標題: Text of Medvedev statement
Published: August 26 2008 14:35 | Last updated: August 26 2008 14:35
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday signed decrees recognising the
independence of Georgia’s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Following is a translation of his statement, which was posted on the Kremlin
web site.
“My dear fellow countrymen, citizens of Russia!
You are no doubt well aware of the tragedy of South Ossetia. The night-time
execution-style bombardment of Tskhinval by the Georgian troops resulted in
the deaths of hundreds of our civilians. Among the dead were the Russian
peacekeepers, who gave their lives in fulfilling their duty to protect women,
children and the elderly.
The Georgian leadership, in violation of the UN Charter and their obligations
under international agreements and contrary to the voice of reason, unleashed
an armed conflict victimizing innocent civilians. The same fate lay in store
for Abkhazia. Obviously, they in Tbilisi hoped for a blitz-krieg that would
have confronted the world community with an accomplished fact. The most
inhuman way was chosen to achieve the objective – annexing South Ossetia
trough the annihilation of a whole people.
That was not the first attempt to do this. In 1991, President Gamsahourdia of
Georgia, having proclaimed the motto ”Georgia for Georgians” – just think
about it! – ordered attacks on the cities of Sukhum and Tskhinval. The
result then was thousands of killed people, dozens of thousands of refugees
and devastated villages. And it was Russia who at that time put an end to the
eradication of the Abkhaz and Ossetian peoples. Our country came forward as a
mediator and peacekeeper insisting on a political settlement. In doing so we
were invariably guided by the recognition of Georgia’s territorial integrity.
The Georgian leadership chose another way. Disrupting the negotiating
process, ignoring the agreements achieved, committing political and military
provocations, attacking the peacekeepers – all these actions grossly
violated the regime established in conflict zones with the support of the
United Nations and OSCE.
Russia continually displayed calm and patience. We repeatedly called for
returning to the negotiating table and did not deviate from this position of
ours even after the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo’s independence.
However our persistent proposals to the Georgian side to conclude agreements
with Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the non-use of force remained unanswered.
Regrettably, they were ignored also by NATO and even at the United Nations.
It stands quite clear now: a peaceful resolution of the conflict was not part
of Tbilisi’s plan. The Georgian leadership was methodically preparing for
war, while the political and material support provided by their foreign
guardians only served to reinforce the perception of their own impunity.
Tbilisi made its choice during the night of August 8, 2008. Saakashvili opted
for genocide to accomplish his political objectives. By doing so he himself
dashed all the hopes for the peaceful coexistence of Ossetians, Abkhazians
and Georgians in a single state. The peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia
have several times spoken out at referendums in favor of independence for
their republics. It is our understanding that after what has happened in
Tskhinval and what has been planned for Abkhazia they have the right to
decide their destiny by themselves.
The Presidents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, based on the results of the
referendums conducted and on the decisions taken by the Parliaments of the
two republics, appealed to Russia to recognize the state sovereignty of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Federation Council and the State Duma voted in
support of those appeals.
A decision needs to be taken based on the situation on the ground.
Considering the freely expressed will of the Ossetian and Abkhaz peoples and
being guided by the provisions of the UN Charter, the 1970 Declaration on the
Principles of International Law Governing Friendly Relations Between States,
the CSCE Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and other fundamental international
instruments, I signed Decrees on the recognition by the Russian Federation of
South Ossetia’s and Abkhazia’s independence.
Russia calls on other states to follow its example. This is not an easy
choice to make, but it represents the only possibility to save human lives. “
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bb729f26-7373-11dd-8a66-0000779fd18c.html?
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