GEORGIAN STATE MINISTER FOR CONFLICT SETTLEMENT: I AM SURE THAT SOUTH OSSETIA CONFLICT IS ABOUT TO BE SOLVED

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2007

We try to correct historical mistake by repatriating Ahiska Turks

David Bakradze, Georgian State Minister for Conflict Settlement
interviewed by APA

– How do you appreciate the activity of Mixed Control Commission
established for the settlement of Georgia-Ossetia conflict? Are
there real opportunities for the solution to Georgian-Abkhazian and
Georgian-Ossetian conflicts?

– Georgia does not restrict its activity to the Mixed Control
Commission, on the contrary Georgia is ready to closely participate
in the work of the commission. If this format is not effective, we do
not search artificial ways for the implementation of the format. The
main thing is to implement the agreements made by the Mixed Control
Commission in the past one year. If this commission is unable to
implement agreements, then it is difficult to say that it will play
any role in the settlement of the conflict. Very active economic
reformation processes are carried out in the region. Effective work
of the Mixed Control Commission depends on readiness of Skhinvali and
Russia and their participation in the work of the commission. If Russia
regards the commission seriously, we can speak of the settlement of
the conflict. I am sure that South Ossetia conflict is about to be
solved. As to Abkhazia conflict, the situation is tense there. We
are anxious about the recent events in Kodor gorge. As you know
separatist Abkhazia presented an ultimatum to Georgia and threatened
with military force. But it does not mean that we are afraid of these
threats. They have to know that we are ready to take adequate steps
on any aggressive act and military force. But Georgia supports the
solution to the conflict in the framework of political talks and
international organizations.

– May the recent events be called provocation?

– Bombing of facilities of economic importance in Upper Abkhazia in
March, Russian helicopters bombing’ local administrative building can
be regarded as provocation. Besides, we are very anxious about deploy
of Abkhazian military groupings and international military groupings
composed of Russian citizens from Northern Caucasus in the area and
change of Russian peacekeepers’ composition. Chechen grouping has
been added to the peacekeepers. Local people still remember savage
acts committed under leadership of Shamil Basayev 15 years ago.

Adding such military groupings to the peacekeepers is provocation
and has negative influence on the settlement of the conflict. As to
6 August event, this is aggressive act directed against territorial
integrity of Georgia. Russia’s aggression to the territorial
integrity of its neighbor is not the problem of Russian-Georgian
relations, this is the problem of European security. Mechanisms
should be established for preventing such incidents in future. It
is important for our security and security of countries neighboring
with Russia. It is not only the problem of Georgia, such incident can
occur in Azerbaijan tomorrow, in Ukraine the day after tomorrow and
other countries. We speak about the security of European Union (EU),
therefore international organizations like EU, OSCE should respond to
this issue. Russia should respect independence, territorial integrity
and sovereignty of Georgia. These are our main principles. We will not
establish any mutual relation with the state which does not respect
our principles.

– Georgia is increasing its military budget from year to year. Does
it mean that Georgia prepares itself for war?

– The main cause of our increasing budget is to ensure our security.

We are participating in the composition of all peacekeeping
contingents. Georgia wants to increase the composition of peacekeeping
contingent in Afghanistan. Georgia has already had professional army
provided with high salary, meeting NATO standards.

The other cause of strengthening army is its integration to NATO. We
have already passed several stages successfully. Negotiations are
being carried out on Georgia’s becoming the member of the organization
at present. I can assure you that Georgia is ready to enter NATO
and fulfill all the commitments. Head of US military forces in Iraq
addressing the Congress called Georgian peacekeepers the effective
military staff. We are pride of it.

– A group of journalists from Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia visited
Samskhe-Javakhetiya region last week. Armenians demanded autonomy
and giving state status to Armenian language while meeting with the
local population in the framework of the visit. Can these demands
create new conflict in Georgia?

– This region was Georgia’s problem, so that Russian forces stirred up
everything here. Military bases belonging to Russia were deployed there
and the region was separated form Georgia economically and economics
there was in bad condition. The authority could not take care of the
population, because foreign forces had spoiled everything. It was said
that stability in the region will be disturbed if Russian military
bases are removed from the region. But we took a lot of measures for
preventing such cases within three years. Our several counterparts
in Russia did their best for creating conflict, but this plan did
not occur. The condition is stable in the region at present.

– Georgia has commitment of European Union for the repatriation of
Ahiska Turks deported from their native lands. Can this commitment
cause new conflict?

– We are independent and took this commitment of EU realizing
great responsibility as a sovereign state. We give them chance for
sending back people harmed during Soviet period. We did not aim to
violate human rights and establish new conflict zone while making
this decision. We are only trying to correct historical mistake. I
believe that this turning point will not create any conflict.