STATEMENT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GEORGIA

The Parliament of Georgia expresses concern because of the anti-Georgian propaganda, reinforced recently by the Georgian side and considers such development of relations between the two neighboring countries as inadmissible.

The irresponsible propositions of individual politicians have been accomplished by the Statement, adopted by the Assembly of the Russian Federation on March 6 of this year “On Existing Situation in Georgia – regarding Military Participation of the USA on Its Territory”.

Unfortunately, the Russian legislative body has inadequately perceived the intention of Georgia to strengthen its armed forces with the support of the United States of America and to make own contribution in the fight against international terrorism.

The Statement, made by the Russian Assembly in this regard, represents an open threat against the territorial integrity of Georgia, an attempt to interfere rudely in its domestic affairs and the demonstration of the fact that Russia views Georgia not as a friendly independent state but as a sphere of own influence. The decision is based on the right of each sovereign state independently to determine own foreign and domestic policy. Georgia, by means of this decision, joined the mood, which has been spread in the entire civilized world, including Russia, since September 11 of 2001.

The action, planned by Georgia and the United States of America will be a significant precondition of establishment of peace in the Caucasus that will, from its side, facilitate the development and improvement of the Russian Georgian relations.

The statement of the Russian Assembly, responding to all the above-mentioned that it will cooperate with the self-declared republics of “Abkhazia” and “South Ossetia” and “it will unilaterally make decision on providing for security of the border of the Russian Federation, including interactions with Abkhazia and South Ossetia”, represents the expression of doubt about the territorial integrity of Georgia from the side of Russia and support of separatists, which is in contradiction with the principal of good neighborly relations between the states, as well as with the internationally recognized legal norms.

Such statements can be interpreted only as preparation of political background for implementation of aggression against Georgia.

It is evident that the Statement of the State Assembly of the Russian Federation of March 6, 2002 hinders development of bilateral good neighborly and friendly relations and unfortunately, violates the agreement that was principally observed during the recent months by the legislative bodies of both countries and that was an important step forward for the settlement of problematic issues. The Parliament of Georgia strongly urges the Russian Assembly to continue cooperation.

The Parliament of Georgia recognizes that international terrorism and aggressive separatism pose threat to the small and to the big countries and appeals to the Governments of both countries to develop constructive cooperation, based on common interests.

In view of the above-mentioned Statement of the State Assembly of the Russian Federation of March 6, 2002, the Statements of the parliamentary committee on defense and security and of the faction “Socialist” shall be taken note of.

Tbilisi, March 20, 2002.

(The Newspaper “Sakartvelos respublika”, No 68, March 21, 2002)