Saakashvili slams France for planning to sell Mistral to Russia

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili blasted France's plans to sell a warship to Russia, which critics of the deal say highlights how some European powers are turning their backs on their erstwhile proteges in the former Soviet Union.

The proposed sale has soured relations between Georgia and France, whose president, Nicolas Sarkozy, brokered a cease-fire to end the five-day war between Georgia and Russia in August 2008.

Saakashvili said he was concerned about Russia acquiring a Mistral-class carrier.

Saakashvili said the "very unusual and very risky" warship deal could be seen as a "reward" to France from Moscow for not forcing Russia to fully comply with the terms of the ceasefire. Georgia accuses Moscow of failing to withdraw its forces to positions held before the war broke out, a charge Moscow denies.

Saakashvili plans to meet with the president of France Nicolas Sarkozy to express his protest to the France`s plans regarding Mistral.

/Georgian Times/