Why Russia’s Response to Georgia was Right
By Sergei Lavrov
13/08/08 "Financial
Times" - -- For some of those witnessing the
fighting in the Caucasus over the past few days, the narrative
is straightforward and easy. The plucky republic of Georgia,
with just a few million citizens, was attacked by its giant
eastern neighbour, Russia. Add to this all the stereotypes of
the cold war era, and you are presented with a truly David and
Goliath interpretation – with all its accompanying connotations
of good and evil. While this version of events is being written
in much of the western media, the facts present a different
picture.
Let me be absolutely clear. This is not a conflict of Russia’s
making; this is not a conflict of Russia’s choosing. There are
no winners from this conflict. Hours before the Georgian
invasion, Russia had been working to secure a United Nations
Security Council statement calling for a renunciation of force
by both Georgia and South Ossetians. The statement that could
have averted bloodshed was blocked by western countries.
Last Friday, after the world’s leaders had arrived at the
Beijing Olympics, Georgian troops launched an all-out assault on
the region of South Ossetia, which has enjoyed de facto
independence for more than 16 years. The majority of the
region’s population are Russian citizens. Under the terms of the
1992 agreement to which Georgia is a party, they are afforded
protection by a small number of Russian peacekeeping soldiers.
The ground and air attack resulted in the killing of
peacekeepers and the death of an estimated 1,600 civilians,
creating a humanitarian disaster and leading to an exodus of
30,000 refugees. The Georgian regime refused to allow a
humanitarian corridor to be established and bombarded a
humanitarian convoy. There is also clear evidence of atrocities
having been committed – so serious and systematic that they
constitute acts of genocide.
There can be little surprise, therefore, that Russia responded
to this unprovoked assault on its citizens by launching a
military incursion into South Ossetia. No country in the world
would idly stand by as its citizens are killed and driven from
their homes. Russia repeatedly warned Tbilisi that it would
protect its citizens by force if necessary, and its actions are
entirely consistent with international law, including article 51
of the UN charter on the right of self-defence.
Russia has been entirely proportionate in its military response
to Georgia’s attack on Russian citizens and peacekeepers.
Russia’s tactical objective has been to force Georgian troops
out of the region, which is off limits to them under
international agreements. Despite Georgia’s assertion that it
had imposed a unilateral ceasefire, Russian peacekeepers and
supporting troops remained under continued attack – a fact
confirmed by observers and journalists in the region. Russia had
no choice but to target the military infrastructure outside the
region being used to sustain the Georgian offensive. Russia’s
response has been targeted, proportionate and legitimate.
Russia has been accused of using the conflict to try to topple
the government and impose control over the country. This is
palpable nonsense. Having established the safety of the region,
the president has declared an end to military operations. Russia
has no intention of annexing or occupying any part of Georgia
and has again affirmed its respect for its sovereignty. Over the
next few days, on the condition that Georgia refrains from
military activity and keeps its forces out of the region, Russia
will continue to take the diplomatic steps required to
consolidate this temporary cessation of hostilities.
Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia’s president, has stated that
“unless we stop Russia, unless the whole world stops it, Russian
tanks will go to any European capital tomorrow”, adding on a
separate occasion that “it’s not about Georgia any more. It’s
about America”. It is clear that Georgia wants this dispute to
become something more than a short if bloody conflict in the
region. For decision-makers in the Nato countries of the west,
it would be worth considering whether in future you want the men
and women of your armed services to be answerable to Mr
Saakashvili’s declarations of war in the Caucasus.
Russia is a member of the Security Council, of the Group of
Eight leading industrialised nations and partner with the west
on issues as varied as the Middle East, Iran and North Korea. In
keeping with its responsibilities as a world power and the
guarantor of stability in the Caucasus, Russia will work to
ensure a peaceful and lasting resolution to the situation in the
region.
The writer is minister of foreign affairs of the Russian
Federation
Copyright The
Financial Times Limited 2008
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