Burjanadze Slams Russia for ‘Confrontation’

Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said on April 30 Russia had chosen “the path of confrontation” with Georgia.

“It is very regrettable that Russia has chosen such a confrontational way. We have numerously said that our way does not pass through confrontation with Russia and other countries. But naturally, this way can be non-confrontational only if Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the norms of international law are respected,” Burjanadze told reporters on April 30.

“What Russia is doing there [in Abkhazia] now cannot be explained logically. Russia is challenging not only Georgia, but the entire international community,” she added. “When the OSCE, UN, NATO, EU and individual states are calling on Russia to stop such actions, Russia makes five statements per day [a reference to April 29, when the Russian Foreign Ministry issued four separate statements and the Russian Defense Ministry one] in order to more complicate the situation.”

Burjanadze also commented on President Saakashvili’s proposals to the Abkhaz and South Ossetian peoples to build a unified state. The separatist leaders have both rejected the idea. 

“I am sure that the Abkhazian and Ossetian peoples understand very well what the real interest of these two nations is and this interest differs from the interests of those leaders, who speak upon Russia’s dictates,” Burjanadze said. “Russia’s interest does not coincide with the interests of Abkhazians and Ossetians. Russia is interested in these territories and it is ridiculous to say that Russia cares for the fates of Abkhazians and Ossetians.”

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