GEORGIA -- STATEMENT FOR JULY 29 UNSC DISCUSSION

UNCLAS STATE 080673

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC UNOMIG PREL GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA -- STATEMENT FOR JULY 29 UNSC DISCUSSION


1. The Department requests that USUN deliver the following
statement during the July 29 UN Security Council discussion
of the Secretary General's report on the UN Observer Mission
in Georgia (UNOMIG).


2. Begin statement:

Mr. President:

I would like to welcome Ambassador Alasania to the Council
today.

I also would like to welcome Special Representative Jean
Arnault and thank him and his staff, as well as the
contributing countries, for their dedication in carrying out
UNOMIG,s mandate.

We deeply regret the significant escalation in violence noted
in the Secretary-General,s report, including the July 6
bombing in Gali that resulted in four fatalities, including
one UNOMIG staff, and injury to many others.

Today I would like to make two points.

First, we are greatly troubled by recent violations of the
Moscow Agreement, cited by the Secretary General. We fully
share his concerns that these violations create an alarming
rise in tensions that threatens the stability of Georgia and
the wider region.

The Secretary General notes that in particular Russia,s
March 6 decision to withdraw from CIS sanctions on Abkhazia,
Georgia, its April 16 presidential instructions to increase
ties to de facto Abkhaz and South Ossetian authorities, and
its introduction of an additional airborne battalion and a
military railways unit have contributed to a quote,
"dangerous dynamic." We fully agree with this assessment.

In light of the Secretary General,s concerns, I repeat my
call on the Russian authorities to reverse these provocative
actions and to constructively engage in the Friends process.
And at this time of rising tensions, I also call on all
parties, including Russia, to agree to attend without
preconditions the forthcoming meetings of the Group of
Friends in Berlin on July 30 and 31, 2008 to resume
discussion of mutual de-escalation.

We fully support the Secretary General,s call on all parties
to respect the Moscow agreement and to allow for UNOMIG to
pursue its mandate without infringement or obstruction. I
repeat my call of a week ago for all sides to do all in their
power to prevent acts of violence and to resume direct
negotiations in order to defuse the recent rise in tensions.

Second, I would like to stress the need for UNOMIG and this
Council to move to establish an international police presence
in the zone of conflict, where there is an obvious need for
an effective law enforcement capability. We request that the
Secretary General examine options for the establishment of an
international police presence for the Council to consider at
the earliest opportunity.

Thank you.
RICE