In Quotes: MPs, Analysts’ Reaction to Putin-Saakashvili Talks

Political analysts in Georgia say that although the meeting between the Russian and Georgian Presidents was in itself a positive step, the talks gave no reason for much optimism that ties between the two counties will improve in the near future.

Analysts’ Reaction

Alex Rondeli, President of Tbilisi-based think-tank Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS):
“The first result is that the personal relations between the two Presidents has been restored. Secondly, both Presidents expressed their willingness to continue having a dialogue, which was previously suspended. We should hope that other state structures will also be engaged in this dialogue.
 
The statements made at the press conference were aimed for internal consumption. However, what was said during the meeting behind closed-doors is interesting, because if it was the same as was said [during the press conference], there will be no progress.
 
It was also very interesting that during the press conference Putin said very openly and stressed that Russia is establishing economic control over Georgia. There was no sign that positions have changed regarding conflict resolution issues.

Giorgi Khelashvili, political analyst:
“As anticipated, the meeting yielded no results; however the fact that this meeting occurred is itself important. Although it was expected that on the eve of the G8 Summit the western powers would pressure Russia to make conciliatory steps towards Georgia, this did not happen and neither of the sides compromised.
 
One thing that was obvious was that Putin has scored points by giving consent to meet with Saakashvili, who arrived in Russia to beg for alms. But it is unclear what Saakashvili wanted and what he will bring back, as it seems that the Georgian side’s expectations, both in respects to the economic issues and the conflicts, have been frustrated.”
 
Archil Gegeshidze, political analyst:
“The fact is that Russian-Georgian relations have entered a critical phase and are at an all time low. This meeting was an attempt to make a breakthrough in a persisting standstill, because the continuation of the status-quo was already impossible and it is not in the interests of any country, especially Georgia. Unfortunately, the positions have not come closer; however a meeting at the presidential level should be held periodically in order to defuse tensions.

MPs’ Reaction

Parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party hailed President Saakashvili on June 14 for “showing a patriotic stance” during a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after talks. But some opposition lawmakers noted that this meeting and the press conference were used by both Presidents for internal consumption rather than for achieving any tangible results.
 
MP Giga Bokeria of the National Movement Party:
“Georgia had long waited for a President who would say the truth at all levels and everywhere as convincingly as we witnessed yesterday and we are proud of it.”

MP Ivliane Khaindrava of the opposition Republican Party:
“I hope the authorities will not create an illusion of a foreign policy triumph from these talks. The sides have not reached any serious agreements and both remain at the same position as was anticipated, because these positions are too far away from each other. Both Presidents used the joint press conference not for addressing each other but for sending messages to their own populations and for internal consumption.”

MP Kakha Kukava of the opposition Conservative Party:
“The meeting, which aimed at defusing tensions between the two countries, yielded no results. There was neither compromise, nor any success. A tense tone, which probably persisted during the talks, was quite obvious during the press conference as well.”

MP Davit Gamkrelidze, leader of the opposition New Rights Party:
“It is clear that the Russian President has further stepped up his hard line stance in respect to conflict resolution issues and further confirmed his position regarding the conflicts, while making references to the necessity of holding referendums in the conflict zones. This is extremely alarming… It was a formal meeting on the eve of the G8 summit and I think after the G8 summit Russia will further step up its pressure on Georgia.”

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