Georgian Diaspora of Moldova Demands to Withdraw Film "August of 2008" from Release

• Tuesday, February 21, 02:10

Tbilisi. The Georgians' Association in Moldova made a statement on its site http://georgians.md/, in which it expressed a protest and demanded to withdraw from release in the country the Russian film "August. Eight" and estimated it as "the propagandist and  anti- Georgian film".

                "At the time when 20% of the territory of Georgia are recognized by the international community as occupied by Russian Federation and half million of residents of these territories are refugees and IDPs, the Georgian Diaspora in Moldova considers that the premier of the film "August. Eight" is unacceptable as it is propagandist and anti-Georgian", the statement reads.

                "The events in 2008 have great pre-history. Russian authorities promoted appointment  of criminal Eduard Kokoity a head of the separatist regime. He cancelled a constructive dialogue with Georgian authorities. Officials of Russian military and special services were appointed for leading posts of the regime and illegal sub-units, subordinated to them, were provided with weapon and  residents of Tskhinvali region  (as well as Abkhazia) were issued Russian passports", is said in the statement.

                Later, to deprive Georgia of its indivisible parts, Russia stated about its quitting the decision  of the Council of heads of CIS states of January 19, 1996 that opened formally a way of concealed militarization  of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region. Russian authorities commissioned their government  to deepen relations with Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region that was aimed at close integration to Russia of Georgian indivisible regions.  During the same period rail troops were deployed in Abkhazia to ensure preparation of the infrastructure, necessary for transportation of heavy military vehicle to that territory of Georgia.

Large scale military aggression against Georgia was a logical continuation  of a chain of these actions.  Russian military intervention was carried out not only in Tskhinvali region, but in Abkhazia too, where not a single shot was made. We think that this development of events does not put a question who started the war and with what aims", is noted in the statement.

"Our actions are not aimed at tension of Moldavian-Russian relations. But it seems to us it is not necessary to organize the official premier of the film (it does not matter  what country has it filmed - Russia, the USA, France or any other), which is propagandist and anti-Georgian. Besides, we should not forget that the film tells about events as a result of which Georgian native territories were annexed.

                "Republic Moldova  faces analogous problem with Transdnestria and our countries are brothers in trouble. We hope for understanding  of our friendly country and a partner in "GUAM", is stressed in the statement.

Earlier, Azerbaijani news portal Vesti.az disseminated a statement where it was said that due to its efforts and  activity of Azerbaijani uses of Facebook, tension of Georgian-Azerbaijani relations as a result of the premier of the film "August. Eight", planned n Baku  on February 21, was avoided.

                "Demonstration of the anti-Georgian film in the capital of Azerbaijan might influence Georgians from the point of view of their support to our country's policy. February 21 could tense seriously unshadowed Azerbaijani-Georgian relations", is said in the statement on Vesti.az.

                The film "August. Eight" was shot by Russian film producer Janick Faziyev with support of the Russian Federal Fund of social and economic support to the Russian cinematography.  The Mass Media reported that $16 mln were allocated for the film shooting. The demonstration of the film was timed to February 23 - the Day of Fatherland's Defender in Russia. The premier of the film was held in Moscow  on February 18 in "Pushkinski" cinema.

As it is said in the statement of Vesti.Az, the film "August. Eight" tells about the events in August 2008 and justifies Russia's war against Georgia. The shooting of film took place in 2001, in Moscow, and on the occupied territories  of Georgia - Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Approximately  1,5 thousand militaries and 3 thousand civilians participated in the shooting of the film. Besides, a program, used for filming "Avatar" by Cameron, was bought for shooting of the film.