“Occupation” has become the word of the day in Georgia after US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called for ending Russia's “occupation” of Georgia.
Responding from Moscow on July 6 , Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin cautioned that "occupation" is in the eye of the beholder.
“Some believe that South Ossetia is occupied, others [believe it is] liberated,” Putin said, and advised Tbilisi to keep Washington out of Georgia’s problems. Instead, he continued, Georgia should deal directly with South Ossetia and Abkhazia rather than via "third countries; in particular, the US."
“America is America, Georgia is Georgia, [South] Ossetia is [South] Ossetia,” Putin observed. “It is not necessary to rely on somebody and expect manna from heaven."
Tbilisi was quick to respond that Moscow is trying to pass the buck to the breakaway authorities while continuing to occupy Georgia’s territories. Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Giga Bokeria termed the statement "a cheap attempt to skirt responsibility." Parliamentary Speaker Davit Bakradze defined an "occupation" as "the responsibility of that power which occupies."
"After Russia starts to meet its commitments and withdraws its troops from Georgia, we’ll be ready to have talks with the Ossetians and Abkhaz," he said.
The post-Clinton visit exchange shows that Tbilisi and Moscow are back to square -- or, rather, triangle -- one: Tbilisi continues to rely on the US to keep Russia out, while Moscow continues to push for Tbilisi to keep Washington out.
Giorgi Lomsadze is a journalist based in Tbilisi, and author of Tamada Tales.
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