Russian MFA regrets US not recognizing real reason for the tragedy in South Ossetia

МИД РФ сожалеет, что США отказываются признать реальную причину трагедии в Южной Осетии

"Here in Moscow, we paid very close attention to US President Bush's statement made on August 13th at the White House on the situation in the South Caucasus. First of all, we would like to emphasize that we welcome his expression of support for the agreements which were drawn up with the participation of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. These agreements, the very first of which calls for a cessation of all military activities, have already been signed by South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Georgia has still not put its signature to them," said Andrei Nesterenko, an official representative of the Russian MFA, commenting on Bush's statement on South Ossetia.

"With regards to the president's comments declaring the US's intention to assist the victims of the conflict, this move, of course, is justified in light of the scale of provocation by the Georgians in contribution to this humanitarian tragedy, one which the international community should not remain indifferent to. Russia has already prepared a large scale operation for overcoming the consequences of this humanitarian catastrophe and will ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered to all who are in need. It's frustrating, however, a pity, that America still refuses to recognize the real reason for what has happened, which is that M. Saakashvili's regime, in violation of all international obligations, unleashed war against the South Ossetian people. Russia, who helped stop this war and compel the Georgian authorities to agree to peace, grieves for the victims of this conflict, honoring the memory of everyone who paid the terrible price for the criminal campaign of M. Saakashvili's regime. We can't forget that the responsibility for what has happened also lies with those who, for the sake of their own political goals, over the course of many years armed and trained the Georgian army and fostered a complex of permissiveness and impunity in Tbilisi." The above is from a statement released to IA Regnum by the Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We recognize that the US in all of its efforts from the point of view of establishing peace in the region will demonstrate a responsible approach and real interest in overcoming the difficult humanitarian consequences of the Georgian agression against South Ossetia. It is especially important to abstain from any steps which would be interpreted directly or indirectly by the Georgian government as encouragement for its vengeful ambitions and which could bring about a second tragedy. And, of course, it is necessary to be sensible in assessing the real facts, instead of the duplicated illegible fabrications which come pouring out of Tbilisi. The tragedy in South Ossetia must not be repeated. We expect all of our partners to be responsible and genuine in their wishes not to allow new bloodshed in the South Caucasus. In this region where Russia has historically played a specal role, our purposes are clear and transparent. Using all resources that are available to us, we will succeed in maintaining peace, stability, and well-being for a long time in this region," stated Alexander Nesterenko.

IA Regnum