Georgian with Russian wife blames both sides

Dubai: A Georgian national residing in the UAE has blamed "bad politics" in both his homeland and Russia for sparking the recent violence in the breakaway province of South Ossetia.

Dimitriy Laliashvili, commercial manager of a Russian magazine in Dubai Media City, told Gulf News yesterday that Georgia and Russia were equally to blame for the conflict.

He said: "I used to work with aides close to the Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and in my opinion he is not fit to lead the country. I agree South Ossetia should form part of an independent Georgia but he has gone about things in the wrong manner."

Saakashvili last week ordered Georgian troops into the tiny enclave of South Ossetia, which has maintained de facto independence since 1992, in a bid to restore "constitutional order". But Russian forces intervened and the situation has continued to deteriorate despite Saakashvili's calls for a ceasefire.

Although angry at Saakashvili for "entering a conflict that Georgia could not win", Laliashvili said he also felt resentment towards the Russian government.

"All they're trying to do is prove to the United States they have the power to step in and resolve such disputes. The Russians are calling this a humanitarian mission but in reality they have declared war on Georgia. I feel Georgia and Russia are equally to blame; it is a case of bad politics from the respective governments," he said.

The 34-year-old, originally from the Georgian capital Tbilisi, has been married to a Russian, Olga, for three years and has many Russian friends.

"For many years, Georgia and Russia enjoyed a very close relationship. We have always respected each other. My wife and I are both upset over the latest fighting and I'm extremely concerned about my family's wellbeing at home in Tbilisi.

Negotiating role

"I'm unable to sleep at night and I phone my parents every half-an-hour for updates on what is happening. I also have several Georgian friends living in Moscow and I'm in regular contact with them."

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev ordered an end to the military operation in Georgia yesterday. But Laliashvili says there is a chance he could be called back to his homeland in the near future because of his past role as a negotiator within the Georgian government.