Burjanadze’s Party Blames Authorities for ‘Provocative Steps’

An intention by Georgian lawmakers to extend hand of cooperation to colleagues from Russia’s North Caucasus republics “bypassing” Moscow, accompanied by talk on Russia’s possible invasion is “yet another provocative step” by the Georgian leadership, Democratic Movement-United Georgia (DMUG), party led by ex-parliamentary speaker Nino Burjanadze, said in a statement.

Speaking to an audience in London-based think-tank Chatham House on February 17, President Saakashvili said he was worried that Russia’s “new invasion remains possible.” He also said that if Russia’s “bullies are not challenged they become bolder.”

On February 19 a newly established inter-faction group in the Georgian Parliament for friendship with the legislative bodies of Russia’s North Caucasus republics, announced that it had drafted a letter of “friendship and cooperation”, which would be sent to their colleagues in the North Caucasus republics.

The Georgian lawmakers from the group, which held its inaugural session on February 19, say that current tense relations between Tbilisi and Moscow should in no way hinder attempts to keep “historically friendly” ties between the peoples of the Caucasus.

“The North Caucasians should know, that they are on Georgia’s mind and no matter how political processes develop, we will undertake efforts to have firm and stable relations with our North Caucasian brothers,” Nugzar Tsiklauri, a ruling party lawmaker from the group, said. “I wish our relations to become more active in various fields including science, cultural relations and contacts between political leaders.”

In a written statement, the ex-parliamentary chairperson’s party said that “friendly relations with the peoples of Caucasus are very important” and there had long been a need to undertake attempts in that direction.

“But unfortunately no such steps have been undertaken and making this kind of statement now, in such a situation, is obviously of provocative nature, which can serve as a pretext for a very tough reaction by Russia,” DMUG said in the statement.

DMUG called on the Georgian lawmakers not to endorse such appeal and on international community “to appropriately assess and react on President Saakashvili’s reckless and provocative steps”, which, it said, were increasing chances of “yet another war.”

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)