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Front News Georgia
Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili on Saturday criticised the country’s former government over its handling of events leading up to the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, saying it had failed to prevent the military confrontation and bore responsibility for the consequences.
Speaking to reporters at the Mukhatgverdi military cemetery, Kavelashvili also referred to an ongoing dispute over whether the anniversary of the war should be marked on Aug. 7 or Aug. 8.
“For years, this date was commemorated today, but that changed and it is now marked on Aug. 7. I want to address the public: during those tragic days 18 years ago, our country was governed by a completely helpless government that failed to avert a military confrontation and prevent the tragedy that followed. That is their personal responsibility,” Kavelashvili said.
He said investigations and other findings had since provided the public with a clearer picture of the actions taken by the government at the time.
Kavelashvili also questioned the former government’s subsequent policy towards Russia, citing the sale of strategic assets, Georgia’s consent to Russia joining the World Trade Organization, the unilateral abolition of visa requirements for Russian citizens and efforts to attract Russian tourists.
“The enemy was seizing territories and the country was suffering losses, yet afterwards they managed to establish relations with this same enemy, the so-called occupier,” Kavelashvili said.
He contrasted that record with the policies pursued by the current government, saying Georgia had secured favourable outcomes in international legal proceedings related to the conflict.
“Under our government, in every international format and institution, whether in Strasbourg or The Hague, the cases were decided in our favour. The state prevailed in every dispute, and it was established that Russia is an occupying power and that it occupies our territory,” Kavelashvili said.
“These are facts,” he added.
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Mikheil Kavelashvili
