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