Georgia, Tbilisi, May 5/ Trend , N. Kirtskhalia/ Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili urged Russia to refrain any provocation and escalation of tension in Georgia, President said in his televised appeal.
"I have personally negotiated with the rebels and invited them to lay down arms and surrender to police. In the morning they were negotiating with representatives of the Defense Ministry. Now Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili is there. We have time and are waiting for a response. Otherwise, I ordered the relevant authorities to act in accordance with the law," he said.
The President stressed that this morning some of the military tried to make "some excitement." "NATO exercises and the EU summit is expected to take place in Georgia in the next few days in which Georgia will sign an agreement with the EU under the Eastern Partnership. The first is a symbolic act, and the second an important political agreement, which defines the future of Georgia.
In this situation, we heard a lot of rhetorical threats and provocations from Russia and a number of actions against Georgia were committed. Recently, Russia tripled its forces in the separatist regions and placed their ships in the Black Sea, near the border of Georgia. They suggested that provocation or violence will occur in the center of Tbilisi and there will be a scenario against our independence and integration into the EU. But you saw how we acted in the most cautious way, partly because that there was no cause for provocation. We believe that dialogue is the main thing and I want to thank everyone for that. I confirm once again my willingness to dialogue," Saakashvili said.
The President of Georgia once again emphasized that while "we have heard the hysterical cries of the invaders, who claimed that they will hinder NATO exercises in Georgia and did everything to make the situation tense." "In this situation, the former military and Guard, part of which keep contacts with Russian special services link with the special services, try to make a commotion in one of the military units. This is not an easy matter as any agitation of people with weapons in the hands of an unconstitutional act. This is impudent challenge to the stability and the constitutional security of Georgia. We see this as a serious act, the danger and challenge," he said.
Saakashvili, said that this is an isolated incident as there is no rebellion in any military unit. "We have announced an alert and all the Armed Forces are on alert. The country does not face any. But I want all to understand one thing that inspiration is not related to their social situation as our army has everything you need. No one will be able to return the country to 1990's, when armed thugs behaved as they wished. It has ended and those who are trying to organize a new wave are expelled from the army. They work in coordination with the foreign forces, and look forward to their assistance," he said.
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