Georgian President slams past government for abandoning the memory of Shindisi heroes to appease Moscow

“Khoshtaria and Japaridze used to declare that Russian money does not stink and that we welcome Russian investment and Russian tourists to Georgia; today, these brazen individuals prevent us from speaking at all and engage directly in Russophobia,” stated President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili.

He added that Georgia’s current government will not allow itself to act on anyone’s instructions.

“For the United National Movement, Russia never became an occupier. Russia became their partner; when Russia needed Georgia’s vote in the World Trade Organisation, they gave them that vote. Russia became the owner of our strategic infrastructure, which was sold to them directly.

Khoshtaria and Japaridze used to state that Russian money does not stink and that we welcome Russian investment and Russian tourists to Georgia. I am speaking of double standards. These brazen people, who today prevent us from speaking altogether, are directly engaged in Russophobia, chasing us with microphones in the hope of catching us out, as though we acknowledge and are partners with the Russians.

It was precisely after the heroism of Antsukhelidze, after the heroism of these fellows, that the government of the day warmed to Russia. Do you know why they warmed to them? Because the order was to warm policy towards Russia. Back then, they remembered neither Antsukhelidze nor the heroes of Shindisi. These shameless people welcomed them directly. When they received the instruction, Russia became their partner. Later, they received an instruction that, following the invasion of Ukraine, aggression and the opening of a second front here were necessary. But there is one catch: today Georgia has a government that serves the national interest and will under no circumstances permit itself to act on anyone’s dictation. The Government of Georgia will act strictly in the interests of the Georgian people, and that is precisely where the battle lies,” declared Kavelashvili.

According to Kavelashvili, Mikheil Saakashvili is merely a representative of foreign assets who makes no secret of his intentions.

“As for Mikheil Saakashvili, the majority of Georgia is united in its view of this figure. His every statement and action is clearly visible to all, leaving no room for doubt. He is merely a representative of foreign assets who does not even conceal his intentions. They gave him an order, he got into a container of sour cream and cottage cheese, and was dispatched to Georgia; they gave him an order, and they carried out that reckless act during those August days; they gave him an order and told him, ‘No, Russia cannot be an occupier and an enemy right now, it must be your partner now, enable its accession to the World Trade Organisation,'” stated Kavelashvili.

As Mikheil Kavelashvili noted, following the Russo-Georgian War, figures from the cultural sector were singing for Russia in the Kremlin.

“Recall the words of Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen, who said that in 2012 they forced Saakashvili to lose the election and step down. How can you run around today, 18 years later, with posters of Antsukhelidze when, two years after the war, you were standing at Larsi welcoming Russian tourists, selling strategic infrastructure to Russia, unilaterally abolishing the visa regime, and begging for investment? These ladies and gentlemen, these cultural workers, were singing for Russia there in the Kremlin after the war. I do not know what to call these people. ‘People without a homeland’ is, I believe, the most fitting epithet,” noted Kavelashvili.