Georgian parliamentary speaker criticizes U.S. ambassador for remark on Russian tourists

TBILISI. Aug 1 (Interfax) - Georgian parliamentary Chairman Shalva Papuashvili has criticized United States Ambassador Kelly Degnan for saying that the Georgian people do not welcome Russian tourists in the country.

"This is banal manipulation, as an opinion of a handful of opposition members has no relation to the Georgian people's attitude to this matter [the arrival of Russian tourists in Georgia]. Such statements by foreign diplomats speaking on behalf of the Georgian people are a dangerous path," Papuashvili said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Foreign ambassadors to Georgia represent only their governments and their people, he said.

"Defending the Georgian people's interests is not a foreign ambassador's task. Our people elect their representatives in democratic elections, and an elected government represents the people's interests," he said.

About 200 Georgian opposition activists protested at the Batumi port on Monday against the call of the Astoria Grande cruise ship with Russian tourists on board. Demonstrators pelted buses carrying tourists leaving the port with eggs and plastic bottles. Police detained 23 offenders.