2022-12-05
Greetings, I would like to make statements concerning a few issues. Firstly, I would like to extend my condolences to the families, loved ones, and relatives of the deceased. I also want to point out that this is an enormous pain for us. I want to say sincerely about this, that this a great loss. Thirty-three of our fellow citizens have already died in this war, in Ukraine, which is of course a tragedy for us, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated at today's Government meeting.
According to him, in every previous case, the bodies were transported with the Government's direct involvement, and the embassies were engaged on the ground.
"Once again, I extend my condolences to their families. I also want to remind our public once again what role the current Government plays in this process, and once again explain that, on our Government's decision and in coordination with the families, the bodies of the deceased were transported with the Government's direct involvement, and the embassies were engaged on the ground. I mean the previous cases. These expenses are covered in full by the Government. Also, on our decision-since most of them were former service members, army officers, police officers, who participated in wars in our territories, be it the war of August 2008 or the previous wars in Abkhazia and Samachablo-they will all receive military funeral honors. Once again, I extend my condolences to all over this tragedy," the Prime Minister said.
A person died in war, and some hypocrites-this is what I call them-some fake, sellout politicians are trying to score certain political dividends, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated at today's Government meeting.
According to the Prime Minister, since the war broke out in Ukraine, these people have been and continue to try to create certain provocations.
"I want to say that, over the past few days, I have been observing this hype around the most sensitive issue: a person died in war, and some hypocrites-this is what I call them-some fake, sellout politicians are trying to score certain political dividends. There is nothing more immoral than this. I want to remind everyone that these people, this so-called war party, they may be called bluntly a party of traitors, and I will explain why. Since the war broke out in Ukraine, these people have been and continue to try to create certain provocations. Unfortunately, this time too it was organized by them. Representatives of the war party are taking our fellow citizens to Ukraine. Our Government has averted more than one provocation devised by them. We all remember what their leader and their authorities did during the August war. They left the bodies of our hero soldiers on the battlefield. What are they talking about in the first place? How dare these people so much as mention the names of these service members. We know well how they abandoned the bodies of service members and fled. The so-called commander-in-chief embarrassed himself in front of the whole nation when he flattened himself on the ground. Everyone has seen this footage. And now they make comments and try to use sensitive issues to mislead the public and instigate unrest. I once again remind everyone that the Government is doing everything. They are our fellow citizens, poor young men, and I would like to reiterate that it is an enormous tragedy for us. The Government and our embassies have been involved since day one. Everything-be it transporting their bodies or giving them military funeral honors-has been done by us, and we paid due homage to the families of the deceased, without speaking loudly about it, without any PR. Using everything for PR and cheap, immoral populism are disturbing. This is some non-Georgian phenomenon, so to speak. Georgian people always express themselves honorably in front of mourners, be it by extending condolences or in any other form. What these politicians are doing is just immoral hypocrisy and nothing else." Irakli Garibashvili stated.
Despite many attempts to create a second front in Georgia, our prudent policy has enabled us to avert it all, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated at today's Government meeting.
According to the Prime Minister, if the opposition's representatives were in power today, they would have turned Georgia into a war zone.
"I would like to inform our public once again that, despite numerous attempts to create a second front in Georgia, our prudent policy has enabled us to avert it all. Imagine if these people were in power. They are the opposition, and still they try to start a war and create a second front. Just imagine for a second: If these people were in power today, they would have turned Georgia into a war zone. Does anybody doubt that? Why, have not they done it before? Of their own volition, and on their decision, they ceded 20% of our territory, the Kodori Gorge, and hundreds of villages, and hundreds of our hero soldiers paid the ultimate price in these wars, because of the imprudent steps of these people," the Prime Minister said.
Friends, the situation in Ukraine is dire, and the situation is very difficult in the whole world and Europe. I would like to remind everyone that the US President and the leaders of European states have been publicly urging their citizens against participating in the military action in Ukraine, instead urging them to express solidarity in some other form. As a responsible Government, we are of course obligated to take care of each citizen, and our every step must be well thought-through, assessed, and evaluated so that we may avoid creating any problems for our citizens and country in any way. Our main duty is to maintain peace and stability in the country as the determinants of our prosperity. We have been through three wars, friends, three wars since the restoration of our independence. Enough! We want to unite our country peacefully-this is a prudent, patriotic policy-not through a war, especially by sending our people to a losing battle."
Prime Minister: Those active on Facebook, pretending to be very brave and showing off courageous posts, let them go and fight, and not in Kiev where they take selfies, but in the frontline-if they really want to take part in the war in Ukraine.
Once again, I want to remind these populist hypocrites: Have you seen-or has anyone seen-a politician killed in war? Those that talk so much, those active on Facebook, pretending to be very brave and showing off courageous posts, let them go and fight, and not in Kiev where they take selfies, but in the frontline-if they really want to take part in the war in Ukraine, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated at today's Government meeting.
According to him, people are wise, and they see everything clearly, how some are trying to score political dividends at the expense of a tragedy.
"Once again, I want.... People know well, and people are wise, and they see everything clearly, how some are trying to score political dividends at the expense of such a tragedy. This is why I always remind them that this is immoral hypocrisy, and they have no part in our country's national interests and its protection whatsoever. We all remember well the statements by the war party's representatives, and their public defender, Madam Lomjaria, saying that they would rather see Georgia bombed, Tbilisi bombed. They made these statements, and this is how we remember them. How can one be surprised at all by anything these people do? Does anyone really believe that these people are happy about the peace, stability, and prosperity we have today? It is clear that we really do not like and we are extremely concerned over what is happening in Ukraine. But look at NATO member states and EU member states and how they act. We are an occupied state, a large portion of our territory is occupied, explaining why our every word and action must be thought through very carefully, and this is something we fully realize. Consequently, they should not bother instead of us. They must be apologizing on a daily basis, day and night, to our people, our public, for what they have brought on our country. And now they should leave us be and let us govern the country," the Prime Minister said.
Press Service of the Government Administration