ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
May 26, 2007 Saturday 10:09 AM EST

Saakashavili urges Georgians to unite

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashavili urged the population “to
unite” for consolidation and strengthening of the country’s
independence.

Speaking at a military parade on the occasion of Independence Day on
Saturday, Saakashavili said, “Georgia has a well trained and well
equipped multiethnic army. But Georgia’s main strength is in the
unity of its multinational people and society.”

“If the people are united, no one can defeat Georgia and put it on
its knees,” the president said.

“Now that we are facing the task of peaceful consolidation of the
country and economic revival, it is very important to preserve and
strengthen the unity of society. I am confident that we will be able
to do it,” he said.

Saakashavili noted that “the leadership of Georgia has a precise
vision for the future of the country and how to achieve revival and
prosperity. We give a big role in this process to citizens of the
country, Georgians, Abkhazians, Armenians, Azeris, Russians,
Ossetians and people of other ethnic background.”

The parade involved 11,000 troops (almost half of Georgia’s army) and
3,500 reservists, 245 pieces of hardware and 40 aircraft.

Military parades marking Independent Day have been held in Georgia
since 1994. The biggest of them took place on May 26, 2006 and
involved 13,000 servicemen and 5,000 reservists, 215 pieces of
military hardware and 52 aircraft.