GEORGIA -- GUIDANCE FOR UNSC DISCUSSION ON

UNCLAS STATE 077757

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA -- GUIDANCE FOR UNSC DISCUSSION ON
MONDAY, JULY 21.


1. The Department requests that USUN draw on the following
points in paragraph two during the discussion of recent
events in Georgia in the UN Security Council on Monday, July

21.


2. Begin Points:

Mr. President:

I would like to welcome Ambassador Alasania
from the Republic of Georgia to the Council.

The United States is deeply concerned about the security
situation in Georgia, particularly the escalation of
violence in the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia. With that in mind, I would like to make three
points.

First, we are troubled by the admission by the Russian
Federation that on July 8 four Russian fighter jets
deliberately violated Georgia's internationally recognized
borders. The UN Charter requires Members to, quote "refrain
in their international relations from the threat or use of
force against the territorial integrity or political
independence of any
state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes
of the United Nations." Russia's military over-flights in
South Ossetia, as well as other actions it has taken in the
Abkhazia region of Georgia are in direct contradiction of
Russia's role as a peacekeeper, and raise questions regarding
its status as facilitator of the UN Friends process on
Abkhazia and its stated commitment to Georgia's
sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Second, reiterating what was said in the Group
of Friends discussion, we continue to call for an
immediate halt to all acts of violence or provocation and
the soonest possible resumption of direct negotiations.
We also call for Russia to reverse its provocative actions in
Abkhazia, including withdrawing from Abkhazia its recently
deployed airborne troops and heavy artillery, as well as its
railroad troops, whose presence in Georgia has no clear legal
basis, and to engage constructively through the Friends
process to achieve a
peaceful resolution to Georgia's separatist conflicts. We
urge all members of the international community, including
Russia, to support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial
integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as
called for by numerous Security Council resolutions,
including
most recently UNSCR 1808 in April 2008.

Third, we regret that Council Members were unable to agree on
a
statement deploring the recent bombings in Abkhazia and
South Ossetia, which resulted in the loss of life of
innocent civilians, including a UNOMIG interpreter, and
the attempted assassination of the head of the Temporary
Administrative Unit of South Ossetia, Mr.
Dmitri Sanakoyev. The Council needs to do everything it can
to
contribute to a reduction of tension in that region. The
recent violent incidents illustrate the need for an
international police presence in the affected areas. We call
on Council Members to join us in urging Georgia and Russia to
intensify direct talks at the
highest levels, and to support direct talks between the
government of Georgia and the separatist leaders of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Thank you, Mr. President.
RICE