On 19 August 2008 the Permanent Council of the OSCE adopted the decision on increasing the number of Military Monitoring Officers in the OSCE Mission to Georgia by up to one hundred. The OSCE Member States have decided that 20 MMOs will be deployed immediately in the areas adjacent to South Ossetia. As regards to the rest of the additional MMOs, the modalities for their deployment are to be proposed by the OSCE Chairmanship, Finland without delay.
By deployment of additional OSCE Military Monitoring Officers in Georgia, the international mechanism is starting to operate, as stipulated by the cease-fire accord signed by the Georgian and Russian sides under the mediation of the President of France. According to paragraph 5 of the accord, "while awaiting an international mechanism, the Russian forces will implement additional security measures” in the conflict zone.
Furthermore, the deployment of the OSCE Military Monitoring Officers in Georgia implies that the Russian Federation, first of all, must withdraw unconditionally and without delay all its military forces from Georgia, and in parallel to this, immediately stop implementing aforementioned "additional security measures” carried out by so called peacekeepers.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia would like to underline the active input and leading role of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, without which it would be impossible to reach consensus on such decision. The Georgian side expresses its hope that the Russian Federation will comply with its obligations in good faith and abstain from impeding further decisions, essential for meeting all obligations under the cease-fire accord.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Georgia
On 19 August 2008, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Grigol Vashadze met with UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres.
The sides discussed the issues of Russia’s military intervention in Georgia and assistance for internally displaced persons emerging as a consequence. The focus of discussions was the rendering of humanitarian assistance to the affected people.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees expressed his readiness to provide maximum amount of assistance, both material and human resources, to Georgia. Mr. Guterres pledged support in ensuring unconditional and dignified return of displaced persons.
The Georgian side underlined that the Russian Federation is engaged in deliberate efforts to destroy Georgian infrastructure with the use of military means at its disposal. The Russian side tries to legalize the consequences of the occupation. In the final analysis, it is obvious that Russia has taken up a path of military aggression and ethnic cleansing in its foreign policy.
The sides agreed to continue consultations with respect to the aforesaid issues.
The sides discussed the issues of Russia’s military intervention in Georgia and assistance for internally displaced persons emerging as a consequence. The focus of discussions was the rendering of humanitarian assistance to the affected people.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees expressed his readiness to provide maximum amount of assistance, both material and human resources, to Georgia. Mr. Guterres pledged support in ensuring unconditional and dignified return of displaced persons.
The Georgian side underlined that the Russian Federation is engaged in deliberate efforts to destroy Georgian infrastructure with the use of military means at its disposal. The Russian side tries to legalize the consequences of the occupation. In the final analysis, it is obvious that Russia has taken up a path of military aggression and ethnic cleansing in its foreign policy.
The sides agreed to continue consultations with respect to the aforesaid issues.
Russian Armed Forces Moved into Satchkhere
On August 19, 2008 Russian several armored vehicles of the Russian armed forces moved into Satchkhere, and attempted to enter the military base located there. They were turned back by Georgian police, which blocked the road with the patrol cars. Before leaving the territory Russian soldiers threatened that they would return with more vehicles and troops in order to destroy the military base. According to our information, reinforced Russian troops and military technique is currently moving towards the Satchkhere military base, which is located beyond the conflict zones, in the Western part of Georgia.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia would like to underline that in accordance with the point 4 of the cease-fire agreement signed by President Saakashvili on August 15, Georgian armed forces returned to their permanent bases of deployment, including the Satchkhere military base. Therefore, an attempt of the Russian armed forces to assault the Sathckhere base is another provocation undertaken by the Russian side.
This provocation has a clear aim of stirring the spiral of further violence and bloodshed between Russia and Georgia. Georgia is currently undertaking all the obligations it undertook by signing the cease-fire accord. Unfortunately we can not say the same about the Russian side, which has not withdrawn its armed forces from the territory of Georgia; moreover, they are continuing entering various cities, destroying military and civilian infrastructure, looting and robbing peaceful population, dropping fire bombs on the forrests, blowing up bridges, establishing new illegal checkpoints on the highways, et cetera.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia strongly calls upon the Russian Federation to immediately start implementing the principles set forth in the cease-fire accord and withdraw all its armed forces to the places of their deployment before the outbreak of the hostilities. More precisely, we call upon the Russian Federation government to immediately recall back their troops which are currently heading towards Satchkhere. We also call upon the international community to take urgent measures to stop continuous Russian provocations, and make sure that Russian armed forces leave the territory of Georgia.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia would like to underline that in accordance with the point 4 of the cease-fire agreement signed by President Saakashvili on August 15, Georgian armed forces returned to their permanent bases of deployment, including the Satchkhere military base. Therefore, an attempt of the Russian armed forces to assault the Sathckhere base is another provocation undertaken by the Russian side.
This provocation has a clear aim of stirring the spiral of further violence and bloodshed between Russia and Georgia. Georgia is currently undertaking all the obligations it undertook by signing the cease-fire accord. Unfortunately we can not say the same about the Russian side, which has not withdrawn its armed forces from the territory of Georgia; moreover, they are continuing entering various cities, destroying military and civilian infrastructure, looting and robbing peaceful population, dropping fire bombs on the forrests, blowing up bridges, establishing new illegal checkpoints on the highways, et cetera.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia strongly calls upon the Russian Federation to immediately start implementing the principles set forth in the cease-fire accord and withdraw all its armed forces to the places of their deployment before the outbreak of the hostilities. More precisely, we call upon the Russian Federation government to immediately recall back their troops which are currently heading towards Satchkhere. We also call upon the international community to take urgent measures to stop continuous Russian provocations, and make sure that Russian armed forces leave the territory of Georgia.
Moscow chooses ethnic cleansing
We would like to focus the international community’s attention on the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding on the territories occupied by the Russian armed forces.
There has been no decline in ethnically based mass robbery, persecution and slaughter of people on the Russian-occupied territories. As a consequence, ethnic Georgians are forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in the cities under the control of the Georgian Authorities. An added complication is the fact that Russian servicemen deny representatives of the international humanitarian organizations and mass media access to the territories still remaining under their control.
Apart from servicemen, urgent involvement of subdivisions of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations in the ethnic cleansing process provides evidence that we are faced with a crime that has been planned previously and then carried out in keeping with this plan. One of the goals of the Russian-claimed ‘peace operation’ was to make hostage over 200 thousand ethnic Georgians.
Moscow has decisively chosen ethnic cleansing as an instrument for achieving its own political aims.
There has been no decline in ethnically based mass robbery, persecution and slaughter of people on the Russian-occupied territories. As a consequence, ethnic Georgians are forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in the cities under the control of the Georgian Authorities. An added complication is the fact that Russian servicemen deny representatives of the international humanitarian organizations and mass media access to the territories still remaining under their control.
Apart from servicemen, urgent involvement of subdivisions of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations in the ethnic cleansing process provides evidence that we are faced with a crime that has been planned previously and then carried out in keeping with this plan. One of the goals of the Russian-claimed ‘peace operation’ was to make hostage over 200 thousand ethnic Georgians.
Moscow has decisively chosen ethnic cleansing as an instrument for achieving its own political aims.
Timeline for 19th August, to 14:50
The information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but is subject to verification.
14:50 Russian troops started movement from Gomi in Sachkhere direction. Local population blocked the road.
13:50 Russians troops where observed half an hour ago leading 6 blindfolded Georgian POWs and six US owned Hummers to the military base in Senaki from Poti. Hummers belonging to American military participated in US-Georgian military exercise “Immediate Response 2008” held in Georgia on 15th-31st of July 2008.
12:30 On the railroad in Gomi, 100 kms from Tbilisi, Russians have loaded blocks of concrete on rails, thus creating another obstacle for re-launch of West-East traffic.
09:00 According today’s Russian media, Government of Russia closed borders with Azerbaijan and Georgia for foreigners, except CIS citizens. Decree from 12th of August no592, was signed by Prime Minister Putin.
01:00 20 Georgian police entered Poti for protection of the commercial port. At 08:30 Russian militaries entered the port, disarmed Georgian soldiers and captured them.
19 AUGUST
14:50 Russian troops started movement from Gomi in Sachkhere direction. Local population blocked the road.
13:50 Russians troops where observed half an hour ago leading 6 blindfolded Georgian POWs and six US owned Hummers to the military base in Senaki from Poti. Hummers belonging to American military participated in US-Georgian military exercise “Immediate Response 2008” held in Georgia on 15th-31st of July 2008.
12:30 On the railroad in Gomi, 100 kms from Tbilisi, Russians have loaded blocks of concrete on rails, thus creating another obstacle for re-launch of West-East traffic.
09:00 According today’s Russian media, Government of Russia closed borders with Azerbaijan and Georgia for foreigners, except CIS citizens. Decree from 12th of August no592, was signed by Prime Minister Putin.
01:00 20 Georgian police entered Poti for protection of the commercial port. At 08:30 Russian militaries entered the port, disarmed Georgian soldiers and captured them.
Georgia's withdrawal from CIS
On 14 August 2008 the Parliament of Georgia adopted resolutions terminating with respect to Georgia the Agreement on the Creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States of 8 December 1991, Charter of the Commonwealth of Independent States approved by decision of 22 January 1993 of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Agreement on the Creation of Economic Union of 24 September 1993.
On 18 August 2008 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia sent a note to the CIS Executive Committee notifying it of the aforesaid resolutions of the Parliament of Georgia and Georgia’s withdrawal from CIS.
Georgia hereby renounces all obligations related to its membership of CIS as of 18 August 2008. At the same time, in compliance with the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, all multilateral international treaties concluded within CIS and all decisions adopted by CIS respective agencies, which Georgia agreed to be bound by, will remain in force with respect to Georgia.
On 18 August 2008 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia sent a note to the CIS Executive Committee notifying it of the aforesaid resolutions of the Parliament of Georgia and Georgia’s withdrawal from CIS.
Georgia hereby renounces all obligations related to its membership of CIS as of 18 August 2008. At the same time, in compliance with the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, all multilateral international treaties concluded within CIS and all decisions adopted by CIS respective agencies, which Georgia agreed to be bound by, will remain in force with respect to Georgia.
Russians block main highway
As a result of Russian aggression against Georgia, the main highway of Georgia (M-27) has been kept closed by the occupation forces of the Russian Federation for several days. They have also blocked the seaport in Poti and blasted the segment of the main railway line at Kaspi. This measure is aimed at economic isolation of Georgia and impeding connection between its regions. The transit traffic is temporarily halted and the import limited, as a result of which innocent population suffers.
Even though the Government of Georgia has sufficient economic and financial resources at its disposal to overcome these problems, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to draw the attention of the international community to the fact that the Government of the Russian Federation is using military means at hand to enclose Georgia with economic blockade.
Witnessing these actions, it should be absolutely obvious to the international community that the Russian Federation chose destruction of economy with the use of military force as an instrument for implementing its foreign policy.
Even though the Government of Georgia has sufficient economic and financial resources at its disposal to overcome these problems, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to draw the attention of the international community to the fact that the Government of the Russian Federation is using military means at hand to enclose Georgia with economic blockade.
Witnessing these actions, it should be absolutely obvious to the international community that the Russian Federation chose destruction of economy with the use of military force as an instrument for implementing its foreign policy.
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