CAUCAZ.COM: "What is happening in Georgia is a clear attempt by Russia to redesign Eastern Europe". By Lili DI PUPPO.

Article published in 11/05/2008 Issue

By Lili DI PUPPO in Tbilisi

Interview with Temur Iakobashvili, Georgia’s State Minister for Issues of Reintegration

You declared in Brussels that the risk of war with Russia is close. Was this declaration intended as a wake-up call for the European Union or is the Georgian government genuinely considering military action?

I made a longer statement and in this longer version I provided rationale to explain why I think we are close to war. The information I gave was that we know Russia’s behaviour very well. We are enormously alarmed when we see quite intensive anti-Georgian propaganda in the Russian media, when we see not only talk, but also very active actions from the Russian side such as illegally moving troops to Georgian territory and violating all sorts of agreements. For example, I do not know since when paratroopers are considered peacekeepers…

Russians refer to an agreement allowing them to have a certain number of peacekeepers on Abkhaz territory…

Yes, it is true that they have an opportunity to increase the number of peacekeeping troops to 3,000, but the first question is what sort of troops. Second, there is a procedure on how this troop increase should happen. Third, the equipment Russians can have is limited and none of the documents talk about having artillery. When we see Russian offense forces entering Georgian territory, it is a violation of all possible agreements. We see anti-Georgian propaganda in media, we see that these troops were deployed based on false information such as Georgia having increased its troops in the Kodori valley. It is not true and this information has been verified by the UN agencies. Of course, it is very alarming.

Is the Georgian government considering military action in response to these moves?

No, the Georgian government is not considering military action as a response to these Russian deeds. We showed our restrain, we will continue to show our restrain and we still have a lot of opportunities to avert war. In this regard, important steps should be taken not only in Georgia, but also outside of Georgia, particularly by Europe.

What were the outcomes of your discussions in Brussels? What concrete steps does Georgia expect from the EU?

These steps are under discussion. Generally, the most important thing now is to avert war and second to think about new forms of negotiations and new formats for negotiations. The EU has already endorsed President Saakashvili’s new peace plan, but we have to see more concrete developments. We believe that it would be very important to deploy another type of ground operation other than Russian peacekeepers. We have several ideas. All of them are under discussion and we
will see which ones prevail.

Why do you think it is in the EU’s interest to support Georgia?

It is the EU's job to support Georgia because we are talking about the European Neighbourhood Policy, the European Energy Security Policy and all other policies that are important for the EU. In this regard, what is happening in Georgia is a clear attempt by Russia to redesign Eastern Europe. This is why I think the EU cannot remain neutral on the sidelines.

At the same time because of energy interests, the EU refrains from adopting a confrontational position towards Russia...

They do not have to confront Russia. They just have to avert Russia’s irresponsible actions.

Do you see a link between Russian actions in Abkhazia and the fact that Georgia was not granted a NATO Membership Action Plan at the Bucharest Summit?

It is a combination of different factors. The question was not only concerning Georgia’s NATO membership, but also Kosovo, domestic Russian policy and
definitely issues related to Georgia’s realistic peace plans with regards to South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The combination of these factors is bringing about the Russian behaviour we are facing today.

Do you see the new Saakashvili peace plan as a good basis for negotiations even if the Abkhaz side does not see it this way?

I do not think the Abkhaz side does not see it this way, I think the peace plan has elements that were elaborated together with the Abkhaz side over the past eight years at least. So there is an Abkhaz ownership there and in these circumstances we have to find other negotiating formats besides the UN’s Group of Friends, where the Abkhaz can and should participate.

© CAUCAZ.COM Article published in 11/05/2008 Issue By Lili DI PUPPO