DECLARATION 373 THE CONFLICT BETWEEN GEORGIA AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The Assembly,

1.            Deploring the disproportionate use of force by the Russian military against Georgia, the occupation of Georgian territory by Russian forces, the ethnic cleansing of Georgians from South Ossetia, the failure of Russia to comply fully with the ceasefire requirements and its recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia;

2.              Noting that those actions contradict United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) as well as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Council of Europe commitments undertaken by the government of the Russian Federation;

3.              Recalling that the Russian Federation, as a member of the joint peacekeeping force in South Ossetia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) peacekeeping force in Abkhazia, had a responsibility to protect the entire civilian population in those areas;

4.              Further noting that the Russian military had, for many months, been increasing the number of troops, specialized forces, and military equipment in South Ossetia and Abkhazia well beyond levels appropriate for peacekeeping forces, thereby contributing to an escalation of tensions in both regions;

5.              Recognising that the facts surrounding the outbreak of the hostilities between Georgia and the Russian Federation have not been authoritatively established by objective sources; therefore welcoming the initiative of the European Union to task an independent inquiry commission to establish those circumstances; and noting that full cooperation of the governments of the Russian Federation and Georgia is an indispensable prerequisite for a satisfactory outcome of the inquiry;

6.              Further recognizing that the increased attacks in August 2008 on Georgian villages by forces inside South Ossetia constituted a serious provocation;

7.              But disappointed that Georgian authorities responded with armed force, which contributed to an escalation of violence;

8.              Stressing that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are sovereign territory of Georgia and that the Russian Federation voted for numerous United Nations resolutions - including UNSCR 1808 on 15 April 2008 - which reaffirm the territorial integrity of Georgia;

9.              Reaffirming that any lasting solutions to the situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia must be the result of political engagement and negotiation, and not that of military force;

10.          Hoping that further multilateral and bilateral diplomatic efforts will provide a basis for a renewed relationship with the Russian Federation;

11.          Welcoming the active role of the European Union under the French presidency, particularly the deployment of the EU monitoring mission;

12.          Underliningthe accepted international principle that peacekeeping forces should be genuinely international;

13.          Convinced of the need to provide assistance to Georgia as it deals with the consequences of the conflict and noting the great interest of donor countries in assisting Georgia;

14.          Recalling that the April 2008 Bucharest Summit Declaration supports Georgia’s application for a Membership Action Plan (MAP) and states that Georgia will become a member of NATO;

15.          Also recallingits earlier resolutions calling for Intensified Dialogue and closer cooperation with Georgia;

16.          Welcoming the newly established NATO-Georgia Commission to further deepen political dialogue and cooperation between the Alliance and Georgia;

17.     URGES member governments and parliaments of the North Atlantic Alliance:

a.       tocontributeto an independent international inquiry to determine the chain of events that led to this conflict;

b.       topromotethe Geneva talks to find an enduring solution to the conflicts over South Ossetia and Abkhazia without taking steps that could lead, contrary to international law, to the de facto or de jure recognition of the independence of either;

c.       toseek the introduction of a broad-based international peacekeeping force in South Ossetia           and Abkhazia;

d.       toassist the efforts of the Georgian government to complete political and economic reforms with a focus on key democratic and institutional goals that will allow Georgia to join Euro-Atlantic structures as soon as is appropriate;

e.       tooffer a Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Georgia;

f.        tosupport efforts to increase the supply of energy resources transiting through Georgia, which       will reduce the dependence of Europe on Russian supplies of gas and oil;

g.       toaid Georgia in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed in the conflict;

h.       tomaintaina constructive dialogue with the Russian Federation to promote long-term stability        in the South Caucasus region;

i.        toexert pressure on the Russian Federation to bring about full compliance with the terms of the ceasefire agreement.