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Independent international investigation group to be set up in connection with August happenings in Georgia

28 October 2008 08:43 (UTC +04:00)

Paris â€“ APA. An independent international investigation into the August conflict between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia will be led by an expert from Switzerland, the French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has said, APA reports quoting RIA-Novosti.
In an interview with the Kommersant business daily, Bernard Kouchner said the investigation, which is being set up, would involve a small group of politicians, lawyers and intellectuals. "A woman from Switzerland has been appointed the chair of the commission," he said.
The French politician also said Russia and Georgia would have to declassify their archives on the August war, which left over 1,500 South Ossetian residents dead, or face international criticism.
The first round of international talks on the Georgian conflict in Geneva earlier this month was suspended until November, due to concerns over the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, recognized by Russia as independent states.
Kouchner has confirmed that Georgia’s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia would take part in the November meeting. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had earlier urged the participation of both republics saying that they should take part in the talks "as this directly concerns them."