Irakli Kobakhidze: Saying the Conflict Escalated Into War Means the Saakashvili Government Started the War, Which They Disgracefully Signed Off On

A Council of Europe resolution states that the conflict entered a phase of large-scale hostilities following the shelling of Tskhinvali by the Saakashvili government, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told journalists.

According to Kobakhidze, “large-scale hostilities” effectively means war and, therefore, saying that the conflict escalated into war means that the Saakashvili government started it.

“Unfortunately, the resolution does not say ‘the Saakashvili regime’; it says ‘the Georgian side,’ but I phrase it differently when I quote it. It states that the conflict entered the phase of large-scale hostilities. Large-scale hostilities mean war. Saying that the conflict escalated into war means that the Saakashvili regime started the war, and this is stated word for word in the Council of Europe resolution, which they disgracefully signed,” Kobakhidze said.

“The resolution goes on to say other things as well, including referring to Russia’s response. It says that the shelling of Tskhinvali was followed by Russia’s response, and they signed off on that,” the Prime Minister added.