Russia’s stance on events in South Ossetia, Abkhazia

In connection with the article of Mr. Nikoloz Apkhazava, Georgian ambassador to Korea (May 24, 2013), I would like to set forth the Russian position on the tragic events in South Ossetia and Abkhazia in August 2008, which is shared by the international community.

The president of Georgia, having crossed out 17 years of intensive international negotiations and rather successful work by the Joint Control Commission, the OSCE Mission as well as very complicated service by Russian, Ossetinian and Georgian peacekeepers, made an irresponsible and criminal decision to attack Tskhinval on Aug. 8, the first day of the 2008 Olympic Games.

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in the Caucasus in August 2008 established under the EU (the Tagliavini Commission) confirmed that it was the Georgian leadership who began the bloody conflict in the Caucasus.

The Georgian side unleashed military actions against South Ossetia using heavy armament and military equipment (aviation, tanks, howitzers, multiple rocket launchers) despite the assurances on the non-use of force made by Mikheil N. Saakashvili a few hours earlier.

The fire was aimed at the Mixed Peacekeeping Forces headquarters and observation posts, living quarters, graveyards and cultural monuments. The shells also hit the OSCE office with the organization’s observers inside.

Sixty-four Russian military personnel were killed in the Georgian attack on South Ossetia, including 12 peacekeepers, and more than 323 were wounded. There were about 1,500 civilian victims. Tens of thousands of South Ossetian civilians lost their homes and were deprived of water and food. Within four days 35,000 refugees crossed the Russian border.

In order to repel the Georgian attack and to comply with the commitments of Russia under the 1992 Agreement with Georgia and use the right of self-defense, in accordance with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, the units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation entered South Ossetia to help the Russian peacekeepers. Russian actions that time aimed at protecting lives and security of our citizens and peacekeepers in South Ossetia who were treacherously attacked by Georgian army at night cannot be called “aggression.” It was the Saakashvili regime who broke the peace and started the extermination of South Ossetia people with artillery shells, and Russia used the force in line with the international law to stop Georgian aggression and prevent the genocide of South Ossetians.

The enormous number of human casualties and the appearance of thousands of refugees attest to the fact that this was neither a mistake nor a fortuity but pre-mediated criminal actions which are now subject for investigation not only by the Hague International Criminal Court but also the relevant authorities inside Georgia itself.

In the circumstances Russia had no way to ensure the peace and security of the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia other than recognizing their independence and offering them a free democratic choice of their own state and national development. The presence of our troops and border guards under the bilateral agreements with South Ossetia and Abkhasia that have been ratified by the parliaments is absolutely legitimate. It provides reliable security for the republics and creates conditions for their peaceful development. Russia will continue rendering extensive socioeconomic assistance to the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, primarily in the areas of housing and civil infrastructure reconstruction and assistance in the defense of their homeland and the protection of their borders.

We insist that Georgia must unconditionally assume legal obligations not to use force not toward Russia, but toward the neighbor republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Only in this way can Tbilisi restore at least a minimum of trust toward itself on the part of the neighboring countries and the international community. This will prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.

We firmly believe that Tbilisi at last will set to mend fences with Abkhazians and South Ossetians on the basis of equality. As for Russia, we have been always committed to the age-old traditions of good-neighborhood and friendship with the Georgian people who are very close to us. We sincerely want to see Georgia as a stable, independent and really democratic state living in peace with all countries. 

By Konstantin Vnukov

Konstantin Vnukov is ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Korea. ― Ed.