**General Mamuka Kurashvili Testifies Before Commission**
General Mamuka Kurashvili spoke at a meeting of the temporary investigative commission on Tuesday. The commission is looking into the activities of the United National Movement government, focusing on the situation in occupied territories between 2004 and 2008 and the August 2008 war.
**Responsibility to the Fallen**
Kurashvili explained that he had testified as a witness at The Hague Tribunal and was willing to answer questions. He emphasized his responsibility to the families of fallen heroes, saying: “I have a responsibility to them. I cannot allow the wrong assessment to come from some brainwashed individuals.”
**Questioning by Commission Chair**
Commission chair Tea Tsulukiani asked Kurashvili if he had received any warnings or intelligence that the situation in occupied territories could escalate into war when he returned to the armed forces in 2007. Kurashvili firmly replied “No” and stated that he was not there to provide assessments.
**Dismissal from Armed Forces**
Kurashvili spoke about his dismissal from the armed forces, saying it happened twice: first in 2006 and again in 2011. He explained that the first time was due to Irakli Okruashvili’s resentment towards him for escorting Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili through Tskhinvali.
**Unclear Reason for Dismissal**
Kurashvili stated that he still does not have a clear answer as to why he was dismissed. He suggested it might be due to internal intrigues among high-ranking officials, related to the confrontation between Merabishvili and Okruashvili.
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