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Georgian State Minister for Conflict Settlement: I am sure that South Ossetia conflict is about to be solved

02 October 2007 11:56 (UTC +04:00)

- How do you appreciate the activity of Mixed Control Commission established for the settlement of Georgia-Ossetia conflict? Are there real opportunities for the solution to Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts?
- Georgia does not restrict its activity to the Mixed Control Commission, on the contrary Georgia is ready to closely participate in the work of the commission. If this format is not effective, we do not search artificial ways for the implementation of the format. The main thing is to implement the agreements made by the Mixed Control Commission in the past one year. If this commission is unable to implement agreements, then it is difficult to say that it will play any role in the settlement of the conflict. Very active economic reformation processes are carried out in the region. Effective work of the Mixed Control Commission depends on readiness of Skhinvali and Russia and their participation in the work of the commission. If Russia regards the commission seriously, we can speak of the settlement of the conflict. I am sure that South Ossetia conflict is about to be solved. As to Abkhazia conflict, the situation is tense there. We are anxious about the recent events in Kodor gorge. As you know separatist Abkhazia presented an ultimatum to Georgia and threatened with military force. But it does not mean that we are afraid of these threats. They have to know that we are ready to take adequate steps on any aggressive act and military force. But Georgia supports the solution to the conflict in the framework of political talks and international organizations.
- May the recent events be called provocation?
- Bombing of facilities of economic importance in Upper Abkhazia in March, Russian helicopters bombingâ€™ local administrative building can be regarded as provocation. Besides, we are very anxious about deploy of Abkhazian military groupings and international military groupings composed of Russian citizens from Northern Caucasus in the area and change of Russian peacekeepersâ€™ composition. Chechen grouping has been added to the peacekeepers. Local people still remember savage acts committed under leadership of Shamil Basayev 15 years ago. Adding such military groupings to the peacekeepers is provocation and has negative influence on the settlement of the conflict. As to 6 August event, this is aggressive act directed against territorial integrity of Georgia. Russiaâ€™s aggression to the territorial integrity of its neighbor is not the problem of Russian-Georgian relations, this is the problem of European security. Mechanisms should be established for preventing such incidents in future. It is important for our security and security of countries neighboring with Russia. It is not only the problem of Georgia, such incident can occur in Azerbaijan tomorrow, in Ukraine the day after tomorrow and other countries. We speak about the security of European Union (EU), therefore international organizations like EU, OSCE should respond to this issue. Russia should respect independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. These are our main principles. We will not establish any mutual relation with the state which does not respect our principles.
- Georgia is increasing its military budget from year to year. Does it mean that Georgia prepares itself for war?
- The main cause of our increasing budget is to ensure our security. We are participating in the composition of all peacekeeping contingents. Georgia wants to increase the composition of peacekeeping contingent in Afghanistan. Georgia has already had professional army provided with high salary, meeting NATO standards. The other cause of strengthening army is its integration to NATO. We have already passed several stages successfully. Negotiations are being carried out on Georgiaâ€™s becoming the member of the organization at present. I can assure you that Georgia is ready to enter NATO and fulfill all the commitments. Head of US military forces in Iraq addressing the Congress called Georgian peacekeepers the effective military staff. We are pride of it.
- A group of journalists from Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia visited Samskhe-Javakhetiya region last week. Armenians demanded autonomy and giving state status to Armenian language while meeting with the local population in the framework of the visit. Can these demands create new conflict in Georgia?
- This region was Georgiaâ€™s problem, so that Russian forces stirred up everything here. Military bases belonging to Russia were deployed there and the region was separated form Georgia economically and economics there was in bad condition. The authority could not take care of the population, because foreign forces had spoiled everything. It was said that stability in the region will be disturbed if Russian military bases are removed from the region. But we took a lot of measures for preventing such cases within three years. Our several counterparts in Russia did their best for creating conflict, but this plan did not occur. The condition is stable in the region at present.
- Georgia has commitment of European Union for the repatriation of Ahiska Turks deported from their native lands. Can this commitment cause new conflict?
- We are independent and took this commitment of EU realizing great responsibility as a sovereign state. We give them chance for sending back people harmed during Soviet period. We did not aim to violate human rights and establish new conflict zone while making this decision. We are only trying to correct historical mistake. I believe that this turning point will not create any conflict. /APA/