OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON GEORGIA

UNCLAS STATE 010088

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE RU GG
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON GEORGIA


1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
February 5, 2009, meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in
Vienna:

Begin Text:

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

The United States has noted with concern press reports that
Russia plans to open three military bases in the Abkhaz
region of Georgia. These steps, if confirmed, would be
provocative and destabilizing, and would undercut
international efforts through the Geneva talks to reduce
tensions in the region. They also would compound Russia's
breaches of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity,
and deepen Russia's ongoing violations of the August 12
ceasefire agreement brokered by President Sarkozy, pursuant
to which Russian forces are to withdraw to pre-conflict
positions. These steps would also undercut international
efforts in the Geneva Process to reduce tension in the
region. We would appreciate any information the Russian
delegation could give us on these reports, and would strongly
urge Russia to reconsider its plans and avoid taking such
unwise steps if in fact the reports are accurate.

Also of serious concern are reports of frequent Russian
helicopter flights outside the South Ossetian region of
Georgia. An OSCE spot report issued January 26 called
attention to Russian helicopter flights into
Georgian-controlled airspace clearly outside South Ossetia,
and OSCE and EU monitors have noted several instances of
Russian helicopters being observed above Georgian villages
well outside the breakaway region. Such actions constitute
further breaches of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial
integrity, and of the August 12 ceasefire.

These incidents clearly underscore the need for an OSCE
monitoring presence with uninhibited access to the whole of
Georgia, including South Ossetia. Continued kidnappings and
killings of Georgian policemen and civilians demonstrate the
same need. We remain convinced that now is the time for more
) not less ) international presence, to help deter
violence, to ensure the safety and protection of civilians,
to promote human rights, to encourage dialogue and
reconciliation, and to monitor the implementation of the
ceasefire and subsequent agreements. We continue to urge
Russia to implement fully its commitments under these
agreements, and say again that Russian forces should withdraw
to pre-conflict positions.

Madam Chairwoman, the United States remains ready to work
with the Chairmanship on a way to ensure a continued OSCE
presence in Georgia. The United States will continue to
support Georgia's sovereignty, independence, and territorial
integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and
will help in all ways to find a peaceful resolution to the
conflict.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
CLINTON