STATEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Government of the Russian Federation, having discussed at its meeting of 20^th of June of this year, the current situation, created in the Northern and in the South Ossetia, mentions, that escalation of the military conflict in this region has reached a critical point. The forceful actions, directed on expulsion of the non-Georgian population from the territory of the South Ossetia are a rude violation of Human rights. The flow of refugees to the Northern Ossetia is increasing. The Northern Ossetia is a part of the Russian Federation and consequently, is created the immediate damage to the security of Russia.

The Government of Georgia unleashed the broad-scale company of disinformation of own people and of the International Community. We deny the accusations towards Russia on the acts of aggression towards Georgia. In the period of agreed with Georgian Government stay in Tskhinvali of Deputy Minister of defense of the Russian federation, G.G. Kondratyev, on the dislocation of the helicopter division, where he was located, was started shooting from tank artillery. Two helicopters of the Russian Army, as a self-defense, opened responsive preventive fire.

It is characteristic that if before the similar incidents, like shootings on Tskhinvali and the units of the Russian Army, deployed there, were allotted to uncontrolled “Zviadist Groups”, disobeying to the Government of Georgia, this time, the Georgian authorities in fact admitted that in the armed conflict in the South Ossetia, are participating the units of the National Guard, subordinated to the State Council of Georgia.

The Government of the Russian Federation is insisting on the immediate cease-fire, withdrawal of armed forces from the both sides and suggests starting without delay the negotiations, with participation of Georgia, The south Ossetia, Russia and The Northern Ossetia in order to find the ways of political settlement of the South-Ossetian problem.

In case, if the sides, involved in the conflict, ignore this just and internationally bound requirements, the Russian federation will take all the necessary measures on Protection of Human Rights, life and dignity of the region’s population, restoration of Peace and rule of law.

the Government of the Russian Federation intends to inform the Secretary-General of the UNO on the created situation in the South Ossetia, where is created the threat to the international Peace and Security, and in case of necessity – to address the Security council of the United nations Organization.

The citizens of Russia can be convinced that the leadership of the country will act thoughtfully and decisively with a goal to avoid the inflammation of the threat of conflict.

(The newspaper “Svobodnaya Gruzia”, No 118, June 23, 1993)