War was imposed, we did not want: Medvedev

Moscow, Sep 7: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has slammed the countries 'shying away' from condemning the Georgian regime for launching aggression against South Ossetia, saying the war was imposed on Russia. ''Once again I repeat that we did not want this war, it was imposed on us,'' Mr Medvedev said in his speech at the meeting of the State Council yesterday in the Kremlin. The State Council, a consultative body, gathered to discuss the situation around South Ossetia,the breakaway region of Georgia.

''But no country in the world would stand by as its citizens and peacekeepers were being killed. Russia was obliged to save lives, to uphold law and justice,'' he added.

''The war was a moment of truth for us,'' Mr Medvedev said.

''The events in South Ossetia also demonstrated something else,'' he said, stressing, ''Russia will not allow anyone to compromise the lives and dignity of its citizens. It is a nation to be reckoned with from now on.'' The President said although many countries have ''chosen to shy away'' from condemning the Georgian regime, ''the voice of those who accepted our arguments, our fundamental position, and praised our actions, has been and remains very important to us.'' ''However, we have not heard words of support and understanding from those who, in the same circumstances, pontificate about free elections and national dignity and the need to use force to punish an aggressor,'' Mr Medevdev said.

UNI