ეგ გაზეთის მეპატრონეა. მთავარი რედაქტორი არის გიორგი კაპანაძე. ადრე რეზონანსში მუშაობდა, კაი ხანს....
* * *
Interview
The information war can do more damage than roaring tanks , There are not two Russias
Established in 1993, The Georgian-language edition of The Georgian Times is one of the most popular publications in Georgia. With its hard-hitting stories it has firmly established its niche in the market and is now viewed as one of the most serious political newspapers locally.
Giorgi Kapanadze has been Editor-in-Chief of this newspaper for seven years. the English-language edition of GT interviewed Giorgi to learn more about the editor’s opinion about ongoing political developments.
Q: More than 5 months have passed since the August war yet there is still debate about who was responsible for the conflict. What is your view on this issue?
A: The roots of the Russian aggression go back much further than the month of August. I, personally, take the line of those who believe that the August war was just an expression of the Russian imperialistic ideology: that Russia still views Georgia as its backyard and cannot come to terms with it being an independent, sovereign country.
The Abkhazia war back in the 90s, where ethnic Georgians and Abakhaz were provoked to engage in bloody conflict, South Ossetia developments and the coup against first President Zviad Gamsakhurdia were all attempts to undermine the statehood of Georgia. The Russian aggression in August is a continuation of this policy. So the EU Commission which is now investigating the reasons for the war should not take August 2008 out of context but rather analyze it as part of a broader Rusian scheme.
Q: But many foreign analysts blame the Georgian Government for provoking the war. They believe that military rhetoric from the Georgian leadership led to the war. What do you think about this?
A: Georgia did not need a war with a country, i.e. Russia, which has shown its brutality to the world a number of times.
The legend about two Russias – bad and good – is weak and groundless. There is only one Russia, the one which seeks to hold all the post-Soviet countries under its sway.
Russia – not Georgia – declared the war, and not in August but much earlier, when it started to grab our land bit by bit (which has being going on since the 19th century) and when it perpetrated the March 9 and April 9 tragedies designed to wipe out our identity.
Q: Some, including Russian analysts, predict that Russia may attack Georgia again...
A: Russia may plan a new provocation but it is probably more interested in precipitating the overthrow of the Government, fomenting civil unrest and stirring up chaos.
Q: You mean, the Georgian opposition might be Russia’s tool?
A: The greater part of the Georgian opposition acts reasonably. They know that their activities should not go beyond the Constitution of Georgia. However, there are some people within the opposition who might be fulfilling a Russian scheme, seeking to use Georgian society for the interests of Russia.
Under these circumstances the media – which is a vigilant eye - should take action and try to neutralize them. Unfortunately, the Georgian media is failing to repel the Russian hysteria and we are losing the information war.
Q: You are saying that the Georgian media is showing weakness?
A: Yes, but not only the media. Those in Government who should be in charge of winning the information war should also do much more.
Now Russian cannons and jet fighters are silent but the war continues: tanks, bombs and bullets alone do not make a war. The information war could be as destructive as Russian tanks.
Q: The domestic political situation is also shaky. Unemployment rises, the opposition is demanding Saakashvili’s resignation and snap elections…
A: This is all a breeding ground in which Russia can implement some plan. Social discontent is rising and this is likely to increase the threat of domestic unrest. But we need a strong state if we want security. How can this be achieved? First: Most of us should agree that we are not going to topple the Government or resort to violent, illegal measures for this purpose, that we will not be lured by the promises of new messiahs. Second: the opposition, Government and members of civil society should always prioritize the rule of law, an independent judiciary and freedom of speech and to adhering to these principles.
Q: Nonetheless, if the crisis deepens, which election should be held: Presidential or Parliamentary?
A: Why should we think of Presidential elections? The opposition claims that the President is responsible for losing the war with Russia and losing the Georgian territories. But do you think any other man in his position would have defeated the Russian Army and aviation? Military experts say no. They believe that not only Saakashvili but we all, the wole of Georgia, lost the war. Therefore, I do not think there is any need to hold early Presidential elections, unless they are the last option for defusing the crisis.
However, since the opposition in Parliament is very weak and does not represent the interests of people adequately, pre-term Parliamentary elections may be a solution. These could prevent a possible political crisis and move the political focus from the street to the legislature.
მისი ეს ინტერვიუ შემთხვევით მაგატ საიტზე ვნახე... მგონი საინტერესოა
* * *
http://www.geotimes.ge/index.php?m=home&newsid=15356 
ისევ პირველი არხი, ახალი შეფუთვა
