H.E. MR. MIKHEIL SAAKASHVILI, PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA
63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly New York, 23 September 2008
Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates,
I thank you for the opportunity today to address this, the 63rd annual gathering of the General Assembly, at such a critical moment in the history of my own country and of the United Nations.
Sometimes, the most extreme tests of this institution’s towering ideals arise in small, even obscure places.
I come to you as the representative of one of those places, the country of Georgia, a land of fewer than 5 million, that last month was invaded by our neighbor.
Despite our small size, the legal, moral, political, and security implications raised by that invasion could not be larger in consequence.
Indeed, those issues cut through to the heart of the UN’s founding charter.
The principles enshrined in that charter included the inviolability of sovereign borders; the sanctity of human rights; the supremacy of international law; and the global rejection of armed aggression.
All of these principles were put to the test by the invasion, and now hang in the balance.
The invasion violated Georgia’s internationally recognized borders.
The subsequent recognition of the so-called “independence” of our two regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia challenged our territorial integrity.
The ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of our people did violence to the very idea of human rights.
This General Assembly, therefore, faces a General Challenge. read full text
The meeting of the European Council was preceded by an exposé by the President of the European Parliament, Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering, followed by an exchange of views.
1. The European Council is gravely concerned by the open conflict which has broken out in Georgia, by the resulting violence and by the disproportionate reaction of Russia. This conflict has led to great suffering on both sides. Military action of this kind is not a solution and is not acceptable. The European Council deplores the loss of human life, the suffering inflicted on the population, the number of displaced persons and refugees, and the considerable material damage.
2. The European Council strongly condemns Russia's unilateral decision to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. That decision is unacceptable and the European Union calls on other States not to recognise this proclaimed independence and asks the Commission to examine the practical consequences to be drawn. It recalls that a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Georgia must be based on full respect for the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity recognised by international law, the Final Act of the Helsinki Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and United Nations Security Council resolutions. read full text
8 August 2008 Russia claiming "the protection of its citizens", started aggression against Georgia in S. Ocetia.
According to "СМИ" Russian military aviation bombed Gori. According to Georgian officials Russian Airplanes bombed Poti, Senaki and Tskhinvali. Russian "СМИ" stated that paratroopers "РФ" were deployed in Tskhinvali.
August 8, in the evening on UN Security Council session Russian ambassador Vitali Churkin admitted the fact that Russians were bombing Georgian Teritory. At the beginning of the Russian Agression in Georgia Russia strengthened anti-Georgian propaganda. Russian media was talking only about Georgian military activities in s. Osetia, however they were silent about shooting and bombing Georgian villages by the regime of Eduard Kokoiti. On august 8 Georgian governmental web-pages and the web-page of Rustavi 2 (Georgian broadcasting company) were hacked.
On August 8 International Society Мемориал discussed the advance of Georgian military forces in Tskhinvali which has been characterized by Georgian officials as "constitutional way for establishing peace" (http://www.memo.ru/2008/08/08/0808081.htm) but whatever is happening in Georgia, Russia doesn't have a right of using military force in foreign territory. The status of Russian peace-keepers in Georgia is defined by intergovernmental agreements. Russia has lost the moral right for conducting the peace keeping mission in Abkhazia and S. Ossetia when Russian government has provoked the conflicts and was supporting the separatists. And as Russian troops have bombed and invaded Georgian territory way beyond than S. Ossetia, Russia became a part of the conflict.
President Medvedev stated that he has an obligation to protect the lives of Russian citizens despite of their location. However as it is reaffirmed in United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 14 December 1974 Definition of Aggression article 5.1 "No consideration of whatever nature, whether political, economic, military or otherwise, may serve as a justification for aggression." As in 1938 Nazi Germany justified the invasion of Czecho-slovakian territory by protecting the interests of German population there.
The historical experience has showed that the intervention of our country in foreign business is unavoidable. Contrary to statements for "help" — leads to incalculable troubles. In 1979 Soviet government sent the troops to Sovereign Afganistan under a pretext of «rendering of the brotherly help » Hundred thousand residents of the country became victims of the Soviet Army. Today a "chekist-official" group which governs Russia – predecessor of Soviet government has commited the aggression against independent Georgia.
Incursion into Afghanistan has led to that in this country many years do not stop large-scale violence and infringement of the rights of citizens, wars continually flash. Historical development of Afghanistan has turned From the secular state it has turned in theocratic. Actions of the Soviet management have led to sharp growth of popularity of Islamic fundamentalism not only in Afghanistan, but also in Pakistan and the Arabian countries. (let us recall an alliance of "Taliban" and Alqaida.)
If the international community will not stop the Russian aggression and if Georgia, carrying out the legitimate right for self-defense, cannot reflect it, Russia can grasp not only former ¯S. Ossetian autonomous region, but also other parts of Georgia. And in fact many irresponsible Russian politicians declare claims on kremlin.
We demand the immediate termination of aggression against Georgia.
We consider, that a management of Russia, having put one more bloody spot on reputation of the country, has made finally unacceptable from the moral point of view its stay in « big 8"
We call General Assembly of the United Nations, the Organization on safety and cooperation in the Europe, Parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe and other international institutes to consider the problem on actions of the Russian management against Georgia.
Sergey Kovalev, chairman of the Russian society "Memorial", chairman of Fund of a name A.D.Saharova
Dmitry Belomestnov, the journalist, Moscow
Stanislav Dmitrievsky (Nizhni Novgorod), chairman of the Society of the Russian-Chechen friendship
Tatyana Monahova, human rights defender, Moscow
Elena Maglevannaja, the proof-reader, Volgograd
Michael Kriger, chairman of Committee of anti-war actions, Moscow
Ivan Simochkin, youth movement "Defense", Moscow
Alexey Manannikov, the president Siberian inter-regional правозащитного fund " Vena-89 ", Novosibirsk
Edward Glezin, the coordinator of the Russian youth movement «abarona" Moscow
Anton Chezhidov, active worker НДСМ
Dmitry Shusharin, the historian and the journalist
Igor Drandin, РНДС
Vladimir Shaklein, the Inter-regional center of human rights — Ural branch OOD « For human rights »
Vladimir Sirotin, the left socialist
Larissa Volodimerova, the legal expert (and also the writer and the publicist), Holland, and its human rights defender the organization "Fund " Марекса ""
Lev Ponomarev, executive director of the All-Russian social movement « For human rights »
Vladimir Panteleev, the political prisoner in 1970–76, the invalid of 2 groups after political represion, chairman of board of the Nizhniy Novgorod society of victims of communistic terror, Nizhni Novgorod
Sergey Sorokin, chairman of Movement against violence, Moscow
Anna Mikhailina
Felix Balonov, the candidate of historical sciences, St.-Petersburg
Dmitry Vorobevsky, the editor of the newspaper "Sedition", member of the Democratic Union, Voronezh
Valentine Schulman, the doctor, Moscow
Raisa Grishechkina, Rostov-ON-Don
Alexey Skripkin, the programmer, Kostroma
Alexey yarema, the head of Group the ЭРА, St.-Petersburg
Olga Mamay, the teacher, Moscow
Ekaterina Vorobeva, the historian-archivist, Moscow
Leonid Litinsky, the mathematician, Troitsk.
Elena Ryabinin, the employee of Committee « Civil assistance », Moscow
Suren Edigavov, Moscow
Andrey Zhelonkin, the journalist, Saransk
Natalia Gorbanevskaja, human rights defender, the participant taken place on August, 25th, 1968 on the Red area in Moscow manifestations of protest against intrusion of the Soviet armies into Czechoslovakia
Victor Fajnberg, the legal expert, the participant taken place on August, 25th, 1968 on the Red area in Moscow manifestations of protest against intrusion of the Soviet armies into Czechoslovakia
Galia Koinash, Kharkov human rights group
Oksana Chelysheva, Nizhni Novgorod
Elena Mikhaylovskaya, the housewife, Kharkov, Ukraine
We appeal to you in the time of our severe testing when Russian Federation exercises of large-scale aggression against the sovereign Georgia in attempt of its complete occupation. Today is a matter of life and death of Georgia as a country. Russia aims at abolishment of Georgia’s sovereignty, disorganization of its State system and annihilation of the country. Mass violation of human rights and liberties has occurred, peaceful citizens has been assaulted. Russian active forces have been bombing whole territory of Georgia and our capaital city Tbilisi, the hospitals and University in Gori. All that has caused heavy casualties among civilian population, hundreds are wounded, their private property is crushed. Russian invaders killed local, foreign and even Russian journalists; shoot wounded Georgian soldiers.
At the same time Russia conducts dirty information warfare against Georgia, spreads out misinformation to give the world wry and preconceived notion about the just war of Georgia for democracy, peace and the country integrity.
Soviet Empire laid delayed-action mine by creating Abkhazian and South Ossetian autonomies and, after collapse of the Union, Russia has actively supported separative movement in these regions. Under the aegis of peace-makers it has made any effort to keep and increase the tension during last 15 years. Russia has hampered the restoration of confidence between Georgians and Abkhazians, Georgians and South Ossetians, impeded peaceful settlement of the conflict and respectively created security and stability threat for the whole region.
Military aggression from Russian side can not be justified by so called mission of its citizens’ protection in the separative regions and this argument is absolutely inadmissible. It recalls the reason used by Nazi regime for occupation of sovereign Czechoslovakia in 30th of last century. In fact Russia has been annexing not only South Ossetia and Abkhazia but the whole Georgia.
By means of military intervention Russia tries to overthrow democratically elected government of its small neighbor country of infant western-oriented democracy, to change the geo-political status of the whole Caucasus region and turn back the world to the times of the cold war.
Georgia is a country of ancient civilization, historically always peace-loving and nowadays most of all seeking after peace.
At the time of evolvement of these dramatic and cruel developments we apply to all scientists of the world and our Russian colleagues among them to lay to their hearts the tragedy of our small country and raise their voices to avoid ethnic-cleaning of Georgians in their native country (this intention is still going starting from 90-ies of last century). Please render us your countenance in stopping the intervention of Russian Army into Georgia, resolving the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, withdrawal of Russian occupation troops from Georgia and peaceful settlement of the conflict with participation of international neutral mediators.
Please believe us, from today's developments in our country Russia is starting the process of democratic values’ violation and word-wide domination by means of harsh military force.
This letter is intended to those for whom education is the means of achieving peace and prosperity in the whole world and in your countries in particular.
We, a group of education specialists have been conducting the substantial education reform in Georgia. We have introduced new curriculum, textbooks and have been teaching our fellow citizens that there should be tolerance towards all ethnic, religious or other minorities in Georgia. We have been introducing the democratic governance in all schools of Georgia including the election of the principles, school boards, introducing the democratic budgeting and human resource management procedures. We have been collaborating with the world renown education specialists in order to create the modern and human system here in our country.
All this and what is more important, the lives of our citizens and in particular, schoolchildren is in danger. The Russian Troops are bombing our cities, killing civilians, destroying the infrastructure. The Russian backed Ossetians and Abkhazians are killing the innocent civilians in the villages left without the support. Children have been displaced in thousands from their homes, desperately looking for their parents and relatives. All this is happening, because Russia has to show to the word that they are the ones who are the real masters of the tiny country called Georgia, and not its people who love their freedom to create their own destiny.
On 8.8.2008 Russians have started the full scale war in Georgia and are expanding their forces and the area of the military intervention every day. Every day they are advancing in different parts of Georgia with their troops, tanks and warplanes occupying settlements an cynically dictating their demands. Yesterday evening we were waiting for their advance on Tbilisi. Today is yet another unfortunate day of the war!
We urge the whole world to help us to stop by all possible means this unprecedented aggression that we are experiencing at the moment before more lives are lost. Send the petitions to your governments, organize protest campaigns, write about your experiences in the news. Protecting us you will be ultimately protecting the humanity in the world. Russia has to be contained once again!
Simon Janashia
Director of National Curriculum and Assessment Center
I'm deeply concerned about the situation in Georgia. The United States takes this matter very seriously.
The attacks are occurring in regions of Georgia far from the zone of conflict in South Ossetia. They mark a dangerous escalation in the crisis. The violence is endangering regional peace. Civilian lives have been lost, and others are endangered.
This situation can be resolved peacefully. We've been in contact with leaders in both Georgia and Russia at all levels of government. Georgia is a sovereign nation and its territorial integrity must be respected. We have urged an immediate halt to the violence and a stand-down by all troops. We call for an end to the Russian bombings, and a return by the parties to the status quo of August the 6th.
The United States is working with our European partners to launch international mediation, and with the parties to restart their dialogue. Russia needs to support these efforts so that peace can be restored as quickly as possible.
Laura and I were also saddened by the attack on an American family and their Chinese tour guide today in Beijing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. And the United States government has offered to provide any assistance the family needs.
Thank you very much. -------------------------------
Statement by Secretary of State CONDOLEEZZA RICE
Russia Move into Georgia
The United States calls for an immediate ceasefire to the armed conflict in Georgia’s region of South Ossetia. We call on Russia to cease attacks on Georgia by aircraft and missiles, respect Georgia’s territorial integrity, and withdraw its ground combat forces from Georgian soil.
Senior U.S. officials and I have spoken with the parties and continue to work with them to seek an end to hostilities. The United States is working actively with its European partners to launch international mediation. We urgently seek Russia’s support of these efforts.
We underscore the international community’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as articulated in numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions, including most recently UNSCR 1808 in April 2008. -----------
Remarks by Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad U.S. Permanent Representative, on the situation in Georgia, at the Security Council Stakeout, August 8, 2008
You have seen the discussion, the debate, that we had for the second time today on the situation in Georgia. Let me make clear where the United States stands with regards to this issue.
• First we call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to hostilities by all sides. • We call for talks between the Georgians and Ossetians. • Point three; we deplore the Russian military action in Georgia which is a violation of Georgian sovereignty and territorial integrity. • And four, we call on Russian forces to stop attacks whether by aircraft, missiles or ground combat forces.
We will work inside the Council, with others, to come to an agreement that will reflect these principles. I know that there’s been a lot of suffering that has taken place in Georgia. It’s important that all parties agree to an immediate ceasefire as soon as possible. There are important and difficult negotiations that have to take place, but the first thing that is needed is an end to use of force and an end to violence, and the use of violence by all concerned.
Georgia has been openly invaded by Russian military forces.
Cities and villages throughout Georgia are being bombed. Numerous of civilians are being killed, thousands of people are homeless, material damage to the country’s infrastructure is devastating.
Georgian citizens are against war. We are being punished for our aspiration to become part of the democratic world. Today our choice to become part of the West is threatened. Russian aggression is a challenge to the international community as well.
We, the civil society organizations of Georgia call for:
The World democratic community to take quick and effective measures to stop violence in Georgia;
Armed forces of the Russian Federation to stop their intervention immediately and leave the territory of Georgia.
Every minute is critical for the lives of innocent civilians in Georgia!!!
Signatures:
1. The Union “21 Century” 2. National Center of Protection from Violence 3. Women Club “Peoni” 4. Multinational Georgia 5. Article 42 of the Constitution 6. Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association 7. Constitutional Rights Protection Centre 8. Open Society Georgia Foundation 9. Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development 10. The Youth Network Against Intolerance and Discrimination 11. Civil Integration Foundation 12. Civil Participation Centre 13. Javakheti Democratic Development Centre 14. Civil Council 15. International Center on Conflicts and Negotiations
ARLINGTON, VA – Today, in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S. Senator John McCain delivered the following statement regarding the current conflict between Georgia and Russia:
"Americans wishing to spend August vacationing with their families or watching the Olympics may wonder why their newspapers and television screens are filled with images of war in the small country of Georgia. Concerns about what occurs there might seem distant and unrelated to the many other interests America has around the world. And yet Russian aggression against Georgia is both a matter of urgent moral and strategic importance to the United States of America.
"Georgia is an ancient country, at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and one of the world's first nations to adopt Christianity as an official religion. After a brief period of independence following the Russian revolution, the Red Army forced Georgia to join the Soviet Union in 1922. As the Soviet Union crumbled at the end of the Cold War, Georgia regained its independence in 1991, but its early years were marked by instability, corruption, and economic crises.
"Following fraudulent parliamentary elections in 2003, a peaceful, democratic revolution took place, led by the U.S.-educated lawyer Mikheil Saakashvili. The Rose Revolution changed things dramatically and, following his election, President Saakashvili embarked on a series of wide-ranging and successful reforms. I've met with President Saakashvili many times, including during several trips to Georgia.
"What the people of Georgia have accomplished – in terms of democratic governance, a Western orientation, and domestic reform – is nothing short of remarkable. That makes Russia's recent actions against the Georgians all the more alarming. In the face of Russian aggression, the very existence of independent Georgia – and the survival of its democratically-elected government – are at stake.
"In recent days Moscow has sent its tanks and troops across the internationally recognized border into the Georgian region of South Ossetia. Statements by Moscow that it was merely aiding the Ossetians are belied by reports of Russian troops in the region of Abkhazia, repeated Russian bombing raids across Georgia, and reports of a de facto Russian naval blockade of the Georgian coast. Whatever tensions and hostilities might have existed between Georgians and Ossetians, they in no way justify Moscow's path of violent aggression. Russian actions, in clear violation of international law, have no place in 21st century Europe.
"The implications of Russian actions go beyond their threat to the territorial integrity and independence of a democratic Georgia. Russia is using violence against Georgia, in part, to intimidate other neighbors – such as Ukraine – for choosing to associate with the West and adhering to Western political and economic values.As such, the fate of Georgia should be of grave concern to Americans and all people who welcomed the end of a divided of Europe, and the independence of former Soviet republics. The international response to this crisis will determine how Russia manages its relationships with other neighbors. We have other important strategic interests at stake in Georgia, especially the continued flow of oil through the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which Russia attempted to bomb in recent days; the operation of a critical communication and trade route from Georgia through Azerbaijan and Central Asia; and the integrity and influence of NATO, whose members reaffirmed last April the territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Georgia.
"Yesterday Georgia withdrew its troops from South Ossetia and offered a ceasefire. The Russians responded by bombing the civilian airport in Georgia's capital, Tblisi, and by stepping up its offensive in Abkhazia. This pattern of attack appears aimed not at restoring any status quo ante in South Ossetia, but rather at toppling the democratically elected government of Georgia. This should be unacceptable to all the democratic countries of the world, and should draw us together in universal condemnation of Russian aggression.
"Russian President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin must understand the severe, long-term negative consequences that their government's actions will have for Russia's relationship with the U.S. and Europe. It is time we moved forward with a number of steps.
"The United States and our allies should continue efforts to bring a resolution before the UN Security Council condemning Russian aggression, noting the withdrawal of Georgian troops from South Ossetia, and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgian territory.We should move ahead with the resolution despite Russian veto threats, and submit Russia to the court of world public opinion.
"NATO's North Atlantic Council should convene in emergency session to demand a ceasefire and begin discussions on both the deployment of an international peacekeeping force to South Ossetia and the implications for NATO's future relationship with Russia, a Partnership for Peace nation.NATO's decision to withhold a Membership Action Plan for Georgia might have been viewed as a green light by Russia for its attacks on Georgia, and I urge the NATO allies to revisit the decision.
"The Secretary of State should begin high-level diplomacy, including visiting Europe, to establish a common Euro-Atlantic position aimed at ending the war and supporting the independence of Georgia. With the same aim, the U.S. should coordinate with our partners in Germany, France, and Britain, to seek an emergency meeting of the G-7 foreign ministers to discuss the current crisis.The visit of French President Sarkozy to Moscow this week is a welcome expression of transatlantic activism.
"Working with allied partners, the U.S. should immediately consult with the Ukrainian government and other concerned countries on steps to secure their continued independence. This is particularly important as a number of Russian Black Sea fleet vessels currently in Georgian territorial waters are stationed at Russia's base in the Ukrainian Crimea.
"The U.S. should work with Azerbaijan and Turkey, and other interested friends, to develop plans to strengthen the security of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.
"The U.S. should send immediate economic and humanitarian assistance to help mitigate the impact the invasion has had on the people of Georgia.
Our united purpose should be to persuade the Russian government to cease its attacks, withdraw its troops, and enter into negotiations with Georgia.
We must remind Russia's leaders that the benefits they enjoy from being part of the civilized world require their respect for the values, stability and peace of that world.
World history is often made in remote, obscure countries. It is being made in Georgia today.It is the responsibility of the leading nations of the world to ensure that history continues to be a record of humanity's progress toward respecting the values and security of free people.
Die tatsächliche Situation im Kaukasus ist derzeit noch hinter einem dunklen Schleier an Unklarheiten und widersprüchlichen Informationen verborgen. Die derzeitige Situation ist geprägt von der Übernahme politischer Stellungnahmen der russischen und georgischen Seite. Bisher gibt es nur wenige unabhängige Berichte aus der Region. Beim Kaukasuskonflikt handelte es sich zudem um einen eingefrorenen Konflikt, so dass praktisch keine europäischen Journalisten in der Region waren. Die Berichterstattung erfolgte daher überwiegend aus den Moskauer Büros der verschiedenen Agenturen. Diese nutzten selbstverständlich ihre vorhandenen Informationskanäle in Russland. Hierdurch lag der Schwerpunkt automatisch auf der Darstellung Russlands. Leider gibt es zudem in Georgien wenig Berichterstatter und Ansprechpartner, wovon Russland ebenfalls profitiert.
Heute istnicht nur ein militärischer Krieg zwischen dem kleinen Georgien undRussland entbrannt, sondern auch ein Informationskrieg und es wäre für Georgien fatal, in diesem Krieg als Aggressor und Okkupant dargestellt zu werden.
In Deutschland gibt es derzeit kaum Berichterstattung und Informationen über die Hintergründe und den konkreten Anlass des Krieges. Überwiegend beginnt die deutsche Berichterstattung damit, dass Georgien Südossetien angegriffen und damit den Krieg ausgelöst hat, bevor man sich der Rolle Russlands zuwendet. Es wurde nur darüber geschrieben und geredet, dass Georgien den Krieg angefangen hat. Allerdings wurde dieser Konflikt, der jahrelang gefroren war, von Russland nach und nach aufgetaut, bis er nun entflammen konnte. Hierbei trifft Russland die Hauptlast der Verantwortung nicht nur für die Ursachen, sondern auch für den konkreten Anlass des Krieges:
Der konkrete Anlass wurde bisher in den deutschen Medien nicht einmal erwähnt: In Südossetien leben nicht nur Osseten, sondern auch etliche Georgier in mehreren Dörfern. Diese Dörfer sind seit mehreren Monaten das Opfer des Beschusses durch Separatisten, so dass die georgische Regierung sich zu einem Eingreifen genötigt sah. Zum Schutz der georgischen Bevölkerung berufen waren unter anderem die russischen Friedenstruppen, die jedoch wegsahen und die Separatisten zudem mit Waffen versorgten.
Wie würde man in Deutschland reagieren, wenn das eigene Land, die eigene Bevölkerung, Schulen und Kindergarten Tag und Nacht ohne Gnade beschossen werden würden. War es nicht richtig zu versuchen, dem ein Ende zu setzen? Wie soll man reagieren, wenn einem auf dem eigenen Staatsgebiet gezielt die Bevölkerung abgeworben wird und gezielt separatistische Bestrebungen künstlich gefördert werden?Und wie sollen wir jetzt reagieren, nachdem Russland vollkommen grundlos auch ureigenstes georgisches Gebiet angreift?
Wir möchten die internationale Weltgemeinschaft auffordern, alles Mögliche zu tun, um Russlands Aggression gegen das souveräne Land Georgien zu stoppen!
Russland hat die Region systematisch destabilisiert und somit den Konflikt heraufbeschworen. Georgien hat sich dagegen ständig bemüht, diesem Krieg, der übrigens absehbar war, auszuweichen:
ØUnsere Bemühungen, Russland davon abzuhalten, die Bevölkerung in Süd-Ossetien mit russischen Pässen auszustatten, hatten kein Erfolg. Eine Reaktion der westlichen Völkergemeinschaft hierauf war kaum zu erkennen. Folge dieser russischen Passpolitik ist nunmehr, dass der Krieg von russischer Seite mit dem Schutz ebendieser Staatsbürger begründet wird
ØGeorgien hat Süd-Ossetien weitgehende Autonomierechte angeboten. Das Angebot wurde auch von der Seite der EU als positiv und akzeptabel bewertet, doch die Russische und Ossetische Seite haben dasAngebot abgelehnt.
ØVergeblich versuchte Georgien die russischen sogenannten Friedenstruppen durch eine gemischte internationale Truppe - auch mit russischer Beteiligung, zu ersetzen. Doch der Plan scheiterte an der Verweigerungshaltung der russischen Seite.
ØDie ossetischen Separatisten beschossen tagtäglich die friedliche Bevölkerung in den georgischen Dörfern des Südossetiens. Die russischen s.g .Friedenstruppen erscheinen nicht als Beobachter sondern als aktiver Unterstützter dieses separatistischen Terrors.
ØSelbst während der massiven Bombardierungen der georgischen Dörfer am 08.08.08 hat der georgische Präsident noch einen einseitige Waffenstillstand ausgerufen und die ossetische und russische Seite aufgefordert, das Feuer einzustellen.
Wir appellieren an die westliche Völkergemeinschaft klarzustellen, dass Georgien in diesen Krieg hineingezwungen wurde.
Fakten sprechen für sich. Wer hätte Interesse am Krieg? Georgien?
ØEin Krieg gegen das eigene Land? Gegen die eigene Bevölkerung?
ØWirtschaftlicher Faktor: Was für katastrophale wirtschaftliche Folgen würde ein Krieg für ein so kleines Land wie Georgien haben?
ØRussland Faktor:
ØAuf dem NATO-Gipfel in Bukarest wurde entschieden, Georgien mit der Begründung, dass das Land zunächst die Konflikte im eigenen Lande lösen soll, nicht in den Aktionsplan der NATO aufzunehmen. Damit war für Georgien klar, dass Russland alles daransetzen wird, Georgien in einem Konflikt hineinzuzwingen und damit die georgischen Pläne zum NATO-Beitritt endgültig begraben.
ØSchlussendlich: Ein Krieg in Süd-Ossetien wäre ein Krieg gegen Russland und damit für Georgien verheerend. Denn wer sind die Mitglieder der pro russischen Regierung Süd Ossetiens?
ØSüd-Ossetiens KGB-Chef – Anatoly Baranov ist der ehemalige Leiter der Agentur für Sicherheit der Russischen Föderation (FSB - Nachfolger des KGB) in der russischen Republik Mordovien. (Russe, Spricht kein Wort Ossetisch.)
Øder Innenminister Süd-Ossetiens - Micheil Mindzayev ist ein ehemaliger Mitarbeiter des Innenministeriums in Nord-Ossetien (Russland)
Øder Verteidigungsminister Süd-Ossetiens – Vasily Lunev ist ehemaliger Millitärkommissar in Perm (Russland). (Russe, spricht kein Wort Ossetisch).
Øder Minister des Süd-Ossetischen Sicherheitsrates – Anatoly Barankevich war Militärkomissar im Stavropol (Russland) Gebiet. (Russe, spricht kein Wort Ossetisch).
ØPremierminister Süd Ossetiens – Yuri Morozov (Russe, spricht kein Wort Ossetisch.)
Nun wer profitiert von dem Krieg?
Der Krieg wird auf dem Territorium eines fremden Landes geführt.
Der Wirtschaftliche Faktor ist für Russland nicht so entscheidend wie für Georgien.
Russland legitimiert durch diesen Krieg seinen Einmarsch in Georgien, schon jetzt in Süd Ossetien als auch in Abchasien. Auch Militärstützpunkte in diesen Gebieten werden dadurch legitimiert.
Ein destabilisiertes Land kann nicht in NATO aufgenommen werden.
Russland kann das international nicht anerkannte Süd Ossetien und Abchasien eher an eine Kosovo-Präzedenz knüpfen und die Unabhängigkeit dieser Gebiete, ungeachtet der Meinung der Flüchtlinge aus diesen Regionen, anerkennen.
Russland erlangt durch diesen Krieg der Oberhand über ehemalige Einflussgebiete wieder.
Die russische Föderation führt eine militärische Aggression gegen den souveränen Staat Georgien durch. Die erwähnte Aggression stelltsiealsso genannte ,,humanitäre Förderung" und ,,zwingende Operation für den Frieden“ dar.
Georgien hat vielmals die Internationale Gemeinschaft davor gewarnt, dass Russland gezielt in den Konfliktregionen auf dem Territorium Georgiens die Eskalation der Situation herbeiführt und eine Politik der Annexion der Regionen Südossetien und Abchasien Georgiens betreibt.
Es ist Zeit, dass die zivilisierte Welt, das demokratische Europa und in erster Linie die Bundesrepublik Deutschland der Wahrheit in die Augen schaut! Und die Wahrheit sieht so aus: heute führt die russische Föderation einen offenen Krieg gegen Georgien, bombardiert u.a. von der Konfliktregion 200 km entfernte zivile Objekte und die friedliche Bevölkerung.
Georgien wird heute nur dafür bestraft, dass es danach strebt, seine Freiheit undSouveränität zu verteidigen und an der euro-atlantische Zukunft zu bauen.
Heute wird Georgien gemeinsam von Abchasien und Russen angegriffen. Der Staat Georgien wird von Westen und Norden gleichzeitig bombardiert.
Es ist nicht schwer zu begreifen, warum der Gigant Russland die Geschichte wiederholen will, und zwar die Annexion Georgiens 1921 durch Rote Armee, es ist klar, es geht um Macht im Öl-Reichenden Kaukasus.
Heute im 21.Jahrhundert darf es nicht sein, dass die zivilisierte Welt gegenüber einer solchen Aggression des gigantischen Russland gegenüber dem kleinen Land Georgien die Augen verschließt.
Wir, in Deutschland wohnende Georgier, Ukrainer, Russen, Juden, Tschetschenen, bitten die Regierung der Bundesrepublik Deutschlands,dieser Aggression der Russischen Föderation gegenüber Georgien aktiv entgegenzuwirken, alle möglichen Maßnahmen für die Herstellungvon Frieden und Sicherheit in diesen Regionen zu ergreifen und das Blutvergießen an Kindern, Frauen und älteren Menschen zu stoppen.
Bitte wiederholen Sie nicht den historischen Fehler! Wenn Europa passiv wird, wird Russland vernichtend.
Heute Georgien, Morgen?! Möchten Sie der Nächste sein!
