Saakashvili government bears full responsibility for 2008 Russia-Georgia war, Kaladze

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said the government led by then-President Mikheil Saakashvili bears full responsibility for the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, arguing that Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's recent comments were based on an official resolution signed by the Georgian authorities at the time.

Kaladze was responding to comments by the de facto authorities in Tskhinvali regarding Kobakhidze's statements on the August 2008 war.

"Kobakhidze cited what is written in the resolution. Nothing else was said. The resolution was signed. What the regime did at the time was a treacherous act. Of course, full responsibility lies with the government of that time, represented by Saakashvili and his regime," Kaladze said.

He argued that political decisions taken by the previous government had produced consequences that Georgia continues to face.

Kaladze also rejected attempts by former government officials to present the events differently, pointing to what he described as documentary evidence, including video footage, official orders and the relevant resolution.

"There are specific video recordings and orders signed by Mikheil Saakashvili. Look at all of this and you will find the answers to every question," Kaladze said.

"Use the resolution as a document. Everything is there, based on specific facts. If things did not happen this way, then why did they sign that resolution?" he added.

Kaladze further argued that the previous government's policies contributed directly to the events of August 2008 and said those responsible should ultimately be held accountable.

Asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that a plan for Russia's intervention in Georgia had been signed as early as 2006, Kaladze said that, if the previous Georgian government had known about such preparations, its failure to take appropriate measures would make the situation even more serious.

"If they knew that such an adventure was being prepared and did not act or pursue the appropriate policy, that makes the reality I am talking about even more serious," Kaladze said.

He argued that preparations for the war would have been a process rather than something that emerged suddenly.

"Surely they knew all of this very well, because there are relevant services working in every area. They should have had information about it, especially when it was being discussed publicly on television," he said.

Kaladze added that if the authorities had known the country was facing a major threat but failed to take appropriate political steps, that would constitute "a very serious fact and a major crime."

"The fact that the country failed to avoid the war was the result of the policy pursued through Saakashvili's adventurous actions," Kaladze said.