Georgian Official Accuses Russia Of 'Ethnic Cleansing'
November 14, 2006
Giorgi Baramidze (file photo) (RFE/RL)
Giorgi Baramidze
, Georgia's secretary of state for Euro-Atlantic integration, has compared Russian treatment of Georgians to the behavior of the Nazis.
Speaking at a Brussels press conference on November 13, Baramidze accused Russia of using "xenophobic rhetoric" and pursuing an "ethnic-cleansing policy" just like the Nazis did to the Jews in the 1930s.
His comments were quoted by the Reuters news agency.
Relations between Georgia and Russia hit a new low after Georgia briefly detained four Russian servicemen in October on charges of espionage. Russia responded by cutting air, land, sea, and postal links with Georgia.
Russia has also deported several hundred Georgians, accusing them of lacking the proper documentation to live in Russia.
Tbilisi accuses Russia of punishing Georgia for pursuing closer ties with the West.
(Reuters)