GEORGIA: Georgia had no intention of putting down pro-Russian separatist movements within its borders by force, President Mikheil Saakachvili told the European Parliament yesterday.
In a wide-ranging address, he denied hostile intent towards the rebel provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. "The Ossetian and Abkhaz peoples are our fellow citizens and our brothers," he said.
"Georgia is ready for compromise. Our disputes continue because they are based on recidivist territorial claims - remnants from the Soviet period when an empire collapsed and elites sought to retain their privileges and fiefdoms."
Recalling time spent in the French city, he said: "That we meet in Strasbourg is especially meaningful to me. It was here as a young student, coming fresh from the Soviet Union, that I first discovered Europe in all its diversity and richness. It was here I first learned about human rights and the . . .obligation of the state to protect rather than persecute.
"And it was here that I dared to dream that one day what I studied could be applied to my own country." At a press conference later, Mr Saakachvili said Georgia was "strongly in favour" of EU involvement.
He rejected Russian demands to more than double the price of gas supplies to his country: "We are not willing and we will not pay $230 (€180) because this is not a commercial price."
Commenting on the result of a vote for independence in South Ossetia, he said: "It is not a legal referendum because only one part of the population took part."