Saakashvili Rules Out Russia’s ‘Military Adventure’ after Obama-Medvedev Meeting
President Saakashvili said that he was “very pleased” that U.S. and Russian Presidents “disagreed” over Georgia during the meeting in London on April 1.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, the two Presidents said: “Although we disagree about the causes and sequence of the military actions of last August, we agreed that we must continue efforts toward a peaceful and lasting solution to the unstable situation today.”
“I am very pleased that one of the major issues on which Obama and Medvedev seriously disagreed yesterday during the meeting, and which is on the top of the list of priorities, is Georgia and the issue of occupation of Georgia,” Saakashvili said.
He was speaking with a group of TV reporters in the Black Sea port after visiting U.S. naval frigate, Klakring, which makes a three-day port call in Batumi.
“I am noting this with pleasure, because some in Russia had illusion that the United States would have traded Georgia off in exchange for Afghanistan and for relations with Iran. Nothing of that kind has happened. The Georgian issue – and I have information about it from Washington – was raised on a very important level during this meeting,” Saakashvili said.
“So we have very firm support from the U.S. administration. You know that the U.S. general [James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] visited Georgia two days ago and that we are moving to a new stage of strategic partnership, which means completely new level of [cooperation] and in fact [means] launch of creation of new Georgian army.”
“We have no other alternative,” he continued. “Georgia needs strong allies; Georgia needs further development and Georgia needs to act hand in hand with our friends to rule out problems.”
“In this situation, especially after the yesterday’s meeting in London [between the Russian and U.S. Presidents], I practically rule out any further Russian military adventures against Georgia. And on the other hand of course, Georgia will not be happy until the de-occupation of Georgia and until the last invader soldier does not leave the territory of Georgia.”
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