Saakashvili 'Invites' Abkhazia, South Ossetia Back into Georgia

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili pictured speaking at the UN General Assembly. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili surprisingly invited the breakaway republics Abkhazia and South Ossetia to re-join Georgia.

In his speech at the UN General Assembly, Saakashvili offered his vision of a united Caucasus region, and repeated slammed Russia for its role there. He did, however, invite the Moscow leadership to take part in "the transformation of the region."

Addressing to Abkhazians and Ossetians, Saakashvili reiterated that Georgia wanted to resolve conflicts only through peaceful means and said: "We will protect your rights, your culture, your history."

"Rather than succumb to annexation by the Russian Empire, we invite you to build together with us a multicultural and multi-ethnic society that would be a regional model for tolerance and respect. I dream about the day when an Abkhaz or Ossetian citizen of Georgia... will become President of a reunited, democratic and European Georgia," he declared, as cited by Civil Georgia.

Saakashvili went as far as suggesting that Russia will reverse its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. That is why, he called upon Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru to reverse their decision to recognize the two breakaway republics.

"It is never too late to overturn a bad policy... Imagine how uncomfortable these three isolated leaders from faraway countries will be when Moscow itself chooses to comply with international law and withdraw its troops? Because, ladies and gentlemen, that day will come," Saakashvili said.

He said Russia, which "claimed a military victory in 2008 now face a diplomatic and political defeat."

"In Moscow, the occupation and annexation will soon be debated. They are in fact already debated in the corridors of the Kremlin," Saakashvili said.

He also said the changes Georgia was undergoing through were irreversible and would survive his presidency, which ends in 2013. The Georgian people, he said, would "mightily resist any attempts to reverse these changes - no matter if those attempts come from inside or from abroad."

"If there is clear support from the international community, I am convinced that a lasting peace can be secured in the Caucasus," Saakashvili concluded.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia after the August 2008 war between Georgia and Russia. So far they have been recognized only by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Nauru but are enjoying massive Russian support and aid.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!