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Here is the written statement by the
president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, concerning
Russia’s recognition of the breakaway regions of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent of Georgia, as released in
English by his office on Tuesday.
The Russian Federation’s actions are
an attempt to militarily annex a sovereign state — the nation
of Georgia. This is in direct violation of international law and
imperils the international security framework that has ensured
peace, stability and order for the past 60 years.
Russia’s decision today confirms
that its invasion of Georgia was part of a broader, premeditated
plan to redraw the map of Europe. Russia today has violated all
treaties and agreements it has previously signed.
Russia’s actions have been condemned
in the strongest possible terms by the entire international
community, which has reaffirmed its support for Georgia’s
territorial integrity. The Government of Georgia is grateful for
the world’s support.
The regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
are recognized by international law as being within the borders of
Georgia.
Today, by its actions, the Russian
Federation is seeking to validate the use of violence, direct
military aggression, and ethnic cleansing to forcibly change the
borders of a neighboring state.
Russia’s refusal to withdraw its
military forces from Georgia — and its attempt to annex two
regions of Georgia — is in direct violation of the
E.U.-brokered cease fire to end Russia’s invasion and
occupation of Georgia.
The two regions in question have been
de-populated by conflict and continue to be subject to widespread
ethnic cleansing by Russia and its proxies — as confirmed by
the United Nations and other international bodies.
These are areas where the local
populations — simply because of their nationality —
have been chased out, with the direct intervention of the Russian
Federation.
The few civilians who remain in these
regions have been given Russian passports en masse, in violation of
international law and norms, making a mockery of the principle of
“right to protect.”
One such expulsion took place in 1993 in
Abkhazia. Others took place last week in South Ossetia and in Upper
Abkhazia/the Kodori Gorge.
I remind you that before the first
conflict, more than 525,000 people lived in Abkhazia. Today less
than 150,000 do.
I remind you that ethnic Georgians in
South Ossetia have been systematically forced to flee that
territory due to Russia’s invasion. The attacks on ethnic
Georgians, both inside and outside the conflict zones, are
continuing.
The ethnic cleansing is something that the
local rebel separatists are proud to announce — and which
Russia, through its actions, is attempting to legalize.
Is it legal to remove ethnic groups from
their homes using violence and terror?
Is it moral or legal for an ethnically
cleansed area to be rewarded with independence by a neighbor?
If intervention in Kosovo was about
stopping ethnic cleansing, today’s decision by the Russian
Federation is about rewarding and legalizing ethnic cleansing.
Russia has turned logic and morality on
its head.
Russia’s decision is therefore a
direct and grave challenge to the international order. This is a
challenge for the entire world. Not just Georgia.
It means that today, annexation and ethnic
cleansing have once again become tools of international
relations.
If accepted by the international
community, it means that foreign-sponsored groups around the world
can use violence and ethnic cleansing to achieve their ends.
It means that third parties can arm,
sustain and direct those groups in order to change the borders on
the world’s map.
Today, it is clear around the world that
Russia is acting as an aggressor state.
My appeal to the free world is to condemn
and reject Russia’s dangerous and irrational decision —
NOT only for Georgia’s sake — but for the sake of
preserving the fundamental basis of international law and
order.
On behalf of my Government and people, I
condemn this reckless act and want to state clearly that the
Russian action does not have any legal value.
As before — and according to
international law, Georgia’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty is inviolable.
Russia’s aims, method and goals are
now clear.
The Russian Federation has used military
force to try to dismember my country.
In the days and weeks ahead we will work
with the international community to prevent this decision from
having any effect on the sovereignty of my country and from further
undermining the international order.
Together we must stand against this
aggression and call on you for your assistance and immediate
reaction.
This is a test for the entire world and a
test for our collective solidarity.
This is the test that we — all free
people — must not fail.
My friends, we are all concerned today.
And today Georgia counts on your support.
Today a challenge has been posed to all of
us.
Today the fate of Europe and the free
world is unfortunately being played out in my small country.
But together, we can and we must unite to
meet this challenge.
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