Okruashvili, Saakashvili Make Joint Statement

?I am going, but I?ll be back very soon where my heart belongs ? in the army,? Irakli Okruashvili said on November 20.

Okruashvili was speaking at a joint news conference with President Saakashvili and Giorgi Arveladze, chief of the President?s Administration. The latter has been appointed as Economy Minister replacing Okruashvili, who quitted the government on November 17 just a week after his appointment on the Economy Minister?s position. 

?The reason of my presence here is those words which are encrypted on our national emblem: strength is in unity. It will be impossible to make our dream ? restoration of Georgia?s territorial integrity ? come through without following this slogan? I will be back very soon to accomplish the job, which still needs to be accomplished? It makes no difference whether I will be a minister, or just a soldier, I will be back,? Okruashvili said.

Okruashvili was replaced from the Defense Minister?s position and appointed as Economy Minister on November 10.

Before Okruashvili’s remarks at the news conference, President Saakashvili said Okruashvili will take courses in political-defense issues abroad.

?From the very beginning Irakli was telling me that he wanted to quit the Defense Minister?s position and wanted to increase his qualification and education in the political-defense sphere abroad. I requested him that it would have been better for him to be the Economy Minister, but he adhered to his position very strongly and I respect his decision. I love Irakli very much. Although I thought that he would have been very good Economy Minister,? Saakashvili said.

?He has lots of offers about his future study? We will be very happy if our most important friend and teammate will continue his activities in this regard and it will be a good example for entire state apparatus and I totally support him in this regard,? Saakashvili said.

?Look, he seems to be very glad and he has a smile on his face,? Saakashvili added, referring to Okruashvili standing next to him.

Saakashvili strongly dismissed allegations that recent changes in the cabinet are sign of crisis.

?It seems that people have forgotten what a real crisis looks like? Those countries, which make troubles to Georgia have crisis and we will have no crisis despite their efforts,? Saakashvili said.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)