(NSI News Source Info) Washington - February 8, 2009: Russian efforts to establish three military bases in the
Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia could prove provocative and destabilizing, a senior U.S. official says.
The United States has noted with concern press reports of Russian plans for the bases, U.S. Charge d'Affaires Kyle Scott said at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, Austria, on February 5.
"These steps, if confirmed, would be provocative and destabilizing, and would undercut international efforts through the Geneva [peace] talks to reduce tensions in the region."
And the bases would compound Russia's breaches of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Scott said. Establishing the bases would deepen Russia's violations of the August 12, 2008, cease-fire agreement, in which Russia agreed to withdraw its forces to their pre-conflict positions, he said.
"Also of serious concern are reports of frequent Russian helicopter flights outside the South Ossetian region of Georgia," Scott said.
OSCE and European Union monitors in Georgia reported January 26 that Russian military helicopters were seen flying into Georgian-controlled airspace outside of South Ossetia, which is one of two breakaway regions in Georgia. Russian helicopters were also observed flying over Georgian villages well outside of the two breakaway regions.
"These incidents clearly underscore the need for an OSCE monitoring presence with uninhibited access to the whole of Georgia, including South Ossetia," Scott said in remarks before the OSCE Permanent Council meeting.
Russia and Georgia fought a five-day conflict over the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions in August 2008. Following a cease-fire, Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent nations and has continued to occupy the two regions with heavy military forces. Only one other nation, Nicaragua, also recognized the regions.
Russian news agencies reported January 26 that the Russian navy plans to build a base in Abkhazia, which borders the Black Sea. Russia has been searching for another naval base location in the event that it loses the rights to base naval ships at its main Black Sea base in Sevastopol, Ukraine. The lease on that base expires in 2017.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza told Reuters in a January 31 interview that "the possible deployment of a naval base in Abkhazia, an air base in Abkhazia and a military base in South Ossetia seems to be moving in the wrong direction. Russia pledged to reduce its troops to the levels and locations of before the Russia-Georgia war."
Scott also said that continued kidnappings and killings of Georgian police officers and civilians demonstrate the increasing need for more OSCE and EU civilian monitors.
"We remain convinced that now is the time for more, not less, international presence, to help deter violence, to ensure the safety and protection of civilians, to promote human rights, to encourage dialogue and reconciliation, and to monitor the implementation of the August 12 cease-fire and subsequent agreements," Scott said.
Scott said the United States expects Russia will implement its commitments under the agreements.
What foreign affairs actions should President Obama consider? Comment on America.gov's blog ( http://blogs.america.gov/campaign/2009/01/21/day-2-what-should-obama’s-top-priorities-be/ ).
Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia could prove provocative and destabilizing, a senior U.S. official says.
The United States has noted with concern press reports of Russian plans for the bases, U.S. Charge d'Affaires Kyle Scott said at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, Austria, on February 5.
"These steps, if confirmed, would be provocative and destabilizing, and would undercut international efforts through the Geneva [peace] talks to reduce tensions in the region."
And the bases would compound Russia's breaches of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Scott said. Establishing the bases would deepen Russia's violations of the August 12, 2008, cease-fire agreement, in which Russia agreed to withdraw its forces to their pre-conflict positions, he said.
"Also of serious concern are reports of frequent Russian helicopter flights outside the South Ossetian region of Georgia," Scott said.
OSCE and European Union monitors in Georgia reported January 26 that Russian military helicopters were seen flying into Georgian-controlled airspace outside of South Ossetia, which is one of two breakaway regions in Georgia. Russian helicopters were also observed flying over Georgian villages well outside of the two breakaway regions.
"These incidents clearly underscore the need for an OSCE monitoring presence with uninhibited access to the whole of Georgia, including South Ossetia," Scott said in remarks before the OSCE Permanent Council meeting.
Russia and Georgia fought a five-day conflict over the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions in August 2008. Following a cease-fire, Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent nations and has continued to occupy the two regions with heavy military forces. Only one other nation, Nicaragua, also recognized the regions.
Russian news agencies reported January 26 that the Russian navy plans to build a base in Abkhazia, which borders the Black Sea. Russia has been searching for another naval base location in the event that it loses the rights to base naval ships at its main Black Sea base in Sevastopol, Ukraine. The lease on that base expires in 2017.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza told Reuters in a January 31 interview that "the possible deployment of a naval base in Abkhazia, an air base in Abkhazia and a military base in South Ossetia seems to be moving in the wrong direction. Russia pledged to reduce its troops to the levels and locations of before the Russia-Georgia war."
Scott also said that continued kidnappings and killings of Georgian police officers and civilians demonstrate the increasing need for more OSCE and EU civilian monitors.
"We remain convinced that now is the time for more, not less, international presence, to help deter violence, to ensure the safety and protection of civilians, to promote human rights, to encourage dialogue and reconciliation, and to monitor the implementation of the August 12 cease-fire and subsequent agreements," Scott said.
Scott said the United States expects Russia will implement its commitments under the agreements.
What foreign affairs actions should President Obama consider? Comment on America.gov's blog ( http://blogs.america.gov/campaign/2009/01/21/day-2-what-should-obama’s-top-priorities-be/ ).
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