STATEMENT OF THE STATE DUMA OF FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION On the Situation in the Caucasus

August 5, 2004

The State Duma of Federal Assembly of Russian Federation expresses it extreme concern with regard to the fact that the situation in the Caucasus related to non-regulated status of Apkhasia and South Ossetia, has been extremely aggravated during the recent period. There are militant, sometimes even openly aggressive statements heard from official Tbilisi with regard to their readiness to take the most critical (resolute) actions for the purpose of one-sided resolution of the Georgian-Ossetian and Georgian-Apkhasia conflict. In addition, they clearly ignore international treaties and political agreements achieved in 1992-1994, respectively, and considering multi-lateral mechanisms of resolving disputable issues with regard to South Ossetia and Apkhasia, as well as functioning of international peacemaking contingents in the zone of conflict. Regardless the fact that the past years confirmed efficiency of the mechanisms established at that time, the Georgian party is moving towards the forceful resolution of the existed problems through ignoring opinions of other concerned parties.

The culmination of such policy was the recent statement of President of Georgia, Mr. M. Saakashvili about his order to border troops “to fire and sink all ships which will appear near the costs of Apkhasia.” He clearly indicated that threat, in the first place, is directed towards citizens of Russian Federation, who want to spend their holidays in Abkhazia. Such order with regard to unarmed ships conflicts with a number of principles and norms of the international law and, first of all, violates the principle of not using force or threat of force. The State Duma provides advance notice that the above-noted actions with regard to ships (vessels) sailing under international flags, including Russian, will be regarded as militant act with all subsequent consequences.

It is typical that on the same date when this provoking statement was made, an autocade was fired in South Ossetia in which Mr. A. Kokoshin, the Chairman of the Committee for The Affairs of CIS Countries and Contacts with Compatriots of the State Duma, as well as representatives of peacemaking contingent were riding. It is no doubt that this was a targeted extremist provocation organized by Georgian guerillas with the connivance of the official Tbilisi.

Continuing threats of Georgia with regard to citizens of Russian Federation permanently residing on the territories of South Ossetia and Apkhasia represent infringement of the sovereignty of Russian federation.

The conflict on the territory of former Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia is swiftly developing towards full-scale military confrontation in the Caucasus. Because of the Georgian leadership Russian Federation may be involved in it. Spontaneous development of events may cause involvement in military conflict of thousand citizens of Russian Federation residing in the Caucasus.

The State Duma is absolutely convinced that the policy pursued by the new Georgian leadership toward forceful resolution of the existed inter-national conflicts is myopic (shortsighted) and hopeless. The deputies of the State Duma want to remind about their position defined under the Statement of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russian Federation dated July 10, 2004 in favor of preventing use of military forces in the Caucasus, providing safety, protecting rights and legal interest of the population of Russian Federation and Russian compatriots residing and staying on the territory of Apkhasia and South Ossetia.

The State Duma urge to President of Russian Federation, V. Putin, and the Government of Russian Federation to take all necessary and adequate actions for normalization of the situation in then zone of conflict, support the political dialogue between the confronted parties and ensure safety of citizens of Russia, as ell as Russian transport facilities and other assets. In addition, the State Duma continues studying the addresses of the Parliament of Apkhasia and South Ossetia with regard to recognizing their rights to independence.

The State Duma is proceeding from the fact that any attempts to hurt citizens of Russian Federation or jeopardize their life will be adequately rebuffed. The Georgia party should realize its responsibility for the actions that threaten the safety and life of people.

(www.duma.ru/in Russian)