30.10.2009 | UN | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
Textpassagen über Russland:
... With respect to the sixth periodic report of the Russian Federation, the Committee welcomed the adoption in 2008 of the National Plan on Countering Corruption. It remained concerned about allegations of large-scale, indiscriminate abuses and killings of civilians in South Ossetia during the military operations in August 2008, and that, to date, the authorities had not carried out any independent and exhaustive appraisal of serious violations of human rights by members of Russian forces and armed groups there. The Committee requested detailed information on developments in all cases of criminal prosecutions relating to threats, violent assaults and murders of journalists and human rights defenders in the Russian Federation between 2003 and 2009. ...
Following its examination of the sixth periodic report of the Russian Federation, the Committee welcomed judicial reform measures, including the establishment of the National Working Group on Judicial Reform and the adoption in 2009 of the Law “On the securing of access to information on the activities of the courts of the Russian Federation”; the adoption in 2008 of the National Plan on Countering Corruption and the enactment of the Federal Law on Counteraction of Corruption; the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, in September 2009; and the ratification, in 2008, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.
The Committee nevertheless was concerned about several aspects of the 2006 Federal Law “on Counteracting Terrorism”, which imposed a wide range of restrictions on Covenant rights; had broad definitions of terrorism and terrorist activity; and lacked procedural safeguards or judicial or parliamentary oversight. In that connection, the Committee was concerned about the large number of convictions for terrorism-related charges, which might have been handed down by courts in Chechnya on the basis of confessions obtained through unlawful detention and torture. It also remained concerned about allegations of large-scale, indiscriminate abuses and killings of civilians in South Ossetia during the military operations by Russian forces in August 2008, and that, to date, the Russian authorities had not carried out any independent and exhaustive appraisal of serious violations of human rights by members of Russian forces and armed groups there. Similarly, the Committee was concerned about ongoing reports of torture, extrajudicial killing and secret detention in Chechnya and other parts of the North Caucasus by military and other State agents, that the number of disappearances and abduction cases in Chechnya had increased in the period 2008-2009, and regarding allegations of mass graves in Chechnya and reports of collective punishment for relatives of terrorist suspects, such as the burning of family homes. Among recommendations, the Russian Federation was urged to take stringent measures to put an end to enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, other forms of ill-treatment and abuse committed or instigated by law enforcement officials in Chechnya and other parts of the North Caucasus; and to provide information on investigations launched, convictions and penalties. It should consider amending the Criminal Code in order to criminalize torture as such; and take all necessary measures for a fully functioning independent human rights monitoring body to review all places of detention and cases of alleged abuses of persons while in custody, ensuring regular, independent, unannounced and unrestricted visits to all places of detention.
The Committee was also concerned at the alarming incidence of threats, violent assaults and murders of journalists and human rights defenders in the Russian Federation, which had created a climate of fear and a chilling effect on the media, and regretted the lack of effective measures taken to protect the right to life and security of those persons. The Committee requested detailed information on developments in all cases of criminal prosecutions relating to threats, violent assaults and murders of journalists and human rights defenders in the Russian Federation covering the period between 2003 and 2009. Other remaining concerns of the Committee were the continued prevalence of domestic violence in and the lack of shelters available to women; an increasing number of hate crimes and racially motivated attacks against ethnic and religious minorities, as well as reports of racial profiling and harassment by law enforcement personnel; the significant number of persons with mental disabilities who were deprived of their legal capacity and the apparent lack of adequate procedural and substantive safeguards against disproportionate restrictions in their enjoyment of rights; overcrowding in prisons; and that media professionals continued to be subjected to politically motivated trials and convictions.
Stichworte: Georgien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
EU-geförderter Bericht zum Augustkrieg - EU-Funded Report on August War
30.09.2009 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
Original-Textpassagen aus dem Bericht
Extracts of the Report
Seite 239:
… Consequently, a government is generally not prevented from using armed force in internal conflicts, e.g. against insurgents starting a civil war or against territorial entities fighting violently for
secession. …
Seite 244 – 246:
2. Legal assessment: “Armed attack” by South Ossetia on Georgia?
The underlying question is whether the military operations of the South Ossetian militia preceding the Georgian air and ground offensive constituted an “armed attack” on Georgia which could justify the use of force by Georgia as an act of self-defence based on Art. 51 of 53 See Chapter 5 “Military Events of 2008”. …
a) Attacks on Georgian villages by South Ossetian forces as “armed attack” on Georgia
… The attacks on Georgian villages (Zemo Nikozi, Kvemo Nikozi, Avnevi, Nuli, Ergneti,
Eredvi and Zemo Prisi) by South Ossetian forces can be qualified as equivalent to an “attack by the armed forces of a State on the territory of another State” resembling the situations described in Art. 3(a) of UN Resolution 3314. In this context, the delineation of the territories of South Ossetia and Georgia follows de facto jurisdiction of the South Ossetian entity short of statehood. Because the Georgian villages attacked by South Ossetian forces were not under the jurisdiction of South Ossetia before 8 August 2008, the actions by the South Ossetian militia are equivalent to an attack on the “territory of another State”.
To the extent that heavy artillery was used, the attacks against Georgian villages by South
Ossetia can also be qualified as “bombardment by the armed forces of a State against the territory of another State or the use of any weapons by a State against the territory of another State” (cf. Resolution 3314, Art. 3(b)). These acts were serious and surpassed a threshold of gravity and therefore also constituted an “armed attack” in terms of Art. 51 of the UN Charter.” in terms of Art. 51 of the UN Charter. …
b) South Ossetian attacks on the Georgian peacekeepers and police as an “armed
attack”
The South Ossetian attacks on the villages were primarily directed against Georgian peacekeepers and against Georgian police. This constitutes an attack by the armed forces of
South Ossetia on the land forces of Georgia, as also described in Art. 3 (d) UN Resolution
3314.61
c) Military action by South Ossetia beyond a minimum threshold
… There may be military operations which amount to a use of force but nevertheless do not yet
constitute an armed attack in the sense of Art. 51 of the UN Charter. To be deemed an armed
attack, an operation must have a minimum “scale and effects”. …
It can therefore be assumed that the South Ossetian attacks on Georgian villages as well as on Georgian peacekeepers and police had a minimum scale and effects, but further conditions must be met in order to allow for the Georgian claim of self-defence, which will discussed next. …
3. Burden of proof for the armed attack
The problem remains that it cannot be clearly determined which side began the fighting prior
to the Georgian air and ground offensive. The situation was highly explosive, and both sides
seem to have prepared for use of force and were ready to use force. It is impossible to decide
who fired the first shot in the incidents noted above. …
When Georgia argues that its air and ground offensive on 7 August 2008 is justified by self-defence because of a cumulative armed attack by South-Ossetia, the burden of proof falls on Georgia.
IV. Conclusions: no self-defence by Georgia beyond on-the-spot reactions
To the extent that the attacks on Georgian villages, police and peacekeepers were conducted by South Ossetian militia, self-defence in the form of on-the-spot reactions by Georgian troops was necessary and proportionate and thus justified under international law.
On the other hand, the offensive that started on 7 August, even if it were deemed necessary, was not proportionate to the only permissible aim, the defence against the on-going attacks from South Ossetia.
Part 3: Use of force by South Ossetia against Georgia – ab Seite 262
I. Facts
As explained above, the South Ossetian militia were involved in shooting at Georgian villages, police and peacekeepers before the outbreak of the armed conflict. After the air and ground offensive by the Georgian army the South Ossetian militia probably tried to defend their positions.
II. Legal qualification: use of force, but partly justified as self-defence
To the extent that South Ossetian militia initiated the shooting on Georgian villages, police and peacekeepers before the outbreak of the armed conflict, South Ossetia violated the prohibition of the use of force, which was applicable to the conflict.
South Ossetian use of force could have been justified as self-defence only in the event of an armed attack by Georgia on South Ossetia. ... Use of force by South Ossetia after 12 August 2008 is not justifiable as self-defence, because there was no longer any on-going attack by Georgia. A ceasefire agreement had been concluded. The Georgian army had by that time retreated from the territory of South Ossetia. Use of force was therefore illegal from the ius ad bellum perspective. ...
Part 4: Use of force by Russia against Georgia
I. Facts
Russia was involved in the conflict in several ways. First, Russian peacekeepers who were stationed in South Ossetia on the basis of the Sochi Agreement were involved in the fighting in Tskhinvali. Second, Russian regular troops were fighting in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and deeper in Georgian territory. Third, North Caucasian irregulars took part in the fighting. Finally, Russia supported Abkhaz and South Ossetian forces in many ways, especially by
training, arming, equipping, financing and supporting them.
II. Legal qualification of the Russian involvement in the conflict
Under Art. 2(4) of the UN Charter and the parallel customary law, the military operations of the Russian army as described in Chapter 5 “Military Events of 2008”130 in the territory of Georgia (including South Ossetia and Abkhazia and elsewhere in Georgia) in August 2008 constituted a violation of the fundamental international legal prohibition of the use of force. The main legal issue is whether these activities could be justified as legally recognized exceptions.
III. No justification of the use of force as self-defence
... The means employed by Russia were not in a reasonable relationship to the only permissible
objective, which was to eliminate the threat for Russian peacekeepers. In any case, much of
the destruction (see Chapter 5 “Military Events in 2008”) after the conclusion of the ceasefire
agreement is not justifiable by any means. According to international law, the Russian
military action taken as a whole was therefore neither necessary nor proportionate to protect
Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia.
IV. No justification of Russian use of force as fulfilment of the peacekeeping mission
… Conclusion: Russia could not justify its use of force as a mere reinforcement and fulfilment
of its peacekeeping mission.
V. No justification of the use of force by invitation of the South Ossetian authorities
… To conclude, both under the doctrine of asymmetry and under the new doctrine of negative equality concerning intervention in a civil war, the South Ossetian authorities could not validly invite Russia to support them by military means.
VI. No justification of the use of force by collective self-defence
… Russian military activities against the Georgian military forces were not justified as collective self-defence under international law.
VII. No justification of the use of force as “humanitarian intervention”
To conclude, the Russian use of force cannot be justified as a humanitarian intervention.
VIII. No justification of the use of force as action to rescue and protect nationals abroad
In conclusion, the Russian intervention in Georgia cannot be justified as a rescue operation for Russian nationals in Georgia.
Part 5: Use of force in Abkhazia
II. Legal qualification of the Abkhaz and Russian offensive: violation of the prohibition of the use of force and armed attack on Georgia
III. Legal qualification of the Georgian operation: self-defence
The military operation in the upper Kodori Valley was, for the reasons just explained, an armed attack on Georgia. The use of force by Georgia was justified as self-defence.
IV. No justification of the Abkhaz and Russian use of force against Georgia
... All these arguments can constitute a legally permissible justification only to the extent that
they point to an armed attack by Georgia on Abkhazia. Only in the event of an armed attack
by Georgia … could Abkhazia have relied on selfdefence. Russian involvement could not be justified as collective self-defence in favour of Abkhazia, because third-party involvement in an internal military conflict in support of the seceding
party is not allowed for the reasons explained above. ...
2. No previous “armed attack” by Georgia
a) No Georgian military operation in the Kodori Valley by Georgia
b) No preceding terrorist attacks sponsored by Georgiab) No preceding terrorist attacks sponsored by Georgia
c) No imminent armed attack on Abkhazia as a whole by Georgia
4. Conclusion
The use of force by Abkhazia was not justified under international law and was thus illegal.
The same applies to the Russian support for Abkhaz use of force.
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: deutsch, englisch, Archiv: #
Original-Textpassagen aus dem Bericht
Extracts of the Report
Seite 239:
… Consequently, a government is generally not prevented from using armed force in internal conflicts, e.g. against insurgents starting a civil war or against territorial entities fighting violently for
secession. …
Seite 244 – 246:
2. Legal assessment: “Armed attack” by South Ossetia on Georgia?
The underlying question is whether the military operations of the South Ossetian militia preceding the Georgian air and ground offensive constituted an “armed attack” on Georgia which could justify the use of force by Georgia as an act of self-defence based on Art. 51 of 53 See Chapter 5 “Military Events of 2008”. …
a) Attacks on Georgian villages by South Ossetian forces as “armed attack” on Georgia
… The attacks on Georgian villages (Zemo Nikozi, Kvemo Nikozi, Avnevi, Nuli, Ergneti,
Eredvi and Zemo Prisi) by South Ossetian forces can be qualified as equivalent to an “attack by the armed forces of a State on the territory of another State” resembling the situations described in Art. 3(a) of UN Resolution 3314. In this context, the delineation of the territories of South Ossetia and Georgia follows de facto jurisdiction of the South Ossetian entity short of statehood. Because the Georgian villages attacked by South Ossetian forces were not under the jurisdiction of South Ossetia before 8 August 2008, the actions by the South Ossetian militia are equivalent to an attack on the “territory of another State”.
To the extent that heavy artillery was used, the attacks against Georgian villages by South
Ossetia can also be qualified as “bombardment by the armed forces of a State against the territory of another State or the use of any weapons by a State against the territory of another State” (cf. Resolution 3314, Art. 3(b)). These acts were serious and surpassed a threshold of gravity and therefore also constituted an “armed attack” in terms of Art. 51 of the UN Charter.” in terms of Art. 51 of the UN Charter. …
b) South Ossetian attacks on the Georgian peacekeepers and police as an “armed
attack”
The South Ossetian attacks on the villages were primarily directed against Georgian peacekeepers and against Georgian police. This constitutes an attack by the armed forces of
South Ossetia on the land forces of Georgia, as also described in Art. 3 (d) UN Resolution
3314.61
c) Military action by South Ossetia beyond a minimum threshold
… There may be military operations which amount to a use of force but nevertheless do not yet
constitute an armed attack in the sense of Art. 51 of the UN Charter. To be deemed an armed
attack, an operation must have a minimum “scale and effects”. …
It can therefore be assumed that the South Ossetian attacks on Georgian villages as well as on Georgian peacekeepers and police had a minimum scale and effects, but further conditions must be met in order to allow for the Georgian claim of self-defence, which will discussed next. …
3. Burden of proof for the armed attack
The problem remains that it cannot be clearly determined which side began the fighting prior
to the Georgian air and ground offensive. The situation was highly explosive, and both sides
seem to have prepared for use of force and were ready to use force. It is impossible to decide
who fired the first shot in the incidents noted above. …
When Georgia argues that its air and ground offensive on 7 August 2008 is justified by self-defence because of a cumulative armed attack by South-Ossetia, the burden of proof falls on Georgia.
IV. Conclusions: no self-defence by Georgia beyond on-the-spot reactions
To the extent that the attacks on Georgian villages, police and peacekeepers were conducted by South Ossetian militia, self-defence in the form of on-the-spot reactions by Georgian troops was necessary and proportionate and thus justified under international law.
On the other hand, the offensive that started on 7 August, even if it were deemed necessary, was not proportionate to the only permissible aim, the defence against the on-going attacks from South Ossetia.
Part 3: Use of force by South Ossetia against Georgia – ab Seite 262
I. Facts
As explained above, the South Ossetian militia were involved in shooting at Georgian villages, police and peacekeepers before the outbreak of the armed conflict. After the air and ground offensive by the Georgian army the South Ossetian militia probably tried to defend their positions.
II. Legal qualification: use of force, but partly justified as self-defence
To the extent that South Ossetian militia initiated the shooting on Georgian villages, police and peacekeepers before the outbreak of the armed conflict, South Ossetia violated the prohibition of the use of force, which was applicable to the conflict.
South Ossetian use of force could have been justified as self-defence only in the event of an armed attack by Georgia on South Ossetia. ... Use of force by South Ossetia after 12 August 2008 is not justifiable as self-defence, because there was no longer any on-going attack by Georgia. A ceasefire agreement had been concluded. The Georgian army had by that time retreated from the territory of South Ossetia. Use of force was therefore illegal from the ius ad bellum perspective. ...
Part 4: Use of force by Russia against Georgia
I. Facts
Russia was involved in the conflict in several ways. First, Russian peacekeepers who were stationed in South Ossetia on the basis of the Sochi Agreement were involved in the fighting in Tskhinvali. Second, Russian regular troops were fighting in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and deeper in Georgian territory. Third, North Caucasian irregulars took part in the fighting. Finally, Russia supported Abkhaz and South Ossetian forces in many ways, especially by
training, arming, equipping, financing and supporting them.
II. Legal qualification of the Russian involvement in the conflict
Under Art. 2(4) of the UN Charter and the parallel customary law, the military operations of the Russian army as described in Chapter 5 “Military Events of 2008”130 in the territory of Georgia (including South Ossetia and Abkhazia and elsewhere in Georgia) in August 2008 constituted a violation of the fundamental international legal prohibition of the use of force. The main legal issue is whether these activities could be justified as legally recognized exceptions.
III. No justification of the use of force as self-defence
... The means employed by Russia were not in a reasonable relationship to the only permissible
objective, which was to eliminate the threat for Russian peacekeepers. In any case, much of
the destruction (see Chapter 5 “Military Events in 2008”) after the conclusion of the ceasefire
agreement is not justifiable by any means. According to international law, the Russian
military action taken as a whole was therefore neither necessary nor proportionate to protect
Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia.
IV. No justification of Russian use of force as fulfilment of the peacekeeping mission
… Conclusion: Russia could not justify its use of force as a mere reinforcement and fulfilment
of its peacekeeping mission.
V. No justification of the use of force by invitation of the South Ossetian authorities
… To conclude, both under the doctrine of asymmetry and under the new doctrine of negative equality concerning intervention in a civil war, the South Ossetian authorities could not validly invite Russia to support them by military means.
VI. No justification of the use of force by collective self-defence
… Russian military activities against the Georgian military forces were not justified as collective self-defence under international law.
VII. No justification of the use of force as “humanitarian intervention”
To conclude, the Russian use of force cannot be justified as a humanitarian intervention.
VIII. No justification of the use of force as action to rescue and protect nationals abroad
In conclusion, the Russian intervention in Georgia cannot be justified as a rescue operation for Russian nationals in Georgia.
Part 5: Use of force in Abkhazia
II. Legal qualification of the Abkhaz and Russian offensive: violation of the prohibition of the use of force and armed attack on Georgia
III. Legal qualification of the Georgian operation: self-defence
The military operation in the upper Kodori Valley was, for the reasons just explained, an armed attack on Georgia. The use of force by Georgia was justified as self-defence.
IV. No justification of the Abkhaz and Russian use of force against Georgia
... All these arguments can constitute a legally permissible justification only to the extent that
they point to an armed attack by Georgia on Abkhazia. Only in the event of an armed attack
by Georgia … could Abkhazia have relied on selfdefence. Russian involvement could not be justified as collective self-defence in favour of Abkhazia, because third-party involvement in an internal military conflict in support of the seceding
party is not allowed for the reasons explained above. ...
2. No previous “armed attack” by Georgia
a) No Georgian military operation in the Kodori Valley by Georgia
b) No preceding terrorist attacks sponsored by Georgiab) No preceding terrorist attacks sponsored by Georgia
c) No imminent armed attack on Abkhazia as a whole by Georgia
4. Conclusion
The use of force by Abkhazia was not justified under international law and was thus illegal.
The same applies to the Russian support for Abkhaz use of force.
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: deutsch, englisch, Archiv: #
Europa muss für Georgien aufstehen - Europe must stand up for Georgia - Open letter by Vaclav Havel and others
22.09.2009 | guardian | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |
Offener Brief: Zwanzig Jahre nachdem halb Europa befreit wurde, wird eine neue Mauer gebaut – quer durch Georgien, sagen Vaclav Havel und andere. - 22. September 2009
Wie sich Europa an die Schande des Ribbentrop-Molotow-Pakts von 1939 und das Münchner Abkommen von 1938 erinnert, und wie es sich darauf vorbereitet, den Fall der Berliner Mauer und des Eisernen Vorhangs im Jahr 1989 zu feiern, stellt sich eine Frage in unseren Köpfen: Haben wir die Lehren aus der Geschichte gezogen? Anders ausgedrückt, sind wir in der Lage zu verhindern, die Fehler zu wiederholen, die solch einen dunklen Schatten über das 20. Jahrhundert warfen?
Die Ereignisse der Vergangenheit zu beklagen oder zu feiern, ist eine vergebliche Handelung, wenn wir gegenüber ihren Lehren blind bleiben. Nur wenn diese Ereignisse uns lehren, wie wir anders - und klüger - handeln, haben solche Gedenkfeiern irgendeinen Wert.
Betrachtet man heute Europa, so ist es mehr als klar, dass die Geschichte nicht zu einem Ende gekommen ist und tragisch bleibt. Zwanzig Jahre nach der Befreiung der Hälfte des europäischen Kontinents, wird eine neue Mauer in Europa gebaut - dieses Mal in das Hoheitsgebiet von Georgien.
Dies stellt eine große Herausforderung für die Bürgerinnen und Bürger, Institutionen und Regierungen in Europa dar. Sind wir bereit zu akzeptieren, dass die Grenzen eines kleinen Landes einseitig durch Gewalt verändert werden können? Sind wir bereit, die de-facto-Annexion fremder Gebiete durch eine größere Macht zu tolerieren?
Um für die bevorstehenden historischen Gedenkfeiern sinnstiftend zu sein, sowohl für die kollektive Identität in Europa und als auch für die Zukunft, mahnen wir die 27 demokratischen Staats- und Regierungschefs der EU, eine proaktive Strategie zu definieren, Georgien zu helfen, friedlich seine territoriale Integrität zurückzuerhalten und den Abzug der russischen Truppen zu erreichen, die illegal auf georgischem Boden stationiert sind.
Niemand will eine Konfrontation mit Moskau oder eine Rückkehr zu der feindseligen Atmosphäre des Kalten Krieges. Aber ebenso ist es wichtig, dass die EU und ihre Mitgliedstaaten eine klare und eindeutige Botschaft an die derzeitige Führung in Russland senden.
Da die Kommission, eingerichtet durch die Europäische Union und angeführt von Heidi Tagliavini, vorbereitet, ihren Bericht über die Ursachen des russisch-georgischen Krieges zu veröffentlichen, rufen wir alle Europäer auf, sich an die schmerzhaften Erfahrungen unserer jüngsten Vergangenheit zu erinnern.
Erstens, eine große Macht wird immer einen Vorwand finden oder konstruieren, um einen Nachbarn zu überfallen, an dessen Unabhängigkeit sich diese Macht stößt. Wir dürfen nicht vergessen, dass Hitler die Polen anklagte, die Feindseligkeiten in Jahr 1939 begonnen zu haben, so wie Stalin die Schuld den Finnen anhängte, als er fiel ihr Land im Jahre 1940 überfiel. Auch im Fall von Georgien und Russland, ist die kritische Frage, welches Land das andere überfiel, vielmehr als die Frage, welcher Soldat die erste Kugel abfeuerte.
Zweitens, das Versagen der westlichen Demokratien, auf die Zerstückelung einer befreundeten Nation zu reagieren, wenn auch eine kleine Nation, kann sehr ernste globale Folgen haben.
Die Europäische Union wurde gegen die Versuchung von München und den Eisernen Vorhang gebaut. Es wäre völlig fatal, wenn wir uns in irgendeiner Weise einstellen sollten, die Art von Praktiken stillschweigend zu dulden, welche unseren Kontinent in den Krieg und die Aufteilung für die meiste Zeit des letzten Jahrhunderts stürzten. At stake is nothing less than the fate of the project to which we continue to dedicate our lives: the peaceful and democratic reunification of the European continent. Auf dem Spiel steht nichts Geringeres als das Schicksal des Projekts, dem wir unser Leben fortwährend widmen: der friedlichen und demokratischen Wiedervereinigung des europäischen Kontinents.
Vaclav Havel, Valdas Adamkus, Mart Laar, Vytautas Landsbergis, Otto de Habsbourg, Daniel Cohn Bendit, Timothy Garton Ash, André Glucksmann, Mark Leonard, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Adam Michnik, Josep Ramoneda Vaclav Havel, Valdas Adamkus, Mart Laar, Vytautas Landsbergis, de Otto Habsburg, Daniel Cohn Bendit, Timothy Garton Ash, André Glucksmann, Mark Leonard, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Adam Michnik, Josep Ramoneda
Europe must stand up for Georgia - Open letter by Vaclav Havel and others
Open letter: Twenty years after half of Europe was freed, a new wall is being built – across Georgia, say Vaclav Havel and others:
As Europe remembers the shame of the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact of 1939 and the Munich agreement of 1938, and as it prepares to celebrate the fall of the Berlin wall and the iron curtain in 1989, one question arises in our minds: Have we learned the lessons of history? Put another way, are we able to avoid repeating the mistakes that cast such a dark shadow over the 20th century?
To deplore or celebrate past events is a futile act if we remain blind to their lessons. Only if these events teach us how to act differently – and more wisely – do such commemorations have any value.
Looking at Europe today, it is abundantly clear that history has not come to an end and that it remains tragic. Twenty years after the emancipation of half of the continent, a new wall is being built in Europe – this time across the sovereign territory of Georgia.
This presents a major challenge for the citizens, institutions and governments of Europe. Are we willing to accept that the borders of a small country can be unilaterally changed by force? Are we willing to tolerate the de facto annexation of foreign territories by a larger power?
In order for the forthcoming historic commemorations to be meaningful both for Europe's collective identity and for its future, we urge the EU's 27 democratic leaders to define a proactive strategy to help Georgia peacefully regain its territorial integrity and obtain the withdrawal of Russian forces illegally stationed on Georgian soil.
Nobody wants a confrontation with Moscow or a return to the hostile atmosphere of the cold war. But, equally, it is essential that the EU and its member states send a clear and unequivocal message to the current leadership in Russia.
As the commission set up by the European Union and headed by Heidi Tagliavini prepares to publish its report on the causes of the Russian-Georgian war, we call on all Europeans to remember the painful lessons of our recent past.
First, a big power will always find or engineer a pretext to invade a neighbour whose independence it resents. We should remember that Hitler accused the Poles of commencing hostilities in 1939, just as Stalin pinned the blame on the Finns when he invaded their country in 1940. Similarly, in the case of Georgia and Russia, the critical question is to determine which country invaded the other, rather than which soldier shot the first bullet.
Second, the failure of western democracies to respond to the dismemberment of a friendly nation, albeit a small one, can have very serious global consequences.
The European Union was built against the temptation of Munich and the iron curtain. It would be utterly disastrous if we were to appear in any way to condone the kind of practices that plunged our continent into war and division for most of the last century. At stake is nothing less than the fate of the project to which we continue to dedicate our lives: the peaceful and democratic reunification of the European continent.
Vaclav Havel, Valdas Adamkus, Mart Laar, Vytautas Landsbergis, Otto de Habsbourg, Daniel Cohn Bendit, Timothy Garton Ash, André Glucksmann, Mark Leonard, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Adam Michnik, Josep Ramoneda
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
Offener Brief: Zwanzig Jahre nachdem halb Europa befreit wurde, wird eine neue Mauer gebaut – quer durch Georgien, sagen Vaclav Havel und andere. - 22. September 2009
Wie sich Europa an die Schande des Ribbentrop-Molotow-Pakts von 1939 und das Münchner Abkommen von 1938 erinnert, und wie es sich darauf vorbereitet, den Fall der Berliner Mauer und des Eisernen Vorhangs im Jahr 1989 zu feiern, stellt sich eine Frage in unseren Köpfen: Haben wir die Lehren aus der Geschichte gezogen? Anders ausgedrückt, sind wir in der Lage zu verhindern, die Fehler zu wiederholen, die solch einen dunklen Schatten über das 20. Jahrhundert warfen?
Die Ereignisse der Vergangenheit zu beklagen oder zu feiern, ist eine vergebliche Handelung, wenn wir gegenüber ihren Lehren blind bleiben. Nur wenn diese Ereignisse uns lehren, wie wir anders - und klüger - handeln, haben solche Gedenkfeiern irgendeinen Wert.
Betrachtet man heute Europa, so ist es mehr als klar, dass die Geschichte nicht zu einem Ende gekommen ist und tragisch bleibt. Zwanzig Jahre nach der Befreiung der Hälfte des europäischen Kontinents, wird eine neue Mauer in Europa gebaut - dieses Mal in das Hoheitsgebiet von Georgien.
Dies stellt eine große Herausforderung für die Bürgerinnen und Bürger, Institutionen und Regierungen in Europa dar. Sind wir bereit zu akzeptieren, dass die Grenzen eines kleinen Landes einseitig durch Gewalt verändert werden können? Sind wir bereit, die de-facto-Annexion fremder Gebiete durch eine größere Macht zu tolerieren?
Um für die bevorstehenden historischen Gedenkfeiern sinnstiftend zu sein, sowohl für die kollektive Identität in Europa und als auch für die Zukunft, mahnen wir die 27 demokratischen Staats- und Regierungschefs der EU, eine proaktive Strategie zu definieren, Georgien zu helfen, friedlich seine territoriale Integrität zurückzuerhalten und den Abzug der russischen Truppen zu erreichen, die illegal auf georgischem Boden stationiert sind.
Niemand will eine Konfrontation mit Moskau oder eine Rückkehr zu der feindseligen Atmosphäre des Kalten Krieges. Aber ebenso ist es wichtig, dass die EU und ihre Mitgliedstaaten eine klare und eindeutige Botschaft an die derzeitige Führung in Russland senden.
Da die Kommission, eingerichtet durch die Europäische Union und angeführt von Heidi Tagliavini, vorbereitet, ihren Bericht über die Ursachen des russisch-georgischen Krieges zu veröffentlichen, rufen wir alle Europäer auf, sich an die schmerzhaften Erfahrungen unserer jüngsten Vergangenheit zu erinnern.
Erstens, eine große Macht wird immer einen Vorwand finden oder konstruieren, um einen Nachbarn zu überfallen, an dessen Unabhängigkeit sich diese Macht stößt. Wir dürfen nicht vergessen, dass Hitler die Polen anklagte, die Feindseligkeiten in Jahr 1939 begonnen zu haben, so wie Stalin die Schuld den Finnen anhängte, als er fiel ihr Land im Jahre 1940 überfiel. Auch im Fall von Georgien und Russland, ist die kritische Frage, welches Land das andere überfiel, vielmehr als die Frage, welcher Soldat die erste Kugel abfeuerte.
Zweitens, das Versagen der westlichen Demokratien, auf die Zerstückelung einer befreundeten Nation zu reagieren, wenn auch eine kleine Nation, kann sehr ernste globale Folgen haben.
Die Europäische Union wurde gegen die Versuchung von München und den Eisernen Vorhang gebaut. Es wäre völlig fatal, wenn wir uns in irgendeiner Weise einstellen sollten, die Art von Praktiken stillschweigend zu dulden, welche unseren Kontinent in den Krieg und die Aufteilung für die meiste Zeit des letzten Jahrhunderts stürzten. At stake is nothing less than the fate of the project to which we continue to dedicate our lives: the peaceful and democratic reunification of the European continent. Auf dem Spiel steht nichts Geringeres als das Schicksal des Projekts, dem wir unser Leben fortwährend widmen: der friedlichen und demokratischen Wiedervereinigung des europäischen Kontinents.
Vaclav Havel, Valdas Adamkus, Mart Laar, Vytautas Landsbergis, Otto de Habsbourg, Daniel Cohn Bendit, Timothy Garton Ash, André Glucksmann, Mark Leonard, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Adam Michnik, Josep Ramoneda Vaclav Havel, Valdas Adamkus, Mart Laar, Vytautas Landsbergis, de Otto Habsburg, Daniel Cohn Bendit, Timothy Garton Ash, André Glucksmann, Mark Leonard, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Adam Michnik, Josep Ramoneda
Europe must stand up for Georgia - Open letter by Vaclav Havel and others
Open letter: Twenty years after half of Europe was freed, a new wall is being built – across Georgia, say Vaclav Havel and others:
As Europe remembers the shame of the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact of 1939 and the Munich agreement of 1938, and as it prepares to celebrate the fall of the Berlin wall and the iron curtain in 1989, one question arises in our minds: Have we learned the lessons of history? Put another way, are we able to avoid repeating the mistakes that cast such a dark shadow over the 20th century?
To deplore or celebrate past events is a futile act if we remain blind to their lessons. Only if these events teach us how to act differently – and more wisely – do such commemorations have any value.
Looking at Europe today, it is abundantly clear that history has not come to an end and that it remains tragic. Twenty years after the emancipation of half of the continent, a new wall is being built in Europe – this time across the sovereign territory of Georgia.
This presents a major challenge for the citizens, institutions and governments of Europe. Are we willing to accept that the borders of a small country can be unilaterally changed by force? Are we willing to tolerate the de facto annexation of foreign territories by a larger power?
In order for the forthcoming historic commemorations to be meaningful both for Europe's collective identity and for its future, we urge the EU's 27 democratic leaders to define a proactive strategy to help Georgia peacefully regain its territorial integrity and obtain the withdrawal of Russian forces illegally stationed on Georgian soil.
Nobody wants a confrontation with Moscow or a return to the hostile atmosphere of the cold war. But, equally, it is essential that the EU and its member states send a clear and unequivocal message to the current leadership in Russia.
As the commission set up by the European Union and headed by Heidi Tagliavini prepares to publish its report on the causes of the Russian-Georgian war, we call on all Europeans to remember the painful lessons of our recent past.
First, a big power will always find or engineer a pretext to invade a neighbour whose independence it resents. We should remember that Hitler accused the Poles of commencing hostilities in 1939, just as Stalin pinned the blame on the Finns when he invaded their country in 1940. Similarly, in the case of Georgia and Russia, the critical question is to determine which country invaded the other, rather than which soldier shot the first bullet.
Second, the failure of western democracies to respond to the dismemberment of a friendly nation, albeit a small one, can have very serious global consequences.
The European Union was built against the temptation of Munich and the iron curtain. It would be utterly disastrous if we were to appear in any way to condone the kind of practices that plunged our continent into war and division for most of the last century. At stake is nothing less than the fate of the project to which we continue to dedicate our lives: the peaceful and democratic reunification of the European continent.
Vaclav Havel, Valdas Adamkus, Mart Laar, Vytautas Landsbergis, Otto de Habsbourg, Daniel Cohn Bendit, Timothy Garton Ash, André Glucksmann, Mark Leonard, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Adam Michnik, Josep Ramoneda
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
Der Krieg in Georgien - Ursachen des Konflikts und Folgen für das politische Weltklima
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: #
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: #
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