Georgy Khaindrava: “Sooner or later Saakashvili will be sent to prison”

Interview by Sergey Rekeda, RuBaltic.Ru

The presentation of the documentary headlined “The Lighthouse of Democracy” by the Georgian director Georgy Khaindrava took place in the Baltic republics in June. He dispels the myth about progressive liberal reformation of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili. Politicians of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia got an opportunity to see friends of what “lighthouse of democracy” they have really been for years. The internet portal RuBaltic.Ru interviewed the director of the film Georgy Khaindrava.

-    Mr. Khaindrava, why did you decide to present your documentary “The Lighthouse of Democracy” in the Baltic republics?

-    I began working on this movie in Riga. When I had to leave from Georgia under Saakashvili, I lived for a year in Latvia and I am grateful to this country for sheltering me in difficult times. That is why I decided to present the film in Riga. Certain MPs wanted to demonstrate it in Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. In first two cities I was present at the presentation. In Lithuania a group from a non-governmental organization will present the movie.

-    The runs were for common people or only for certain politicians?

-    It was only for members of the Estonian parliament.

-    And what reaction did they have on your movie?

-    They had a common reaction for the situation when you watched violence, outrage, and illegality – normal, civilized people have similar reaction on this. Some women had tears in eyes. I believe that it is very important for Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia to know truth for seeing their friendly country independently.

-    It is really important because many politicians of the Baltic republics supported Saakashvili exactly as “the lighthouse of democracy” in the post-Soviet space. Was the topic discussed after the movie?

-    This is our role to dispel the fog which was created by Saakashvili as a reformer, as a lighthouse of democracy. We should see that in fact we have a cartoon of the local dictator – Saakashvili. Nobody doubts in Georgia about it today. It would be nice when Europe, especially Eastern Europe realizes that not everyone who hates Russia and does nothing more is a good person.

The only argument of people from Europe and America, who support Saakashvili, is that he criticizes Russia. But it is not an argument. It is unfair to assume political significance of this or that politician, according to this criterion only.

-    So, you think Saakashvili’s image in Eastern Europe is better than in Western Europe?

-    Eastern European countries are still miff with the Soviet Union and everything which is anti-Russian is thought to be good there. In general the support of Saakashvili was greater there. The Western European countries, for instance, Germany, France, look sober at such regimes. Eastern Europe thought it was its duty to protect new democracy. But we shouldn’t confuse people and separate politicians.

-    How did the support of Eastern European countries, including the Baltic republics, influence development of Georgia?

-    The support of the Baltic Region was important for us in 2008, but it was important for the Georgian people, rather than Saakashvili. However, the Baltic countries and Poland have some political circles which supported exactly Saakashvili – it was a mistake. This mistake will be significant for them when the election time comes – the whole Europe will know that Saakashvili has been a banal crime lord. Sooner or later he will be put behind bars. At the moment American republican senators and congressmen are enthusiastic about him – an American boy is fighting in Afghanistan, criticizing Vladimir Putin, and calling himself a reformer – everybody wants to stand up for him. Nevertheless, people like Saakashvili have similar fates.

-    You have communicated with politicians from Estonia and Latvia. Did you understand why they supported Saakashvili? Was it poor awareness of the situation inside Georgia or something else?

-    It is a political situation. When uncle Bush says that Saakashvili is a lighthouse of democracy, nobody wants to oppose it. Everybody understands and can see what is happening in reality and what this person exactly is.

-    However, you have said that politicians themselves invited you to present “The Lighthouse of Democracy.” Does it mean the situation is changing?

-    Yes, the situation in the world is changing. Moreover, the developments happen when we are kept near an open door and are not let in, saying: “You are not ready.” I mean NATO. Meanwhile, our guys in Afghanistan are dying, protecting interests of the organization, participating in anti-terrorist operations. This situation should be considered by the great powers of the world.

-    What position did politicians who watched your movie accept?

-    I didn’t ask them what they accepted and what they didn’t accept. It will be understand in the nearest future because the European parliament will have a session and representatives of these countries will take part in it. The Georgian delegation will be present there as well. Probably it will raise these questions, and it will clarify the situation. At the moment “The Lighthouse of Democracy” will be in Strasburg during the session of the European parliament. I think it is a nice way of communication with political opponents.