#10 - JRL 2008-155 - JRL Home
Russia will not consult with Saakashvili on buffer zone
parameters inconflict regions - Nogovitsyn
MOSCOW. Aug 22 (Interfax) - Russia will not hold consultations with the
Georgian leadership on the parameters of the buffer zones in Abkhazia and South
Ossetia.
"We'll not consult with Mr. Saakashvili on the buffer zone," Russian General
Staff Deputy Head Anatoly Nogovitsyn told journalists in Moscow on Friday.
Nogovitsyn said that Russian peacekeepers were stationed in Abkhazia and
South Ossetia in compliance with international and bilateral agreements, and
that Georgia, by launching its aggression against South Ossetia, unilaterally
violated the agreements.
"By starting the aggression this president declared a unilateral violation of
the existing agreements. Now he has neither the moral, nor the legal right to
dictate terms. We do not see Georgian peacekeepers here," Nogovitsyn said,
noting that the peacekeeping operation will be performed by Russia peacekeepers.
"Concerning the moods of this kind, they are on his conscience. He had ample
opportunity to fulfill the peacekeeping mission. He himself gave it up,"
Nogovitsyn said in remarks about the Georgian president's statement that the
buffer zones in Abkhazia and South Ossetia were unacceptable for Tbilisi.
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