Provocative statement by Swedish FM stirs controversy

On September 10, the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the statement made by the Swedish Foreign Minister during his recent visit to Georgia regarding his warning to the Georgian opposition on the possible counter-productivity of street demonstrations.

According to the statement, Swedish FM Carl Bildt did not agree with some opposition leaders' beliefs that the results of the election should be decided on the streets not the polling booths and called all political parties to recognize the results of the election.

Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Lukashevich, says that the Swedish Minister has always firmly supported Arab revolutions and street protests around the world, but this time he has expressed a different position about demonstrations and freedom of expression.

“We paid attention to the statements [made by] the Foreign Minister of Sweden. He is known for his active support of the "Arab revolutions" and protests in other countries. Therefore, his attempt to determine the possible reaction on the possible violation of democratic norms in Georgia in advance should be assessed as an inconsistent approach,” the statement reads.

Georgian opposition leaders cannot recall Carl Bildt’s warning about the use of street rallies, and claim that the Swedish FM has not made such a statement. Leader of the Christian Democratic Movement (CDM) Levan Vepkhvadze, doubts this statement by the foreign minister was made in the foreign press, although highlights the fact that Russia has immediately responded to the statement.

“It is possible that Carl Bildt made the statement during his comments with the foreign media and it is understandable that he warns us to be calm and to maintain a peaceful environment. Revolution and riots will make us far from the Europe. The Russian position is clear, it will benefit from a confrontation in Georgia,” Vepkhvadze says.

Tina Khidasheli of the Georgian Dream is sure that Bildt’s statement was wrongly interpreted, as she excludes such statements from the Swedish minister.

“I am sure that he would have never made such statement; he is very experienced diplomat. I am 100% sure that this statement is not true,” Khidasheli said.

Deputy FM of Georgia Nino Kalandadze, in her response to the Russian FM, assesses the statement as an attempt to interfere in Georgia’s internal affairs.