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