Saakashvili Speaks of S.Ossetia

In an interview with the Russian daily Kommersant published on February 27 Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili reiterated that his government is committed to solving the South Ossetian conflict solely through peaceful means. He said that this will be a long process, but the most effective way.

“Any human life is a precious one and especially here [in the Caucasus region]. I know this very well and I know the price of victory gained through this [use of force]. Look at Abkhazia – only 10-15% of the pre-war population lives there currently; look at Chechnya. The most correct way [is] the patient way. It is a longer [way], but much more effective,” Saakashvili said.

He said that the decision to use force in South Ossetia can only be made by the President. “But I am not naturally going to make this decision… But I also think that it is no longer possible to preserve the current situation there. It is impossible to live permanently in a military camp,” Saakashvili said, referring to the conflict zone.

He also said that South Ossetia is currently ruled by Russian officers, sent there by Moscow.

“There is only one Ossetian – [South Ossetian leader Eduard] Kokoity – among their so called ‘leadership.’ All others are Russian [military officials] who have been sent there to govern this small territory,” he added.
 
Saakashvili also said in the interview that he takes an “extremely negative” stance in regards to making parallels between the cases of Kosovo and South Ossetia.

“The independence of Kosovo is really a problematic issue. It is problematic because there are many territories similar to Kosovo. Of course the creation of a precedent is very risky. I would think it over many times before making a decision. South Ossetia should not be compared to Kosovo. It [South Ossetia] is like a chessboard with mix of Georgian and Ossetian villages,” the Georgian President said.

He said that the Georgian Parliament’s February 15 resolution on the Russian peacekeepers stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone does not designate an immediate demand to withdraw the Russian peacekeepers.

“This resolution does not mean an immediate withdrawal [of the Russian troops], but the launching of consultations with Russia… If Russia is willing, the South Ossetian problem could be solved in two days. I am not exaggerating,” Saakashvili said.