STATEMENT OF THE STATE DUMA in connection with the Georgian Parliament’s Resolution on the Current State and Progress of the Peacekeeping Process in the Former Autonomous Region of South Ossetia

The State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation is deeply concerned with the adoption of the Resolution on the Current State and Progress of the Peacekeeping Process in the Former Autonomous Region of South Ossetia by the Parliament of Georgia.

The resolution pertaining to the problem of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, contains groundless accusations in Russia’s address and grossly distorted assessment of the activities of the peacekeeping forces in this region. This resolution has an adverse impact on the situation and contributes to destabilization in South Ossetia.

The resolution was preceded by a number of provocations staged by the Georgian side with the purpose to discredit the Russian peacekeepers, who honorably accomplish their duty in rather difficult conditions, in compliance with the Agreement on Principles of Resolution of the Georgian-Ossetian Conflict of June 24, 1992 and the following agreements.

During the operation of these agreements, the Russian peacekeepers more than once prevented major armed clashes between Georgians and Ossetians thus saving the lives of thousands of civilians.

The State Duma points out that the attempt to discredit the Russian peacekeepers are made against the background of the military build-up of Georgia, which involves the acquisition of military hardware from other countries and intensified training of Georgian army personnel, including the special purpose units. Political figures in Georgia often make irresponsible calls to settle the South Ossetian and Abkhaz problems by military methods. The possibility of humanitarian catastrophe and ethnic cleansing is very high in South Ossetia.

The State Duma underlines that such attitude to the Russian peacekeepers and Russia’s policy on this issue is part of the anti-Russian policy pursued by the political forces that have been dominating in Georgia lately.

The members of the State Duma believe that this policy of the Georgian side jeopardizes the lives and welfare of dozens of thousands of people in the region, including the citizens of the Russian Federation residing in South Ossetia. The escalation of tension in South Ossetia caused by the Georgian side’s policy, may pose threat to the national security of Russia. This prompts the Russian Federation to take corresponding measures, based on the universal principles and norms of the international law and complying with the commitment of the Russian Federation to maintain peace and security in the region.

The State Duma calls on the President of the Russian Federation, V.V. Putin, and the Government of the Russian Federation to take all measures necessary to ensure national security of the Russian Federation and international security in the Caucasus in view of the escalation of tension in South Ossetia because of the actions of the Georgian side.

February 17, 2006.

(www.duma.gov.ru)