Russia Formally Recognizes Independence of South Ossetia, Abkhazia – Full Text

Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev has said he has signed the decrees to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In a televised address to the nation broadcast live by state- controlled Russian Channel One TV and other federal TV channels at 1100 gmt on 26 August, Medvedev also said that by attacking the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali on the night of 7-8 August 2008 the Georgian president “chose genocide to solve his political tasks” and destroyed any hopes for a peaceful existence of Ossetians, Abkhazs and Georgians in one state. Medvedev went on to say that he had signed the decrees on the recognition of the two break-away republics’ independence “taking into account the free expression of will by the Ossetian and Abkhaz peoples” and a number of international treaties. He concluded his address by saying that the choice was not easy, but that this was “the only possibility to preserve lives”. The following is the full text of Medvedev’s statement:

[Presenter] We have literally just now received a statement by Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev.

[Dmitriy Medvedev] Dear Citizens of Russia:

Of course, you know about the tragedy of South Ossetia. The night- time firing on Tskhinval [Russified spelling of Tskhinvali] by Georgian forces led to the death of hundreds of our civilian citizens. Russian peacekeepers died having fulfilled their duty to defend women, children and elderly people to the very end.

The Georgian leadership, in violation of the UN Charter and its obligations under international agreements, and against common sense, unleashed an armed conflict, the victims of which were civilians. This same fate awaited Abkhazia. They apparently hoped in Tbilisi for a blitzkrieg which would put the world community before a fait accompli. The most inhumane method was chosen to achieve its goal, to incorporate South Ossetia at the cost of destroying the whole nation.

This was not the first attempt. In 1991, Georgian President [Zviad] Gamsakhurdia using the slogan Georgia for Georgians – just think about these words – ordered an assault on Sukhum [Russified spelling of Sukhumi] and Tskhinval. Thousands killed, tens of thousands of refugees, ruined villages – such was the result of that then. It is precisely Russia that at that time stopped the extermination of the Abkhaz and Ossetian peoples. Our country has become a mediator and a peacekeeper. Striving to achieve a political settlement, we were proceeding from the recognition of Georgia’s territorial integrity at the same time.

The Georgian leadership chose a different path. Disruption of the negotiating process, ignoring of agreements reached, political and military provocations, attacks on peacekeepers, all this crudely violated the regime in the conflict zones, the regime put in place with the support of the UN and OSCE. Russia was exercising self- restraint and patience. We repeatedly called for a return to the negotiating table and did not depart from our position, even after the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence. But our persistent proposals to the Georgian side to conclude accords with Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the non-use of force, remained unanswered. Unfortunately, they were ignored in NATO and even in the UN.

It is now clear that a peaceful settlement of the conflicts was not part of Tbilisi’s plans. The Georgian leadership was methodically preparing for a war, while political and material support by external protectors only increased the feeling of its impunity. On the night preceding 8 August 2008, Tbilisi made a choice. Saakashvili chose genocide to solve his political tasks. By this, he himself eliminated all hopes for a peaceful existence of Ossetians, Abkhazs and Georgians in one state. The peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia repeatedly spoke in referendums in support of independence for their republics.

We understand that after what happened in Tskhinvali [usual spelling of the town as received] and was planned for Abkhazia they have a right to decide on their fate themselves. The presidents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, on the basis of the results of referendums and decisions taken by the parliaments of the republics, have asked Russia to recognize the state sovereignty of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Federation Council and the State Duma voted in support of these requests. Taking into account the situation that has come about, a decision needs to be taken.

Taking into account the free expression of will by the Ossetian and Abkhaz peoples, taking into account the provisions of the UN Charter, the declaration of 1970 on the principles of international law pertaining to friendly relations between states, the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe of 1975 and other fundamental international documents, I have signed the decrees on the recognition by the Russian Federation of the independence of South Ossetia and the independence of Abkhazia. Russia is calling on other states to follow its example. This is not an easy choice, but this is the only possibility to preserve lives.

Originally published by Channel One TV, Moscow, in Russian 1100 26 Aug 08.

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