10.04.2008 Russia, Moscow. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov during a meeting with
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Photo: Valery Melnikov
|
 |
Sergey Lavrov: Georgia Carries out Ethnic Cleansing of South Ossetia
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reported ethnic cleansing of South Ossetia
“The state of affairs is getting worse every hour, the Georgian party uses heavy artillery and has actually unleashed hostilities against the people of Ossetia,” stated Russia’s Foreign Office Chief during a press-conference devoted to the situation in the Georgia-Abkhaz conflict zone.
“There’s been firing in Tskhinvali and other settlements including those outside the conflict zone. Russia’s convoy carrying humanitarian aid was attacked, and several sources reported ethnic cleansing in South Ossetia,” he emphasized.
Russia’s chief diplomat informed that Russia will provide aid to refugees from South Ossetia. “Today the President ordered that the government of the Russian Federation should provide humanitarian aid to those who found themselves in distress.”
Besides, the Minister recommended that the Georgian leaders count their own tanks and jets, which bomb South Ossetia. He made this statement when answering a question about the amount of Russia’s machines deployed in South Ossetia. According to Sergey Lavrov, the Georgian government has lost the credit it had.
The Foreign Office Chief referred to a recent statement of Georgia’s Conflict Settlement Minister Teimuraz Yakobashvili that Russia must interfere in the conflict as a mediator only. “We’re doing it right now,” Sergey Lavrov underscored.
The Minister regrets that the Georgian leaders make their statements “with the EU flag behind them”. “I believe the European colleagues understand the situation and will make the right choice,” the Minister added. He also put into question Georgia’s credibility and reminded that the Georgian party had been reluctant to sign ceasefire agreements in the conflict zones.
|
|
|
