Saakashvili: Georgia Open for Good Cooperation with Russia

In an interview to Time Georgian President-elect Mikheil Saakashvili expressed hope that he will cooperate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, added “reactions that are coming from Russia are very impulsive.”

“They [Russian authorities] are very paranoid, thinking they are losing Georgia to the U.S. We need to let them feel we are open for good cooperation. And another thing: I have been congratulated by everyone except Putin — Blair, Bush, every leading European figure, all our neighbors,” Saakashvili told Time.

He also said that the Russia’s intentions to keep its military bases in Georgia for 10 years “serve more to bolster imperial self-confidence than Russian security.”

“We can find other things that serve Russian security better than these 2,000 troops. The Russians have interests like safeguarding their southern borders, making them terrorist-proof. We have the same interests. But Russian troops can’t be thrown out without any means of subsistence — anywhere to live back home. Maybe the U.S. or Europe can help. Russia should not be humiliated,” Saakashvili said.