UNM’s Baramidze: President Saakashvili will say what he thinks is right; if critics haven’t read Homer and the Greek classics, it’s their problem

“President Saakashvili has his own message to deliver, his own stance, and his own battle, and he will say whatever he deems necessary. The simple truth is that his critics have nothing better to talk about, so they can amuse themselves with this,” stated United National Movement member Gia Baramidze.

Baramidze was commenting on a statement made by former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who had remarked: “I saw the deep philosophical essence of Odysseus. Consider Penelope as the reins of power in Georgia, and her suitors as the Georgian ‘opposition’, who realise that I am far better suited to Penelope. The return of Odysseus is truly worth it for all of this, even if it ultimately demands his ultimate sacrifice.”

According to Baramidze, if someone has not read Homer or Greek literature, that is entirely their own problem.

“In real history and mythology, there are various figures we frequently cite in our arguments, and nothing is surprising about that. If someone hasn’t read Homer or the Greek authors, that is their problem. If someone lacks the capacity to comprehend something, it may seem foreign to them. President Saakashvili is the founder of the modern Georgian state. Whether we like this man or not, the fact remains that he built a country out of a non-existent state; this state had no electricity, no running water, no pensions, and the army went unpaid. Saakashvili built a state that the World Bank hailed as the world’s number one reformer and the world’s leading fighter against corruption.

Our society saw the level of crime before the Rose Revolution, and how we tackled crime during Saakashvili’s tenure. We slashed taxes by 60 per cent, and because money was no longer lining the bureaucrats’ pockets, the state budget grew elevenfold. A modern army and customs service were established, Public Service Halls were created, and corruption was reduced. In these circumstances, what is so surprising about President Saakashvili voicing his thoughts and drawing parallels? They have nothing else to talk about, so they can amuse themselves over it. President Saakashvili has his own message, his own path, and his own fight, and he will say whatever he deems necessary,” Baramidze noted.

Furthermore, Baramidze stated that the United National Movement has not violated the Opposition Alliance agreement.

“We remain members. Despite positions being very different and even conflicting on many issues, the fact that these parties are together is important. We are no longer active there, but that is due to other reasons, including the fact that certain members of the Alliance have nothing better to think about than what comment to make about Saakashvili and how to attack him instead of Bidzina Ivanishvili. This applies to other so-called opposition forces as well, not only to the Alliance. My friends, adjust your focus: Bidzina Ivanishvili is a Kremlin-backed Russian oligarch installed atop the Georgian government, leading us towards the Russian quagmire via his puppets. Let us address that first. Once we peacefully send this regime packing, we can debate these and other matters,” Gia Baramidze declared.