Georgia, Tbilisi, Feb.9 / Trend, N.Kirtskhalia /
Georgian Foreign Ministry commented on the Russian Federation's Foreign Ministry's statement dated Feb.1, which purposefully attempts to downplay the importance of the non-use of force pledge made by the President of Georgia on November 23, 2010 in the European Parliament.
Russian Foreign Ministry challenges the peace initiative of the President of Georgia by claiming that the rhetoric of the President is hostile to Georgia's "neighboring states" and that the televised phone- in address aired by the Russian language First Caucasus Television (PIK) made on January 25, 2010, contained "hidden threats" to the "new republics", Georgian Foreign Ministry's statement says.
It is alarming, however not surprising, that Russia is vigorously pushing this propaganda message not only through its official statements, but diplomatic channels, as well as various roundtables and expert activities, undertaken by government sponsored think tanks and NGOs, the statement says.
"Georgia Foreign Ministry would like to bring to the attention of Russian MFA and its Soviet style propaganda machine the exact quote from the statement of the President of Georgia - "Every representative of Georgia's multiethnic society, including the forcefully displaced Greeks, Armenians, Ukrainians and Estonians should say: Next year - to Sokhumi... I will repeat this until we return to our home." This statement of the President of Georgia was made in the context of the return of the Internally Displaced Persons to their homes, from where they were brutally evicted following a question of a journalist regarding the return of the IDPs. Russia's attempt to interpret this phrase as a call to use force is ridiculous and cheap. Safe and dignified return of all IDPs to their homes continues to be one of the top priorities of the Government of Georgia," the statement says.
Georgian Foreign Ministry would like to stress once again that the pledge of Georgia not to use force against the Russian occupation forces and the proxy regimes with an aim of restoring Georgia's territorial integrity remains an international legal obligation of Georgia, no matter how much Russia tries to downplay its significance. Georgia is seriously motivated to pursue the peaceful agenda towards its occupied regions as exemplified by the calls to engage in the dialogue with the Russian authorities, as well as with the populations of the occupied regions.
"Moscow seems to be also concerned that Georgia is referring to Russia as to a hostile state. Indeed, the President of Georgia stated in the televised address that Russia remained a hostile state, as it was an occupying force. In the same speech, President also expressed hope that the circumstances would permit him not to use this term in the future. If Russia wants to hear friendly rhetoric from Tbilisi, it will have to act in a friendly manner. But as long as Russia occupies Georgia's regions, it will be maintained that Russia is an occupying and hostile state. This however does not mean and should not be interpreted in a way that that Georgia's commitment not to use force is not in effect any more," the statement says.
According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, Russia needs to start living up to its obligations under international law. By continuing the policy of violating Georgia's territorial integrity, breaching August 12, 2008 cease-fire agreement, further militarizing the occupied regions, rejecting all offers of dialogue, not recognizing Georgia's government and pursuing aggressive military rhetoric against Georgia, Russia will hardly manage to change the perception of Tbilisi that Russia is a hostile state.