STATEMENT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GEORGIA on violations of ceasefire agreement by the
Russian Federation
The Parliament of Georgia expresses
its grave concern about apparent violations of the six-item ceasefire agreement
achieved with the Russian
Federation through the mediation of the EU
on 12 August 2008.
The agreement strictly makes the
Russian side responsible for withdrawal of its forces to the lines held prior
to August 6, which implies withdrawal from the occupied district of Akhalgori,
Georgian villages around Tskhinvali, vollage Perevi in the Sachkhere district,
and Upper Apkhazeti. Contrary to that,
concentration of Russian armed forces and actions of provocation still continue
in the conflict area. Namely, 2000 additional militaries were introduced to the
conflict zone on October 22, thus pushing up their number on the territory of
the former Autonomous Area of South Ossetia to over 7000; and 40 heavy vehicles
were additionally brought in Akhalgori. Illicit construction of a road from
Tskhinvali to Akhalgori has also started, which apparently has military
purpose. All the aforementioned increases the risk of
escalating aggression.
The parliament of Georgia believes that by its participation in
and facilitation of the ethnic cleansing on the occupied areas, the Russian Federation
has roughly violated fundamental principles of human rights and international
instruments. Recognition of independence of Abkhazia and former Autonomous Area
of South Ossetia is a rough violation of international law, and attempt to
legalize consequences of the ethnic cleansing an annex the territory of Georgia.
Therefore, the Parliament of Georgia call the
international community, including parliaments of friendly states to:
1. call
the Russian Federation
to fully implement the agreement achieved on August 12 2008;
2. call the Russian Federation
to refrain from further violations of the Georgian air space, discourses and
actions of provocation, including creation of military bases on the territory
of Abkhazia and former Autonomous Area of South Ossetia;
3. call
the Russian Federation to
provide access to the entire territory
of Abkhazia and former Autonomous
Area of South Ossetia for international monitors, including, first of all,
those of the European Union and OSCE.
4. call
the Russian Federation
to eliminates consequences of the ethnic cleansing it carried out, and
facilitate decent and safe return of all displaced persons;
5. call
the Russian Federation
to implement Resolution 1633 of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe,
including paragraph 4 of Article 22, that urges the sides to work towards the
creation of a new peacekeeping format and to internationalise the peacekeeping
force.
6. under
article 9 of the same Resolution of the Council of Europe, call the President
of the Russian Federation
to withdraw the recognition of Abkhazia an former Autonomous Area of South
Ossetia;
7. assist
in the establishment and implementation of independent international
investigation of the conflict escalation and it causes as soon as possible.
23 October 2008
(www.parliament.ge)