Paata Zakareishvili: “Impartial Investigation into August Armed Conflict Will Build Trust of Abkhaz and Ossetian People to the New Government “

Paata Zakareishvili, State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration Issues, believes impartial investigation into the 2008 August Armed Conflict will build confidence of Abkhazian/Ossetian people to the new government of Georgia.

Zakareishvili made the above statement in respond to the statement of Thea Tsulukiani, Minister of Justice, who said President Saakashvili and some other officials might be questioned with regard to the 2008 August Armed Conflict.

“It is a very important issue, because former government of Georgia blames only Russia in everything, but occupation would not have happened without wrong activities of the Georgian side. Saakashvili personally claimed several times that according to his information Russia did not care about Tskhinvali; somebody was deceiving him. Merabishvili even named that person – general Kulakhmetov assured the president that Russia did not care about Tskhinvali. We have political questions and if Tsulukiani has judicial questions, it’s her prerogative, her authority and the case must be investigated. I will not interfere in the activities of the prosecutor office. Generally, investigation of this tragedy will assist the government. If it shows that Georgian side made mistakes, it will be very bad, but the truth is always a solution. By investigating this case we will succeed to make Ossetian and Abkhazian societies more confident to the new government.  If all questions are answered both politically and legally, if Ossetian and Abkhazian people see that the new government of Georgia is not afraid to tell the truth, it will have positive impact on our relations,” Zakareishvili said.  

He added that any conflict will be resolved by estimating the truth.

“We are always scared with Russian beast, but Russia’s position is not the main point. Georgian interests are the most important. We are not afraid of Russia, we just need the truth. I cannot talk about anybody’s guiltiness – the prosecutor’s office shall decide it, but if the former government had not committed crime, then they have nothing to hide. There is nothing dangerous.  For example, if I did not commit a crime, why should I be afraid of either going to the prosecutor’s office or any other investigation agencies? It is necessary to clear up the truth, which led us to occupation.  We might find out that Georgian side was innocent and we will appreciate it however first everything shall be cleared up,” said Zakareishvili.

News Agency “Pirveli”