標題:
SECURITY COUNCIL STEPS BACK FROM FRENCH-LED DRAFT RESOLUTION, AS RUSSIAN
DELEGATE SAYS IT RE-INTERPRETS ‘ MOSCOW PEACE PLAN’ FOR PROPAGANDA PURPOSES
Most speakers in the Security Council today expressed support for a
French-sponsored draft resolution to put an end to the conflict in Georgia,
but Russia’s representative rejected the text, saying it separated
individual elements of the six-point “Moscow peace plan” and re-interpreted
them for propaganda purposes.
Brokered by France on behalf of the European Union, the plan was announced in
Moscow on 12 August. The agreement includes the renunciation of the use of
force, immediate cessation of hostilities, free access to humanitarian aid
and withdrawal of forces to pre-conflict positions, while allowing Russia to
implement “additional security measures”, and the convening of an
international discussion on security arrangements for Abkhazia and South
Ossetia.
During the meeting called by France, the Russian representative called on the
Council to be guided by objective criteria and not the desire to justify the
initiators of the aggression. He said the Russian Federation was carrying
out the obligations in keeping with the plan. The Council should focus on
the approval of the plan, which had been worked out by the Presidents of
Russia and France. It contained six clear, consistent and logically
interconnected principles needed to stabilize the situation.
It was counterproductive to separate individual elements of that plan and to
interpret them for political propaganda, he said. That was why Russia could
not support the draft presented by France. That country had referred to only
two of the six principles, and even then, everything had been “mixed up”
and additional epithets had been introduced. During all their work
together, there had been an understanding that the plan should be clearly
reflected in the draft resolution.
France’s representative said that the solution to the problem, above all,
should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, and
France had circulated a “very simple and direct” draft resolution to that
effect. France believed it was essential for the Council to express itself
“in one voice” on the need to achieve peace in the region. French
officials, including President Nicolas Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard
Kouchner, on behalf of the European Union, had negotiated a settlement. And
while that agreement “isn’t everything”, it was a sound basis for ending
hostilities and opening talks on a lasting solution.
He said that, while it was essential that arms were put down, withdrawal for
military forces, especially those of the Russian Federation, was also
essential. However, since no movement was apparent in that regard, President
Sarkozy yesterday had reminded Russian officials of the commitments they had
made. Still, information from the field had revealed that virtually nothing
was occurring and, further, that Russian weapons had been introduced into the
situation. France and the European Union were more determined than ever to
work on the ground to ensure a durable peace in the region.
The United Kingdom and United States also criticized Russia for keeping
forces in Georgia and charged it with destroying the Georgian infrastructure
and violating Georgian territory in continuing military action.
The representative of the United Kingdom said, in particular, that the
Russian Federation had failed to implement its obligations under the
agreement negotiated by the European Union, even though it had spoken
publicly of its commitment to that agreement. Russian forces were still
maintaining their positions way beyond the conflict zones of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia. Despite Russia’s assertions that it was keeping the peace in
Georgia, he wondered what justification there could be for its destruction of
civilian and military infrastructure –- for destroying railway bridges and
blocking civilian highways, in breach of the accord negotiated by the
European Union.
“Let’s not pretend that this is anything other than a conflict between
Russia and Georgia, which Russia has clearly won militarily,” he said,
adding that Russia was now an occupier and would remain so until it withdrew
its troops to its early August position.
The United States’ representative stressed that the Security Council was
meeting today -- seven days after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had
agreed with President Sarkozy’s plan, four days after Georgia had officially
agreed to it, three days after President Medvedev had signed it, two days
after President Medvedev had promised to begin the withdrawal and 24 hours
after that last promise was supposed to have taken effect. Against the
backdrop of Russia’s continued military offensive and diplomatic delaying
tactics, the United States supported the French delegation’s draft calling
for immediate compliance with the terms of the agreement, to which Russia,
Georgia and other parties had subscribed, particularly the immediate
withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia.
Calling on the Council to act decisively, Georgia’s representative said that
the status of affairs in Georgia had not changed, despite the agreed
ceasefire. At the moment, the whole territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,
and towns on the territory of Georgia were under Russian occupation. All
those actions were aimed at destroying Georgia as a sovereign independent
State, despite the stated commitment to stop the violence and withdraw from
Georgian territory.
Statements of position were also made by the representatives of Italy,
Croatia, Belgium and Costa Rica.
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe, and Assistant
Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Edmond Mulet, briefed the
Council on key developments.
The meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. and adjourned at 5:33 p.m.
...
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sc9429.doc.htm
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