TFGG01 - GEORGIA - URGENT DEMARCHE REQUEST ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 092371 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL GG SUBJECT: TFGG01 - GEORGIA - URGENT DEMARCHE REQUEST ON POSSIBLE UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING REF: A. USUN 757 ¶B. STATE 091894 (SBU) THIS IS A NIACT IMMEDIATE CABLE DUE TO THE EMERGENCY UNSC MEETING WHICH MAY OCCUR AS EARLY AS THE MORNING OF AUGUST 28, 2008. DEMARCHE NEEDS TO BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request: Georgia is seeking an emergency session of the UN Security Council meeting as early as August 28, 2008 to discuss Russia's recognition of the separatist Abkhazian and South Ossetian de facto governments. In anticipation of this meeting, the Department requests that action addressees, with the exception of Moscow, approach host governments at the highest appropriate level to urge them to reject and condemn Russia's unacceptable decision to recognize the de facto governments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to demand that Russia revoke its recognition and comply with the Ceasefire Agreement, prior Security Council Resolutions and other international commitments during the meeting. Objective -------------- ¶2. (SBU) To urge host government to instruct its Permrep to publicly and forcefully condemn Russia's August 26 decision to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states and call on Russia to: -- Revoke its recognition of the separatist regimes; -- Reaffirm Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty; -- Implement President Sarkozy's six point plan as clarified in President Sarkozy's subsequent communications to President Saakashvili and withdraw its forces immediately to status quo ante positions; and -- Begin cooperating with the OSCE, EU and UN immediately in the deployment of an international mechanism to bring stability to the region. Background -------------- ¶3. (SBU) This would be the 8th time that the Council has convened in emergency session to consider the situation in Georgia. During these meetings the members of the Council have worked in good faith to reach agreement on a cease fire that would save lives and prevent unnecessary destruction of property, and avoid the creation of a new wave of internally displaced persons and a resulting humanitarian catastrophe. Over the course of these meetings, a significant number of Council members, and echoed by leading members of the international community, have voiced a consensus view that we must work toward a solution that preserves international law, Georgia's territorial integrity, and the principles enshrined in the Security Council's resolutions and previous agreements on Georgia. Russia's recent unacceptable actions have not only undermined these discussions and the ability of the UN and the Security Council to meet its obligations to contribute to a peaceful and lasting solution to this crisis, but the overall credibility and sanctity of the Council its members. ¶4. (SBU) By publicly rejecting Russia's actions, host country would join the U.S., OSCE, EU, UN and an overwhelming majority of the international community in the position that this move undercuts international efforts to mediate a lasting, peaceful resolution to the disputes in these two regions of Georgia. Moreover, Russia's action presents a serious challenge to the stability of an already tense region and is inconsistent with previous Security Council guarantees for Georgia's territorial integrity. Meanwhile, Russian troops continue to occupy parts of Georgia far outside of the conflict zone, for example near the port of Poti. The Security Council must speak out strongly and clearly on behalf of Georgia's territorial integrity, and in defense of past Security Council resolutions. ¶5. (SBU) Unanimously-approved UN Security Council resolutions STATE 00092371 002 OF 002 which have consistently and explicitly reaffirmed Georgia's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, the most recent of which was adopted with Russian support in April 2008 (UNSCR 1808) recognize Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and must be preserved. Moreover, Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is inconsistent with the Ceasefire Accord that Russian President Medvedev signed. Point six of the Ceasefire called for international talks on security and stability arrangements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russia's recognition prejudges this point. As President Bush stated on August 25, "Georgia's territorial integrity must command the same respect as every other nation's including Russia's. Russia agreed, when President Medvedev signed the French-brokered ceasefire agreement, to the 'opening of international discussions on security and stability modalities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.'" This decree eviscerates that commitment. Department Point of Contact -------------- ¶6. (U) Posts should provide responses to this demarche at the earliest opportunity by cable. Department's point of contact is IO/UNP K.G. Moore, 202 647-2392, moorekg@state.gov. ¶7. (U) TRIPOLI MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. RICE