But we, the Georgians have historically never been a characteristic of nationalism. We did not inter-ethnic conflicts, we lived together and with the Abkhazians, and Ossetians had no problems with the population of Armenian and Azerbaijani enclaves. Georgia was probably the only country that has never been raised 'Jewish question' – and yet the Jews have lived side by side with us over the 26 centuries since the Babylonian captivity. … From the square in front of the castle Metehskim in Tbilisi and you will see a mosque and two synagogues, Sioni Cathedral and the Georgian Orthodox church, and the Russian Orthodox Church, Armenian Gregorian and Roman Catholic churches – all ages were created, and not built specifically to let visitors into the eyes of dust about the 'friendship of peoples'! However, as was once Germany of Schiller and Goethe at once stood up under Hitler's outstretched hand, and Georgia since its the first president of the cave covered surge of nationalism. We are allowed to 'inculcate' imagine this bacillus – and is now reaping the benefits. But we had a real chance to save and territorial integrity, and, more importantly, unity the peoples of Georgia.
Without waiting for autonomy declare its independence and secede from Georgia, it was necessary to seat the Abkhazians and Ossetians – as well as Azeris, Armenians, Russian Jews, in short, all national community of the country – at the negotiating table and work out together the way in which we move ahead together. But then Georgian leaders had decided otherwise: the text of the Constitution excluded the very notion of 'autonomy', denied the Abkhazians and South Ossetians the right to national identity, at the state level were persecuted their culture. The case went quickly to the armed opposition – and, indeed, we soon got notorious' march to Tskhinvali, and then lost us the Abkhaz war of 1992-1993. and, finally, the tragedy of August 2008 and was cut off Abkhazia and South Ossetia. None of Georgians will not tolerate the loss of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We are with my associates at all levels available to us, spoke strongly against the recognition of their independence, arguing that this move would alienate Moscow even more of the burden, but in the end, lose it, as an ally in the South Caucasus. I repeat, I will never agree with the Kremlin's decision to recognize as sovereign states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia … Full article at the website of the newspaper 'North Caucasus'