US-Außenministerin Clinton in Georgien: ‘unerschütterliche’ Unterstützung

05.07.2010 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

US-Außenministerin Clinton beteuert nochmals Georgien’s ‘unerschütterliche’ Unterstützung
Hillary Clinton, the U.S. secretary of state, reiterated Washington’s “steadfast” support to Georgia, spoke out against “the continued occupation” of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia, called on Tbilisi not to be “provoked” by Russia and not to be focused on the past.
Clinton paid a six-hour visit to Georgia on July 5, which was her final stop on her tour of Eastern European countries, which also included Ukraine, Poland, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
During her stay in Tbilisi the U.S. Secretary of State held a town hall meeting with women leaders, met with President Saakashvili and some opposition leaders and took a walk in the old part of Tbilisi together with the Georgian leader.
Town Hall Meeting
The town hall meeting in the National Library involved over hundred of women, including from advocacy and media groups, opposition parties, lawmakers and some senior government officials, as well as the Georgian First Lady, Sandra Roelofs.
“I believe that the potential of this country to serve as a beacon and model for democracy and progress is extraordinary,” Clinton said in her opening remarks at the meeting.
During question-and-answer session the Secretary of State was asked by Tina Khidasheli of the opposition Republican Party whether the Obama administration had “real a democracy agenda” for Georgia. “The real one and not the one we have seen during the Bush times – that was ‘well, we know what Saakashvili does, but he’s our guy’… is that any real weapon the U.S. has to influence the democratic changes?” Khidasheli asked and added that she was concerned about, what she called, increasing skepticism towards the West among Georgians.
“The United States always has a democratic agenda,” Clinton responded.
“Our view is that Georgia has made extraordinary progress and has demonstrated resilience in the face of very difficult circumstances. But of course, we raise issues - whether it’s criminal code, independent judiciary or free media; we raise these issues as a friend, as a supporter, as a believer in the significance of Georgian democracy.”
“We gonna continue to support democracy in Georgia,” Clinton added.
She said that when people starting saying that they become skeptical of the west, the alternative was to “work to overcome that skepticism, work to fix the problem.”
Later during the same meeting she again addressed the same issue and said: “It is beyond my imagination that a country that has fought so hard to be independent, despite the difficulties would be seeking another potential route.”
Another government critic, Eka Beselia, a former member of ex-defense minister Irakli Okruashvili’s party, who now leads an advocacy group, told the Secretary of State that there were more than 60 “political prisoners” in Georgia. “And I want to request you to ask President Saakashvili why he holds political prisoners and why the judiciary is not independent,” Beselia told Clinton and added that she herself became a victim, because her family members faced criminal persecution “just because I was in the opposition.”
“We raise all of these concerns with our meetings with the officials; I will raise this and other concerns when I meet with the President… I want to be clear that the United State supports the Georgian people and the Georgian democracy,” Clinton responded.
When a lawmaker from the ruling party, Chiora Taktakishivli, asked the Secretary of State what was the U.S. agenda to facilitate return of displaced persons back to their homes in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Clinton responded that the U.S. was “appalled and totally rejected the invasion and occupation of the Georgian territory.”
“We continue to speak out against the continued occupation and we support the use of the Geneva mechanism but it needs to be revived and it needs to be intensified. And we intend to try to do that. I am not going to stand here and tell you that this is an easy problem because this is not,” Clinton said.
During the same meeting Clinton stressed that the best way for Georgia was to move forward with its reforms and economic development and not to focus on the past.
“It is a mistake to focus on the past. Too many countries in this part of Europe are looking backwards instead of forwards,” she said. “It does not mean you forget the past; it does not mean you don’t take prudent measures to protect yourself, but staying focused on what you can do today and tomorrow to improve your lives and lives of your fellow citizens and building your democracy and opening your economy and providing for justice and social inclusion – that is for me a great mission of Georgia.”
She again reiterated that while trying to reset relations with Russia, the United States continued “to object and criticize actions by Russia which we believe are wrong and on the top of the list is the invasion and occupation of Georgia.”
She also “strongly urge” Georgia “not be baited or provoked into any action that would give any excuse to the Russians to take any further aggressive movements.”
‘Steadfast Commitment to Georgia's Sovereignty’
After the town hall meeting, the Secretary of State headed to the presidential palace, where she met with President Saakashvili.
Clinton said in her opening remarks at the joint news conference after the meeting that she arrived in Georgia to deliver “a clear message” from President Obama, that the United States “is steadfast in its commitment to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“The United States does not recognize spheres of influence,” she said and added that President Obama and she had communicated this message also with the Russian counterparts.
She said that the U.S. was calling on Russia to abide with its commitments undertaken under the August 12 six-point ceasefire agreement and to pull back its troops to pre-August war line.
She also reiterated the U.S. position that there was no need for any additional agreement, as insisted by Russia – a reference to Moscow’s calls on Tbilisi to sign a non-use of force treaty or a declaration. Moscow, however, itself refuses to sign such document citing that it is not party into the conflict.
Echoing Tbilisi’s position on the matter, Clinton said that if such agreement was anyway prepared, it would only be acceptable if Russia also was the part of it.
She said that Geneva talks were an important forum to help increase transparency in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to help reduce tensions.
She said that the U.S. “strongly urges” South Ossetians “to immediately” resume participation in the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM). She also said that the U.S. was calling on Russia to encourage South Ossetians to return to that mechanism, which was established in frames of Geneva discussions and involves regular meetings between the sides to address security concerns on the ground.
She also called on the Abkhaz side “to constructively participate” in the Geneva talks. Sokhumi said last month that it was "temporarily withdrawing" from Geneva talks – the move which Tbilisi said was in fact Russia’s attempt to undermine Geneva talks with the hands of its “puppet regime” in Sokhumi.
Clinton said the U.S. was concerned about construction of Russia’s “permanent military base” in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and added that Washington “made it clear” to the Russian authorities that such move was not in line with their commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
Clinton thanked Georgia for its significant contribution to the NATO forces in Afghanistan and added that this contribution showed evidence of Georgia’s “diligent movement towards meeting the requirements” for NATO membership.
Shortcomings Remain
At the joint news conference with President Saakashvili, Clinton said that despite “difficult circumstances” Georgia made “a real progress” in past few years.
“But, as you know better than I, there are still shortcomings. We want to urge Georgia to continue work of the Rose Revolution,” Clinton said.
U.S. ‘Decisive’ Assistance
Saakashvili said that the U.S. assistance was “decisive” for Georgia since its independence.
He said that “repeated statements” defending Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity made by the Obama administration, as well as the U.S. support to Georgia’s democracy were of vital importance for Tbilisi.
He also said that Georgia remained committed to reforms and modernization and although much remained to be done, Georgia was “a model of political and economic reforms” and “a shining example at least for this region.” He also added that despite occupation and challenges, Georgia would never turn away from this path of “reforms and modernization.”
‘Step-By-Step’ Security Cooperation
During the press conference, Saakashvili was asked about “de facto restrictions” on sale of U.S. arms to Georgia on which he responded by saying that Georgia had “very good security cooperation” with the United States and brought an example of Georgia’s contribution to the Afghan operation.
He said that this security cooperation “is a process, a step-by-step approach.” He said that “there is nothing to complain about” the U.S. policy on this issue.
On the U.S. reset policy with Russia, Saakashvili said that although initially some questions were raised about the issue, it was now clear that the reset did not come at the expense of principles.
“It is a value-based policy… That’s why we all love America,” he said.

Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Clinton, Russland, Saakaschwili, Sarkozy, Süd-Ossetien, USA

Resolution zur Okkupation im US-Senat verabschiedet

Resolution zur Okkupation im US-Senat verabschiedet - 30.07.2011, Civil Georgia
In der Resolution wird Georgiens territoriale Integrität unterstützt und Abchasien und Südosseten als "von Russland besetzte Regionen" anerkannt. ...

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http://www.civil.ge/files/files/2011/SenateResolution175.pdf

Calendar No. 113

112TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 175

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to ongoing violations of

the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and the importance

of a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict within Georgia’s internationally

recognized borders.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MAY 10, 2011

Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. KYL, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr.

CARDIN, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. LUGAR, Mr. CASEY, Mr. COCHRAN,

Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. KIRK, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. RISCH, Mr. LEVIN, Mr.

BARRASSO, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. MENENDEZ, and Mr. COONS) submitted the

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

JULY 27, 2011

Reported by Mr. KERRY, without amendment

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to ongoing

violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of

Georgia and the importance of a peaceful and just resolution

to the conflict within Georgia’s internationally recognized

borders.

Whereas, since 1993, the territorial integrity of Georgia has

been reaffirmed by the international community and 36

United Nations Security Council resolutions;

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•SRES 175 RS

Whereas the United States-Georgia Strategic Charter, signed

on January 9, 2009, underscores that ‘‘support for each

other’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and

inviolability of borders constitutes the foundation of our

bilateral relations’’;

Whereas, in October 2010, at the meeting of the United

States-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, Secretary

of State Hillary Clinton stated, ‘‘The United

States will not waiver in its support for Georgia’s sovereignty

and territorial integrity.’’;

Whereas the White House released a fact sheet on July 24,

2010, calling for ‘‘Russia to end its occupation of the

Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia’’ and

for ‘‘a return of international observers to the two occupied

regions of Georgia’’;

Whereas Vice President Joseph Biden stated in Tbilisi in

July 2009 that the United States ‘‘will not recognize

Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states’’;

Whereas, according to the Government of Georgia’s ‘‘State

Strategy on Occupied Territories,’’ the Government of

Georgia has committed itself to a policy of peaceful engagement,

the protection of economic and human rights,

freedom of movement, and the preservation of cultural

heritage, language, and identity for the people of

Abkhazia and South Ossetia;

Whereas the August 2008 conflict between the Governments

of Russia and Georgia resulted in civilian and military

causalities, the violation of the sovereignty and territorial

integrity of Georgia, and large numbers of internally displaced

persons;

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•SRES 175 RS

Whereas large numbers of persons remain displaced as a result

of the August 2008 conflict as well as the earlier

conflicts of the 1990s;

Whereas the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement, agreed to

by the Governments of Russia and Georgia provides that

all troops of the Russian Federation shall be withdrawn

to pre-conflict positions;

Whereas the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement provides

that free access shall be granted to organizations providing

humanitarian assistance in regions affected by violence

in August 2008;

Whereas the recognition by the Government of Russia of

Abkhazia and South Ossetia on August 26, 2008, was in

violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of

Georgia;

Whereas Human Rights Watch concluded in its World Report

2011 that ‘‘Russia continued to occupy Georgia’s breakaway

regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and

strengthened its military presence in the region by establishing

a military base and placing an advanced surfaceto-

air missile system in Abkhazia’’;

Whereas the parties have taken some constructive steps in recent

months, including the resumption of direct flights

between Russia and Georgia, Russian troop withdrawal

from the Georgian village of Perevi, and regular participation

in the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism;

Whereas these positive steps neither adequately address the

humanitarian situation on the ground nor constitute full

compliance with the terms of the August 2008 ceasefire

agreement;

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•SRES 175 RS

Whereas, on November 23, 2010, before the European Parliament,

Georgian President Saakashvili declared that

‘‘Georgia will never use force to restore its territorial integrity

and sovereignty’’;

Whereas Secretary of State Clinton stated in Tbilisi on July

5, 2010, ‘‘We continue to call for Russia to abide by the

August 2008 cease-fire commitment . . . including ending

the occupation and withdrawing Russian troops from

South Ossetia and Abkhazia to their pre-conflict positions.’’;

Whereas the Russian Federation blocked the extension of the

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

(OSCE) Mission to Georgia and the United Nations Observer

Mission in Georgia, forcing the missions to withdraw

from South Ossetia and Abkhazia;

Whereas troops of the Russian Federation stationed in

Abkhazia and South Ossetia continue to be present without

the consent of the Government of Georgia or a mandate

from the United Nations or other multilateral organizations;

Whereas, at the April 15, 2011, meeting in Berlin between

the foreign ministers of Georgia and NATO, Secretary of

State Clinton stated, ‘‘U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty

and territorial integrity remains steadfast. . . .

We share Georgian concerns regarding recent Russian

activities that can negatively affect regional stability.’’;

Whereas, on April 25–26, 2011, Foreign Minister of Russia

Sergei Lavrov made a high-profile visit to Abkhazia and

South Ossetia, which was immediately criticized by the

Department of State as ‘‘inconsistent with the principle

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•SRES 175 RS

of territorial integrity and Georgia’s internationally recognized

borders’’;

Whereas the Senate supports United States efforts to develop

a productive relationship with the Russian Federation in

areas of mutual interest, including non-proliferation and

arms control, cooperation concerning the failure of the

Government of Iran to meet its international obligations

with regard to its nuclear programs, counter-terrorism,

Afghanistan, anti-piracy, and economics and trade; and

Whereas the Senate agrees that these efforts must not compromise

longstanding United States policy or United

States support for its allies and partners worldwide: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate—

2 (1) affirms that it is the policy of the United

3 States to support the sovereignty, independence, and

4 territorial integrity of Georgia and the inviolability

5 of its borders, and to recognize Abkhazia and South

6 Ossetia as regions of Georgia occupied by the Rus7

sian Federation;

8 (2) calls upon the Government of Russia to

9 take steps to fulfill all the terms and conditions of

10 the 2008 ceasefire agreements between Georgia and

11 Russia, including returning military forces to pre12

war positions and ensuring access to international

13 humanitarian aid to all those affected by the con14

flict;

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•SRES 175 RS

1 (3) urges the Government of Russia and the au2

thorities in control in the regions of South Ossetia

3 and Abkhazia to allow for the full and dignified re4

turn of internally displaced persons and inter5

national missions to the territories of Abkhazia and

6 South Ossetia;

7 (4) supports peaceful, constructive engagement

8 and confidence-building measures between the Gov9

ernment of Georgia and the authorities in control in

10 South Ossetia and Abkhazia and encourages addi11

tional people-to-people contacts; and

12 (5) affirms that finding a peaceful resolution to

13 the conflict is a key priority for the United States

14 in the Caucasus region and that lasting regional sta15

bility can only be achieved through peaceful means

16 and long-term diplomatic and political dialogue be17

tween all parties.

with BILLS

Calendar No. 113

112TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 175

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to

Resolution zu Georgien im US-Senat

11.12.2010 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

'Resolution zur Okkupation' im US-Senat initiiert
Die demokratische Senatorin Jeanne Shaheen hat eine Resolution verfaßt, die Georgiens territoriale Integrität und die Anerkennung von Abchasien und Südossetien als von Russland besetzte Regionen unterstützt. Russland auch aufgerufen, das Waffenstillstandsabkommen von 2008 vollständig zu erfüllen.
Entwurf einer Resolution zu Georgien im US-Senat initiiert:
Draft of Resolution on Georgia Initiated in U.S. Senate
Draft - S.RES.698
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to the territorial integrity of Georgia and the situation within Georgia's internationally recognized borders
Whereas, since 1993, the territorial integrity of Georgia has been reaffirmed by the international community and 36 United Nations Security Council resolutions;
Whereas the Helsinki Final Act resulting from the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1975 states that parties ‘‘shall regard as inviolable all one another’s frontiers’’ and that ‘‘participating States will likewise refrain from making each other’s territory the object of military occupation’’;
Whereas the United States-Georgia Strategic Charter, signed on January 9, 2009, underscores that ‘‘support for each other’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders constitutes the foundation of our bilateral relations’’;
Whereas, in October 2010, at the meeting of the United States-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, Secretary of State Clinton stated, ‘‘The United States will not waiver in its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’’;
Whereas the White House released a fact sheet on July 24, 2010, calling for ‘‘Russia to end its occupation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia’’ and for ‘‘a return of international observers to the two occupied regions of Georgia’’;
Whereas Vice President Joseph Biden stated in Tbilisi in July 2009 that the United States ‘‘will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states’’ and went on to ‘‘urge the world not to recognize [Abkhazia and South Ossetia] as independent states’’;
Whereas the August 2008 conflict between the Governments of Russia and Georgia resulted in civilian and military causalities, the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, and large numbers of internally-displaced persons;
Whereas the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement, agreed to by the Governments of Russia and Georgia, provides that all Russian troops shall be withdrawn to pre-conflict positions;
Whereas the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement provides that free access shall be granted to organizations providing humanitarian assistance in regions affected by violence in August 2008;
Whereas the International Crisis Group concluded in its June 7, 2010, report on South Ossetia that ‘‘Moscow has not kept important ceasefire commitments and some 20,000 ethnic Georgians from the region remain forcibly displaced’’;
Whereas Human Rights Watch concluded in its World Report 2010 that ‘‘Russia continued to exercise effective control over South Ossetia and. . . Abkhazia, preventing international observers’ access and vetoing international missions working there’’;
Whereas, in October 2010, Russian troops withdrew from the small Georgian village of Perevi;
Whereas the withdrawal of Russian troops from Perevi is a positive step, but it does not constitute compliance with the terms of the August 2008 Russia-Georgia ceasefire agreement;
Whereas, on November 23, 2010, before the European Parliament, Georgian President Saakashvili committed Georgia to not use force to restore control over the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia;
Whereas Secretary of State Clinton stated in Tbilisi on July 5, 2010, ‘‘We continue to call for Russia to abide by the August 2008 cease-fire commitment. . . including ending the occupation and withdrawing Russian troops from South Ossetia and Abkhazia to their pre-conflict positions.’’;
Whereas the Russian Federation vetoed the extension of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Georgia and the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia, forcing the missions to withdraw from the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia;
Whereas Russian troops stationed in the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia continue to be present without a mandate from the United Nations or other multilateral organizations;
Whereas the Senate supports United States efforts to develop a productive relationship with the Russian Federation in areas of mutual interest, including non-proliferation and arms control, cooperation concerning the failure of the Government of Iran to meet its international obligations with regard to its nuclear programs, counter-terrorism, Afghanistan, anti-piracy, economics and trade, and others; and
Whereas the Senate agrees that these efforts must not compromise longstanding United States policy, principles of the Helsinki Final Act, and United States support for United States allies and partners worldwide: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate
(1) affirms that it is the policy of the United States to support the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Georgia and the inviolability of its borders and to recognize the areas of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as regions of Georgia occupied by the Russian Federation;
(2) calls upon the Government of Russia to take steps to fulfill all the terms and conditions of the 2008 ceasefire agreements, including returning military forces to pre-war positions and ensuring access to international humanitarian aid to all those affected by the conflict;
(3) urges the Government of Russia and the de facto authorities in the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to allow for the full and dignified return of internally-displaced persons and international observer missions to the territories of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia;
(4) supports constructive engagement and confidence-building measures between the Government of Georgia and the de facto authorities in the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia; and
(5) affirms that the path to lasting stability in this region is through peaceful means and long-term diplomatic and political dialogue.

Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Krieg-2008, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #

Russland und USA-Verbale Abrüstung

01.04.2009 | Tagesspiegel | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
Europa hofft auf einen Neuanfang zwischen Washington und Moskau – doch die Probleme bleiben. Kanzlerin Angela Merkel geht derweil auf Russland zu.
Mit einem Knopfdruck wollte Hillary Clinton den Neuanfang im Verhältnis zu Russland einleiten: Als die US-Außenministerin ihren russischen Kollegen Sergej Lawrow kürzlich zum ersten Mal traf, hatte sie einen roten Knopf aus Plastik mit der Aufschrift „Reset“ dabei, den beide dann gemeinsam drückten. Der einzige Schönheitsfehler der Inszenierung: Leider stand auf dem Knopf auf Russisch nicht „Reset“, sondern „Überlastung“ - ein Zeichen dafür, dass es zum gegenseitigen Verständnis noch ein weiter Weg ist.
...
Russlandexperten warnen nun davor, das Treffen von Obama und Medwedew überzubewerten: „Die strukturellen Probleme sind nach wie vor da“, betont Hans-Henning Schröder, Forschungsgruppenleiter bei der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik. Jetzt gebe es aber die Chance, die Probleme im Gespräch zu lösen. Schließlich beharrt die neue US-Regierung nicht unbedingt auf der Raketenabwehr und forciert auch die Einbindung der Ukraine und Georgiens in die Nato nicht mehr. „Die USA haben einen großen Schritt auf Russland zu gemacht“, sagt Schröder. „Der Rest muss verhandelt werden.“
...
Der Krieg in Georgien und der Gasstreit zwischen Moskau und Kiew hatten das Verhältnis stark belastet. Merkel gab sich am Dienstag betont pragmatisch: Die deutsch-russischen Beziehungen seien „bei allen Problemen darauf gerichtet, dass wir diese Probleme lösen“.
Einer der Streitpunkte kam umgehend zur Sprache: Moskau ist verstimmt darüber, dass sich die EU mit der Ukraine auf eine Modernisierung des ukrainischen Gaspipelinenetzes verständigt hat. Es sei „unmöglich“, dass Russland nicht beteiligt worden sei, kritisierte Medwedew. Der Ukraine drohte er gar mit finanziellen Konsequenzen. Die Kanzlerin bot ihm nun an, mit der EU-Kommission zu reden, damit Russland einbezogen werden kann. Zugleich erinnerte sie aber daran, dass die Ukraine ein souveräner Staat sei. Moskau sieht das Land als Teil seiner Einflusssphäre; der russische Konzern Gasprom strebt die Kontrolle über das ukrainische Pipelinenetz an.
... Besuch in Berlin: Medwedew für eine neue Sicherheitsarchitektur in Europa – ein Vorschlag, der als Gegenkonzept zu Nato und OSZE verstanden wurde und deshalb kaum Chancen auf Zustimmung hat. Die Kanzlerin schlug Russland am Dienstag einen „ständigen Dialog“ mit der EU im Rahmen der europäischen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik vor. Dies könne den Nato-Russland-Rat ergänzen. Merkel kündigte an, auch dies mit den Partnern in Europa zu besprechen.
Stichworte: Georgien, USA, Russland, Obama, Sprache: deutsch, Archiv: #

Präsident Saakashvili's Rede beim OSCE-Gipfel in Astana

01.12.2010 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

President Saakashvili's Speech at the OSCE Summit in Astana
December 1, Astana
Thank you Mr. Chairman, distinguished heads of states and governments, ladies and gentlemen, allow me first of all to thank our Kazakh hosts, and you know, I have been in the city of Astana for the first time six years ago.
This very city is a great evidence of what leadership of personalities, what historic differences it can make. And I think it is very much attribute also to the great man Nursultan Nazarbayev with very rare vision about this city, about this country, about this region.
And I think it is a great example to follow for all the others also in this region. Our common mission at the summit is to agree on a set of concrete steps to make the OSCE a true security community one free of dividing lines, conflicts, spheres of influence, a community in which human rights are respected and people live in dignity.
We need a common vision for how to enforce the principles that define the OSCE, or how to foster a cooperation to quarrel rivalries and the strategy to help us overcome the danger of tensions and the so-called frozen conflicts that undermine the stability of our common area.
I am confident that we can make a substantial progress, but we cannot do it so if we ignore the difficulties we faced to overlook the progress or the result.
35 years ago the Helsinki Final Act marked a fundamental shift in the history of international relations by affirming a set of principles to bind the behaviors of states, this included the inviolability of borders, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the territorial integrity of states and respect for international law on human rights.
Unfortunately over three decades later these principles are still being violated within the OSCE area. 11 years ago at the last OSCE summit in Istanbul we witnessed the adoption of another set of fundamental principles, embodied in the Istanbul summit declaration and a charter for the European security. What a different time it has been, I remember President Yeltsin together with President Clinton sealing up of what was the end of Cold War in the OSCE area, on withdrawal troops, on arms control, the commitments that had to be complied with. If those commitments had been upheld, my country would have been liberated from the presence of foreign troops on her soil.
Unfortunately, the time has changed, the mood has changed and Russia [inaudible] on the obligations it undertook in Istanbul both with respect to Georgia and to other states. In fact contrary to the spirit of Istanbul, Russia has dramatically increased the size of its forces illegally stationed within our internationally recognized borders.
Today more than 12 000 heavily armed troops enforced the Russian occupation of 20 percent of Georgian territory, with tanks, with missiles, with heavy artillery, this is a blatant violation of the Helsinki principles, the Istanbul declaration, international law and August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement brokered by the European Union. If we treat these principles as dead letter, our community is destined to die as well.
By contrast, if we commit to implementing than we can make progress towards being a real security community, one in which there is mutual sympathy, trust, and sense of common interests. These commitments have to be respected in all three dimensions, not only in political, military area.
We all agree today that the human dimension is a pre-requisite for comprehensive and indivisible security. But in our case the human dimension commitment have been violated as well. In 1994- 1996 the OSCE summits in Budapest and Lisbon condemned the ethnic cleansing in Georgia and called for the safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees.
Yet the number of IDPs and refugees in a country of less than 5 million people continue to increase, climbing up to 500 000 after the ethnic cleansing campaign of 2008. Half a million souls are thus deprived of their most basic human rights because of their origins, their nationalities, ethnicities, their faith, their political views. Human rights continue to be violated on a daily basis in the occupied regions; the OSCE has reported on this many times throughout the last two years as you all know very well.
These facts, ladies and gentlemen, must not be ignored or overlooked, and previous OSCE agreements must be fulfilled. I came here with a message of hope and a profound commitment to helping lead positive change in our security community.
We came here to tell you that these tragic facts can be reversed, that they will be reversed and that our conflict with the Russian Federation can be resolved. The way forward is through a comprehensive dialogue, not permanent confrontation.
We rely on the power of words, not of bombs. On November 23rd, one week ago I made the solemn pledge in front of the European Parliament, that Georgia would never use force to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty; that it will only resort to peaceful means in its quest for the de-occupation and the reunification of its territory. Even if the Russian Federation refuses to withdraw the occupational forces, even if less than 20% of original population remain in the occupied areas and 80% are held back to go back to their houses, even if its proxy militias multiply their human rights violations, Georgia will only retain the right to self-defense in case of new attacks and invasion of the Georgian territory that remains under control of the Georgian government.
We have made this pledge, because we believe that peace is the only way to achieve our legitimate and legal goals.
I have just sent letters formulizing Georgia's pledge to the Secretary-General of the OSCE, UN and NATO, as well as the Presidents of the European Commission, the European Council and the United States.
I came here animated by the same spirit, reiterating my call to the Russian leadership to engage in serious negotiations, to engage in dialogue rather than in polemics. Unfortunately, despite our numerous calls Russia has not agreed to any dialogue either bilaterally or within the framework of the OSCE.
Dialogue between Moscow and Tbilisi remains one of the stumbling blocks of the Astana declaration. Yet this organization is built upon dialogue and consensus.
Last summit 11 years ago we encountered serious difference and overcame the true dialogue. We must master the same resolve today because without dialogue we will never bridge our differences. I am committed without any reservations to engage in dialogue as soon as possible as to seek peaceful solutions of our conflicts.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we all want to forge a new common space free of dividing lines, spheres of influence and intentions we have inherited from the history. We all want to have a true, security community.
We need stronger, better and more resolute OSCE, one that does not shy away from tackling the real problems and serves as forum for dialogue between partners, between all the leaders at every level. There has been a lot of arguments around the OSCE, there has been an attack on ODIHR for instance in terms of election monitoring.
It is ups and downs, we also had our arguments with them but I always believe that OSCE presence on monitoring for democratic process, election process, the whole democratic dialogue is very helpful to any country, especially for those who are coming out from cold to another kind of policy and to another sphere. Indeed, our region has been changing.
No country of the OSCE but one as well as basically no other serious country in the world recognized occupation of our regions. The region has been changing itself; the country has become more independent, more self-reliant, speaking out with their voice.
Today I was speaking with Roza Otunbayeva, who is herself a symbol of changing Kyrgyzstan, but also lots of changes in this region. I think, this is the whole change of its democratization, better security and OSCE is a very important instrument.
It was like this in the seventies, when it was in much more difficult situation of the cold war and it remains the same in today's world if we use it properly.
We must not allow the past to undermine our future, the tools we have at our disposal are dialogue and consensus.
Georgia is committed to this path and I am confident that strengthened OSCE peace and cooperation will prevail in our region.
Thank you.

Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Krieg-2008, Sprache: deutsch, englisch, Archiv: #

Brief von Staatssekretärin Hilary Clinton an Außenministerium Georgiens

06.03.2009 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video

Der Brief vom 6.3. hebt die "US-Position bezüglich der bedingungslosen Unterstützung der Souveränität und territorialen Integrität Georgiens" hervor.
Stichworte: Georgien, Süd Ossetien, Sprache: deutsch, Archiv: #

Saakashvili Speaks of 'United Caucasus' in UN Speech

24.09.2010 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

- To Abkhaz, Ossetians: 'we will protect you'

- To Moscow: 'be part of transformation of region'

- To Moscow: 'learn from us how to transform society'

- To world leaders: 'help us to secure peace'

- 'Modernization impossible with Khodorkovsky in Gulag'

- Calls on three countries to reverse Abkhaz, S.Ossetia recognition

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source: PDF-original of the speech at the UN General Assembly

REMARKS OF H.E MIKHEIL SAAKASHVILI
PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA
THE 65th SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
23 SEPTEMBER 2010
NEW YORK

Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates,
It is always a great honor for me to address the annual general assembly of the United
Nations.
Ladies and gentlemen, in uncertain times like ours, cooperation is more necessary than ever.
Unless we stand together and invent new approaches to the global challenges we are all
facing, we will be tom apart by fear and self-destructive interests.
Gatherings like this one, therefore, are valuable only if they allow us to shape a common
vision for concrete actions towards peace, development solidarity, and justice.
This month, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the international community and the
leadership of President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton. direct peace talks have
resumed between Israelis and Palestinians.
They resumed precisely at a moment when many people had given up hope for a just and
lasting peace in the Middle East.
The road to peace. security. and justice is still a long one. The remaining obstacles are
enormous. But the goal is so noble and necessary that no effort should be spared.
This is why today I would like to pay tribute to all those who are taking risks for peace.
Yes, risks. Because peace is never obvious. never easy.
That is certainly true in the Middle East, and it is true in my region as well.
One of our common goals, then, must be to enable those risk-takers who have the courage to
defy conventional wisdom and forge new paths to peace.
Peace is not an easy way. But peace is the only way.
As the President of a young democracy that recently suffered from war and invasion and is
still under partial occupation by a nuclear superpower-I can say this: peace is our most
precious common goal and. at the same time. our only path towards the other goals we share.
To those here. and in my own country who see no way to reverse the armed occupation or
reduce regional tensions. I say: peace is not only the goal, it is also the means to any goal.
Today. ladies and gentlemen. my region is at a crossroads.
For too long. it has suffered from division. injustice. conflict. colonization. and violence.
Today. however. change is possible. In fact. change is already taking place.
I came here to speak about this change and to promote a specific vision - a vision for a free.
stable and united Caucasus.
From Pushkin, Lermontov or Tolstoy's times till now. the Caucasian mountains were a
symbol of wilderness and paradoxes. a region where individuals and souls were
fundamentally free. but where citizens were politically oppressed. where people and cultures
were deeply tolerant but where governments and authorities created artificial divisions. where
shepherds would cross 5000 meters high mountains. but where rulers erected walls nobody
could cross.
I came here today to tell you that these times are vanishing. that the dream of unity and peace
is possible.
When I addressed you two years ago - in the aftermath of a full-scale invasion and when
Russian Foreign Minister was openly threatening Georgia of total annihilation - few people
believed that our country would survive as an independent and democratic state.
Few people thought that our government would endure-that our economy would survive the
war and the global crisis-that our reforms could continue with renewed vigor-or that we
would make steady progress toward the European Union and Euro-Atlantic structures.
Well. I am proud to tell you. two years later. that we have succeeded against the odds.
Thanks to the commitment of the Georgian people and to the support of our friends and allies.
Today. Georgia is back.
Georgia is back. first as a laboratory for political reform and social transformation.
2
More than ever, we are committed to the promise at the heart ofthe Rose Revolution-to turn
a failed state into a modern European one.
Our local elections last May were proof of that transformation and a
democracy, the result of seven years of patient, constant.
milestone for our
tireless reform.
This effort, of course, has to go on-and it will go on because a great deal remains to be done.
Our objective is clear: to create a more institutionalized system of liberal democratic
governance.
Ladies and gentlemen, my term as president ends in 2013 and these changes will survive my
presidency and the current government.
Because we are not only speaking about changes of leadership or reforms of institutions, we
are speaking about something deeper and stronger-something that The Economist of London
recently characterized as Georgia's "mental revolution."
The Georgian people have tasted freedom, the absence of corruption, the fruits of economic
development, the emergence of a true meritocracy. They have changed their behavior, their
vision of the world, their dreams even, and they will mightily resist any attempts to reverse
these changes-no matter if those attempts come from inside or from abroad.
This is our great victory: we helped to create something that goes far beyond the leaders and
parties that led the Rose Revolution. We helped to create a revolution of the heart and the
mind.
Once one of the most corrupt countries of the post-Soviet world, Georgia has made greater
gains in the fight against corruption, as measured by Transparency International, than any
other country over the past five years.
Once a place where foreign investors were kidnapped by gangs and mafias, Georgia is now
ranked by the World Bank as number II for the ease of doing business in the world a
ranking we hope to further improve this year.
These rankings make clear why Georgia's only interest is a peaceful resolution of conflicts:
Georgia is winning the peace-Georgia is winning through peace.
Our northern neighbor expected us to change our path when it imposed on us a full embargo
in 2006. invaded us in 2008. ethnically cleansed Georgian regions and illegally occupied 20%
of our territory. an occupation that continues to this day.
All these actions had one objective: to destroy the Georgian laboratory of political. economic.
and social reform-to prevent the region from changing.
We answered these relentless attacks by reinvigorating our reforms. opening our economy
even more. and accelerating our social transformation.
3
This is our policy and no provocation will ever make us change it.
Thanks to this commitment to reform, Georgia is now a responsible international player.
I am proud that my nation is fighting international terrorism in Afghanistan. I would like to
pay tribute here to our nearly 1,000 soldiers who are risking their lives every day to help the
Afghan people secure a stable, terror-free future.
I want to pay a special tribute today to company commander, First Lieutenant Mukhran
Shukvani. Earlier this month, Mukhran was killed in the cause of peace, while serving
alongside NATO forces in the dangerous Helmand province of Afghanistan.
We are fighting other common scourges, too, focusing especially on the terrible danger of
nuclear trafficking. Many times over the past seven years, we have intercepted criminals who
had in their possession the essential ingredients for nuclear devices. Every step of the way, we
have cooperated with our allies in the international community to ensure that Georgia is doing
everything possible to confront this global danger.
Here I must pause to bring your attention to a grave problem that results from the partial
occupation of my country-a problem everybody should worry about, even those who
overlook international law, forget 500 000 lOPS and refugees, dismiss repeated assaults on
basic human rights, civil liberties, and the environment.
I am speaking of the lawlessness bred by the Russian occupation. Our two occupied regions
exist in a black hole of governance. Today, in these lands, criminals act with impunity. The
most elemental human rights are abused. Drugs and weapons are smuggled. People are
trafficked. And potential weapons of mass destruction are moved in and out of these
territories, posing a threat to us all.
Three days ago. we met in this very place to discuss the Millennium Development Goals and
our progress in meeting them over the past decade. I won't tire you with a recitation of our
efforts to achieve the MDGs-the strides we have made in halving our poverty rate,
reforming our educational system and improving health care.
But I will tell you that these successes remain bittersweet for me because they cannot be
savored by all the people of Georgia.
Not by those who live in fear for their basic rights in the occupied territories. nor fully by
these 500 000 lOPs and refugees who were expelled from their homes.
Ladies and gentlemen, for the last two years. the Russian Federation has been violating the
cease fire agreement broke red on 12 August 2008. by my good friend French President
Nicolas Sarkozy. who was acting at the time on behalfofthe European Union.
The Russian army has not withdrawn as required by the cease fire. European Union monitors
cannot enter Russian-occupied areas. where a constant military buildup is taking place.
Hundreds of thousands of lOPs. victims of the ethnic cleansing campaign led by the Russian
forces. are still prevented from returning to their homes.
4
How did Georgia respond to these violations of international law and human rights?
We answered with patience and calm.
We implemented-fully-the ceasefire agreement and went beyond our obligations, without
ever using as a pretext Russia's refusal to comply.
Last month, the head of the European Union Monitoring Mission. Ambassador Haber,
publicly praised Georgian policy as "constructive unilateralism."
What does "constructive unilateralism" mean?
It refers for instance to our calm when FSB supported militias killed our policemen at the
occupation line or to our willingness to free criminals working for the occupation regime
when the other side was kidnapping teenagers who wanted only to visit their empty house.
"Constructive unilateral ism" means that we behave in a civilized and patient way. even when
our enemy uses barbaric methods or implements an impulsive and irrational policy.
It means that - even if peace requires both sides to come to the table of negotiations - you can
pave the way to peace on your own.
This "constructive unilateral ism" is based on the idea that peace is in the supreme interest of
Georgia, that peace is the only path to the de-occupation of our country.
It forms the substance of the strategy on occupied territories that my government has put in
motion to engage the populations held hostage by the Russian occupiers. on the other side of
the New Iron Curtain that illegally divides our country.
Walls like the one dividing Georgia will not be brought down by bombs, but by the
commitment of citizens to build a free, united country-and by the commitment of the world
community to enforce international law and the principles of the UN Charter.
This commitment is expressed in the refusal of nearly the entire world to legitimize the
Russian occupation by recognizing the so-called independence of Abkhazia and the
Tskhinvali region. a de facto annexation of Georgian territories by the Russian Federation.
It is noticeable that. despite enormous pressure and multiple threats from Moscow. not a
single former soviet republic has recognized this dismemberment of Georgia.
It shows-to the great surprise and fury of those who describe the fall of the Soviet Empire as
the worst catastrophe of the zo" century-that the old times are definitely over.
It shows that the change I evoked earlier already has taken root.
It shows that the former captive nations of the Soviet times became strong independent states
that can determine their own policies.
It is noticeable-and it is noticed in Moscow.
5
Ladies and gentlemen, I solemnly call today on those three, isolated UN member states that
recognized Russia's de facto annexation of our territories and legitimized the Russian led
ethnic cleansing campaigns to reverse their decision,
It is never too late to overturn a bad policy, The dismemberment of Georgia has failed
categorically - and even the Russian Federation will one day need to reverse its disastrous
policy.
Imagine how uncomfortable these three isolated leaders from faraway countries will be when
Moscow itself chooses to comply with international law and withdraw its troops?
Because, ladies and gentlemen, that day will come.
Those who claimed a military victory in 2008 now face a diplomatic and political defeat. And,
in Moscow, the occupation and annexation will soon be debated. They are in fact already
debated in the corridors of the Kremlin.
Because this situation is not sustainable, even for the Russian leadership.
We have now, in our country, Russian soldiers deserting their units and fleeing to the
Georgian side through the Wall erected by their superiors.
Just like Soviet soldiers did in Berlin during the Cold War.
In which sense is History moving? Certainly not in the sense of those who can deploy
thousands of tanks but who cannot even take care of their soldiers or prevent them from
fleeing.
Ladies and gentlemen. those who refuse to modernize their society and to open their political
system might have an interest in war or instability.
But in Georgia. we know and we have always known that peace is our interest- the very
precondition of our survival and our success.
Ladies and gentlemen. I have three calls to make today:
My first call is addressed to my fellow citizens of Abkhaz and Ossetian origins who live
behind the New Iron Curtain that divides our common nation. I want to tell them once again:
we will protect your rights. your culture. your history-we will work with you. we will work
./01' you.
You are part ofa common history. a common culture. and a common future. Your differences
enrich our proud national tapestry.
Rather than succumb to annexation by the Russian Empire. we invite you to build together
with us a multicultural and multiethnic society that would be a regional model for tolerance
and respect.
I dream about the day when an Abkhaz or Ossetian citizen of Georgia - as it happened several
times in our common history - will become President of a reunited. democratic and European
Georgia.
6
And this dream will become possible in a reunited and free Georgia, a Georgia that would
build positive relations and even intense cooperation with the Russian Federation.
A Russian Federation acting as a rational international player and not as a revisionist power.
A Russian Federation that will have chosen cooperation instead of occupation, union of
markets rather than embargoes, tolerance instead of crackdowns.
My second call is, therefore, to the Russian leadership: you face a choice.
Either you take a major part in this ongoing transformation of our common region, accepting
other countries as partners and not vassals.
Or this transformation will happen without you.
We all want-I personally want-Russia as a partner and not as an enemy.
That is why the Georgian government supports the reset policy of the United States and the
European Union's engagement with Russia.
Nobody has a greater stake than us in seeing Russia turn into a country that truly operates
within the concert of nations, respects international law, and-this is often connectedupholds
basic human rights.
I want to tell the Russian people that they will always be welcome in Georgia, as tourists, as
students, as businessmen, as journalists or simply as friends. Not as occupation forces.
And I want to tell the Russian leaders that they should care more about their citizens and less
about our diplomatic orientation, more about developing the Northern Caucasus - a region
that is exploding as I speak - than about undermining our development.
They are welcome to come too if they want, in order to understand how a post-soviet society
can turn into a European one.
I invite them to come, with notebooks rather than with missiles, with ipads rather than
kalashnikov's,
I was pleased to notice that some of our reforms inspired a few recent presidential speeches in
Moscow.
Instead of fighting each other, we should excel together in modernizing our common region.
And instead of secretly copying or envying our reforms, they should cooperate with us in
order to build a stable and free area.
Because. by looking over the best pupil's shoulder. one might not get the full picture of what
modernization means.
And allow me to say that the complete picture is rather simple: you cannot achieve lasting
stability and prosperity without respecting some basic principles.
Modernization without freedom is not sustainable and you cannot hope to diversify and
develop your economy when you send your most successful businessmen to the Gulag. like
Mikheil Khodorkovski.
Computers are not enough if you do not have free minds to use them.
So let us free our minds from our common soviet past in order to build a common future.
My third call goes to all of you. to the international community: help us to secure peace. in
Georgia. but also in our broader region.
We Georgians have learned tragically how a so-called frozen conflict can very quickly
become a hot one.
If there is clear support from the international community. I am convinced that a lasting peace
can be secured in the Caucasus.
I am convinced that if the world shows the same commitment to a peaceful resolution of
conflicts in my region than in other parts of the world. we can accomplish wonders.
It is in everybody's interest to see this strategic region. this crossroads of civilizations.
become more stable. prosperous. and open.
7
Ladies and gentlemen, History has taught us that wars can erupt quickly - but also that brave
leaders can secure peace where and when nobody would ever believe that conflicts could be
resolved.
History has taught us that regions that were torn apart by armed conflicts and contaminated by
hate - starting with Europe - can achieve lasting peace through cooperation, interdependence
and unity.
History has taught us that dreams are often more realistic than resignation.
I strongly believe that a common market, shared interests, and political and economic
interdependence will one day give birth to a united Caucasus. That is what I am calling for
today.
We share a similar history of oppression, but we have also in common a deep, essential and
undefeated aspiration for freedom.
Let us capitalize on this aspiration. Our region will never be truly free if it is not united.
It will of course require a long and difficult series of efforts and gestures, from all of us, but
the objective is worth every sacrifice.
As it happened a long time ago with the European Union - this amazing geopolitical
revolution we aspire to join one day - the historical move towards Caucasian unity will start
with concrete projects, in the energy sector, in the education and the cultural fields, in the civil
society spheres.
We should begin with more people to people exchanges. It is time we get to know each other
and forge links that will bring us together without changing existing boarders.
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished delegates, my birth town and our capital. Tbilisi. is
inhabited by Caucasians from every religion and from every ethnicity. Altogether, these
people form a living example of tolerance and cooperation.
We, leaders, have to learn from this cohabitation of peoples and translate it into geopolitics.
Our unity would not be directed against anyone and, once again, we will not aspire to change
any borders.
We might belong to different States and live on different side of the mountains, but in terms
of human and cultural space. there is no North and South Caucasus, there is one Caucasus,
that belongs to Europe and will one day join the European family of free nations, following
the Georgian path.
We, the Caucasians. driven by legitimate or imaginary threat of annihilation from other
powers or from each other, hoped too often to be protected by neighboring empires.
This anxious search for foreign shelter has led us to subjugation. assimilation or annexation.
It has authorized foreign leaders to artificially emphasize and manipulate our divisions.
8
We - Caucasian people - we all made the same mistake through History.
It is time to change.
It is time to stick together, to help each other to survive and progress.
It is time to understand that our region has sufficient resources and potential for all of us.
It is time to rely on ourselves, on the human potential of our citizens, to develop our own
education system and to organize our own development.
The Caucasus is one of the birthplaces of European civilization. It is time to show that the
energy of our ancestors does not belong only to a remote past and that we have something to
give to our children and to the world.
It is time to stop fighting and weakening each other and to realize that our strength consists in
unity.
It is time, ladies and gentlemen, for unity and for peace.
It is time to stop being prisoners ofthe past and to move towards our common future.
In the past, Georgian citizens were perceiving our border with the Ottoman Empire as an
absolute threat.
Today, we have passport free customs, joint airport and free trade with Turkey.
Tomorrow, the citizens of Armenia and Azerbaidjan will be able to cross our borders without
passport.
Recently, a foreign diplomat told me that, after crossing our border with Russia, he
encountered dozens of roadblocks where local militias and FSB agents kept blocking the
passage from one valley to another, from one village to another, aggressively preventing
individuals from circulating in their own country.
It is time to replace barbwires and roadblocks by open borders and passeport-free customs, to
replace IDP camps by joint schools and universities, to replace kalashnikov by computers and
missiles by books, radios or TVs.
Ladies and gentlemen, in 2008, thousands and thousands of tanks. armed vehicles. troops and
militias crossed the Caucasian mountains, bringing destruction. death, hatred.
Now. it is time for ideas - these ideas of freedom and unity that we all cherish to cross the
same mountains. bringing hope, life and even love.
As I speak, thousands of tanks. armed vehicles and missile platforms are entrenched or
moving all across the Caucasus.
If we remain on our own. isolated from each other. they will prevail.
But if everybody holds the hand of his neighbor. if tens of millions of unarmed people stand
together. shoulder to shoulder. being the continuation of each other just like the Caucasian
mountains. then no brutal force will ever break through this chain of awakened human spirits
and this thirst for freedom.
Thank you.

Stichworte: Georgien, UN, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #