**Georgia’s Parliament Chairman Hits Out at Western Sanctions**
The Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, has launched a scathing attack on those calling for sanctions against his country. In a statement to journalists, he described such people as “traitors” who are using foreign powers to undermine Georgia.
Papuashvili’s comments come amid growing tensions between Georgia and the West over issues like democratic reform and human rights. The Georgian leader accused those demanding sanctions of trying to “provoke a fire” against his country, and likened their actions to those of Soviet-era traitors who worked with Moscow to suppress dissent.
**A New Kind of Traitor**
The Georgian Parliament Chairman drew a direct line between the actions of today’s Western-backed critics of Georgia and the notorious Soviet-era politician, Lavrentiy Ordzhonikidze. Papuashvili suggested that while Ordzhonikidze may have genuinely believed he was serving Georgia’s interests, his loyalty ultimately lay with Moscow.
By extension, Papuashvili implied that today’s Western-backed critics of Georgia are similarly motivated by a desire to serve foreign powers at the expense of their own country. He described them as “traitors” who use foreign governments to wield influence over domestic politics.
**Sanctions as 21st-Century War**
Papuashvili also drew parallels between traditional military aggression and the economic sanctions now being imposed on Georgia. In his view, both represent a form of foreign intervention that undermines a country’s sovereignty and democratic processes.
The Georgian leader pointed out that if history had unfolded differently, some people might have even used tanks to invade Georgia in the name of promoting democracy. By extension, he suggested that economic sanctions are simply a more sophisticated tool for achieving similar ends.
**A Complex Picture**
Papuashvili’s comments reflect a deep-seated sense of frustration and distrust among many Georgians towards Western powers. The country has long struggled to balance its relationships with Russia and the West, and tensions have been running high in recent years.
While some might see Papuashvili’s outburst as a provocative response to legitimate criticism, others will interpret it as a genuine expression of concern for Georgia’s sovereignty and democratic integrity. As the debate over sanctions continues to simmer, one thing is clear: the Georgian Parliament Chairman has made his views crystal clear.
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