Georgia started August war, Saakashvili confesses
For the first time ever, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has admitted that his country started hostilities against South Ossetia in August. But the Georgian leader is adamant the action was justified, Russia Today reports.
He said it was a response to Russia's "intervention" in the region. "It was a hard decision but we had to defend our citizens," he said.
Giving evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into the conflict, Mr Saakashvili denied planning the attack months in advance. He insisted Russia made the first move, pouring tanks and men over the border.
Mr Saakashvili said the decision to launch an assault on South Ossetia was made after nearby Georgian villages came under "heavy bombardment" from South Ossetia, and after "hundreds of [Russian] tanks and heavy vehicles" started crossing the border.
"Under these conditions, if you ask me whether Georgia had to undertake military actions against these firing positions, the answer is yes," he said.
The Georgian President claims Russia moved tanks into South Ossetian territory before Georgia launched its attack.
He said it was a response to Russia's "intervention" in the region. "It was a hard decision but we had to defend our citizens," he said.
Giving evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into the conflict, Mr Saakashvili denied planning the attack months in advance. He insisted Russia made the first move, pouring tanks and men over the border.
Mr Saakashvili said the decision to launch an assault on South Ossetia was made after nearby Georgian villages came under "heavy bombardment" from South Ossetia, and after "hundreds of [Russian] tanks and heavy vehicles" started crossing the border.
"Under these conditions, if you ask me whether Georgia had to undertake military actions against these firing positions, the answer is yes," he said.
The Georgian President claims Russia moved tanks into South Ossetian territory before Georgia launched its attack.
