Russia Instigated War, Saakashvili Says

The war in Georgia isn’t about breakaway republic South Ossetia, but the independence and the future of Georgia, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili wrote.

“No country of the former Soviet Union has made more progress toward consolidating democracy, eradicating corruption and building an independent foreign policy than Georgia,” Saakashvili wrote in an op-ed article appearing in Monday’s The Wall Street Journal. “This conflict is therefore about our common trans-Atlantic values of liberty and democracy.”

Russia moved tanks and troops through South Ossetia Sunday, advancing on Gori in central Georgia in its first assault on a Georgian city, The New York Times reported.

Russian planes also bombed the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. During a conference call with reporters Monday, Saakashvili excused himself, saying Russian warplanes were flying over the presidential palace, CNN reported.

An operator later said, “Russian planes are bombing near the president’s location” and the conference call would be rescheduled.

Russia’s actions, coming after Georgia offered a cease-fire and pulled its troops out of South Ossetia, has caused international alarm. Two Western officials said it was uncertain whether Russia intends a full invasion of Georgia, but it was possible Russia could try to destroy Georgia’s armed forces or overthrow the pro-Western Saakashvili, the Times said.

Saakashvili said Russia was intent on “restoring a neocolonial form” over territory Moscow once controlled.

“If Georgia falls, this will also mean the fall of the West in the entire former Soviet Union and beyond,” he said.