Saakashvili: Georgia at the Center of World Politics

President Saakashvili said on September 7 he was now convinced more than ever that Georgia’s territorial integrity would be restored through “unimaginable” international support, which Georgia had gained after the war with Russia.

In a televised meeting with farmers in the town of Telavi in the eastern region of Kakheti, Saakashvili said if before the war the Abkhazia and South Ossetia conflicts were “forgotten” and “frozen,” now they were a matter for the entire world.

“Despite Russia’s expectations, Georgia has not been left alone [internationally],” he said. “The Russians prepared everything in advance: propaganda; clichés; who started [the war]; how to provide media coverage; [Russia] bribed politicians and journalists throughout the world; they have lots of money; but it was all thwarted.”

“These conflicts were forgotten and frozen; but today the entire world says that Georgia’s territorial integrity should be protected; today the entire world states that this is their issue and not just a matter between Georgia and Russia.”

“Georgia has become the center of world politics,” he added.

“Various politicians’ popularity and electability is now based on their [views] on Georgia and this is so in huge and very important countries,” Saakashvili said without specifying the countries, but added “these are countries of decisive importance.”

He also said that “the return of our territories” and “the peaceful reunification of Georgia” were major goals.

“I am convinced now as never before that Georgia’s territorial integrity will be restored. It will not be an easy process. This is now a matter between furious Russia and the rest of the world,” Saakashvili said.

Two or three months ago some European ambassadors, he said, had been saying: ‘we have no time for Georgia, we have firstly to deal with Iraq, Afghanistan.’

“But just take a look at what is happening now: both [presidential] candidates in the Unite States say that they have two major issues: terrorism and Georgia. It [the situation in Georgia] is a major issue of internal politics in Europe, including in Britain, France; and it goes without saying that this is the case in our traditional allies in eastern Europe. And unfortunately this issue has triggered a governmental crisis in Ukraine.”

In his speech, Saakashvili also spoke briefly about the “unimaginable heroism and bravely” of the Georgian people and the Georgian army, which, he said, “managed to contain overwhelming enemy force for several days.”

“Over a hundred of our soldiers died,” Saakashvili said, but added: “The damage inflicted on the enemy is unimaginably high.”

Saakashvili also said that apart from the USD 1 billion aid package from the United States, “as far as I know we will also receive several billion from Europe and various international institutions.”

“That is more than enough to keep our currency strong,” Saakashvili said, adding that the financial collapse seen in Georgia in the early 1990s would not be repeated due to huge international aid.

He also said that if spend appropriately, the international aid would help the country to develop its economy and infrastructure, which eventually would turn Georgia into “a developed European country, which will be a NATO member.”

“Meantime, I am absolutely sure, that Russian imperialism’s retreat will continue,” he said. “They thought the revival of [Russian] imperialism would start from Georgia.”