Tweet
RUSSIA MAY ACT AS GUARANTOR FOR ABKHAZIA, SOUTH OSSETIA, GEORGIA.
AZG DAILY #139, 28-07-2011
Russian Secretary of State, Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin
said Moscow, together with the USA and the European Union, is ready to
be a guarantor of the commitments by Abkhazia, Georgia and South
Ossetia not to use force, Itar-Tass reported July 27.
"Since the beginning of international discussions in Geneva, arranged
on the basis of the accords between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, sixteen rounds have already
taken place," the diplomat reminded, "so far, it is these meetings
that have helped to curb Tbilisi's unbridled drive towards loud
accusations and the demands for immediate return of the lost peoples
and territories."
"One might assess the results of this work from different points of
view. However, it is unquestionable that representatives of Abkhazia,
South Ossetia and Georgia have been jointly participating in Geneva
meetings for almost three years, i.e. the countries for which these
discussions were arranged, as well as (the representatives) of Russia,
the USA, the European Union, the United Nations and Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe.
"So far, it has been the only international floor where the parties
directly explain to the participants their vision of the situation in
the region and its prospects," the deputy foreign minister emphasized.
It would be not only near-sighted but also counterproductive to ignore
the opinions of Sukhum and Tskhinval. It is impossible to ensure peace
and security in Trans- Caucasia, including in Georgia, without their
direct involvement.
"As a result of joint work in Geneva, the parties gained certain
negotiating experience: there gradually appears more productiveness
and willingness to reach concrete results in the field of security.
Emotions increasingly retreat to the background, giving way to
specific proposals to strengthen stability on the border, rebuild
confidence, and resolve humanitarian problems. It is understandable
that these positive changes require much effort and time, but there is
no sensible alternative.
"As is known, late last year, the presidents of Abkhazia, Georgia and
South Ossetia made important unilateral statements on non-use of
force," he recalled, "it is a good reserve for further work in Geneva.
Concluding agreements on non-use of force between these three states
would be a logical development."
"Regrettably, Tbilisi stubbornly ignores the proposals by Tskhinval
and Sukhum to conclude such bilateral accords. Instead, Georgia
routinely tries to point the finger at Russia, demanding from us some
obligations on non-use of force. It's a substitution of notions.
Russia did not attack anyone in the August of 2008.
"At the same time, in the spirit of good will, we're ready to make a
contribution to the issue of non-use of force by securing
international guarantees for the non-use of force obligations by
Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia, jointly with our partners in
Geneva - the USA and the European Union," Karasin said.
The diplomat also said the Georgian authorities do not seek to
normalize relations with Moscow, inculcating in society the image of
enemy personified by Russia.
AZG DAILY #139, 28-07-2011
Russian Secretary of State, Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin
said Moscow, together with the USA and the European Union, is ready to
be a guarantor of the commitments by Abkhazia, Georgia and South
Ossetia not to use force, Itar-Tass reported July 27.
"Since the beginning of international discussions in Geneva, arranged
on the basis of the accords between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, sixteen rounds have already
taken place," the diplomat reminded, "so far, it is these meetings
that have helped to curb Tbilisi's unbridled drive towards loud
accusations and the demands for immediate return of the lost peoples
and territories."
"One might assess the results of this work from different points of
view. However, it is unquestionable that representatives of Abkhazia,
South Ossetia and Georgia have been jointly participating in Geneva
meetings for almost three years, i.e. the countries for which these
discussions were arranged, as well as (the representatives) of Russia,
the USA, the European Union, the United Nations and Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe.
"So far, it has been the only international floor where the parties
directly explain to the participants their vision of the situation in
the region and its prospects," the deputy foreign minister emphasized.
It would be not only near-sighted but also counterproductive to ignore
the opinions of Sukhum and Tskhinval. It is impossible to ensure peace
and security in Trans- Caucasia, including in Georgia, without their
direct involvement.
"As a result of joint work in Geneva, the parties gained certain
negotiating experience: there gradually appears more productiveness
and willingness to reach concrete results in the field of security.
Emotions increasingly retreat to the background, giving way to
specific proposals to strengthen stability on the border, rebuild
confidence, and resolve humanitarian problems. It is understandable
that these positive changes require much effort and time, but there is
no sensible alternative.
"As is known, late last year, the presidents of Abkhazia, Georgia and
South Ossetia made important unilateral statements on non-use of
force," he recalled, "it is a good reserve for further work in Geneva.
Concluding agreements on non-use of force between these three states
would be a logical development."
"Regrettably, Tbilisi stubbornly ignores the proposals by Tskhinval
and Sukhum to conclude such bilateral accords. Instead, Georgia
routinely tries to point the finger at Russia, demanding from us some
obligations on non-use of force. It's a substitution of notions.
Russia did not attack anyone in the August of 2008.
"At the same time, in the spirit of good will, we're ready to make a
contribution to the issue of non-use of force by securing
international guarantees for the non-use of force obligations by
Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia, jointly with our partners in
Geneva - the USA and the European Union," Karasin said.
The diplomat also said the Georgian authorities do not seek to
normalize relations with Moscow, inculcating in society the image of
enemy personified by Russia.