Saakashvili announced he was expelling three Russian diplomats from Georgia and withdrawing his ambassador from Moscow, claiming he had evidence that Russian intelligence was behind six days of mass protests.

“We cannot let our country become the stage for dirty geo-political escapades by other countries,” he said in a television broadcast. “Our democracy needs a firm hand of the authorities.”

Saakashvili has previously trumpeted his country as a shining example of democracy and respect for human rights in the volatile Caucasus region, which is mainly governed by authoritarian leaders.

Relations between Georgia and Russia were already at all-time lows. Saakashvili’s desire to join NATO and his drive to regain sovereignty over two breakaway pro-Russian provinces have angered Moscow, which last year cut all transport links.

Russia frequently tries to create unrest in an attempt to destabilize the young Democracy. President Bush considers Saakashvili a close ally and has provided significant military aide to Georgia to help defend its sovereignty from Russia.

-Samantha Giles

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