About Civil.ge
Eng | Geo | Rus
Last updated: 10:55 - 1 May.'18
RSS
Mobile
Twitter
Facebook
‘Russian Pullout Positive, but Struggle far from Over’ – Saakashvili
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 22 Aug.'08 / 23:53

President Saakashvili said that Russia had started withdrawing troops from towns deep inside Georgian territory as a result of “enormous international pressure.” He said it was “a positive” trend.

At a meeting of the country’s National Security Council late on August 22, Saakashvili said that a few days ago the capital, Tbilisi, had come close to falling into Russia’s hands.

“But we should have no illusion that the struggle is over,” he said in remarks aired live on Georgian television. “The restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity is unimaginable without true internationalization of peacekeeping.”

Although Russian troops have withdrawn from the town of Gori and from some other locations, they still control the entrance to the strategic port town of Poti and some other location in western Georgia.

“Our troops were able to prevent the advance of the huge Russian armies for three days, before the world woke up,” Saakashvili said. “Despite our numerous warnings [about a possible Russian invasion], no one paid any attention… I myself could not imagine that such a large-scale incursion would have occurred.”

“It was absolutely impossible to prevent what has happened when no one [referring to the international community] was [prepared to] intervene.”

“But now we have unprecedented international support,” he added.

Saakashvili also warned that “several very tough months” are ahead for Georgia.

“As never before, we now need unity and consolidation,” he said, adding that all political forces in Georgia “with very minor exceptions” had shown unity and had responded adequately to the unfolding crisis.

He also told the government to document “each and every case of ethnic cleansing.” “Each and every perpetrator should be held responsible,” Saakashvili added.

Latest News
01 May.'18 10:55
We Have Moved to a New Platform
Direct Your Bookmarks to https://civil.ge.
29 Apr.'18 03:54
Ruling Party Candidate Wins MP By-Elections
Givi Chichinadze will represent Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency in the Parliament of Georgia.
28 Apr.'18 09:40
Polls Open for Vani and Khoni MP By-Elections
48,123 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency.
27 Apr.'18 17:23
State Dept’s Europe Affairs Point Man to Visit Tbilisi
Wess Mitchell will meet senior government officials and address the NATO-Georgia Public Diplomacy Forum.
27 Apr.'18 13:45
In Quotes: Georgian Politicians on Ex-PM Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Comeback
Bidzina Ivanishvili will be approved as the Georgian Dream party chairman at the upcoming convention.
26 Apr.'18 18:15
SG Jens Stoltenberg: Georgia NATO’s ‘Very Close’ Partner
The NATO Secretary General says Foreign Ministers meeting tomorrow will recognize the country’s progress.
26 Apr.'18 14:24
Ex-PM Ivanishvili to Chair Georgian Dream Party
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Ivanishvili was ‘best equipped’ to add new dynamism to the party.
26 Apr.'18 11:12
Lawmaker Proposes Criminal Liability for ‘Insult of Religious Feelings’
The parliamentary human rights committee decided to set up a working group for scrutinizing the draft law.
25 Apr.'18 17:21
New Abkhaz Government Head Appointed
Gennady Gagulia has served as the Abkhaz “prime minister” twice - in 1995-1997, and 2002-2003.
25 Apr.'18 14:43
Watchdog Improves Georgia’s Press Freedom Ranking
None of the countries of the former Soviet Union (except the Baltics) are ranked ahead of Georgia.

About Civil Georgia
Civil.Ge © 2001-2025, Daily News Online
Registered office: 2 Dolidze Str, 4-th Floor.
23