Nino Burjanadze, ex-parliamentary speaker and leader of opposition Democratic Movement-United Georgia, said President Saakashvili was playing “a dangerous game” by “poking” Russia over its troubled North Caucasus region.

“Everyone is well aware of how painful and difficult this issue is for Russia. What [happens] if you are get one more hit from bear's paw as a result of permanently provoking Russia on this issue? No one will blame [Russia] and we have already seen that no one came here with their tanks to stop Russian tanks,” Burjanadze told journalists on October 21.