GEORGIA LETTER TO G8 SPEAKERS ON RUSSIAN ACTIONS

UNCLAS TOKYO 002445 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR H E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MARR OREP JA RS GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA LETTER TO G8 SPEAKERS ON RUSSIAN ACTIONS ¶1. (U) The Embassy of Georgia in Tokyo delivered the following letter from the Chairman of Georgia's Parliament under cover of diplomatic note. The letter was addressed to the delegations attending Japan's G8 Speakers' Meeting in Tokyo and Hiroshima, September 1-3. A copy of the letter has been sent directly to Speaker Pelosi's office. ¶2. (SBU) Begin Letter Text: Dear Colleague, Allow me to address you in this very difficult for my country period, when Russia has attacked young Georgian democracy and continues to occupy and annex part of the country. The whole world has been witnessing the brutality of Russian actions, including indiscriminate bombings of the civilian population of Georgia. Acting under the pretext of defending own citizens, Russia in fact carried out large-scale ethnic cleansing of the local Georgian population in the conflict regions. More than hundred thousand citizens had to flee from the territories occupied by Russian military and their accompanying paramilitary units. Moscow claimed Russia had no designs on our territory. Why then did it bomb about 30 different Georgian cities and villages? Why did it occupy Georgian city such as Gori? Why does it continue to occupy our strategic port of Poti? And why did it rush to illegally recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, eschewing diplomacy or any peaceful means of conflict resolution? My country has called for an international investigation of the facts surrounding the start of the war, and of the real and alleged atrocities that have taken place on our soil. Georgia had nothing to gain and everything to lose from military conflict. Our economy was growing at the fastest pace in Europe. After a brief period of domestic political tension, two elections hailed as free and fair by international observers confirmed our democratic credentials. This is why our Government had been striving so hard in recent months to promote a peace plan for Abkhazia and South Ossetia -- a plan championed by the international community and effectively blocked by Russia within the OSCE and the UN SC. Russia responded to the progress being made in resolving the conflicts by escalating its provocations throughout the spring and early summer. It became evident that ending the conflicts did not serve Moscow,s purposes. Now, more than ever, the state and the people of Georgia need unswerving support from the international community. The resolve and moral clarity with which the international community responds to this crisis, I believe, will have long-term consequences for the entire Euro-Atlantic community. While Russia repeatedly defies the EU-mediated ceasefire and belittles international efforts to end to the invasion, it is incumbent upon us to forge a firm, united front. As Georgia begins to rebuild with the indispensable help of our allies, we are hopeful that some good might come of this tragedy. This war was never about South Ossetia or Georgia. Moscow is using its invasion, prepared over years, to rebuild its sphere of influence, seize greater control of Europe's energy supplies, and punish those who believed democracy could flourish on its borders. While this reality is distressing, eliminating illusions about Moscow's goals allows us to develop an effective political response. The invasion's toll on Georgia has been devastating: Hundreds have died and there are over 100,000 new IDPs and refugees. Russian bombers targeted our economic infrastructure, destroying roads, ports, factories, and civilian housing; we estimate rebuilding costs of between (euro) 1-2 billion. But Moscow's boldest gambit -- its overt efforts at overthrowing democratically elected government in Georgia -- failed. My country stands more united than ever. I believe the most potent international response to Russia is to stay united and firm by providing immediate material and political support to Georgia. Intensive international engagement is needed to resolve conflicts on the basis of international law and declared will of all local residents. Backing Georgia with world's political and financial institutions is a powerful response. If Moscow is trying to subvert our independence using its lethal tools, we must resist with democratic tools that have sustained more than 60 years of peace in Europe. Excellency, allow me to use this opportunity to extend my appreciation for Your and your country's active support of Georgia. I hope our fruitful cooperation finally will bring lasting peace to my country and entire region. Sincerely, /s/ David Bakradze End Letter Text. ZUMWALT