Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MOSCOW2556
2008-08-26 10:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
TFGG01: MEDVEDEV WILL RECOGNIZE SOUTH OSSETIAN,
how-toVZCZCXRO8672 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHMO #2556 2391032 ZNY CCCCC ZZH ZZK O 261032Z AUG 08 ZFF4 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE 9696 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 002556
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV OPDC GG RS
SUBJECT: TFGG01: MEDVEDEV WILL RECOGNIZE SOUTH OSSETIAN,
ABKHAZ INDEPENDENCE
Classified By: DCM Eric Rubin for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 002556
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV OPDC GG RS
SUBJECT: TFGG01: MEDVEDEV WILL RECOGNIZE SOUTH OSSETIAN,
ABKHAZ INDEPENDENCE
Classified By: DCM Eric Rubin for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C/NF) On August 26 at 12:00 p.m. local time, Russian DFM
Grigoriy Karasin handed DCM a letter from President Medvedev
to President Bush announcing Medvedev's intention to sign an
order on August 26 recognizing the independence of the
Georgian breakaway regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia. A
full non-official translation of the three-page letter will
be transmitted septel, along with Embassy's initial thoughts
on the way forward.
2. (C/NF) In his letter, President Medvedev calls this
decision to recognize the regions' independence the
"difficult, but only decision possible in these difficult
conditions." He accuses Georgian President Saakashvili of
launching a "blitzkrieg" against South Ossetia, and describes
the Russian view of events, underlining Russia's efforts to
systematically conduct a process of negotiations.
3. (C/NF) In his letter, Medvedev also gives as reasons for
his decision: the regions' repeated request for recognition
of their independence, in particular de facto presidents'
Bagapsh and Kokoity's most recent appeal; the August 25
decisions of the Federation Council and Duma to request the
GOR's recognition of South Ossetian and Abkhaz independence;
and the fact that the majority of Russian citizens supports
the recognition.
4. (C/NF) Medvedev also claims that his decision conforms
with the 1970 UN declaration on principles of international
rights, the Helsinki Final Act, and other fundamental
international documents.
5. (C/NF) In closing, Medvedev recognizes the U.S.
administration's efforts to influence Saakashvili and avert
military activity, but concludes that these efforts were
unfortunately insufficient. He expresses hope that the U.S.
will take measures to discourage Saakashvili's
anti-democratic and militaristic instincts.
BEYRLE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV OPDC GG RS
SUBJECT: TFGG01: MEDVEDEV WILL RECOGNIZE SOUTH OSSETIAN,
ABKHAZ INDEPENDENCE
Classified By: DCM Eric Rubin for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C/NF) On August 26 at 12:00 p.m. local time, Russian DFM
Grigoriy Karasin handed DCM a letter from President Medvedev
to President Bush announcing Medvedev's intention to sign an
order on August 26 recognizing the independence of the
Georgian breakaway regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia. A
full non-official translation of the three-page letter will
be transmitted septel, along with Embassy's initial thoughts
on the way forward.
2. (C/NF) In his letter, President Medvedev calls this
decision to recognize the regions' independence the
"difficult, but only decision possible in these difficult
conditions." He accuses Georgian President Saakashvili of
launching a "blitzkrieg" against South Ossetia, and describes
the Russian view of events, underlining Russia's efforts to
systematically conduct a process of negotiations.
3. (C/NF) In his letter, Medvedev also gives as reasons for
his decision: the regions' repeated request for recognition
of their independence, in particular de facto presidents'
Bagapsh and Kokoity's most recent appeal; the August 25
decisions of the Federation Council and Duma to request the
GOR's recognition of South Ossetian and Abkhaz independence;
and the fact that the majority of Russian citizens supports
the recognition.
4. (C/NF) Medvedev also claims that his decision conforms
with the 1970 UN declaration on principles of international
rights, the Helsinki Final Act, and other fundamental
international documents.
5. (C/NF) In closing, Medvedev recognizes the U.S.
administration's efforts to influence Saakashvili and avert
military activity, but concludes that these efforts were
unfortunately insufficient. He expresses hope that the U.S.
will take measures to discourage Saakashvili's
anti-democratic and militaristic instincts.
BEYRLE