18.08.2009 | domradio | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
Erschrocken reagierte die Weltöffentlichkeit auf die kriegerischen Auseinandersetzungen in Georgien: Russen und Georgier führten Krieg um die nach Unabhängigkeit strebenden georgischen Provinzen Südossetien und Abchasien. Noch sind die Folgen des kurzen Krieges nicht absehbar, doch klar ist: Der Krieg im Kaukasus verändert das politische Weltklima.
Dies drückt sich unter anderen darin aus, dass die USA mehrere geplante Militärübungen mit Russland abgesagt haben. Auch, dass sich Polen und die USA nach zweijährigen zähen Verhandlungen plötzlich auf den Aufbau einer US-Raketenabwehr und die Stationierung von Patriot-Abwehrraketen auf polnischem Gebiet geeinigt haben, scheint kein zufälliger Zeitpunkt.
Welche Ursachen - welche Folgen hat der Krieg in Georgien? Auf wessen Seite steht das internationale Völkerrecht und birgt das für diesen Konflikt Lösungen? Wie sieht das Leben für die Menschen in der Krisenregion nun aus? domradio -weltweit sucht Antworten im Gespräch mit Menschen in Georgien, Journalisten, Juristen und Hilfsorganisationen.
Dem Artikel sind mehrere Interviews beigefügt.
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Krieg-2008, Sprache: deutsch, Archiv: #
Georgien erinnert an des Jahrestag des Augustkrieges - Georgia marks anniversary of August war
08.08.2009 | Rustavi2 | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
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Saakashvili calls on Georgian people for consolidation from Gori town
08.08.09 12:17
The fight goes on, we are fighting for peace and liberty, Mikheil Saakashvili said in the speech he delivered from the Gori Fortress on August 7 2009, a year later the Russian-Georgian war that took place in Tskhinvali Region.
Mikheil Saakashvili called on the world to assist his country in keeping peace and said Georgia is not alone and thanked to all the friend countries.
`We want to defeat the invaders but not by means of war, we want to defeat them by means of peace, developing our democratic institutions. So tonight, I call on the free world, to our friends: Help us to secure peace. Help us to prevent a new invasion. And then the world will be astonished at how fast and how deep we will develop,` Saakashvili said in his speech.
The president recalled the citizens, militants killed in consequence of the Russian aggression and their stories of the war.
Mikheil Saakashvili called on all the citizens of Georgia for consolidation. The president said any person in the country, despite his political, confessional or social distinctiveness, fights for Georgia`s independence. He said, he does not expect support to the government from everyone, but unity will lead the country to final victory.
`Tonight, as we are paying tribute to our beloved fellow citizens who died last summer, I want to make a call to every Georgian citizen: Let`s unite! Let`s unite for a free and independent Georgia,` he said.
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Different events held in Gori town in protest against Russian aggression
08.08.09 12:21
Different events were held in Gori town to protest against the Kremlin policy on August 7 2009. Human chain was stretched from Gori up to Tskhinvali, people killed in the Russian-Georgian war were commemorated with a minute-silence, a memorial on which names of the heroes killed in the war are engraved was unveiled, an improvised Berlin Wall was also opened in the town. The main event of the day was opened with a national anthem in the evening. After that, Mikheil Saakashvili delivered a speech from the Gori fortress, in which he recalled the heroes killed in the war.
Along with the government members and representatives of the diplomatic corps, family members of the people killed in the Russian-Georgia war, were listening to the Georgian president`s speech in Gori town.
After the president`s speech, a symphony orchestra played a requiem and children tolled bells of peace again, with what the event was finished. Locals were also listening to the president`s speech. Mikheil Saakashvili talked to them later.
The main event of August 7 finished late night. After having met with the locals, Mikheil Saakashvili left Gori town.
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Memorial to people killed in Russian-Georgian war unveiled in Poti town
08.08.09 12:16
Memorial to the people killed in the Russian-Georgian war has been unveiled in Poti town. The Memorial has been installed in a square in the center of the town. Family members of the killed soldiers and representatives of the local municipality have attended the ceremony. Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi has served funeral rites to commemorate the people killed in the war. A photo exhibition depicting the Russian aggression in Georgia has also opened in the exhibition hall of Poti town.
Twelve young men from Poti died in the August war, two of them were reservists, five of them were representatives of the Georgian naval forces and five were employees of the Poti port. Seventy people from Poti were wounded in teh war.
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Memorial to nurse killed in August war unveiled in Gori town
08.08.09 12:14
A memorial board to nurse Marine Gogiashvili, 25, who was killed in the August war, has been unveiled at the office of emergency services in Gori town. Georgian Healthcare Minister Sandro Kvitashvili has unveiled the memorial.
Colleagues have commemorated Marine Gogiashvili. The memorial board to her has been opened at the medical post of Gori. Sandro Kvitashvili unveiled the memorial right at the time and at the place, where on August 2008 Russian air fighters threw a bomb that killed Marine Gogiashvili.
79 people are working at the restored medical post of Gori town now. 6 emergency brigades serve the town during 24 hours.
As reported, another memorial to the people killed in the August war will be unveiled in Gori hospital in the nearest future.
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Georgian parliament holds extraordinary session
07.08.09 18:48
Five-cross flag is flying over Georgia that means that the fight goes on, Georgian speaker said at the extraordinary parliamentary session on Friday.
`The Kremlin considers Abkhazia and Ossetia as springboards for implementing its imperialistic thoughts, constructing its military bases and invading Georgia. For us, Georgians, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are homeland and not just territories`, the Chair of Georgian Parliament said. Davit Bakradze called on the Georgian politicians for consolidations.
MPs also made political statements at today`s session. Minority members Levan Vepkhvadze called on members of the Georgian political parties despite their different views not to separate from the government in fight against the enemy.
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Memorial boards to soldiers killed in August war unveiled
07.08.09 18:46
Memorial to the heroes killed in the war for Georgia`s territorial integrity was unveiled at Senaki military base in Samegrelo Region on Friday. Names of the soldiers, who died in the war with the Russian occupational troops, have been engraved on the memorial. Representatives of the general staff of Georgia and heads of the local regional administration arrived at the base as well. The militants commemorated the soldiers killed in the August war with a minute-silence. Georgian national anthem was also sung. Priest of the Senaki military base served funeral rites of the Georgian heroes.
Militants of the third infantry division and heads of Kutaisi city also commemorated the soldiers killed in the war with Russia. They decorated the memorial to the dead soldiers with flowers. The third infantry division was fighting in the august war, where thirteen soldiers died. A memorial board to eight of the thirteen soldiers was unveiled in Kutaisi today.
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Human chain stretched from Gori to Tskhinvali
07.08.09 18:44
Citizens of Georgia formed human chain stretched from Gori up to Tskhinvali town. Along with the rally, population of Gori district commemorated the people killed in the August war with a minute-silence right at the place where cluster bombs were falling and a lot of people were dying a year ago.
The town is in the center of attention of international media. Foreign journalists intend to make a documentary film about Gori.
Human chain, a minute-silence rally and the improvised Berlin Wall have already arranged in Gori. Foundation of a memorial on which names of heroes killed in the war for Georgia`s territorial integrity will be engraved, will be laid in the town today. A symphony orchestra will play a requiem at the Gori fortress. Georgian president is also expected in the town.
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Public prayer served to commemorate Georgian heroes
07.08.09 17:34
Public prayer has been served to commemorate Georgian heroes killed in the August war in all churches throughout Georgia. Catholicos Patriarch of all Georgia his Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II served the funeral rites at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi on Friday. Georgian president, members of the legislative as well as the executive government arrived at the cathedral.
`Today it is a mourning day, but it is a day of hope as well. We look to future with hope that the tension existing between will eased. I`d like, as a spiritual father of Georgians, Ossetians and Abkhazians, warn our spiritual children that if they stay without Georgia, time will come when Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Regions may exist but without Abkhazians and Ossetians. This will happen as a punishment sent by God, because the oldest Georgian territories have been seized.
`We respect Russia and the Russian people. We appreciate their culture, religion, but I want to tell them that we will never allow violation of Georgia`s territorial integrity. And we are unanimous in this. I hope, the Russian government will show wisdom and the conflicts will be resolved peacefully`, Ilia II said.
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Russian aggression protested at administrative boundary of Abkhazia
07.08.09 17:22
A minute-silence rally was held at the administrative border of Abkhaz breakaway region of Georgia on Friday. Locals formed human chain from the center of Zugdidi town to the Enguri Bridge at the administrative border. In this way, they expressed their protest against the Russian occupational policy.
At the site where the Russian-occupied territory starts, about 3000 people assembled with Georgian national flags. At first, they commemorated the Georgian soldiers killed in the August war, after what the troupe of the Kutaisi Theatre sang the national anthem.
People living in Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia and the soldiers, who were fighting against the Russian occupants in the war, joined the human chain at the administrative boundary as well. Bells tolled at churches later calling on the Abkhaz people for consolidation.
The situation at the administrative boundary was stable, no excesses occurred.
Therefore, the Ganmukhuri Patriot Camp was opened on Friday. The camp was burnt down by the occupants when they broke into the territory of Samegrelo Region in August last year.
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Georgia falls silent to commemorate people killed in August war
07.08.09 15:19
Whole Georgia fell silent at 3 p.m. exactly on August 7. The country commemorated the people killed in the Russian aggression in August 2008 with a minute-silence. Movement of microbuses and taxis was halted during an hour in the capital of Georgia. Drivers of public transport and private taxis joined the rally as well. About 700 drivers commemorated the people killed in the war for Georgia`s territorial integrity on Rike Square in Tbilisi.
The Tbilisi Metropolitan halted working for a minute at 3 p.m. exactly. The staff stopped working in all the stations. There was complete silence in the whole subway for a minute.
The emergency service stopped working for a minute as well. The medics joined the silent rally as well. Representatives of the Emergency commemorated the people killed in the war with a minute-silence as well.
Fire fighters did not separate from the rally either. All the acting fire fighters went out in the street to participate in the silent rally at 3 p.m.
The Interior ministry also participated in the silent rally. Representatives of the ministry commemorated the people killed in the Russian aggression with a minute-silence. Traffic movement was halted for a minute on the road to the Tbilisi airport as well.
All employees of the Georgian Foreign Ministry stood out side the building at 3 p.m. exactly. Representatives of the ministry commemorated the heroes who died in the war with Russia. From the rally, they moved to St. Nino church where the public prayer for the killed heroes was held.
Doctors assembled in the yard of the St. Mikheil Hospital said they are always ready to fight for saving human lives, although they do not want the state of combat readiness in the country. The doctors thank to everyone who estimated their merits.
Employees of the city administration also came outside the Tbilisi Mayor`s office to take part in the overall silence for the Georgian soldiers.
Along with the Georgian government members, representatives of the president`s administration commemorated the Georgian soldiers and people killed in the August war with a minute-silence as well. They came out in the yard of the President`s Palace.
There was a minute of silence at the Vaziani military base as well. Soldiers of the fourth brigade of the Georgian Defence ministry commemorated their companions-in-arms. 161 militants of the Georgian Armed Forces died in the war, nine are missing.
The silence in the Georgian Republic was broken by the national anthem. After the minute-silence, the anthem was heard in all regions of the country. The anthem was simultaneously sang at ten different sites.
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Unity bonfires lit throughout Georgia
07.08.09 13:30
A year later the August war, bonfires of unity were lit throughout Georgia last night. Along with Tbilisi, the fire was lit in the towns injured in consequence of the war actions at 12 a.m. on August 7. People assembled around the bonfires commemorated the heroes killed in the Russian-Georgian war again.
The Unity Bonfires were lit at Gori Fortress, at the so-called administrative boundary of Abkhazia, at Narikala fortress in Tbilisi, in towns of Telavi, Batumi, Mtskheta, Ambrolauri, Ozurgeti, Akhaltsikhe and Rustavi simultaneously last night.
Organizers of the rally, representatives of the August 7 movement said, `The purpose of lighting the bonfire to give the world sign that the danger of Georgia`s invasion by Russia still exists. The Georgia side supports restoring the country`s territorial integrity by peaceful way`.
Along with the Unity Bonfire, two air balloons devoted to the memory of the soldiers killed in the August war were also launched from the Gori fortress towards Tskhinvali last night.
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Schoolchildren display human flag in Gori town
07.08.09 12:53
450 schoolchildren have displayed a human flag in the town of Gori. Georgia is united and consolidated under one flag, - this was the symbolic message of the teenagers who displayed the flag at the Gori fortress. This place has also been chosen symbolically because the place where Russian bombs were falling a year ago, unity and consolidation of the nation was demonstrated today. The kids said they want peace.
Along with this, a numbers of events have been scheduled in Gori town for today - a human chain, a minute-silence and the Berlin wall that has been installed in the center of the town. A foundation will be laid to a monument on which names of the people who died in the war for Georgia`s territorial integrity will be engraved. The heroes will be commemorated with a minute-silence at 3 p.m. An exhibition of paintings of dead soldiers` children will also be organized. The improvised Berlin Wall with slogan Open Iron Wall has been installed in front of Stalin monument in the center of Gori.
Igoeti-Senaki sector of the Tbilisi-Senaki express autobahn will also be opened on Friday. A symphony orchestra concert will also be held in the town today.---------------------------------------------------
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Open Air occupation museum arranged in Tbilisi
07.08.09 12:15
Open air occupation museum has been arranged in the Rustaveli Avenue, the main thoroughfare of Georgia capital Tbilisi. About 100 banners and 4000 exhibits remind visitors details of the Russian occupation. Installation of the exhibits started at midnight, when the Rustaveli Avenue was closed.
The visitors of the open air museum will be able to see all the violent acts Russia has carried out towards Georgia since the Georgiyevski Treaty was signed by Georgia and the Russian Empire in the 18th century. The exposition installed outside the parliament has been created with exhibits depicting the April 9 tragedy referring to the events in Tbilisi on April 9, 1989, when an anti-Soviet demonstration was dispersed by the Soviet army, resulting in 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Each banner depicts different details of Russia`s aggressive policy and invasion of Georgia.
The way from the Georgiyevski Treaty to the occupation comprises a whole kilometer, the main thoroughfare of Tbilisi and starts with the Russian checkpoint. The exhibition starts with the photos depicting the Georgiyevski document, which was considered a friendly treaty by Georgian King Erekle II in 1783. Along with this, exhibits demonstrating eleven historical segments with photo and video materials have been installed in the avenue. The open air gallery ends in the Tavisupleba Square with materials depicting the August war.
The purpose of the rally is to show that the Russian Empire has brought nothing positive to Georgia during the 226 years.
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Saakashvili decorates memorial to soldiers killed in August war with flowers
07.08.09 12:05
Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili commemorated the people killed in the August war with a minute-silence at Mukhatgverdi cemetery. The supreme Commander-in-Chief decorated the memorial to the heroes killed in the war for Georgia`s territorial integrity with flowers. Thirty three soldiers who died in the war with Russia are buried at Mukhatgverdi cemetery.
`Georgia`s history is the history of fighting for freedom and the August of last year is the part of this history. The people who sacrificed themselves to the fight for freedom and independence, are part of the heroes, who were fighting for this freedom during centuries`, Davit Sikharulidze, the Georgian Defence Minister said.
`Today we commemorate the heroes, who sacrificed themselves to the country`s security and defence. All their names give examples to all of us`, Irakli Alasania, the leader of the Our Georgia - free Democrats said.
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Georgia marks anniversary of August war
07.08.09 11:13
On August 7, 2008, exactly one year ago, Russian air fighters were bombarding the Georgian territory. Today all Georgia will protest the Russian aggression again. At 3 p.m. the Georgian nation will commemorate the heroes who died in the war for the country`s territorial integrity with a minute-silence.
Human chain will be arranged in the vicinity of the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia. The Rustaveli Avenue, the main thoroughfare of Tbilisi will become an open-air occupation museum for one day. All orthodox churches will toll bells at 3 p.m. throughout Georgia.
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Georgia presents large-scale report on August war
06.08.09 18:26
Georgian government has prepared a report on the large-scale Russian aggression occurred in August 2889 and the reasons and results of the war. The report sums up all the events that took place before the aggression, during the war and in the post-war period. Audio and video materials, including top-secret documents are enclosed to the report. Georgian State Minister for Reintegration issues will present the secret materials to the society. He will hold presentation of the most large-scale report.
`Georgia has nothing to hide. In contrast with Russians who publish documents trumped up in bad Georgian, we publish the documents that we have sent to Russians, to the marionette regimes and which confirm that Georgia did great efforts to avoid the war and military aggression in August 2008`, Georgian Foreign minister said.
Representatives of the society, as well as the diplomatic corps and experts will attend the presentation. They think that Russia is an aggressor, which used instruments of the 19th century, invaded a sovereign country in the 21st century and has still occupied its territories.
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
Aufruf an die internationale Politik anlässlich des Jahrestages der russischen Invasion in Georgien am 08.08.2008
08.08.2009 | Georgien-Nachrichten.com | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
Aufruf an die internationale Politik anlässlich des Jahrestages
der russischen Invasion in Georgien am 08.08.2008
durch die georgische Diasporagemeinschaft in Deutschland
Am 08.08.2008 stießen russische Streitkräfte auf georgisches Territorium vor und – wie später bekannt wurde – waren in den Tagen zuvor bereits reguläre Militärs in Südossetien zu Übungen und Erkundungen eingeschleust worden, z. B. Interview Generalmajor Borisow.
Die internationale Politik erreichte im August 2008 Verhandlungsergebnisse zwischen Georgien und Russland in Form des Sechs-Punkte-Planes mit späteren Zusatzvereinbarungen. Statt der zugesagten Wiederherstellung der Situation vor den Kampfhandlungen in Südossetien und Abchasien erkannte Russland diese als selbstständige Staaten an, schloss militärische Verträge ab und baute dort neue Truppenstützpunkte und Militärflughäfen – entgegen internationaler Verträge und den Prinzipien des Völkerrechts. Weiterhin verhinderte Russland im Alleingang die Fortsetzung der UN-Mission in Georgien (UNOMIG) und der OSZE-Beobachtermission. So wird in den okkupierten georgischen Regionen Abchasien und Südossetien die georgische Bevölkerung weiterhin unbehelligt unterdrückt und vertrieben.
Deshalb rufen wir die internationale Politik und sie persönlich auf,
gegenüber Russland diplomatischen und politischen Druck auszuüben, damit
1. die Anerkennung von Südossetien und Abchasien sofort aufgehoben wird,
2. der europäischen Beobachtermission EUMM dort Zugang gewährt wird,
3. die OSZE- und UN-Mission in Georgien wieder aufgenommen werden kann,
4. die territoriale Integrität Georgiens auch durch Russland respektiert wird,
5. der Sechs-Punkte-Plan vom August 2008 vollständig von Russland eingehalten wird,
6. Premierminister Putin seine Zusagen im Interview vom 30.08.2008 einhält.
Sechs-Punkte-Plan als Waffenstillstandsabkommen, vermittelt durch den französischen Präsidenten Sarkozy zwischen Georgien und Russland, am 16.08. auch von Russland unterzeichnet:
1. Verzicht auf Gewaltanwendungen
2. Endgültige Einstellung aller Kampfhandlungen
3. Gewährleistung eines ungehinderten Zugangs zu humanitären Hilfsgütern
4. Rückkehr der georgischen Streitkräfte auf ihre ursprüngliche Position
5. Rückzug der russischen Streitkräfte auf jene Linien, hinter denen sie sich vor Beginn der Kampfhandlungen befunden haben. Die russischen Friedenstruppen sollen zusätzliche Sicherheitsmaßnahmen ergreifen, bis internationale Mechanismen vereinbart sind.
6. Aufnahme internationaler Gespräche über Modalitäten für die Sicherheit und Stabilität in Südossetien und Abchasien
Quelle: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/Laenderinformationen/Georgien/080815-Ratsschlussfolgerung.pdf
Interviewauszug: Im Gespräch mit dem Journalisten Thomas Roth sagte Russlands Premierminister Wladimir Putin in einer ARD-Sondersendung am 30.08.2008 unter anderem:
Roth: Wo sehen Sie die Aufgabe von Deutschland in dieser Krise?
Putin: Wir haben zu Deutschland sehr gute Beziehungen, vertrauensvolle Beziehungen, sowohl politische als auch ökonomische. Als wir mit Herrn Sarkozy gesprochen haben, bei seinem Besuch hier, haben wir gesagt, dass wir keinerlei Territorien in Georgien wollen. Wir werden uns in die Sicherheitszone zurückziehen, die in den früheren internationalen Abkommen vereinbart wurde. Aber da werden wir auch nicht ewig bleiben. Wir betrachten das als georgisches Territorium. Unsere Absicht besteht nur darin, die Sicherheit zu gewährleisten und es nicht so zu machen, dass da Truppen und Kriegsgerät heimlich geballt werden. Und zu verhindern, dass da die Möglichkeit eines neuen Konfliktes entsteht. Dann begrüßen wir die Teilnahme von Beobachtern der EU, der OSZE und natürlich auch Deutschlands. Wenn die Prinzipien der Zusammenarbeit geklärt sind.
Quelle: http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/putin172.html
weitere Quellen:
Interview von Generalmajor Borisow in “Radio Echo Moskau”: http://www.echo.msk.ru/programs/voensovet/596473-echo/
Report on human rights issues following the August 2008 armed conflict, by Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe - 8 to 12 February 2009
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Krieg-2008, Appell, Sprache: deutsch, englisch, Archiv: #
Besuch von US-Vizepräsident Joe Biden in Georgien am 22. und 23.07.2009
Presseüberblick:
DW - Zeit - Focus - NZZ - Washington Post - LA Times
Redetexte von Joe Biden - persönliches über Joe Biden
7/23/2009
Remarks By The Vice President To The Georgian Parliament
7/23/2009
News Conference by the President, July 22, 2009
7/22/2009
Remarks by the Vice President at an official dinner hosted by President Saakashvili
Stichworte: Georgien, USA, Sprache: deutsch, englisch, Archiv: #
DW - Zeit - Focus - NZZ - Washington Post - LA Times
Redetexte von Joe Biden - persönliches über Joe Biden
7/23/2009
Remarks By The Vice President To The Georgian Parliament
7/23/2009
News Conference by the President, July 22, 2009
7/22/2009
Remarks by the Vice President at an official dinner hosted by President Saakashvili
Stichworte: Georgien, USA, Sprache: deutsch, englisch, Archiv: #
Georgia is on a path that the United States supports towards NATO membership
Philip J. Crowley - Assistant Secretary of State - Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC - July 23, 2009
... QUESTION: Another subject? Georgia; during Vice President Biden visit to Georgia, President Saakashvili asked again for American weapons. Is U.S. contemplating rearming Georgia?
MR. CROWLEY: Well, Georgia is on a path that the United States supports towards NATO membership. Clearly, a fundamental tenant of NATO membership is to have a military that meets NATO standards and would add to the capability of the alliance. So it is logical that the United States would have a military-to-military relationship with Georgia. Obviously, it becomes increasingly important, given the current situation in and around that country.
So I think that the Vice President outlined today not only the importance of our relationship with Georgia, our willingness to continue to help Georgia with its defensive requirements, and a commitment that we will continue to work closely with the government going forward.
QUESTION: And aren’t you concerned that this could affect your relations with Russia?
MR. CROWLEY: I think we have made clear to Russia that ultimately, decisions like this rest with the people of Georgia, and we will continue to have, I’m sure, conversations with Russia on these issues. ...
Stichworte: Georgien, USA, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
Washington, DC - July 23, 2009
... QUESTION: Another subject? Georgia; during Vice President Biden visit to Georgia, President Saakashvili asked again for American weapons. Is U.S. contemplating rearming Georgia?
MR. CROWLEY: Well, Georgia is on a path that the United States supports towards NATO membership. Clearly, a fundamental tenant of NATO membership is to have a military that meets NATO standards and would add to the capability of the alliance. So it is logical that the United States would have a military-to-military relationship with Georgia. Obviously, it becomes increasingly important, given the current situation in and around that country.
So I think that the Vice President outlined today not only the importance of our relationship with Georgia, our willingness to continue to help Georgia with its defensive requirements, and a commitment that we will continue to work closely with the government going forward.
QUESTION: And aren’t you concerned that this could affect your relations with Russia?
MR. CROWLEY: I think we have made clear to Russia that ultimately, decisions like this rest with the people of Georgia, and we will continue to have, I’m sure, conversations with Russia on these issues. ...
Stichworte: Georgien, USA, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
US-Vizepräsident Biden sagt, dass sein Besuch das Ziel habe, eine "eindeutige, klare, einfache Botschaft" auszusenden, dass die USA bei Georgien stehe
22.07.2009 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
Biden was speaking at a banquet held in his honor and hosted by President Saakashvili shortly after his arrival in Tbilisi on Wednesday evening.
Vice President Biden said the United States supported Georgia because “we first and foremost were inspired by you quest for independence.”
He said that the Rose Revolution was voice of “freedom loving people”. “What you did extended well beyond borders of Georgia,” he added.
Biden said the United States’ partnership with Georgia involved meeting security challenges, energy security and shared values of democracy.
“You are in the process of building those institutional attributes that the country needs to maintain democracy,” Biden said.
President Saakashvili, who awarded Biden with one of Georgia’s highest medals - St. Georgia’s Victory Order, told the Vice President that he was Georgia’s one of the strongest supporters.
“As you know we have managed to build here something that had never existed in this region – a modern, functioning state,” Saakashvili told Biden.
“We can be proud of having done that, but we know that there is still lot to be done,” Saakashvili said and added that for that purpose he laid out proposals for more democratic reforms while addressing the Parliament earlier this week.
He also said that the opposition’s ongoing street protest was part of democracy.
Saakashvili said that his presidential palace, where an official dinner was taking place, “is just 25 miles from occupied territories” – referring to Akhalgori in breakaway South Ossetia.
He told Biden that he was not saying it “to scare you.”
“I know it’s very difficult to scare you,” Saakashvili added and recalled Biden’s visit to Georgia on August 18, 2008 about a week after the end of military hostilities.
Saakashvili said that despite large-scale attack by Russia, “the Georgian people stand proudly” and “we will never ever surrender.”
“While we are at a gunpoint... we believe that democracy is now needed more than ever; let me be clear on this point: for us there is no tradeoff between democracy and security. Our security environment can only be addressed by investing in our democracy,” he said and added that it would be “a long and difficult road” and Georgia needed its friends’ assistance in this regard.
In the end of his speech Saakashvili told Biden, that he remembered when “you told me [after the August war]: ‘Misha lots of people are calling you these days, but later many will stop doing it, it’s inevitable, but I will never abandon you, I will always be there for your country’. You were always there for us and will always be.”
“Joe, you know in America,” Saakashvili continued, “as anywhere on the earth you can find lots of cynics and realpolitik followers... but like in no other country in the world, in America idealists ultimately run the show.”
The official dinner, which was also attended by the U.S. delegation members, Georgian government officials and senior lawmakers, was followed by a concert of Georgian performers, involving mainly Georgian folk songs and dances.
Stichworte: Georgien, USA, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
Biden was speaking at a banquet held in his honor and hosted by President Saakashvili shortly after his arrival in Tbilisi on Wednesday evening.
Vice President Biden said the United States supported Georgia because “we first and foremost were inspired by you quest for independence.”
He said that the Rose Revolution was voice of “freedom loving people”. “What you did extended well beyond borders of Georgia,” he added.
Biden said the United States’ partnership with Georgia involved meeting security challenges, energy security and shared values of democracy.
“You are in the process of building those institutional attributes that the country needs to maintain democracy,” Biden said.
President Saakashvili, who awarded Biden with one of Georgia’s highest medals - St. Georgia’s Victory Order, told the Vice President that he was Georgia’s one of the strongest supporters.
“As you know we have managed to build here something that had never existed in this region – a modern, functioning state,” Saakashvili told Biden.
“We can be proud of having done that, but we know that there is still lot to be done,” Saakashvili said and added that for that purpose he laid out proposals for more democratic reforms while addressing the Parliament earlier this week.
He also said that the opposition’s ongoing street protest was part of democracy.
Saakashvili said that his presidential palace, where an official dinner was taking place, “is just 25 miles from occupied territories” – referring to Akhalgori in breakaway South Ossetia.
He told Biden that he was not saying it “to scare you.”
“I know it’s very difficult to scare you,” Saakashvili added and recalled Biden’s visit to Georgia on August 18, 2008 about a week after the end of military hostilities.
Saakashvili said that despite large-scale attack by Russia, “the Georgian people stand proudly” and “we will never ever surrender.”
“While we are at a gunpoint... we believe that democracy is now needed more than ever; let me be clear on this point: for us there is no tradeoff between democracy and security. Our security environment can only be addressed by investing in our democracy,” he said and added that it would be “a long and difficult road” and Georgia needed its friends’ assistance in this regard.
In the end of his speech Saakashvili told Biden, that he remembered when “you told me [after the August war]: ‘Misha lots of people are calling you these days, but later many will stop doing it, it’s inevitable, but I will never abandon you, I will always be there for your country’. You were always there for us and will always be.”
“Joe, you know in America,” Saakashvili continued, “as anywhere on the earth you can find lots of cynics and realpolitik followers... but like in no other country in the world, in America idealists ultimately run the show.”
The official dinner, which was also attended by the U.S. delegation members, Georgian government officials and senior lawmakers, was followed by a concert of Georgian performers, involving mainly Georgian folk songs and dances.
Stichworte: Georgien, USA, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili talked with The Wall Street Journal
17.07.2009 | Wall Street Journal | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
On his demonization by the opposition:
"I have the same problems as Obama will have in future. Everyone expects miracles. But when they don't happen, they throw you to the floor and stand on you."
* * *
On Russia's Georgia policy:
"There's no contact with the Russians. They have one policy: regime change. Russia wants the Soviet Union back. The Soviet Union had 15 countries. At least seven of them would go back if Georgia fell. Georgia holds the key. Next time we get our 15 minutes of world attention I don't want it to be because we've disappeared from the map."
* * *
On months of opposition protests calling on him to resign:
When you see 40-50,000 people gathering in a small country it's not nice but it's a sign of normality. It's much nicer to be a universally loved leader that people think walks on water. But you have to do things and behind every problem there's always someone to blame."
* * *
On feeling low after losing the war:
"I looked angry and depressed and like someone who didn't know what he was doing for some time. Of course I did but appearances count. I was very angry and depressed by what the Russians had done to us and by how the world had reacted. That was what got me. I thought that the noose was tightening around the Russians' necks and then I realized it was tightening around our neck. Some Europeans told us that America had abandoned us so why should they help us. It was pretty distressing."
* * *
On the Obama administration:
"They have reset with Russia. Obama was very good in Moscow. Soon afterwards, the Russians began trying to quietly explain to their population on TV why there wouldn't be a war with Georgia this summer."
* * *
On joining NATO:
"We all know that the issue is almost dead. It's tragic. If they manage to kill NATO [Georgia's hopes of joining the alliance], it means the Russians fought for the right reasons. It would mean you can still achieve political goals with brutal sinister means and that [Russian Prime Minister Vladimir] Putin was proved right. He told me many times. He told me your allies promise good things but don't have a good record of delivery. I can't promise good things but I always deliver."
* * *
On George W. Bush:
"On day one [of the war] when he said the Russians were using disproportionate force…that emboldened the Russians. The very moment he gave the public order to move the Sixth Fleet was key. Within 20 minutes, Putin had disappeared from TV screens. George Bush contributed to saving Georgian democracy. A street named after him will always be in Tbilisi for that reason."
* * *
On Putin:
"Putin wants to hang me by the balls and wants to replace me. The biggest response I can have is to organize a smooth transition of power not controlled by the Russians. That would show the Russians they didn't succeed and destroy Georgian democracy. It would be very bad news for them. It would tell the neighbors -- the people and not just the leaders -- that Putin is no longer the main street bully in the neighborhood."
Stichworte: Georgien, Innenpolitik, USA, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
On his demonization by the opposition:
"I have the same problems as Obama will have in future. Everyone expects miracles. But when they don't happen, they throw you to the floor and stand on you."
* * *
On Russia's Georgia policy:
"There's no contact with the Russians. They have one policy: regime change. Russia wants the Soviet Union back. The Soviet Union had 15 countries. At least seven of them would go back if Georgia fell. Georgia holds the key. Next time we get our 15 minutes of world attention I don't want it to be because we've disappeared from the map."
* * *
On months of opposition protests calling on him to resign:
When you see 40-50,000 people gathering in a small country it's not nice but it's a sign of normality. It's much nicer to be a universally loved leader that people think walks on water. But you have to do things and behind every problem there's always someone to blame."
* * *
On feeling low after losing the war:
"I looked angry and depressed and like someone who didn't know what he was doing for some time. Of course I did but appearances count. I was very angry and depressed by what the Russians had done to us and by how the world had reacted. That was what got me. I thought that the noose was tightening around the Russians' necks and then I realized it was tightening around our neck. Some Europeans told us that America had abandoned us so why should they help us. It was pretty distressing."
* * *
On the Obama administration:
"They have reset with Russia. Obama was very good in Moscow. Soon afterwards, the Russians began trying to quietly explain to their population on TV why there wouldn't be a war with Georgia this summer."
* * *
On joining NATO:
"We all know that the issue is almost dead. It's tragic. If they manage to kill NATO [Georgia's hopes of joining the alliance], it means the Russians fought for the right reasons. It would mean you can still achieve political goals with brutal sinister means and that [Russian Prime Minister Vladimir] Putin was proved right. He told me many times. He told me your allies promise good things but don't have a good record of delivery. I can't promise good things but I always deliver."
* * *
On George W. Bush:
"On day one [of the war] when he said the Russians were using disproportionate force…that emboldened the Russians. The very moment he gave the public order to move the Sixth Fleet was key. Within 20 minutes, Putin had disappeared from TV screens. George Bush contributed to saving Georgian democracy. A street named after him will always be in Tbilisi for that reason."
* * *
On Putin:
"Putin wants to hang me by the balls and wants to replace me. The biggest response I can have is to organize a smooth transition of power not controlled by the Russians. That would show the Russians they didn't succeed and destroy Georgian democracy. It would be very bad news for them. It would tell the neighbors -- the people and not just the leaders -- that Putin is no longer the main street bully in the neighborhood."
Stichworte: Georgien, Innenpolitik, USA, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
McCain, Liberman sent letter to Obama
09.07.2009 | The Georgian Times | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
US Senators John McCain and Joe Liberman sent a letter to president Obama prior to his departure to the Russian Federation. In it, the senators address the US president to express their concern about a series of recent actions by the Government of Russia that were undermining the fragile peace and stability of the South Caucasus region.
The senators review the recent developments in the region and express their concern about the suspension of the OSCE and UN missions to Georgia.
`Russia`s deliberate dismantlement of the conflict resolution and monitoring machinery is made all the more disturbing when coupled with Moscow`s failure to comply with the terms of the agreements it reached with the international community in the wake of its August 2008 war with Tbilisi...We hope that you will express grave concerns about Russia`s provocative and destabilizing actions when you see President Medvedev next week and make clear America`s support for the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. We believe that it is extremely important for president Medvedev to recognize that initiating or provoking further military action between Russia and Georgia in the months ahead would serve Russia`s self-interest. We also hope tat you will street to president Medvedev the importance that he honor the agreements that he made last year and cooperate with the international community to ensure UN and OSCE observers can once again operate throughout Georgia, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia,` the letter said.
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
US Senators John McCain and Joe Liberman sent a letter to president Obama prior to his departure to the Russian Federation. In it, the senators address the US president to express their concern about a series of recent actions by the Government of Russia that were undermining the fragile peace and stability of the South Caucasus region.
The senators review the recent developments in the region and express their concern about the suspension of the OSCE and UN missions to Georgia.
`Russia`s deliberate dismantlement of the conflict resolution and monitoring machinery is made all the more disturbing when coupled with Moscow`s failure to comply with the terms of the agreements it reached with the international community in the wake of its August 2008 war with Tbilisi...We hope that you will express grave concerns about Russia`s provocative and destabilizing actions when you see President Medvedev next week and make clear America`s support for the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. We believe that it is extremely important for president Medvedev to recognize that initiating or provoking further military action between Russia and Georgia in the months ahead would serve Russia`s self-interest. We also hope tat you will street to president Medvedev the importance that he honor the agreements that he made last year and cooperate with the international community to ensure UN and OSCE observers can once again operate throughout Georgia, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia,` the letter said.
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
Admissibility decision in the case of Georgia v. Russia
03.07.2009 | ECHR | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
The Court has declared admissible the application lodged in the case of Georgia v. Russia. The case concerns the alleged harassment of the Georgian immigrant population in the Russian Federation following the arrest in Tbilisi on 27 September 2006 of four Russian service personnel on suspicion of espionage against Georgia. The Court’s admissibility decision in no way prejudges the merits of the Georgian Government's complaints. The Court will deliver its judgment at a later date. Press release, decision
The Court has declared admissible the application lodged in the case of Georgia v. Russia. The case concerns the alleged harassment of the Georgian immigrant population in the Russian Federation following the arrest in Tbilisi on 27 September 2006 of four Russian service personnel on suspicion of espionage against Georgia. The Court’s admissibility decision in no way prejudges the merits of the Georgian Government's complaints. The Court will deliver its judgment at a later date. Press release, decision
The Court held a hearing in this case in April 2009. Webcast of the hearing
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
543
03.07.2009
Press release issued by the Registrar
ADMISSIBILITY DECISION
GEORGIA v. RUSSIA (I)
The European Court of Human Rights has declared admissible the application lodged in the case of Georgia v. Russia (I) (application no. 13255/07). The Court’s admissibility decision in no way prejudges the merits of the Georgian Government’s complaints. The Court will deliver its judgment at a later date. (The decision is available in English and in French.).
The case concerns the alleged harassment of the Georgian immigrant population in the Russian Federation following the arrest in Tbilisi on 27 September 2006 of four Russian service personnel on suspicion of espionage against Georgia.
On 26 March 2007 the Georgian authorities lodged with the Court’s Registry an application against the Russian Federation under Article 33 (Inter-State cases) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Georgian Government maintained that the reaction of the Russian authorities to the incident in September 2006 had amounted to an administrative practice of the official authorities giving rise to specific and continuing breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights and its Protocols under the following provisions: Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment), Article 5 (right to liberty), Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life), Article 13 (right to an effective remedy), Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination), Article 18 (limitation on the use of restrictions on rights) of the Convention; Articles 1 (protection of property) and 2 (right to education) of Protocol No. 1; Article 4 (prohibition of collective expulsion of aliens) of Protocol No. 4 and Article 1 (procedural safeguards relating to expulsion of aliens) of Protocol No. 7.
These breaches were said to have derived, in particular, from widespread arrests and detention of the Georgian immigrant population in the Russian Federation creating a generalised threat to security of the person and multiple, arbitrary interferences with the right to liberty. The Georgian Government also complained of the conditions in which “at least 2,380 Georgians” had been detained. They asserted that the collective expulsion of Georgians from the Russian Federation had involved a systematic and arbitrary interference with these persons’ legitimate right to remain in Russia – a right duly evidenced by regular documents – as well as with the requirements of due process and statutory appeal process. In addition having closed the land, air and maritime border between the Russian Federation and Georgia, thereby interrupting all postal communication, had allegedly frustrated access to remedies for the persons affected.
The Russian Government contested the Georgian Government’s allegations. They stated that the events surrounding the arrest in Tbilisi of four Russian officers and their subsequent release had no relation, either chronologically or in substance, with the events described by the Georgian Government in their application. The Russian authorities had not adopted reprisal measures against Georgian nationals, but had merely continued to apply the ordinary law aimed at preventing illegal immigration, in compliance with the requirements of the Convention and the Russian Federation’s international obligations. In particular, the end of 2006 had not been marked by an increase in the number of administrative expulsions of Georgian nationals who had breached the regulations governing residence on Russian territory.
The Court first established the object of the application. It considered that its content and scope, and the written and oral submissions by the Georgian Government, were sufficiently clear to allow a judicial examination under the Convention. In the opinion of the Court, the object of the application covered two different complaints: the allegations concerning the existence of an administrative practice and those concerning individual violations of the rights guaranteed by the Convention.
Examining whether the allegations of the existence of an administrative practice had complied with Article 35 § 1 (admissibility criteria), the Court had regard to the evidence submitted by the parties and found that the allegations made by the Georgian Government could not be considered as being wholly unsubstantiated or that they lacked the requirements of a genuine allegation required by Article 33 of the Convention. It pointed out, however, that the examination of all the other questions concerning the existence and scope of such an administrative practice, as well as its compatibility with the provisions of the Convention, related to the merits of the case and could not be examined at the admissibility stage. As to whether these allegations had complied with the six-month rule, the Court noted that the disputed events were said to have begun in Russia following the arrest on 27 September 2006 of four Russian officers in Georgia and that the application was lodged with the Court on 26 March 2007. In addition, and in so far as the Georgian Government had submitted additional evidence after that date, the Court found that the question of the six-month rule was so closely related to that of the existence of an administrative practice that they had to be considered jointly during an examination of the merits of the case.
As regards whether the allegations of individual violations of the rights guaranteed by the Convention had complied with Article 35 § 1, the Court also found that the question of exhaustion of domestic remedies was so closely linked with that of the existence of an administrative practice that they had to be considered jointly during an examination of the merits of the case.
***
The decision is available today on the Court’s Internet site (http://www.echr.coe.int).
Press contacts
Kristina Pencheva-Malinowski (telephone : 00 33 (0)3 88 41 35 70)
Stefano Piedimonte (telephone : 00 33 (0)3 90 21 42 04)
Tracey Turner-Tretz (telephone : 00 33 (0)3 88 41 35 30)
Céline Menu-Lange (telephone : 00 33 (0)3 90 21 58 77)
Frédéric Dolt (telephone : 00 33 (0)3 90 21 53 39)
The European Court of Human Rights was set up in Strasbourg by the Council of Europe Member States in 1959 to deal with alleged violations of the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights.
- -
Georgia-Russia: Still Insecure and Dangerous
22.06.2009 | crisisgroup | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
Tbilisi/Brussels, 22 June 2009: Russian diplomatic pressure is dismantling the critical international conflict resolution machinery in Georgia, leaving the region facing a potentially explosive situation in which even a small incident could spark new fighting.
Georgia-Russia: Still Insecure and Dangerous,* the latest policy briefing from the International Crisis Group, examines the situation ten months after the August 2008 war and finds deep cause for concern. Moscow’s 15 June Security Council veto of an extension of the sixteen-year-old UN observer mission’s mandate in Georgia and Abkhazia and its apparent intention to require the removal of the mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) by 30 June are blows to regional security that will fuel tensions.
“With both the UN and OSCE missions given the chop, there will be no independent observers around the conflict zones of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and there will be no mechanism for ensuring that minor incidents don’t deteriorate into wider fighting”, says Lawrence Sheets, Crisis Group’s Caucasus Project Director. “Russia’s actions have created a hugely hazardous atmosphere. Moscow needs to review its policy and work for a reasonable compromise allowing the UN and OSCE monitors to continue their important work”.
The Georgia-Russia war ended with ceasefire agreements that required an end to military action, a pull-back to pre-war positions and access for humanitarian and monitoring missions to conflict areas. But Russia has not complied with key aspects of the deal that President Dimitri Medvedev reached in August/September 2008 with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in his then-EU presidency role. The security situation on the ground today remains tense. Neither side has engaged in meaningful negotiations to stabilise the region.
Russia says it is acting at the request of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which do not trust international observers. But Moscow has legal obligations to do more for the security and safety of local populations, regardless of ethnicity, and to prevent human rights abuses in areas that are in effect under its control. Most importantly, it must expand efforts to allow the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially the approximately 25,000 ethnic Georgians who have been unable to go back to their homes in South Ossetia.
Russia not only keeps excessive troop levels in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in contravention of the ceasefire agreements, but has also increased their numbers and fortified bases to demarcate, in effect, the administrative borders between Georgia and the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both of which it has recognised as independent states. Its policy of preventing international monitors access to those areas undermines stability and conflict resolution efforts. It should use its dominant influence to allow monitors access, facilitate IDP return and encourage South Ossetia and Abkhazia to engage in genuine negotiations with Tbilisi.
“If the UN and OSCE missions do indeed leave Georgia, as Russia seems to desire, it will deepen regional tensions”, says Alain Deletroz, Crisis Group’s Vice President for Europe. “Rather than prompt further instability, Moscow should take a responsible approach that encourages internationally recognised institutions of conflict prevention and resolution to work freely on the ground. Another war and another IDP crisis in the Caucasus are not in anyone’s interest”.
To support our work in Europe and around the world, please click here.
*Read the full Crisis Group briefing on our website: http://www.crisisgroup.org
Contacts: Andrew Stroehlein (Brussels) +32 (0) 2 541 1635
Kimberly Abbott (Washington) +1 202 785 1601
To contact Crisis Group media please click here
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
Tbilisi/Brussels, 22 June 2009: Russian diplomatic pressure is dismantling the critical international conflict resolution machinery in Georgia, leaving the region facing a potentially explosive situation in which even a small incident could spark new fighting.
Georgia-Russia: Still Insecure and Dangerous,* the latest policy briefing from the International Crisis Group, examines the situation ten months after the August 2008 war and finds deep cause for concern. Moscow’s 15 June Security Council veto of an extension of the sixteen-year-old UN observer mission’s mandate in Georgia and Abkhazia and its apparent intention to require the removal of the mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) by 30 June are blows to regional security that will fuel tensions.
“With both the UN and OSCE missions given the chop, there will be no independent observers around the conflict zones of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and there will be no mechanism for ensuring that minor incidents don’t deteriorate into wider fighting”, says Lawrence Sheets, Crisis Group’s Caucasus Project Director. “Russia’s actions have created a hugely hazardous atmosphere. Moscow needs to review its policy and work for a reasonable compromise allowing the UN and OSCE monitors to continue their important work”.
The Georgia-Russia war ended with ceasefire agreements that required an end to military action, a pull-back to pre-war positions and access for humanitarian and monitoring missions to conflict areas. But Russia has not complied with key aspects of the deal that President Dimitri Medvedev reached in August/September 2008 with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in his then-EU presidency role. The security situation on the ground today remains tense. Neither side has engaged in meaningful negotiations to stabilise the region.
Russia says it is acting at the request of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which do not trust international observers. But Moscow has legal obligations to do more for the security and safety of local populations, regardless of ethnicity, and to prevent human rights abuses in areas that are in effect under its control. Most importantly, it must expand efforts to allow the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially the approximately 25,000 ethnic Georgians who have been unable to go back to their homes in South Ossetia.
Russia not only keeps excessive troop levels in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in contravention of the ceasefire agreements, but has also increased their numbers and fortified bases to demarcate, in effect, the administrative borders between Georgia and the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both of which it has recognised as independent states. Its policy of preventing international monitors access to those areas undermines stability and conflict resolution efforts. It should use its dominant influence to allow monitors access, facilitate IDP return and encourage South Ossetia and Abkhazia to engage in genuine negotiations with Tbilisi.
“If the UN and OSCE missions do indeed leave Georgia, as Russia seems to desire, it will deepen regional tensions”, says Alain Deletroz, Crisis Group’s Vice President for Europe. “Rather than prompt further instability, Moscow should take a responsible approach that encourages internationally recognised institutions of conflict prevention and resolution to work freely on the ground. Another war and another IDP crisis in the Caucasus are not in anyone’s interest”.
To support our work in Europe and around the world, please click here.
*Read the full Crisis Group briefing on our website: http://www.crisisgroup.org
Contacts: Andrew Stroehlein (Brussels) +32 (0) 2 541 1635
Kimberly Abbott (Washington) +1 202 785 1601
To contact Crisis Group media please click here
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
SECURITY COUNCIL FAILS TO ADOPT RESOLUTION EXTENDING MANDATE OF GEORGIA
15.06.2009 | UN-Sicherheitsrat | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
MISSION FOR 2 WEEKS, AS RUSSIAN FEDERATION VOTES AGAINST TEXT
Vote: 10 in favour to 1 against, with 4 Abstentions;
‘Rollover Text’ Aimed to Allow More Time for Negotiations on New Mandate
The nearly 16-year United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) was ended this evening, when a draft resolution that would have extended its mandate for just two weeks to allow divergent views to coalesce around a new security regime in the region, failed to pass, owing to a veto exercised by the Russian Federation.
The draft resolution, submitted by Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States, was defeated by a vote of 10 in favour to 1 against (Russian Federation), with 4 abstentions (China, Libya, Uganda, Viet Nam), concluding, for now, a United Nations presence in that region, at a time when, according to the latest Secretary-General’s report, the local population remained in a precarious situation and a ceasefire regime was already eroding.
Since 1994, UNOMIG has monitored the ceasefire ending the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict that drove hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Dramatic changes followed the outbreak of hostilities in South Ossetia on 7 and 8 August 2008, which profoundly impacted conditions in the Georgian-Abkhaz zone and the overall conflict-settlement process.
Prior to today’s action, the Security Council unanimously approved a mandate extension of the mission until 15 June, through the passage of resolution 1866 (2009) in February, while expressing its intention to outline by today the elements of a future United Nations presence in the region. To help foster an agreement on a new security regime in line with that text, the Secretary General presented recommendations for such a regime in his 18 May report to the Council (document S/2009/254). ...
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, UN, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
MISSION FOR 2 WEEKS, AS RUSSIAN FEDERATION VOTES AGAINST TEXT
Vote: 10 in favour to 1 against, with 4 Abstentions;
‘Rollover Text’ Aimed to Allow More Time for Negotiations on New Mandate
The nearly 16-year United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) was ended this evening, when a draft resolution that would have extended its mandate for just two weeks to allow divergent views to coalesce around a new security regime in the region, failed to pass, owing to a veto exercised by the Russian Federation.
The draft resolution, submitted by Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States, was defeated by a vote of 10 in favour to 1 against (Russian Federation), with 4 abstentions (China, Libya, Uganda, Viet Nam), concluding, for now, a United Nations presence in that region, at a time when, according to the latest Secretary-General’s report, the local population remained in a precarious situation and a ceasefire regime was already eroding.
Since 1994, UNOMIG has monitored the ceasefire ending the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict that drove hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Dramatic changes followed the outbreak of hostilities in South Ossetia on 7 and 8 August 2008, which profoundly impacted conditions in the Georgian-Abkhaz zone and the overall conflict-settlement process.
Prior to today’s action, the Security Council unanimously approved a mandate extension of the mission until 15 June, through the passage of resolution 1866 (2009) in February, while expressing its intention to outline by today the elements of a future United Nations presence in the region. To help foster an agreement on a new security regime in line with that text, the Secretary General presented recommendations for such a regime in his 18 May report to the Council (document S/2009/254). ...
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, UN, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
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