Russia Major Threat to Georgia’s NATO Membership – MP

Russian intimidation is the only possible obstacle to Georgia joining NATO, Giga Bokeria, a senior lawmaker from the ruling party, said on October 19. Europe, he said, should not allow the process to be derailed because of this intimidation.

He said the April 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest would be crucial, as it could see Georgia joining NATO Membership Action Plan.

“Of course there is no 100% guarantee that it will happen,” Bokeria said. “The major threat to this process – let’s be blunt – is Russia’s policy of intimidation. Our position is very clear: the west, Europe, should not base its policy on this intimidation.”

He was speaking with Georgian reporters in Lisbon, where ruling party leaders, including President Saakashvili, are attending the Summit of the European People’s Party.

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