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