|
|
 |
Russia Blocks UN Georgia Resolution
The UN Security Council was again unable to pass a resolution on the situation in Georgia. Russia refused to support a resolution proposed by France because it mentioned the principle of Georgian territorial integrity. The status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is key in the standoff between Russia and the West. London has expressed its full support of Georgia. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband flew to Tbilisi overnight and was met at the airport by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, where he straightaway made a statement about Georgian territorial integrity.
The Security Council session, called at the behest of Paris, began with a statement by Georgian Ambassador to the UN Irakly Alasania, who accused Russia of ethnic cleansing. French Ambassador to the UN Jean-Pierre Lacroix picked up that theme as he talked about Russia’s “unjustified use of force” in recent days. He spoke at length about the positive role played by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. He mentioned Georgian territorial integrity toward the end of his speech. Italian, U.S. and British representatives followed Lacroix.
Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin told at length about how Russia is doing more than any other country to help the civilian population in Georgia. He accused his opponents of “propaganda” and said that the withdrawal of Russian forces began long ago. How long it takes will be tied to Tbilisi’s fulfillment of its obligations. “All forces are supposed to be withdrawn to their position before the conflict. But will the 200 Georgian soldiers be returned to Iraq?” Churkin asked.
After Russia refused to support the French resolution, Churkin explained that the most unacceptable passage for Russia concerned Georgia’s territorial integrity. Churkin thereby acknowledged that Russia will press for a change in the status of the unrecognized republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Judging from the unanimous stance of Western European diplomats on the issue, it will be the thorniest question left after the withdrawal of Russian forces.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Aug. 21, 2008
|
|
|
