NGOs, Famous Georgians Ask Georgian Government Hard Questions about War

16 NGOs, famous Georgians demand that a public discussion be held over the events that transpired in August in Georgia (South Ossetia and Abkhazia, breakaway regions and now self-proclaimed independent countries, and now recognized by the Russian Federation.

It is indicated in their statement that it is essential to free Georgian TV stations and in particular, Georgian Public Broadcasting from governmental censorship and this would provide the necessary public forum for an open discussion.

The statement says that the government must answer many hard questions, and the most essential being the following:

-Why did the Georgian government allow itself to be trapped by Russia Federation, and despite the strict warning given by the US government? And especially when Georgian government knew that there was a possibility of starting a large-scale war with Russia.

-Did the Georgian administration have military aviation and air defense? If not, where has the millions and millions spent which were apportioned for military sphere disappeared.

- Why did Georgian government cede Kodori Gorge, Samegrelo, Imereti and Kartli districts to Russia without putting up a show of force?

-Did the government have a plan for the war including civilians’ evacuation?

-Why the military operations were headed by the civilian activist of the National Movement and not professional soldiers?

- Why did the government abandon thousands of reservists?

- Why did militaries leave substantial amounts of military equipment and arms to Russians during their disorganized retreat?

The statement says that is such situations a government, in particular the president, should be held accountable. Consequently, in order to overcome the overall crisis in Georgia it will be necessary to take profound and radical political changes, and these will be based on the process of real democratization processes. 

The statement is signed by 16 NGOs: Georgian Academy, Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights, the Center for Development and Cooperation, Law and Freedom, the Human Rights Center, Healthy Universe, the Union of Journalists- Obieqtivi, the Center for Ethnic and Conflict Relationships, Georgia in NATO, International Commonwealth of Prisoners, Union Our Football, Center for Society Research, Free Elections.

The statement is signed by Makvala Gonashvili, a poet; Vazha Otarashvili, a poet; Irakli Batiashvili, a philosopher; Giorgi Zhvania, brother of Zurab Zhvania, late Prime Minister of Georgia, Merab Turava and Nino Gvenetadze, former judges; Giga Lortkipanidze, Lili Ioseliani, Irakli Tripolski, Medea Kuchukhidze, Levan Anjaparidze, Rezo Esadze, Dima Jaiani( all of them are directors). The statement is also signed by professors, scientists and well-known academics.

Interpressnews.