Georgia is one the countries most affected by the scandalous WikiLeaks publications. However, experts tend to agree that nothing essentially new was revealed by these materials. On the other hand, the cables sent by US diplomats confirm several claims by the Georgian side about the events of the 'Five Day War'. For example, US Ambassador Teffet wrote that Georgia was unable to control its own airspace and hoped only to hold back the enemy for 72 hours, until the international community got involved, thus refuting Russian claims that Georgia was conducting major arms purchases.
WikiLeaks publications illustrated a well-known fact: US foreign policy is and always has been a pragmatic one, despite all official statements on moral and fair policies. For example, the cables indicate that the USA would have preferred to abandon co-operation with Georgia for the sake of a 'reload' in relations with Russia. The cables also demonstrate some interesting aspects of the USA's attitude towards President Saakashvili. American diplomats were certain that he would not last long after the events of 08/08/08 and expected Nino Burdjanadze, 'a more stable politician', to take his place. According to Nino Burdjanadze, such a prognosis would only work for a 'normal nation', as no 'normal nation' could tolerate a president who brought such a disaster upon his country. She also suggested that Russia would not support Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's claims for independence if Saakashvili had resigned in August 2008. the US Recent WikiLeaks publications mention the new US Ambassador to Georgia, John Bass, whose previous assignment was in Iraq. The cables mention that Mr Bass instructed Richard Holbrooke, one of the representatives in Afghanistan and Pakistan who visited Georgia, to persuade Mr Saakashvili to make the Georgian media more independent. Mr Holbrooke is widely known as a supporter of Saakashvili, and when this US diplomat died, a Tbilisi street was named after him. America's pragmatic policies allow Saakashvili and his team some room for manoeuvre, and it depends on their skill and caution, especially in matters of preventing a new war with Russia, whether they will be successful or not.Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively to VK
