Fleeing Georgians fault leaders, allies

TBILISI, Georgia, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- At least some Georgians are spreading the blame for the outbreak of hostilities not only on Russia but their own leaders and allies.

For example, Lvan Kakashvili, whose house was flattened by Russian bombers, told the Chicago Tribune he is "very angry" with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili for giving their neighbor to the north an excuse to launch an attack.

"He knew that if he hit Tskhinvali (South Ossetia's capital), the Russians would hit Georgia. Now they are bombing us into oblivion," Kakashvili said.

Likewise, Avtandil Sisuashvili told the U.S. newspaper that he lamented the failure, thus far, of Georgia's allies to back up with any substantial action their verbal warnings to Russia to back off.

"We need to know whether we are still under Moscow's rule or whether we are protected by the West," Sisuashvili said. "We're not sure anymore whether the West defends us. Russia feels like it can do whatever it wants. We don't feel safe anymore."

Russia invaded Georgia in response to the former Soviet satellite state's attempt to rein in South Ossetia.