected Putin's
suggestion that Georgia should follow Russia's example in Chechnya
and hold independence referendums in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. At
the end of his 42-minute news conference, Saakashvili also hinted
about an imminent government reshuffle, but said that it would not
involve "dramatic changes". The following is an excerpt from the news
conference broadcast by Imedi TV on 11 July; subheadings have been
inserted editorially:
Successful visit to Washington
[Presenter] We are going live to the State Chancellery where the
Georgian president's news conference for Georgian journalists is
about to start.
[Saakashvili] Hello everyone. This is my first meeting with you since
my official visit to the United States of America. I would like to
tell you again what our delegation and I thought after meeting with
President [George] Bush: For us, this was a historic visit held at
a historic time.
Generally, US-Georgian relations have been very intensive. You
know that many presidents visit Washington but I should tell you
that President Bush does not meet every one of them. The presidents
of several other countries also visited Washington just before my
visit, but their meetings were usually limited to the level of the
[US] secretary of state and other levels. Since I became president,
in two and a half years, I have had three official meetings [with
the US president] in addition to many other brief meetings. This is
a very intensive process.
Besides, this was not just a meeting with the US president. We also
had a separate meeting with US Vice-President [Richard Cheney] at his
home, where he invited the Georgian delegation, which was attended
by the chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff as well as the US Energy
Secretary. The day before, the vice-president attended the meeting
with President Bush along with some other cabinet members. We had
talks with almost all senior officials of the US administration.
G8 summit "will absolutely determine" future of world politics
This was a historic event because of its timing as well. You know
that a G8 summit will take place in St Petersburg in a few days'
time. The G8 summit will absolutely determine where the world will
be heading in the coming years and in the coming period. It will
determine that because everything is being decided now. Is this a world
where everything is determined by arms, money, oil, global strategic
interests, where there is no place for small countries, where deals
are made behind the backs of small countries and their fate is decided
by others, or is this a world where morals, principles and the freedom
of various nations are as important as has been declared for decades
by the free world, a world where the voice of small countries can
be heard?
Before the G8 summit, the Georgian president met with the Russian
president. And then he was the last visitor to Washington. By the way,
it was on the day of President Bush's 60th birthday and US Independence
Day, which was a very symbolic coincidence. We managed, more exactly,
we were invited to Washington to the last consultation held before the
summit. I think this a very clear indicator of our small country's
role in global politics. We are taking part not only in shaping our
fate and defending it, but, because of exceptional character of our
people and because of exceptional events in our recent history, we
are also taking part in shaping the interests of global politics and,
what is most important, in finding our place in all this. This is
the most important thing for us. I, my friends or even our country
really have no ambition to be global players. We simply have our
small interests, which are big interests for us.
However, our country is at the focal point of these global interests.
Today we have very powerful friends, but this comes at a price -
we also have very powerful enemies. All of us should realize this
very well.
Bush's position "carries much more weight" than Putin's statement
This meeting was historic because for the first time the president of
the world's only superpower confirmed openly and without any conditions
his direct support for Georgia joining NATO. Perhaps some people did
not pay much attention to that, but I am well aware of the value of
all that. This is an offer of completely new guarantees for Georgia
by the world's most powerful country. Secondly, the president of the
United States of America has absolutely openly confirmed his support
for Georgia's territorial integrity at a time like this. The answer
from President Putin came the following day. He is still talking about
parallels between Kosovo and Abkhazia and South Ossetia, that is to
say, about dismembering Georgia's territory. But the position of the
American president carries much more weight. His was an unambiguous
response to such statements by Moscow, and it was also stressed that
the statement was intended for Georgia's neighbours.
There were many other interesting details as well. I think it was
very symbolic that we brought to the US president a letter which is
now an exhibit at the [Tbilisi] museum of the [Soviet] occupation.
Khevsurs [natives of the mountainous Khevsureti region in northern
Georgia] wrote this letter to the then US President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt in 1936. [Passage omitted: describes the letter, says
Georgia is "in the centre of the fight for freedom"]
Georgia enjoys "unanimous support" in the West
Just look at the press articles about Georgia around the world. They
are full of admiration and support. None of our neighbouring countries
or any other small country in the world has ever had such unanimous
support of the Western public opinion. At least I cannot recall
anything like this. It was not the same even a year ago. After the
Rose Revolution, there was some sympathy, but today we have a different
kind of support. This is a country that has achieved results, this is a
country that has proved that it is stronger than many other countries.
The US administration's support is one thing. President Bush visited
Tbilisi [in May 2005] and, of course, it was a historic visit as
well. However, I cannot recall such unanimity among the US political
spectrum. On the one hand, there is the Republican administration. On
the other hand, there is a large group of Democratic Senators. There is
also the democratic press which constantly criticizes the current US
president. But there is an amazing unanimity of opinion with respect
to Georgia. The Washington Post alone, which is the main critic of
the Bush administration, carried three large articles sympathetic to
Georgia. And The Wall Street Journal published a whole saga praising
Georgia. [Passage omitted: says positive public opinion about Georgia
in Western countries is very important]
Georgia will resolve conflicts with "or without Russia"
This is our great asset. However, our country is also facing
challenges. Some people sometimes forget what is going on. Sometimes
I hear complaints that someone is so tired of all this talk about our
achievements and victories. But we are not an ordinary country. We
are a country that is not yet at war - thank God and God forbid,
we will do everything to avoid being dragged into such a situation -
but Georgia is under massive attack. A cruel economic embargo has been
imposed on Georgia, the cruellest ever imposed in Europe. A few days
ago, our last route of relatively free travel to our neighbour Russia
was cut. There are attempts to wage a huge propaganda war against us,
slander us and present us in a bad light. They are failing anyway,
but there are attempts. Georgia is a country against which a huge
amount of money is being spent. There are forces gathering near our
border and attempts of subversive actions within the country.
Under such pressure, we must make decisions. I did everything
possible before and during my meeting with President Putin. We are
offering Russia to arrange another meeting in Moscow after the G8
summit. However, the time for decisions on the peacekeeping forces
is approaching. Behind these peacekeeping forces, the annexation of
Georgian territory is continuing. This is taking place today and has
been taking place daily with particular intensity in recent months.
Behind these peacekeeping forces in the Tskhinvali region [South
Ossetia], daily threats are being made to the lives and safety of
Georgia's citizens of every ethnicity. We must make decisions. We are
waiting for this debate to take place in the Georgian parliament. We
must make decisions on staying in the CIS. We are no longer going
to continue deluding ourselves on this issue. We are calculating
everything. No step will be taken that will in any way harm even a
single Georgian entrepreneur, at least as far as we are concerned.
However, given our past and current problems, we must make these
decisions, which will be fundamental for our future.
At the same time, the peace process should continue. On this issue,
we have full support of America and the absolute majority of European
countries. These are not just Georgia's efforts to resolve its
conflicts peacefully. These are efforts of the entire international
community to have a dialogue with Russia. That is because today no-one
except Russia has a key to the settlement of these conflicts.
However, we should understand that we will resolve these conflicts,
hopefully together with Russia, or without Russia. I and my friends are
not going to wait indefinitely for Russia to resolve our problems. We
want a peaceful settlement of these issues. We will fight for peace
to the end, but we must resolve these issues. We are not going to
postpone it indefinitely.
[Passage omitted: briefly touches on his visit to Croatia on 10 July
where he attended a regional summit on EU and NATO integration]
US Vice-President to visit Georgia
I would also like to tell you that there are some visits being
planned. We have agreed that US Vice-President [Richard Cheney]
should visit Georgia in the next few months. As you know, he is the
second highest ranking official in the United States. It was unusual
itself that we had a separate meeting with the US Vice-President. If
someone meets the president, he does not necessarily meets the
vice-president separately, in the same building. This was another
emphasis on our status. And the TV coverage of our visit was amazing
too. I cannot recall anything like this. It was a kind of coverage
usually given to a visit by newly elected British prime minister or a
newly elected Israeli prime minister. [Passage omitted: recalls that
he felt humiliated when during former President Eduard Shevardnadze's
visit to the United States the then Georgian president was almost
ignored by the US media]
We should use this. I do not need these meetings in order to collect
photographs of my meetings with world leaders or newspaper articles
about me. This is not my function. All this is an asset that we
will spend for Georgia's development and unification. No-one should
entertain any illusion about this. This is not a goal in itself
or a cause for complacency. We will be happy and content only when
Georgia is a united, peaceful and developed country. This is the main
goal. I am not telling you all this just to brag about my meetings. We
should understand that all this increases our chances of achieving
our main goal.
Georgia not going to send troops to South Ossetia
[Saakashvili] Questions, please.
[Question] Representatives of the de facto government have said
that unofficially [in Washington] you have been given green light to
carry out military operations in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Could
you please comment on this? What is Russia's role?
[Saakashvili] I would like to begin by saying that Georgia takes
decisions on its own. We have immense respect for our devout friend,
the president and the administration of the United States of America.
However, I am not a leader who goes somewhere to get permissions. We
no longer have in this world masters issuing instructions to us. This
is the main appeal of freedom. This is the main appeal of freedom
that I am proud of.
On the other hand, I think this is just the same people crying wolf
again and again. I remember how people were saying two years ago
that we would attack [South Ossetia] next week, in two weeks' time,
in a months' time or in two months' time.
I visited Orpolo [military training ground in southern Georgia]
and I saw a miracle there. What is happening in Orpolo, our army
spread across a vast field, our army that we are putting together
brick by brick, piece by piece, bit by bit from the day I and my
friends occupied these offices. I do not know whether we have ever
had manoeuvres of this kind, involving so many people with so much
training, in the history of Georgia. Probably not. In the past,
Georgians didn't have time for manoeuvres. They moved straight to
business. Men assembled and off they went. They probably didn't hold
major manoeuvres before Didgori [battle in the 12th century]. These
manoeuvres are probably larger than any big battle in our history.
I am saying this because there is talk again that there are troops
in Orpolo from where they will go to Tskhinvali. I would like to
say that the troops are not going to Tskhinvali from there. However,
everyone should know that any attempt to stage acts of provocation
in Georgia, any attempt by anyone to drive people of any nationality
out of any district, or to destabilize the situation in Georgia on
a large scale by attacking energy supply facilities or imposing a
blockade and taking us by the throat [changes tack] - I know that a
scenario for a larger scale energy blockade than we had last winter,
this January to be more precise, is being drawn up for [the coming]
winter. Someone may even have ideas to do something in Georgia. We
will respond in a stronger manner than we ever could in the past.
This does not mean that we want disorder. We do not want disorder
because our economy will grow at a rate greater than nearly anywhere
else in the world. We do not want disorder because billions are
being invested in the country, because tourists have started to come,
because two new airports are being built and because Georgia is once
again becoming a country where good news happen. It is not just about
explosions, murders, eliminations and clashes. No, it is becoming a
country of positive news. I know full well what any kind of military
confrontation means. It means going back to the starting point. It
is clear that we are moving forward. Naturally, I would be happy if
we were moving forward at a much faster pace and I will do everything
for our moving forward to continue at a much faster pace.
Saakashvili to spend summer holiday in reservist camp
By the way, you know about the reservist movement. I am very proud
of these people. I was very pleased when [Georgian rap singer] Leksen
enlisted as a reservist. I assure you that sleeping in a tent, working
out in mud and making 10-km runs every day for two weeks isn't much
of a pleasure. One may enjoy it for one hour but probably not for
two weeks. Many good professionals took leave from their jobs and
enlisted as reservists.
I intend to use my summer leave to spend two weeks at a reservist
camp as an ordinary reservist. The president is a citizen just as
anyone else. He has the right to [annual] leave just as anyone else
does and also has the right to go on holiday wherever he likes. It
will be my pleasure to go on holiday to one of the reservist camps.
You should understand that being a reservist does not mean being in the
army. The army is one thing and the reserve is another. Our reservist
groups can be used in many other ways. I think that this will be a good
page in my biography. I talked to [Defence Minister Irakli] Okruashvili
today. He is already selecting a camp where I can do this job for two
weeks together with other patriots. I am very proud of this by the way.
Next question, please.
Georgia will not bow to Russian pressure
[Question] Good evening. Mr President, the [closure of the] only land
border crossing between Georgia and the Russian Federation [recognized
by Georgia] has caused a new round of tension in Georgian-Russian
relations. The Russian defence minister said that Russia was fortifying
its border with Georgia. A month later, the Larsi border crossing was
closed due to repair works. What can be the reason behind this? How
should we assess this?
[Saakashvili] I think this is precisely what we are saying. This is
a direct response to our talks in Washington. Let us say it openly:
there is an official policy of government change in Georgia. But
it is not about Georgia alone. Georgia has become a symbol for the
Ukrainians, Belarusians, Central Asians and people of many other
regions of the world in the fight for freedom and the protection
of their interests. Our overthrow and strangulation will mean a
major triumph for evil and - I do not want to use a pathetic tone -
opponents of freedom.
Once they realized how much support we have from the West and from the
leader of the western world in particular, the first thing that came
to their minds after some deliberation [changes tack] - apart from
the statements that we should hold a referendum in Abkhazia similar
to the one held in Chechnya. I certainly do not want a referendum
similar to the one in Chechnya to be held in any part of Georgian
territory because in Chechnya the referendum was held at the cost
of 100,000 people being killed, at the cost of every small building
being destroyed, at the cost of an enormous human tragedy.
Is that the kind of referendum they are suggesting that we hold in
Georgia? I can just say that totally unacceptable statements are
being made.
This was their message: You are welcome to travel to Washington but
we will take away your territories. But do you think that they will
not take them away if we don't go? Quite the opposite, they will
take them away if we don't go. This hysterical reaction towards us
is the manifestation of feebleness and some kind of revenge - if you
do this we will do that. But as soon as Georgia loses support of the
free world, Georgia's ill-wishers will carry out their plans. And the
next thing was the closure of Larsi. I can't say that this affects us
economically because Georgian exporters hadn't been using that route
anyway. This is bad for people, particularly for Armenia. I can't
understand what Armenia has done wrong. Armenian goods and people used
this route. Georgian goods were not allowed to use the crossing anyway.
I really have no difficulty talking to President Putin. He is always
an equal and frank interlocutor. By the way, on a personal level,
talking to him is easy for me. I think he is quite a talented man,
a very talented man in defending his country's interests. So we will
talk, we will talk. However, no-one should entertain any illusion,
including ourselves, that if we kneel down and humiliate ourselves
someone will give us back something or will ease pressure. As soon as
they see that we are scared and retreating, that's when our end will
come. This is not in the spirit of the Georgians. [Passage omitted:
says that Georgia was able to overcome the January 2006 energy crisis
because "everyone was mobilized, including children"]
Our people understand that we should respond to such pressure by
consolidation and courage. They should see that we are not scared
and we are not going to fight with each other. Instead, they will
see that we know very well what is behind these attacks. And we will
emerge stronger. Therefore, of course I am not happy that the Larsi
crossing is closed, I am not happy that Georgian wine is banned,
I am not happy and I think Russians themselves are not happy that
they cannot drink Borjomi [mineral water], but [changes tack] -
I can tell you more. Recently, when we visited St Petersburg, our
journalists went to a local restaurant together with their Russian
colleagues. By the way, as it happens, I was not made to wait for
any of my meetings in America, but there [in St Petersburg] it so
happened that the meeting was delayed for several hours. Naturally,
I did not wait and I went to have dinner at a very good restaurant
discovered by my aide Nato Qancheli. Georgian journalists also went
to a restaurant together with their hosts. Georgians never wait for
anyone, humbly standing at the door. A waiter, who did not know that
they were Georgians, told them: We have a good French wine, Chilean
wine and something else, but if you really want to enjoy it, we also
have a smuggled Georgian wine. Now, maybe I should not have said this,
the restaurant may get shut down, but that's what really happened.
This shows that even in that society [changes tack] - they are our
traditional allies. Let's say it, no matter how much racist and
anti-Georgian sentiments are aroused, these are just temporary. We
and Russians have nothing to argue about. I told President Putin that
he and I personally had nothing to argue about. He did not create
these conflicts. I was not here when they were created. Sometimes it
strikes me that if at the time of the Abkhazia war we had had even a
tenth of international support we have today, nothing like that would
have happened. I was a cursed time and cursed circumstances. The huge
tragedy in Abkhazia happened at the most unfavourable time, when the
country was in disorder. We should not make the same mistake again.
No "dramatic changes" planned in government
[Question] There are rumours about possible changes in the cabinet
after [Environment Minister] Giorgi Papuashvili's possible appointment
as a member of the Constitutional Court. Are you going to appoint
Papuashvili there? Which ministers are likely to lose their posts? Will
this affect power-wielding ministers?
[Saakashvili] First of all, I should say that the government is a
living organism. As you know, corrections and changes have been made.
However, the cabinet has been very stable over the past year and a
half. We never hesitated to carry out experiments as well, I always
wanted to achieve an optimal arrangement. Naturally, such changes
will continue, but generally my team will stay as it is. Individuals
may be replaced, generally, but the policy will stay unchanged.
As regards concrete changes, let's see. Decisions about Papuashvili
will be made jointly by me and [parliament speaker] Nino Burjanadze.
We will decide what to do when the parliament chairwoman and I agree.
By the way, Nino Burjanadze is going to address the UN [Security
Council] today and I hope her mission will be successful. It is
important to explain our problems to the UN.
As regards other changes, I do not expect any dramatic changes.
Frankly, lately I have been slightly surprised by hysterical tone
of some political entities. [Passage omitted: criticizes unnamed
opponents for launching personal attacks on "families and personal
dignity of others", says that democracy and free speech is "still the
best system", speaks about Croatia's example of unity in restoring
the country's territorial integrity]
Imedi TV, Tbilisi
11 Jul 06
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has said that the forthcoming
G8 summit in St Petersburg will determine the future direction of
world politics. He was speaking at a news conference in Tbilisi
broadcast live by Imedi TV and other Georgian networks. Saakashvili
again described his meeting with US president George Bush on 5 July
as "historic" and said that Bush's support for Georgian territorial
integrity and membership of NATO carried "much more weight" than
statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said that
Russia had reacted to his meeting with Bush by increasing pressure
on Georgia but noted that Georgia would not bow to the pressure
as it would be counterproductive anyway. Saakashvili also accused
Moscow of attempts to overthrow the Georgian government. He said that
Georgia should act quickly and decide on its future in the CIS and the
future of the Russian peacekeepers in Georgia. He rejected Putin's
suggestion that Georgia should follow Russia's example in Chechnya
and hold independence referendums in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. At
the end of his 42-minute news conference, Saakashvili also hinted
about an imminent government reshuffle, but said that it would not
involve "dramatic changes". The following is an excerpt from the news
conference broadcast by Imedi TV on 11 July; subheadings have been
inserted editorially:
Successful visit to Washington
[Presenter] We are going live to the State Chancellery where the
Georgian president's news conference for Georgian journalists is
about to start.
[Saakashvili] Hello everyone. This is my first meeting with you since
my official visit to the United States of America. I would like to
tell you again what our delegation and I thought after meeting with
President [George] Bush: For us, this was a historic visit held at
a historic time.
Generally, US-Georgian relations have been very intensive. You
know that many presidents visit Washington but I should tell you
that President Bush does not meet every one of them. The presidents
of several other countries also visited Washington just before my
visit, but their meetings were usually limited to the level of the
[US] secretary of state and other levels. Since I became president,
in two and a half years, I have had three official meetings [with
the US president] in addition to many other brief meetings. This is
a very intensive process.
Besides, this was not just a meeting with the US president. We also
had a separate meeting with US Vice-President [Richard Cheney] at his
home, where he invited the Georgian delegation, which was attended
by the chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff as well as the US Energy
Secretary. The day before, the vice-president attended the meeting
with President Bush along with some other cabinet members. We had
talks with almost all senior officials of the US administration.
G8 summit "will absolutely determine" future of world politics
This was a historic event because of its timing as well. You know
that a G8 summit will take place in St Petersburg in a few days'
time. The G8 summit will absolutely determine where the world will
be heading in the coming years and in the coming period. It will
determine that because everything is being decided now. Is this a world
where everything is determined by arms, money, oil, global strategic
interests, where there is no place for small countries, where deals
are made behind the backs of small countries and their fate is decided
by others, or is this a world where morals, principles and the freedom
of various nations are as important as has been declared for decades
by the free world, a world where the voice of small countries can
be heard?
Before the G8 summit, the Georgian president met with the Russian
president. And then he was the last visitor to Washington. By the way,
it was on the day of President Bush's 60th birthday and US Independence
Day, which was a very symbolic coincidence. We managed, more exactly,
we were invited to Washington to the last consultation held before the
summit. I think this a very clear indicator of our small country's
role in global politics. We are taking part not only in shaping our
fate and defending it, but, because of exceptional character of our
people and because of exceptional events in our recent history, we
are also taking part in shaping the interests of global politics and,
what is most important, in finding our place in all this. This is
the most important thing for us. I, my friends or even our country
really have no ambition to be global players. We simply have our
small interests, which are big interests for us.
However, our country is at the focal point of these global interests.
Today we have very powerful friends, but this comes at a price -
we also have very powerful enemies. All of us should realize this
very well.
Bush's position "carries much more weight" than Putin's statement
This meeting was historic because for the first time the president of
the world's only superpower confirmed openly and without any conditions
his direct support for Georgia joining NATO. Perhaps some people did
not pay much attention to that, but I am well aware of the value of
all that. This is an offer of completely new guarantees for Georgia
by the world's most powerful country. Secondly, the president of the
United States of America has absolutely openly confirmed his support
for Georgia's territorial integrity at a time like this. The answer
from President Putin came the following day. He is still talking about
parallels between Kosovo and Abkhazia and South Ossetia, that is to
say, about dismembering Georgia's territory. But the position of the
American president carries much more weight. His was an unambiguous
response to such statements by Moscow, and it was also stressed that
the statement was intended for Georgia's neighbours.
There were many other interesting details as well. I think it was
very symbolic that we brought to the US president a letter which is
now an exhibit at the [Tbilisi] museum of the [Soviet] occupation.
Khevsurs [natives of the mountainous Khevsureti region in northern
Georgia] wrote this letter to the then US President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt in 1936. [Passage omitted: describes the letter, says
Georgia is "in the centre of the fight for freedom"]
Georgia enjoys "unanimous support" in the West
Just look at the press articles about Georgia around the world. They
are full of admiration and support. None of our neighbouring countries
or any other small country in the world has ever had such unanimous
support of the Western public opinion. At least I cannot recall
anything like this. It was not the same even a year ago. After the
Rose Revolution, there was some sympathy, but today we have a different
kind of support. This is a country that has achieved results, this is a
country that has proved that it is stronger than many other countries.
The US administration's support is one thing. President Bush visited
Tbilisi [in May 2005] and, of course, it was a historic visit as
well. However, I cannot recall such unanimity among the US political
spectrum. On the one hand, there is the Republican administration. On
the other hand, there is a large group of Democratic Senators. There is
also the democratic press which constantly criticizes the current US
president. But there is an amazing unanimity of opinion with respect
to Georgia. The Washington Post alone, which is the main critic of
the Bush administration, carried three large articles sympathetic to
Georgia. And The Wall Street Journal published a whole saga praising
Georgia. [Passage omitted: says positive public opinion about Georgia
in Western countries is very important]
Georgia will resolve conflicts with "or without Russia"
This is our great asset. However, our country is also facing
challenges. Some people sometimes forget what is going on. Sometimes
I hear complaints that someone is so tired of all this talk about our
achievements and victories. But we are not an ordinary country. We
are a country that is not yet at war - thank God and God forbid,
we will do everything to avoid being dragged into such a situation -
but Georgia is under massive attack. A cruel economic embargo has been
imposed on Georgia, the cruellest ever imposed in Europe. A few days
ago, our last route of relatively free travel to our neighbour Russia
was cut. There are attempts to wage a huge propaganda war against us,
slander us and present us in a bad light. They are failing anyway,
but there are attempts. Georgia is a country against which a huge
amount of money is being spent. There are forces gathering near our
border and attempts of subversive actions within the country.
Under such pressure, we must make decisions. I did everything
possible before and during my meeting with President Putin. We are
offering Russia to arrange another meeting in Moscow after the G8
summit. However, the time for decisions on the peacekeeping forces
is approaching. Behind these peacekeeping forces, the annexation of
Georgian territory is continuing. This is taking place today and has
been taking place daily with particular intensity in recent months.
Behind these peacekeeping forces in the Tskhinvali region [South
Ossetia], daily threats are being made to the lives and safety of
Georgia's citizens of every ethnicity. We must make decisions. We are
waiting for this debate to take place in the Georgian parliament. We
must make decisions on staying in the CIS. We are no longer going
to continue deluding ourselves on this issue. We are calculating
everything. No step will be taken that will in any way harm even a
single Georgian entrepreneur, at least as far as we are concerned.
However, given our past and current problems, we must make these
decisions, which will be fundamental for our future.
At the same time, the peace process should continue. On this issue,
we have full support of America and the absolute majority of European
countries. These are not just Georgia's efforts to resolve its
conflicts peacefully. These are efforts of the entire international
community to have a dialogue with Russia. That is because today no-one
except Russia has a key to the settlement of these conflicts.
However, we should understand that we will resolve these conflicts,
hopefully together with Russia, or without Russia. I and my friends are
not going to wait indefinitely for Russia to resolve our problems. We
want a peaceful settlement of these issues. We will fight for peace
to the end, but we must resolve these issues. We are not going to
postpone it indefinitely.
[Passage omitted: briefly touches on his visit to Croatia on 10 July
where he attended a regional summit on EU and NATO integration]
US Vice-President to visit Georgia
I would also like to tell you that there are some visits being
planned. We have agreed that US Vice-President [Richard Cheney]
should visit Georgia in the next few months. As you know, he is the
second highest ranking official in the United States. It was unusual
itself that we had a separate meeting with the US Vice-President. If
someone meets the president, he does not necessarily meets the
vice-president separately, in the same building. This was another
emphasis on our status. And the TV coverage of our visit was amazing
too. I cannot recall anything like this. It was a kind of coverage
usually given to a visit by newly elected British prime minister or a
newly elected Israeli prime minister. [Passage omitted: recalls that
he felt humiliated when during former President Eduard Shevardnadze's
visit to the United States the then Georgian president was almost
ignored by the US media]
We should use this. I do not need these meetings in order to collect
photographs of my meetings with world leaders or newspaper articles
about me. This is not my function. All this is an asset that we
will spend for Georgia's development and unification. No-one should
entertain any illusion about this. This is not a goal in itself
or a cause for complacency. We will be happy and content only when
Georgia is a united, peaceful and developed country. This is the main
goal. I am not telling you all this just to brag about my meetings. We
should understand that all this increases our chances of achieving
our main goal.
Georgia not going to send troops to South Ossetia
[Saakashvili] Questions, please.
[Question] Representatives of the de facto government have said
that unofficially [in Washington] you have been given green light to
carry out military operations in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Could
you please comment on this? What is Russia's role?
[Saakashvili] I would like to begin by saying that Georgia takes
decisions on its own. We have immense respect for our devout friend,
the president and the administration of the United States of America.
However, I am not a leader who goes somewhere to get permissions. We
no longer have in this world masters issuing instructions to us. This
is the main appeal of freedom. This is the main appeal of freedom
that I am proud of.
On the other hand, I think this is just the same people crying wolf
again and again. I remember how people were saying two years ago
that we would attack [South Ossetia] next week, in two weeks' time,
in a months' time or in two months' time.
I visited Orpolo [military training ground in southern Georgia]
and I saw a miracle there. What is happening in Orpolo, our army
spread across a vast field, our army that we are putting together
brick by brick, piece by piece, bit by bit from the day I and my
friends occupied these offices. I do not know whether we have ever
had manoeuvres of this kind, involving so many people with so much
training, in the history of Georgia. Probably not. In the past,
Georgians didn't have time for manoeuvres. They moved straight to
business. Men assembled and off they went. They probably didn't hold
major manoeuvres before Didgori [battle in the 12th century]. These
manoeuvres are probably larger than any big battle in our history.
I am saying this because there is talk again that there are troops
in Orpolo from where they will go to Tskhinvali. I would like to
say that the troops are not going to Tskhinvali from there. However,
everyone should know that any attempt to stage acts of provocation
in Georgia, any attempt by anyone to drive people of any nationality
out of any district, or to destabilize the situation in Georgia on
a large scale by attacking energy supply facilities or imposing a
blockade and taking us by the throat [changes tack] - I know that a
scenario for a larger scale energy blockade than we had last winter,
this January to be more precise, is being drawn up for [the coming]
winter. Someone may even have ideas to do something in Georgia. We
will respond in a stronger manner than we ever could in the past.
This does not mean that we want disorder. We do not want disorder
because our economy will grow at a rate greater than nearly anywhere
else in the world. We do not want disorder because billions are
being invested in the country, because tourists have started to come,
because two new airports are being built and because Georgia is once
again becoming a country where good news happen. It is not just about
explosions, murders, eliminations and clashes. No, it is becoming a
country of positive news. I know full well what any kind of military
confrontation means. It means going back to the starting point. It
is clear that we are moving forward. Naturally, I would be happy if
we were moving forward at a much faster pace and I will do everything
for our moving forward to continue at a much faster pace.
Saakashvili to spend summer holiday in reservist camp
By the way, you know about the reservist movement. I am very proud
of these people. I was very pleased when [Georgian rap singer] Leksen
enlisted as a reservist. I assure you that sleeping in a tent, working
out in mud and making 10-km runs every day for two weeks isn't much
of a pleasure. One may enjoy it for one hour but probably not for
two weeks. Many good professionals took leave from their jobs and
enlisted as reservists.
I intend to use my summer leave to spend two weeks at a reservist
camp as an ordinary reservist. The president is a citizen just as
anyone else. He has the right to [annual] leave just as anyone else
does and also has the right to go on holiday wherever he likes. It
will be my pleasure to go on holiday to one of the reservist camps.
You should understand that being a reservist does not mean being in the
army. The army is one thing and the reserve is another. Our reservist
groups can be used in many other ways. I think that this will be a good
page in my biography. I talked to [Defence Minister Irakli] Okruashvili
today. He is already selecting a camp where I can do this job for two
weeks together with other patriots. I am very proud of this by the way.
Next question, please.
Georgia will not bow to Russian pressure
[Question] Good evening. Mr President, the [closure of the] only land
border crossing between Georgia and the Russian Federation [recognized
by Georgia] has caused a new round of tension in Georgian-Russian
relations. The Russian defence minister said that Russia was fortifying
its border with Georgia. A month later, the Larsi border crossing was
closed due to repair works. What can be the reason behind this? How
should we assess this?
[Saakashvili] I think this is precisely what we are saying. This is
a direct response to our talks in Washington. Let us say it openly:
there is an official policy of government change in Georgia. But
it is not about Georgia alone. Georgia has become a symbol for the
Ukrainians, Belarusians, Central Asians and people of many other
regions of the world in the fight for freedom and the protection
of their interests. Our overthrow and strangulation will mean a
major triumph for evil and - I do not want to use a pathetic tone -
opponents of freedom.
Once they realized how much support we have from the West and from the
leader of the western world in particular, the first thing that came
to their minds after some deliberation [changes tack] - apart from
the statements that we should hold a referendum in Abkhazia similar
to the one held in Chechnya. I certainly do not want a referendum
similar to the one in Chechnya to be held in any part of Georgian
territory because in Chechnya the referendum was held at the cost
of 100,000 people being killed, at the cost of every small building
being destroyed, at the cost of an enormous human tragedy.
Is that the kind of referendum they are suggesting that we hold in
Georgia? I can just say that totally unacceptable statements are
being made.
This was their message: You are welcome to travel to Washington but
we will take away your territories. But do you think that they will
not take them away if we don't go? Quite the opposite, they will
take them away if we don't go. This hysterical reaction towards us
is the manifestation of feebleness and some kind of revenge - if you
do this we will do that. But as soon as Georgia loses support of the
free world, Georgia's ill-wishers will carry out their plans. And the
next thing was the closure of Larsi. I can't say that this affects us
economically because Georgian exporters hadn't been using that route
anyway. This is bad for people, particularly for Armenia. I can't
understand what Armenia has done wrong. Armenian goods and people used
this route. Georgian goods were not allowed to use the crossing anyway.
I really have no difficulty talking to President Putin. He is always
an equal and frank interlocutor. By the way, on a personal level,
talking to him is easy for me. I think he is quite a talented man,
a very talented man in defending his country's interests. So we will
talk, we will talk. However, no-one should entertain any illusion,
including ourselves, that if we kneel down and humiliate ourselves
someone will give us back something or will ease pressure. As soon as
they see that we are scared and retreating, that's when our end will
come. This is not in the spirit of the Georgians. [Passage omitted:
says that Georgia was able to overcome the January 2006 energy crisis
because "everyone was mobilized, including children"]
Our people understand that we should respond to such pressure by
consolidation and courage. They should see that we are not scared
and we are not going to fight with each other. Instead, they will
see that we know very well what is behind these attacks. And we will
emerge stronger. Therefore, of course I am not happy that the Larsi
crossing is closed, I am not happy that Georgian wine is banned,
I am not happy and I think Russians themselves are not happy that
they cannot drink Borjomi [mineral water], but [changes tack] -
I can tell you more. Recently, when we visited St Petersburg, our
journalists went to a local restaurant together with their Russian
colleagues. By the way, as it happens, I was not made to wait for
any of my meetings in America, but there [in St Petersburg] it so
happened that the meeting was delayed for several hours. Naturally,
I did not wait and I went to have dinner at a very good restaurant
discovered by my aide Nato Qancheli. Georgian journalists also went
to a restaurant together with their hosts. Georgians never wait for
anyone, humbly standing at the door. A waiter, who did not know that
they were Georgians, told them: We have a good French wine, Chilean
wine and something else, but if you really want to enjoy it, we also
have a smuggled Georgian wine. Now, maybe I should not have said this,
the restaurant may get shut down, but that's what really happened.
This shows that even in that society [changes tack] - they are our
traditional allies. Let's say it, no matter how much racist and
anti-Georgian sentiments are aroused, these are just temporary. We
and Russians have nothing to argue about. I told President Putin that
he and I personally had nothing to argue about. He did not create
these conflicts. I was not here when they were created. Sometimes it
strikes me that if at the time of the Abkhazia war we had had even a
tenth of international support we have today, nothing like that would
have happened. I was a cursed time and cursed circumstances. The huge
tragedy in Abkhazia happened at the most unfavourable time, when the
country was in disorder. We should not make the same mistake again.
No "dramatic changes" planned in government
[Question] There are rumours about possible changes in the cabinet
after [Environment Minister] Giorgi Papuashvili's possible appointment
as a member of the Constitutional Court. Are you going to appoint
Papuashvili there? Which ministers are likely to lose their posts? Will
this affect power-wielding ministers?
[Saakashvili] First of all, I should say that the government is a
living organism. As you know, corrections and changes have been made.
However, the cabinet has been very stable over the past year and a
half. We never hesitated to carry out experiments as well, I always
wanted to achieve an optimal arrangement. Naturally, such changes
will continue, but generally my team will stay as it is. Individuals
may be replaced, generally, but the policy will stay unchanged.
As regards concrete changes, let's see. Decisions about Papuashvili
will be made jointly by me and [parliament speaker] Nino Burjanadze.
We will decide what to do when the parliament chairwoman and I agree.
By the way, Nino Burjanadze is going to address the UN [Security
Council] today and I hope her mission will be successful. It is
important to explain our problems to the UN.
As regards other changes, I do not expect any dramatic changes.
Frankly, lately I have been slightly surprised by hysterical tone
of some political entities. [Passage omitted: criticizes unnamed
opponents for launching personal attacks on "families and personal
dignity of others", says that democracy and free speech is "still the
best system", speaks about Croatia's example of unity in restoring
the country's territorial integrity]