Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on September 29 that Russia?s decision to evacuate part of its Embassy staff and their family members from Georgia was ?an excessive move,? as there is no security threat to Russian citizens in Georgia.
A Russian Emergency Ministry Ilyushin cargo plane with over 100 Russian citizens onboard took off from Tbilisi International Airport on September 29 following Russia?s decision to launch a ?partial evacuation? of its citizens after a spy row erupted between Russia and Georgia.
?Everybody knows that the Russians did not face, are facing or will ever face any threat in Georgia. Georgian people are very hospitable and this is widely known. Therefore, staging this kind of shows about evacuation of Russian citizens is simply a propagandistic gesture and I think that it was an extra measure,? Saakashvili told reporters.
Georgian President said that he had phone conversations with number of foreign leaders, but did not specify them. Later, media sources reported that Saakashvili has also talked with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
?I think everybody accepts Georgia?s position with understanding. Everyone should understand that Georgia is not a field where everybody can gather whatever he wants. This is a state, we have our rules, we have our interests, and we have our laws, which act on the entire territory of Georgia. Our major task was to eradicate and neutralize sabotage, spy network. We are fulfilling this task very well,? Saakashvili said.
?Our people should keep calm. Georgia is protected. The Georgian authorities know what they are doing. We will act in frames of a civilized dialogue,? he added.
Saakashvili reiterated again that nobody, either Georgians or foreigners, will face any threat in Georgia. ?These people are probably more defended in Georgia rather than in their native countries,? he said.
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