'Russia Should Follow Georgia's Lead'

What do you want now from the West?
Money is important but will have a short-term effect. What we really need is access to markets and political backing. We can still be successful, provided people are not scared to invest in my country.

Reportedly, you talked to John McCain all during the August crisis.
I did talk to McCain. But I talked as much to [Joe] Biden. Biden came to Tbilisi and stayed with us for a few days just before his nomination. And after his nomination he called me very often. And I was called many times by Senator Obama, and a few hours after her nomination, Governor Palin called me. So it has been very bipartisan.

Right now our financial crisis is so large that everything else, including the election, seems extremely unimportant.
In the end, I think America will emerge stronger than most of the world's economies. Because it is still the biggest economy and it is founded on better principles that most of the other economies.

Did you underestimate Putin ' s willingness to attack because he was at the Olympics?
No, I think that he did it on purpose during the Olympics. This was the worst time that a small country could have been attacked. For us, the main defense was publicity. The worst time for publicity is during the Olympic Games in summer, when most of the major decision makers are gone for holidays. That was a total nightmare for us.

Do you think Russia is really aiming to overthrow you?
I think so, but they are not going to achieve it. Their best chance was last August.

© 2008