Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE31650
2009-04-01 21:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON IED
how-toVZCZCXRO6970 PP RUEHAST RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR DE RUEHC #1650 0912142 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 012125Z APR 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 8948 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 031650
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM GG RU OSCE
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON IED
INCIDENTS IN GEORGIA
Post is authorized to deliver the following statement at the
April 2, 2009 session of the OSCE Permanent Council:
Thank you Madam Chairwoman.
The United States condemns the March 29 serial improvised
explosive device (IED) attacks near Dvani, in which one
Georgia policeman was killed and at least six others were
wounded. According to initial investigations, the first
device was detonated by remote control and sees to have been
designed to maximize casualties among the first responders,
in this case the Georgian police. Two other unexploded
devices apparently were also found at the site.
We agree fully with Special Representative Chritopoulos and
the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission, Ambassador Haber, that
attacks such as this one are highly destabilizing and must be
thoroughly investigated. Those responsible must be held
accountable for their actions.
Incidents like these, as well as almost daily reports of
firing or explosions in the zone of conflict, underscore the
need for uninhibited access by international monitors to the
whole of Georgia, including South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It
is not tenable to argue that monitoring should take place on
one side of the administrative boundary line.
Together with robust international monitoring, implementation
of the joint incident prevention and response mechanisms that
were agreed in Geneva can provide greater transparency, deter
violence, ensure the safety and protection of civilians,
promote respect for human rights, and further the
implementation of the August 12 and September 8 cease fire
agreements. We therefore call on Russia to encourage the
Abkhaz and South Ossetian participants to name their
representatives to these mechanisms immediately.
We urge the participants to implement as well the
recommendations of the November 2008 ODIHR/HCNM human rights
assessment mission report, and call for an urgent follow-up
assessment to ascertain the current human rights condition in
the South Ossetia region of Georgia.
We also call on Russia to ensure that the rule of law and
respect for human rights and international law are upheld in
those areas of Georgia where Russian military forces are
present.
Like other delegations, we are convinced that the OSCE has
played and can continue to play a vital role in restoring
stability and promoting human rights and democratic
governance in Georgia. We welcome the Chairmanship's
constructive proposal to allow the OSCE to continue its
important work in South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia
without violating any OSCE participating States' redlines
regarding South Ossetia's political status. We urge all
delegations to work with the Chairmanship in a spirit of good
will and collaboration to reach agreement as soon as possible
on the basis of this proposal.
The United States will continue to support Georgia's
sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity with its
internationally recognized borders, and will help in all ways
to find a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM GG RU OSCE
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON IED
INCIDENTS IN GEORGIA
Post is authorized to deliver the following statement at the
April 2, 2009 session of the OSCE Permanent Council:
Thank you Madam Chairwoman.
The United States condemns the March 29 serial improvised
explosive device (IED) attacks near Dvani, in which one
Georgia policeman was killed and at least six others were
wounded. According to initial investigations, the first
device was detonated by remote control and sees to have been
designed to maximize casualties among the first responders,
in this case the Georgian police. Two other unexploded
devices apparently were also found at the site.
We agree fully with Special Representative Chritopoulos and
the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission, Ambassador Haber, that
attacks such as this one are highly destabilizing and must be
thoroughly investigated. Those responsible must be held
accountable for their actions.
Incidents like these, as well as almost daily reports of
firing or explosions in the zone of conflict, underscore the
need for uninhibited access by international monitors to the
whole of Georgia, including South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It
is not tenable to argue that monitoring should take place on
one side of the administrative boundary line.
Together with robust international monitoring, implementation
of the joint incident prevention and response mechanisms that
were agreed in Geneva can provide greater transparency, deter
violence, ensure the safety and protection of civilians,
promote respect for human rights, and further the
implementation of the August 12 and September 8 cease fire
agreements. We therefore call on Russia to encourage the
Abkhaz and South Ossetian participants to name their
representatives to these mechanisms immediately.
We urge the participants to implement as well the
recommendations of the November 2008 ODIHR/HCNM human rights
assessment mission report, and call for an urgent follow-up
assessment to ascertain the current human rights condition in
the South Ossetia region of Georgia.
We also call on Russia to ensure that the rule of law and
respect for human rights and international law are upheld in
those areas of Georgia where Russian military forces are
present.
Like other delegations, we are convinced that the OSCE has
played and can continue to play a vital role in restoring
stability and promoting human rights and democratic
governance in Georgia. We welcome the Chairmanship's
constructive proposal to allow the OSCE to continue its
important work in South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia
without violating any OSCE participating States' redlines
regarding South Ossetia's political status. We urge all
delegations to work with the Chairmanship in a spirit of good
will and collaboration to reach agreement as soon as possible
on the basis of this proposal.
The United States will continue to support Georgia's
sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity with its
internationally recognized borders, and will help in all ways
to find a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
CLINTON