Ruling party honorary chair did not accidentally mention West’s alleged provoking of 2008 war – political analyst

Zaal Anjaparidze, a Georgian political analyst, claimed on Wednesday that Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, did not accidentally use the word “instruction” in connection to the West’s alleged provocation of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.

“The most important part of Ivanishvili’s speech yesterday was the reference to the role of the West in provoking the 2008 war. He did not accidentally mention the word ‘order’ and the execution of this order by then-President Mikheil Saakashvili and the United National Movement,” Anjaparidze said.

The analyst, who frequently supports government actions, alleged that this revelation could be based on evidence and might further strain relations between Georgia and its western allies.

Anjaparidze added, “Imagine the mood of Georgian society, including the very pro-Western ones, if they were convinced that the West had a hand in the August 2008 war.”

The domestic opposition and civil sector accuse Ivanishvili, whom they consider the real ruler of the country, of harboring pro-Russian sentiments. They claim that Ivanishvili and the ruling power are taking actions to derail Georgia from its Euro-Atlantic course.