World press on anniversary of Russian-Georgian war (August 8, 2013)

“Georgia marks fifth anniversary since war” is an article published by Al Jazeera devoted to the fifth anniversary since the brief war between Georgia and Russia in August 2008. 

“On the eve of the anniversary, Georgian and Russian politicians traded barbs with each other over responsibility for the fighting,” the author writes.Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who was president at the time of the conflict, is quoted as saying in an interview on Georgian television that Russia's action "was the only right decision"."If you're asking if I would do the same thing again: yes," Medvedev is quoted, refusing to apologise for the conflict and laying the blame squarely at Tbilisi's door.“On the night of August 7-8, 2008, Georgia's pro-Western President Mikheil Saakashvili launched an offensive against fighters in the region South Ossetia. Saakashvili said he was reacting to attacks on ethnic Georgians and soldiers by South Ossetian fighters. Russia then intervened on behalf of its Ossetian allies, saying it was for humanitarian reasons aimed at keeping the peace. Within days, Russian forces entered Georgia as Georgian forces retreated. Both sides agreed to a ceasefire on August 16, following international mediation, although Russian troops remained in Georgia for months afterwards,” the article describes the events of five years ago.On Wednesday, Saakashvili lashed out at Russia, saying Moscow was still trying to strongarm Georgia into dropping its ambitions to join NATO and the European Union."If the Georgian nation wants to say no to its territory and future development... then there are certain possibilities with Russia," "Otherwise, is a lamb able to negotiate with a wolf?" the article quotes Saakashvili, whose second and last term as president ends this autumn.