Reuters interviews Irakli Okruashvili
16.01.13 14:52
Acquitted former Defence Minister Irakli Okruashvili has given interview to Reuters to define the reasons of his return to Georgia after several years of residence in France under political asylum.
Okruashvili says Georgia`s prosecution does not use him as "a golden witness" against President Saakashvili, and praises the new Prime Minister Ivanishvili for his "clear view" on the country`s policy towards Russia.
`Up to now, that`s the surprise I may say, there was no even one questioning from the prosecutors` sides using me as a "golden witness" as it was mentioned in the Georgian media. And there was no big agreement, there was no any agreement let`s say with the new government about any issue. My return (to the country) was just based on my decision and that`s it,` Okruashvili has said.
Former minister has also accused President Saakashvili of pressuring his opponents.
`He (President Mikheil Saakashvili) destroyed the political balance in the country, he destroyed the political system in the country, he shut down the different opinion, that did not have the chance to develop in the political structure. He didn`t allow the opposition parties to survive. He used all government machines against the opponents.,` Okruashvili said.
Former Minister approves the political course of the n ew government and Prime Minister Ivanishvili, however, he still believes that Russia is still the main threat for Georgia.
`I will be very diplomatic in order not to become the obstacle in that cooperation (with Russia) that is ongoing right now, but I should mention that Russia is still a threat for our country and for our sovereignty. I think (Prime Minister Bidzina) Ivanishvili has some clear view, since I was following his messages, clear view what we can expect from the Russians. There is no big expectation right now within one day or within one month there will be some huge improvement. But there was positive signal sent, as I mentioned, from Tbilisi and now it is up to Russians to reply` Okruashvili said.
|
