Russian MFA: Georgia signed a different document for resolving the Georgian-Ossetian conflict

МИД России: Грузия подписала другой документ по урегулированию грузино-осетинского конфликта

The contents of the document for resolving the conflict in South Ossetia, which was signed by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, differs from the one which was signed by the presidents of Russia and France, reports head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov. "We're a bit puzzled by the fact that the document which was signed by Saakashvili appears to differ from the document which was agreed upon by the presidents of Russia and France," stated the minister, emphasizing that the difference in question is in need of further clarification.

According to Lavrov, in the document signed by Saakashvili, the clause which states "these below-mentioned points are supported by the presidents of Russia and France, and the presidents of Russia and France call on all parties to sign this document" is completely absent. He also noted that the document--the one which contains the aforementioned clause--was signed by the presidents of Russia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.

Earlier, Temur Iakobashvili, the Georgian State Minister for Reintegration, stated at an August 16th press conference that the 6-point plan for the resolution of the conflicts in Georgia, on which Russian President Dmitry Medvedev put his own signature on August 16th, was signed by the presidents of the three countries--Georgia, Russia, and France. He noted that reports saying that the presidents of Abkhazia and Ossetia had also signed the agreement were incorrect, and emphasized that if such an agreement does exist, then Georgia does not regard it as an official document.

IA Regnum

Saakashvili doesn't accept all of Medvedev's conditions

Саакашвили принял не все условия Медведева

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and French President Saakashvili have approved all 6 points of the peace plan for a ceasefire and resolution to the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The approval became known on the evening of August 13 after the Georgian leader met with Nicolas Sarkozy. The 6 points were named by Dmitry Medvedev and Nicolas Sarkozy at a press conference on August 12th: no more use of force; stop military action for good; provide easy access to humanitarian aid; return Georgian forces to their place of permanent deployment; return Russian forces to pre-conflict positions. In addition, Russian peacekeepers accept additional security measures: the beginning of an international discussion of the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and ways to guarantee their security.

However, during negotiations, Sarkozy and Saakashvili removed any reference to an international discussion of the future political status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and instead emphasized international talks with the aim to guarantee stability and security in these regions.

Russia's reaction to this development is not yet known.

IA Regnum

France against US playing primary role in resolving Georgian-Ossetian conflict

Франция против того, чтобы США играли первую скрипку в грузино-осетинском урегулировании

The US is not suited to the role of lead mediator in resolving the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The statement was made by French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Bernard Kouchner.

In Kouchner's opinion, the United States is actually part of the conflict, as it is present in Georgia and is equipping its armies, reports Channel 1.

As IA Regnum reported earlier, Bernard Kouchner and Alexander Stubb, head of Finland's MFA and acting chairman of the OSCE, arrived in Tbilisi on August 11th where they held talks with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili. On August 12th, European diplomats will hold talks in Moscow with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov. Also on August 12th, French President Nicolas Sarkozy will arrive in the Russian capital for talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Sarkozy intends to propose his own plan for resolving the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, which is presumed to include a ceasefire and the return to pre-August 6th positions.

However, IA Regnum's sources in diplomatic circles are saying that the French plan is not likely to be met with Russian support: Moscow has its own plan which it intends to propose to Tbilisi.

IA Regnum