In 1989, Rodionov’s soldiers tried, but they couldn’t destroy the idea of independence. Today, on Rustaveli Avenue, Rodionov’s spade-wielding soldiers have been replaced by people who have lost their sense of homeland, waving foreign flags, who are attempting, with the same ruthlessness, to shatter Georgia’s idea of independence — this was stated by Speaker of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili.

As Papuashvili writes, now that the state is established and the country fully defends its sovereignty and independence, a foreign force has again attempted to shake its foundations:

“Differences of opinion have always existed, even during the most dramatic moments of history.This was the case on April 9, 1989. There were differing views when elections were held and, apart from the Round Table, other parties boycotted them. There were disagreements on whether a referendum was necessary — differences on every issue.

These divisions even led to civil war. But time passed, history evaluated the process, and the people drew conclusions. It became clear what was the result of recklessness and what was incited from the outside.

And now, when the state is established and the country firmly defends its sovereignty and independence, a foreign force has once again decided to destabilize its foundation. Hate propaganda has been reactivated.Their goal is to divide and rule, to subjugate and control us, to impose their political agenda on our national interest.

In 1989, Rodionov’s soldiers tried but failed to destroy the idea of independence.Today on Rustaveli, those soldiers have been replaced by homeland-lost individuals waving foreign flags, who try just as ruthlessly to destroy Georgia’s independence.

But this will no longer succeed. The Georgian people have learned their lesson.They have chosen a government that will fully defend our state.

We will not fall for this provocation. They will not get to carry out their scenario.The only script that will play out in this country is the one ordered by the Georgian people.

And that order is equality, justice, independence, and identity.

We will win. Georgia will win. The idea of April 9 and the blood that was shed will win!” – writes Shalva Papuashvili on Facebook.