MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. INFORMATION AND PRESS DEPARTMENT

On the Reply of President of the Russia Vladimir Putin to the Messages of President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh and President of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity

Messages came from Abkhaz President Sergey Bagapsh and South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity to Vladimir Putin, President of the Russia, expressing the serious concern of the populations of Abkhazia and South Ossetia over the Georgian leadership’s aggressive course towards destabilization in the conflict zones, the militarization of Georgia, offensive arms buildup and the concentration of Georgian armed forces on the borders of these republics.

A particular worry of the Abkhaz and South Ossetian leaders is Georgia’s stubborn striving to join NATO. Kokoity in his letter points out that South Ossetia has its own foreign policy priorities, and that no illusions should be entertained that Georgia’s entry into the North Atlantic Alliance will enable Tbilisi to dictate its will to Tskhinvali. Bagapsh stresses that once it becomes a NATO member Georgia may not withstand the temptation to use the power of NATO to solve problems with Abkhazia and to subdue the Abkhaz people. The aggressive and adventurous moves of Tbilisi could bring about a resumption of full-scale hostilities in the region. Moreover, that danger increases as the Georgian side remains continuously unwilling to assume treaty obligations not to use force and to offer security guarantees against the backdrop of the many month absence of a normal negotiation process.

With tension being deliberately fanned by the Georgian side in the conflict zones the sole real restraining force is the present peacekeeping force operating under the mandates approved by the international community, Bagapsh and Kokoity note.

In the reply message of the President of the Russian Federation, it is stressed that in its official statements and practical moves Russia has been consistently guided by the norms of international law and speaks out firmly for ensuring stability and security in the Caucasus. This corresponds to the vital interests of all peoples of the region.

It is noted that Russia cannot fail to notice and take into account the line of Tbilisi on destabilizing the situation, including with the use of threats and force – moreover, with vigorous appeals to extra-regional states and organizations. Putin shared the concern of the Abkhaz and South Ossetian leaders about the likely adverse implications of Georgia’s entry into NATO. Russia has conveyed its attitude towards the Georgian leadership’s line on accelerated Atlantic integration to both the Georgian side and the alliance’s members. Any attempts to exert political, economic and especially military pressure on Abkhazia and South Ossetia are futile and counterproductive.

Russia is far from being indifferent to the aspirations and problems of the populations of the two republics and of the Russian citizens living in them, the President of the Russian Federation emphasized. Therefore the support of Abkhazia and South Ossetia will continue to bear a substantive and not a declarative character. It was these considerations that motivated the recent decision of Russia to lift prohibitions on economic, trade, financial, transport and other ties with Abkhazia. Russia believes the step will serve as a real contribution to the task of social and economic reconstruction of Abkhazia and be appraised by its residents at its true worth.

The Russian side is disposed toward expanding and deepening further its many-sided practical cooperation with Abkhazia and South Ossetia for the benefit of their peoples and in the interests of ensuring peace, security and stability in the region.

April 3, 2008

(http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/sps/AF03C091EE962106C3257424002C1427)