FROM THE STATEMENT OF THE STATE DUMA OF THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION on Situation in Georgia with regard of military presence of the USA on its territory

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The State Duma expresses its hope that through strengthening of the military potential of Georgia at the expense of the USA, the idea of conflict settlement in Abkhazia and South Ossetia through military means will not prevail among Georgian leadership. The State Duma supports the peaceful policy of Russia on regulation of these conflicts taking into account the interests of all ethnic groups of the population residing on the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The State Duma welcomes the consistent expression of interest of leaders and peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to establish more close relations with Russia and considers, that establishment and development of such relations, including in the field of security, does not oppose to the policy of the Russian Federation on firm respect of territorial integrity of Georgia and would encourage the search for constructive resolution at the peace negotiations on conflict settlement between Georgia and Abkhazia and Georgia and South-Ossetia. In case of discouraging developments, the State Duma stands ready to seek the other ways for development of the statehood of Abkhazia and South Ossetia based on democratic values and on the will of their peoples and in compliance with the norms of International Law being in practice over recent years.

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Moscow, 6 March 2002

(www.duma .ru/in Russian)