US expert states that Georgia and Russia both responsible for tension

U.S. Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper stated in an annual worldwide threat assessment hearing at the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on February 16, that Moscow’s military presence in separatist regions of Georgia account for some of the regional tension.

“Moscow's continued military presence in and political-economic ties to Georgia's separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, combined with Georgia's dissatisfaction with the status quo, account for some of the tensions. Georgia's public efforts to engage with various ethnic groups in the Russian North Caucasus have also contributed to these tensions,” James Clapper said.

The U.S. Director of National Intelligence also highlighted Georgia’s relations with the people of the North Caucasus and stated that “Georgia’s public efforts to engage with various ethnic groups in the Russian North Caucasus have also contributed to these tensions.”

Regarding Georgia’s domestic policy, Clapper stated that, although President Saakashvili has not indicated his future plans, the option is available for him under the new constitution to serve as Prime Minister, adding that Georgia’s new constitution strengthens the office of PM after 2013.