Saakashvili speaks about state secrecy
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Friday, October 25
"Earlier it was a state secret. However, now the enemy knows about it and I can start discussing this issue openly.” President Mikheil Saakashvili said late on October 23rd.
Saakashvili claims that after the 2008 war, the former government of Georgia began building defensive buildings on the outskirts of Tbilisi.
"Concrete bunkers were built around Tbilisi that made any attack from the north difficult for our enemy and make a repeat of 2008 unlikely... but if the Russians cannot attack from the north they might use Armenian military bases. Therefore, we began building military installations near Red Bridge. 70% of these fortifications have been completed. There is 25 km worth of tunnels." Saakashvili stated.
“I had a conversation with officers from the General Staff. They stated that the current government wants to refrain from provoking Russia and thus has stopped work on these buildings." Saakashvili stated.
The Ministry of Defense expressed concern and surprise concerning the statements made by the president and asked him to be more discreet.
"The statements made by the president have created a threat to Georgian security." a ministry statement reads.
Head of the Parliamentary Security Committee, Irakli Sesiashvili, described the president as
"a liar" who is making a “black PR stunt against the current government."
“He was in Marneuli and not in Tbilisi and has not viewed the fortifications in Tbilisi at all…None of the officers involved has confirmed speaking with the president.” Sesiashvili said.
Sesiashvili explained that the Ministry of Defense created a commission several months ago which studied all the fortifications.
“All of the fortifications were improved.” Sesiahsvili stated.
The MP concluded that Tbilisi’s fortification is not enough to ensure Georgia's safety.
“Tbilisi is the last stop and it is more important that the enemy does not reach Tbilisi.” Sesiashvili stated.
