NATO: ALLIES REAFFIRM GEORGIAN SOVEREIGNTY; OFFER

C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000283 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2018 TAGS: PREL SUBJECT: NATO: ALLIES REAFFIRM GEORGIAN SOVEREIGNTY; OFFER MORAL SUPPORT AND HUMANITARIAN AID, BUT LITTLE ELSE. Classified By: Ambassador Kurt Volker for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) SUMMERY: At an August 12 North Atlantic Council meeting with Georgia, Georgian Permanent Representative to NATO Beshidze (substituting for the Georgian FM who at the last minute could not attend) characterized the Russian action as open aggression and occupation of a sovereign, democratic state. Beshidze focused on the Russian air strikes against Georgian urban and civilian areas, Russian escalation through ground assaults outside of the conflict area into Georgia proper, and the unfolding humanitarian crises. Georgia tabled eight requests for NATO assistance in helping to end hostilities and to ensure the stability of the region (see below). Allies unanimously supported Georgian independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, with some (Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, and Czech Republic) expressing strong solidarity with Georgia. All Allies recognized Russia,s disproportionate response to the crises and reiterated their call for an end to hostilities as well as support for ongoing ceasefire efforts led by the EU/OSCE. For now, Allies supported consideration in NATO,s Political Committee of Georgia,s eight requests, citing the need for further discussion. Only Germany sounded a somewhat sour note on this issue, saying that NATO has no actual role in ongoing efforts and that NATO,s direct involvement through Georgia,s request could escalate the conflict. END SUMMARY -------------- THE GEORGIAN VIEW -------------- ¶2. (C) Georgia,s PermRep Beshidze briefed the NAC on Georgia,s assessment of the current situation saying that his country is facing open aggression and a worsening security and humanitarian situation. Defending Georgia,s military action in South Ossetia on August 7, he described the deteriorating security situation that started on August 1, and said South Ossetian shelling of Georgian villages despite a unilateral Georgian ceasefire led directly to Georgia,s response. He outlined Russian escalation of the conflict, including air strikes against Georgian infrastructure and civilian population centers along with the Russian offensive into undisputed Georgian territory outside of the conflict zone. He denounced Russia,s response as an invasion and an occupation of sovereign democratic country in direct violation of international law and in contravention of Alliance values. In short, he said Georgia,s democracy, freedom, and independence is now under threat. He said that in Georgia,s view, the failure of NATO to grant a membership action plan to Georgia at the April NATO Summit in Bucharest contributed to accelerating the crises since it only emboldened Russia. Beshidze appealed to NATO to do all it could to stop the Russian invasion and made eight requests for direct NATO assistance, including the possible deployment of AWACs to support Georgia's air defense capability. -------------- -------------- Georgian Requests circulated to all Allied delegations: -------------- -------------- Georgia,s Request to the Nations of the Alliance for Assistance in Utterly Extreme Circumstances ¶1. To take all possible measures including Political, Intelligence, Crisis Management, and Military ones to stop a Russian invasion of Georgia. ¶2. Make a strong NAC statement condemning Russia,s aggressive actions. ¶3. In parallel to send NATO Senior Official to Tbilisi at the highest possible levels. ¶4. Make a strong emphasis on the necessity and push the Russian Federation to sign the non-use of force agreement with Georgia. ¶5. To facilitate the accession process of Georgia to the Alliance. ¶6. Give top priority to Issues related to Georgia-Russia Relations during the meetings with the Russians in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council. ¶7. Make clear that despite the Russian aggression, the NAC is bold enough to pay a visit to Georgia as planned. ¶8. It is crystal clear that Russia has lost their moral rights to maintain the role of mediator and peacekeeper as this is leading to not peace, but on the contrary to war, involving significant civilian casualties. This creates increasing need for internationalization of peacekeeping operations and new negotiation formats with new mediators. We believe that NATO along with the EU is capable of greatly contributing to the process of sustainable peace. -------------- ALLIES RESPOND -------------- ¶3. (C) Allied PermReps unanimously reaffirmed Georgia,s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, deplored the civilian casualties and offered support for humanitarian assistance, called for an end to hostilities, supported ongoing EU/OSCE mediation efforts, and welcomed Georgia,s signing of the ceasefire agreement. One theme that became clear among many Allies was that Russia had lost all credibility as international peacekeepers in Georgia and that more international involvement was needed to settle the frozen conflicts. Picking up on the Georgian requests, the Czech Republic (supported by Poland) inquired about sending NATO officials to the region and supported Georgia,s request to hold a special meeting of NATO,s Military Committee with Georgia. Drawing historical analogies, Poland, classified the situation as classic Russian imperialism and revisionism and called on NATO to do all it can to support international mediation efforts and fulfill Georgia,s requests. Ambassador Volker expressed deep concern and sympathy to the Georgian people and also applauded Georgia,s acceptance of the ceasefire agreement. He further noted that the U.S. would work with Georgia on the humanitarian issue and to strengthen Georgia,s state institutions. He concluded by saying that the crisis is an issue of concern to NATO and Allies should give further consideration to Georgia,s requests. Other Allies, (Canada, Bulgaria, Lithuania, UK, Estonia, Norway, Latvia, Hungary, Denmark, Turkey, Italy, The Netherlands, Iceland, Greece, Romania, and Slovenia) sounded notes of solidarity with Georgia, said they were considering humanitarian aid, supported ongoing mediation efforts, and urged withdraw of all armed forces from the conflict zones and return to the August 6 status quo. Norway informed the Council that they were actively coordinating with NGOs and would deploy a civilian mobile field hospital in support of humanitarian efforts. They also asked Georgia what they would need in terms of humanitarian assistance. In response, Beshidze said that Tbilisi was funneling their assistance requests through the International Committee of the Red Cross. In response to a Canadian request for Georgia,s reaction to Russian President,s Medvedev,s recent announcement of a cessation in Russian combat operations, Beshidze said that he did not have any information on the announcement and would need confirmation before he could respond, but noted that it would be positive if it were true. ¶4. (C) Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal took note of Georgia,s views on the Bucharest decision on MAP and emphasized the need to look forward rather than back saying there will be plenty of time to analyze what happened. They stressed that the priority right now is on immediate cessation of hostilities, and they called for support to the ongoing EU/OSCE mediation efforts. Germany said they saw no active role for NATO in ongoing mediation efforts and stated that any NATO direct role, could only escalate the crises. Georgia responded by saying that NATO did have a role to play due to the changed circumstances since Russia had provoked Georgia and then proceeded to initiate a well planned, heavy handed response. He thanked Allies for their support to Georgian territorial integrity, humanitarian assistance, and the French/EU led mediation efforts. The SecGen assured Georgia of NATO,s support and active involvement as a full partner. He concluded by saying that the Alliance would consider Georgia's requests. VOLKER