The News in Brief
Thursday, August 9
U.S. Embassy Statement on the Ten-Year Anniversary of the Russian Invasion of Georgia
Ten years ago today, Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia. The conflict resulted in hundreds of casualties, displaced thousands of civilians from their homes, and marked the start of a devastating occupation of 20 percent of Georgia’s territory. Georgians displaced by the war have never been able to return to their homes, and residents of the occupied territories have been cut off from the country’s remarkable economic and political progress of the past decade. Ten years of occupation is ten years too long. We will continue to work together with the Government and the people of Georgia and with our friends and allies to ensure the world’s continued support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Georgia, we are with you.
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the 10 years anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia
Bruxelles, 07/08/2018 - Today marks the tenth anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. The European Union's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Georgia remains as strong as ever. The European Union reiterates its firm support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. The European Union's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Georgia remains as strong as ever. The European Union reiterates its firm support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.
Unfortunately, Russian military presence in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia continues in violation of international law and commitments undertaken by Russia under the 12 August 2008 agreement, mediated by the European Union.
The European Union reconfirms its commitment to remain engaged and involved in stabilisation and conflict resolution efforts in Georgia, including by continuing its engagements as co-chair in the Geneva discussions, the efforts of the EU Special Representative, and the continued presence on the ground of the EU Monitoring Mission.
The EU welcomes the package of proposals "A Step to a Better Future" of the Georgian government that can benefit the citizens living on both sides of the Administrative Boundary Lines by facilitating trade, education and mobility. Such proposals are in line with the European Union's policy of engagement with the breakaway regions of Georgia.
In these ten years, Georgia has strengthened its democratic institutions and undertaken reforms in the rule of law. Georgia has developed a thriving economy and become an important destination for foreign direct investment and tourism. It now represents a model of democratic stability in the region.
In addition, Georgia and the EU have signed an ambitious Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area that will shape our bilateral relations for years to come. In March 2017, Visa Free Travel for short term stays entered into force for Georgian citizens. The EU's engagement with Georgia is a true partnership based on political association and economic integration, as well as on a strong friendship between our peoples.
Separatist politician claims the US strong-armed Latin American countries do not recognize Abkhazia
Several Latin American countries that considered recognizing Abkhazia as an independent country refrained from doing so after the personal intervention by US and UK leaders, a former Sokhumi politician has claimed in an interview with Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
Maxim Gvinjia, de facto minister of foreign affairs of breakaway Abkhazia in 2006-2011, said he toured almost all countries in Latin America negotiating with them about the recognition of Abkhazia’s independence.
During the tour, he almost struck an agreement with a prime minister of an unidentified state, but the overtures eventually failed due to intervention by the United States.
“I was coming out only from [PM] palace and stumbled upon the US ambassador who was going in screaming and yelling. I came the next day already knowing what had happened. ‘We’re sorry,’ they said, ‘the ambassador came around, and Hillary Clinton called [by phone] screamed, calling bad words,’” Gvinjia said, adding Washington threatened the country with suspending all American programs there.
“Hillary [Clinton] personally called the president of another country, scolded him, screamed into the phone. Then [Americans] organized an unexpected economic conference in New York, they sent a plane for the president. I do not know what was done with him, but after that, he even was afraid to respond to my emails,” Gvinjia said.
He also accused France in the same vein.
“The French ambassador called by phone to Vanuatu, saying: ‘How can you be friends with Abkhazia, which committed genocide against Georgians? The Georgians are our brothers, they are future members of NATO. You are spoiling the whole picture…” Gvinjia said.
Despite much efforts, mostly by the Russian foreign ministry and personally by Sergey Lavrov, only four states, except Russia itself, recognized Abkhazia’s independence. The list includes such countries as Syria, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Nauru.
Abkhazia declared independence soon after the bloody war of 1992-1993, which it won with the military support of Russia. All but one of its districts were cleansed of ethnic Georgians which accounted for about 45 percent of its pre-war population. The process was accompanied by war crimes against civilians such as mass executions, torture and gang rape. According to Sokhumi’s figures, only 46,000 ethnic Georgians were living in Abkhazia in 2011, while in 1989 there were 240,000.
Only in Gali, Abkhazia’s southernmost district, Georgians allowed remaining yet in dire conditions, stripped of many civil rights. (DF watch)
Majority leader – Our position on the war is unambiguous –Russian launched the war
Our position on the war is unambiguous – the aggression was carried out by Russia, - Archil Talakvadze, the leader of the parliamentary majority, said on Wednesday.
"Our position on the war is clear – the aggression has been carried out by the Russian Federation. Georgian territories are still occupied and the presence of the Russian troops [on the territory of Georgia] is illegal. I want to tell the children of the soldiers killed in the war - your fathers protected their homeland. They are heroes," said Archil Talakvadze. (IPN)
Ten years ago today, Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia. The conflict resulted in hundreds of casualties, displaced thousands of civilians from their homes, and marked the start of a devastating occupation of 20 percent of Georgia’s territory. Georgians displaced by the war have never been able to return to their homes, and residents of the occupied territories have been cut off from the country’s remarkable economic and political progress of the past decade. Ten years of occupation is ten years too long. We will continue to work together with the Government and the people of Georgia and with our friends and allies to ensure the world’s continued support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Georgia, we are with you.
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the 10 years anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia
Bruxelles, 07/08/2018 - Today marks the tenth anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. The European Union's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Georgia remains as strong as ever. The European Union reiterates its firm support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. The European Union's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Georgia remains as strong as ever. The European Union reiterates its firm support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.
Unfortunately, Russian military presence in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia continues in violation of international law and commitments undertaken by Russia under the 12 August 2008 agreement, mediated by the European Union.
The European Union reconfirms its commitment to remain engaged and involved in stabilisation and conflict resolution efforts in Georgia, including by continuing its engagements as co-chair in the Geneva discussions, the efforts of the EU Special Representative, and the continued presence on the ground of the EU Monitoring Mission.
The EU welcomes the package of proposals "A Step to a Better Future" of the Georgian government that can benefit the citizens living on both sides of the Administrative Boundary Lines by facilitating trade, education and mobility. Such proposals are in line with the European Union's policy of engagement with the breakaway regions of Georgia.
In these ten years, Georgia has strengthened its democratic institutions and undertaken reforms in the rule of law. Georgia has developed a thriving economy and become an important destination for foreign direct investment and tourism. It now represents a model of democratic stability in the region.
In addition, Georgia and the EU have signed an ambitious Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area that will shape our bilateral relations for years to come. In March 2017, Visa Free Travel for short term stays entered into force for Georgian citizens. The EU's engagement with Georgia is a true partnership based on political association and economic integration, as well as on a strong friendship between our peoples.
Separatist politician claims the US strong-armed Latin American countries do not recognize Abkhazia
Several Latin American countries that considered recognizing Abkhazia as an independent country refrained from doing so after the personal intervention by US and UK leaders, a former Sokhumi politician has claimed in an interview with Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
Maxim Gvinjia, de facto minister of foreign affairs of breakaway Abkhazia in 2006-2011, said he toured almost all countries in Latin America negotiating with them about the recognition of Abkhazia’s independence.
During the tour, he almost struck an agreement with a prime minister of an unidentified state, but the overtures eventually failed due to intervention by the United States.
“I was coming out only from [PM] palace and stumbled upon the US ambassador who was going in screaming and yelling. I came the next day already knowing what had happened. ‘We’re sorry,’ they said, ‘the ambassador came around, and Hillary Clinton called [by phone] screamed, calling bad words,’” Gvinjia said, adding Washington threatened the country with suspending all American programs there.
“Hillary [Clinton] personally called the president of another country, scolded him, screamed into the phone. Then [Americans] organized an unexpected economic conference in New York, they sent a plane for the president. I do not know what was done with him, but after that, he even was afraid to respond to my emails,” Gvinjia said.
He also accused France in the same vein.
“The French ambassador called by phone to Vanuatu, saying: ‘How can you be friends with Abkhazia, which committed genocide against Georgians? The Georgians are our brothers, they are future members of NATO. You are spoiling the whole picture…” Gvinjia said.
Despite much efforts, mostly by the Russian foreign ministry and personally by Sergey Lavrov, only four states, except Russia itself, recognized Abkhazia’s independence. The list includes such countries as Syria, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Nauru.
Abkhazia declared independence soon after the bloody war of 1992-1993, which it won with the military support of Russia. All but one of its districts were cleansed of ethnic Georgians which accounted for about 45 percent of its pre-war population. The process was accompanied by war crimes against civilians such as mass executions, torture and gang rape. According to Sokhumi’s figures, only 46,000 ethnic Georgians were living in Abkhazia in 2011, while in 1989 there were 240,000.
Only in Gali, Abkhazia’s southernmost district, Georgians allowed remaining yet in dire conditions, stripped of many civil rights. (DF watch)
Majority leader – Our position on the war is unambiguous –Russian launched the war
Our position on the war is unambiguous – the aggression was carried out by Russia, - Archil Talakvadze, the leader of the parliamentary majority, said on Wednesday.
"Our position on the war is clear – the aggression has been carried out by the Russian Federation. Georgian territories are still occupied and the presence of the Russian troops [on the territory of Georgia] is illegal. I want to tell the children of the soldiers killed in the war - your fathers protected their homeland. They are heroes," said Archil Talakvadze. (IPN)