Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE115259
2008-10-29 16:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON RUSSIAN
how-toVZCZCXRO8244 PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHC #5259 3031611 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 291601Z OCT 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 4905 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 115259
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: GG OSCE PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON RUSSIAN
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH GEORGIA CEASE-FIRE
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The United States reiterates its full support for the EU
monitoring mission in Georgia. These observers )- together
with the OSCE military monitoring officers -- play a
potentially critical role in monitoring compliance with the
six-point cease-fire agreement and its clarifying documents.
We say "potentially critical" because it is clear that this
is true only to the extent that these monitors are permitted
access to all of Georgia -- including South Ossetia and
Abkhazia, which we all know is currently not the case.
We note that under the August 12 cease-fire agreement, Russia
committed to withdraw its forces to positions held prior to
August 7. The follow-on agreement of September 8 reaffirmed
this commitment. Instead of withdrawing, however, Russian
forces continue to be deployed in both the South Ossetian and
Abkhaz regions of Georgia in numbers far greater than those
prior to the outbreak of hostilities, and certainly without
the express consent of the sovereign host nation, Georgia.
In addition, Russian forces continue to violate the
commitments made in the August 12 and September 8 agreements
by maintaining a presence outside the South Ossetian zone of
conflict, in areas previously controlled by Georgia,
particularly by remaining in the Akhalgori valley and in the
Upper Kodori Gorge.
These areas must be demilitarized immediately, and human
rights organizations and international observers must be
allowed unimpeded access to the whole of Georgia, including
its South Ossetian and Abkhazian regions. It is absolutely
vital to monitor the situation of vulnerable civilian
populations, investigate reports of human rights abuses by
all parties to the conflict, including ongoing abuses, and
ensure the safe and voluntary return of all those displaced
by the conflict as well as their security upon their return.
Such access is all the more important given the outlandish
allegations of atrocities being made by some parties to the
conflict. We need to know the objective facts, and the only
way to accomplish this is through unfettered access.
(Contrary to what has been alleged here today,) the
Government of Georgia is complying with the ceasefire
agreement and has returned its armed forces to their bases.
Additionally, Georgia is re-introducing the rule of law in
the areas formerly occupied by Russian forces, rebuilding
homes damaged by the conflict, re-establishing public order,
and facilitating the return of internally displaced persons.
The United States once more calls on Russia to implement in
their entirety the commitments it made in the six-point
cease-fire agreement and its clarifying documents, and
reminds Russia that it is responsible for safeguarding the
population in the areas it occupies. Russia's continuing
inability to ensure the protection of human rights and
guarantee personal security in these areas underscores the
crucial need for EU and OSCE monitors to have full and
unimpeded access to the South Ossetian and Abkhazian regions
of Georgia.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, the United States reiterates its
commitment to the people of Georgia and their democratically
elected government. We will continue to support Georgia's
sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within
its internationally recognized borders.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: GG OSCE PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON RUSSIAN
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH GEORGIA CEASE-FIRE
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The United States reiterates its full support for the EU
monitoring mission in Georgia. These observers )- together
with the OSCE military monitoring officers -- play a
potentially critical role in monitoring compliance with the
six-point cease-fire agreement and its clarifying documents.
We say "potentially critical" because it is clear that this
is true only to the extent that these monitors are permitted
access to all of Georgia -- including South Ossetia and
Abkhazia, which we all know is currently not the case.
We note that under the August 12 cease-fire agreement, Russia
committed to withdraw its forces to positions held prior to
August 7. The follow-on agreement of September 8 reaffirmed
this commitment. Instead of withdrawing, however, Russian
forces continue to be deployed in both the South Ossetian and
Abkhaz regions of Georgia in numbers far greater than those
prior to the outbreak of hostilities, and certainly without
the express consent of the sovereign host nation, Georgia.
In addition, Russian forces continue to violate the
commitments made in the August 12 and September 8 agreements
by maintaining a presence outside the South Ossetian zone of
conflict, in areas previously controlled by Georgia,
particularly by remaining in the Akhalgori valley and in the
Upper Kodori Gorge.
These areas must be demilitarized immediately, and human
rights organizations and international observers must be
allowed unimpeded access to the whole of Georgia, including
its South Ossetian and Abkhazian regions. It is absolutely
vital to monitor the situation of vulnerable civilian
populations, investigate reports of human rights abuses by
all parties to the conflict, including ongoing abuses, and
ensure the safe and voluntary return of all those displaced
by the conflict as well as their security upon their return.
Such access is all the more important given the outlandish
allegations of atrocities being made by some parties to the
conflict. We need to know the objective facts, and the only
way to accomplish this is through unfettered access.
(Contrary to what has been alleged here today,) the
Government of Georgia is complying with the ceasefire
agreement and has returned its armed forces to their bases.
Additionally, Georgia is re-introducing the rule of law in
the areas formerly occupied by Russian forces, rebuilding
homes damaged by the conflict, re-establishing public order,
and facilitating the return of internally displaced persons.
The United States once more calls on Russia to implement in
their entirety the commitments it made in the six-point
cease-fire agreement and its clarifying documents, and
reminds Russia that it is responsible for safeguarding the
population in the areas it occupies. Russia's continuing
inability to ensure the protection of human rights and
guarantee personal security in these areas underscores the
crucial need for EU and OSCE monitors to have full and
unimpeded access to the South Ossetian and Abkhazian regions
of Georgia.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, the United States reiterates its
commitment to the people of Georgia and their democratically
elected government. We will continue to support Georgia's
sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within
its internationally recognized borders.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE