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Georgian MPs accuse opposition head of ’treason’ over Moscow visit

04 March 2010 20:28 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Opposition leader Nino Burdzhanadze’s visit to Moscow harms the national interests of the country, Georgian parliamentary deputies loyal to President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Thursday, APA reports citing Ria Novosti.

"Russia is looking for approval from Georgian political circles, but Georgian politicians who improve ties with Russia will never be supported in our country. Their actions should be described as treason," said Akaky Minashvili, the head of parliament’s foreign relations committee.

Burdzhanadze, a leading Georgian opposition figure, has been in Moscow since Wednesday to improve ties broken off after the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia. "Political dialogue with Russia plays a crucial role in Georgian unity," Burdzhanadze said before leaving Tbilisi, describing her trip as "high politics."

"Politicians who say they are engaged in high politics, but are in fact betraying their country, will not be supported by the Georgian electorate," said Grigory Gabashvili, a leader of the presidential majority party. "It is as clear as black and white who wants to cooperate with occupiers and who is scrambling between offices looking for supporters of actions against their own country."

Tbilisi broke off diplomatic relations with Moscow after their five-day war over South Ossetia and described as "annexation" Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and another former Georgian province, Abkhazia. Several thousand Russian troops are based in the two republics to ensure their security.

The Georgian opposition is split over Burdzhanadze’s visit to Moscow.

"I believe Burdzhanadze’s visit to Moscow could improve ties between our countries," said Kaha Kukava, the leader of Georgian Conservative Party.

"Georgians have already seen Burdzhanadze’s ’high politics’ and have remained dissatisfied with it," said Republican Party representative Tina Khidasheli.

Another Georgian opposition leader, Zurab Noghaideli, has made similar efforts to improve ties with Russia, visiting Moscow several times in recent months. The presidential majority do not rule out other Georgian opposition politicians following the example of Burdzhanadze and Noghaideli and visiting Moscow themselves.