What Led Us to 2008 War, or the Realization of Russian Policy “Nationally”

7 August 2015

The article by Mr. Paata Zakareishvili in newspaper "Kviris Palitra," August 8, 2014 6 years have passed since Russia-Georgia War, however the high-profile officials of the then Government of Georgia, including the former President Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili continue efforts to avoid responsibility for this war. Mr. Saakashvili still makes a reference about current government being pro-Russian or providing a pleasant gift to Mr. Vladimir Putin through filing a charge against Mr. Saakashvili at the dawn of anniversary to the war.

Mr. Giorgi Kandelaki, one of the public figures of the "National Movement" personally accused me of collaborating with KGB on 7th August, before the six years anniversary of the war. I think it has to be ultimately clarified to what extent the Georgian Government acted in accordance with the Russian scenario during the August 2008 War.

Yet, all those steps that enabled Russia take the upper hand are not well elaborated. Almost certainly, it comes as a no surprise that leaders of Russian government would have done all the best to make their way out, but the then Government of Georgia kept up the pace with the series of events, later unfolding into Moscow’s military aggression and "no alternative" to its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Figuring out why things went this way - whether it was the chain of mistakes, a naive trust for Kremlin or a deliberate crime - hopefully will not take a lot of time. Nevertheless, the outcome is the following - the war, occupation and recognition - or the Russian interest fully carried out in Georgia and this was encouraged by the team which continuously accuses the incumbent government of being pro-Russian and serving for Russian interests.

In order to clearly distinguish when and how the "National Movement" began, continued and completed playing with the rules of Russian politics, let us reflect on the important events and recollections before, during and after the war. Whilst speaking on the recollections, it is worth noting that personally Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili often reflects on various fragments of the war without making a reference to any kind of document or proof in support of these memories. Usually, his narratives are controversial, and normally the question arises - whether the former president tells the truth or tries to find an excuse for his own fragility and mistakes through being simply a gossip? In his recollections, Mr. Saakashvili is sometimes assured that Russia would not start a war and required just couple of weeks for a successful operation in Tskhinvali, whereas sometimes he reflects on how, not only his high-profile western friends, but Vladimir Putin himself, was warning him about the expected war.

First signs that Georgian Government started playing with the rules of Russian politics revealed back in 2006 - with regard to Abkhazia - the Georgian policy marked changes in Kodori Gorge through stationing the Armed Forces of Georgia and - with regard to South Ossetia - it established the Temporary Administration of South Ossetia Autonomous District. Further, the events demonstrated that these two projects supported Russia to take an easy command of Kodori Gorge and Akhalgori district.

These are the narratives, estimates, pledges and illusions of Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili and other leaders of the then Government of Georgia: for him, the sings that Moscow was not going to make any concessions on Abkhazia and South Ossetia was obvious during the events in Adjara region in 2004. Mr. Saakashvili reminded about it in his interview with Rustavi 2 TV Station on August 7, 2013. In particular, speaking about the events in Adjara, he reflects on his conversation with Mr. Putin: "He [Putin] told me that he would help us with Adjara, but we would not have a similar support in the case of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali." Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili frequently indicated his conversations and written correspondence with Mr. Putin and others, but, as I have mentioned, he has never made a reference to any kind record or document in support of this.

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