US Senate draft resolution “incorrect and illogical”, Moscow says

The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized a draft resolution filed by the US Senators, which reiterates USA’s support towards Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and calls on Russia to withdraw from the Georgian territories, currently “occupied” by Russia.

In a statement released on December 13, the Russian Ministry has said that the resolution “ignores a new reality on the ground which has emerged after the aggression of Saakashvili’s regime in August 2008.” the statement says that as a result of Tbilisi’s actions “two independent states – Abkhazia and South Ossetia have emerged.” “After all these, considering them [Abkhazia and South Ossetia] as ‘Georgia’s regions occupied by Russian Federation’ is incorrect and illogical,” the statement reads.

The Russian side is ready to “maximally assist” establishing peace between Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Russian MFA stated. “First of all it is about starting direct, equal, constructive and calm relations between these states, including reaching an agreement on non-use of force,” the statement says, adding that the approach “propagated” by Tbilisi about restoring a pre-war status quo are “illusive attempts.” The Russian MFA has expressed hope that the US senators will take into consideration these “indisputable facts” when assessing the situation in and around Georgia.

The draft resolution, initiated by US Senators, was filed to the Senate last week. The draft document reaffirms Washington’s support towards the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia and the inviolability of its borders and recognizes the areas of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as regions of Georgia occupied by the Russian Federation. It calls on the Government of Russia to take steps to fulfill all the terms and conditions of the 2008 ceasefire agreements, including returning military forces to pre war positions and ensuring access to international humanitarian aid to all those affected by the conflict.

The Senators have urged the government of Russia and the de facto Abkhazian and South Ossetian authorities to allow for full and dignified return of IDPs and international observation missions to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. “The path to lasting stability in the region is through peaceful means and long-term diplomatic and political dialogue,” the draft resolution reads.

Officials in Tbilisi have assessed the draft document as a “diplomatic and political message” for Russia from Washington. Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Georgian Parliament, Akaki Minashvili said that the draft resolution is a “powerful document, which will once more be a political and diplomatic message for Russia, that despite everything, USA is not going to give up on the fundamental principles which have been established decades ago.” “The US is continuing its consistent pressure on Russia and declares that Georgia is Washington’s close partner,” the ruling Party MP said.

Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Davit Bakardze evaluated the draft resolution as a “guarantee of USA’s firm position” towards Georgia. “Adoption of this document would mean establishing the term ‘occupation’ in political and judicial lexicon,” Bakradze told journalists “It will be a clear signal for the countries which are planning to recognise these regions as independent states. It is a strong guarantee, that the policy and position of the US will be clear-cut and aimed at de-occupation of Georgia,” he added.