TBILISI: Georgian Opposition Groups Slam Government Over Reopening O

GEORGIAN OPPOSITION GROUPS SLAM GOVERNMENT OVER REOPENING OF RUSSIAN BORDER

Kavkasia TV
March 1 2010
Georgia

Georgian opposition politicians have expressed concern and outrage
over the government’s decision to reopen the Qazbegi-Verkhniy Lars
crossing on the border with Russia, saying the move will put the
residents of Georgia’s Qazbegi District at risk. The crossing –
closed by Russia unilaterally in July 2006 – was opened on 1 March
to limited traffic and Georgian officials have said the move aimed to
provide Armenia with a land route to its main trading partner, Russia.

Tbilisi’s local Kavkasia TV broadcast the following remarks by
opposition politicians at briefings at their respective party
headquarters on 1 March:

Gubaz Sanikidze of the People’s Forum said: "Qazbegi District is
on the opposite side of the watershed [north of the main ridge
of the Caucasus Mountains]. Let me remind you that the watershed
of the mountain range is the Jvari pass. Qazbegi District may end
up absolutely occupied without so much as a gun being fired. The
People’s Forum states that the opening of the Verkhniy Lars and
Qazbegi checkpoint[s] is an anti-state and anti-Georgian act."

Giorgi Gugava of the Labour Party said: "[Opening the crossing]
Is not targeted at serving people’s interests so that they can move
back and forth and make a living – rather it serves the interests
of Russia and another country while our country remains in its great
geopolitical trap."

MP Nikoloz Laliashvili of the Christian Democratic Party said: "We
think that in the course of diplomatic manoeuvring there should not
have an exchange at the expense of the interests of the people of
Georgia, particularly the people of Khevi [Qazbegi District]. The
Georgian government has failed to provide additional security
guarantees to the local population."