Georgian navy ready for “any combat mission” in Black Sea – president

Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
26 May 04

[Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, addressing military parade
in Ajarian capital Batumi] Greetings to all of you. I extend my
greetings to our heroic Ajarians, people who endured a great fight,
people who are now standing here in this pouring rain in order to
prove, once again, their love for their motherland.

The whole world was applauding Ajaria. The whole world admired the
heroism of every Ajarian.

I wish to tell you that my main task is not to fail your hopes, my
dear Ajarians. I believe that Ajaria’s revival and the wellbeing of
every Ajarian family will certainly cause a chain reaction and the
same processes will develop throughout Georgia. [Passage omitted]

Our armed forces will protect Ajaria and the rest of Georgia. We will
win without fail. Our armed forces and the navy have enough force
today to perform any combat mission along our coast on the Black Sea.

We are not going to wage wars in [world] oceans. Our arena is here,
the Black Sea. Our arena and target is Abkhazia. Our target is to
protect our territory. Our target is that all enemies should know: We
want peace, but we will always render an appropriate response to the
[threat of] disintegration of Georgia. We want to hold negotiations
with everyone, we want a peaceful resolution of issues, but our
response to an enemy attack will always be very strong.

Thank you very much for your heroism and your strength.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress