The international reaction to the 2008 South Ossetia war covered many nations, NGOs, and non-state actors. The conflict began in August 2008 over South Ossetia but eventually the violence spread elsewhere in Georgia as well. As of August 2008 the war was having a considerable humanitarian impact and has affected the financial markets of Russia and Georgia.
In general, Georgia accused Russia of aggression and invasion through land, air, and sea, whereas Russia accused Georgia of genocide and crimes against humanity targeting Ossetians and Russian peacekeepers. Most other countries called for peace, with some insisting on respect of Georgia's territorial integrity, and others supporting Russia's intervention. The discussion among people involved in the conflict placed a lot of emphasis on who started it, while the reaction from the international community was disbelief at the level of destruction, calling for an end to unnecessary hostilities.
Contents |
| Organisation | Response |
|---|---|
| Amnesty International | In November 2008, Amnesty International released a 69 page report citing both Georgia and Russia of serious international law violations on the conduct of war.[1] |
| Caritas Internationalis | Conflict between Georgia and Russia over breakaway South Ossetia has killed thousands of people and tens of thousands have been driven from their homes. Caritas is responding in the region with food, household items, and counselling to those people caught in the fighting. Caritas Internationalis is supporting calls for an immediate ceasefire and the start of negotiations to bring a peaceful solution to the conflict. Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Lesley-Anne Knight said, "Russia and Georgia must step back from all-out war. Already the conflict has caused too much suffering to thousands of innocent civilians. It will take a huge regional effort to rebuild shattered communities." Caritas appeals to both sides to do everything in their power to respect the lives of civilians. Caritas supports the need for humanitarian corridors into South Ossetia as a short term solution, but peace talks must take place now. "Both sides must respect the rights of ethnic minorities to avoid a further escalation in the conflict."
Caritas Georgia is providing food to people who have fled the conflict. Caritas Georgia is also seeking to provide medical help to the large number of casualties as hospitals in the capital Tbilisi face becoming overwhelmed. Caritas Georgia Programme Manager Liana Mkheidze said that providing food and medical help is the priority. She said, "Many people are coming to Tbilisi from Georgian villages around Tskhinvali and the also from Gori. Their houses have been damaged and they’re escaping the bombardment. "Caritas Georgia distributed 1920 small cans of tuna-fish and 420 cans of canned meat together with 500 loaves of freshly baked bread from its own bakery. We are preparing to distribute more bread and preparing food at our soup-kitchen if necessary to provide food to those made homeless. Local Caritas Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia says shelter for refugees is the priority. Director of Caritas Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia-Alania) Sergey Basiev said, "There are lots of refugees seeking shelter. They have nothing. The situation is dreadful. We will try to meet these urgent needs."[2] |
| Collective Security Treaty Organisation | On 3 September, The CSTO member countries supported Russia's stance on the events in the caucuses in a collective statement. According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, "It [the statement] denounces the military actions taken by Georgia against South Ossetia and stresses the necessity to avoid such situations in the future. The statement highlights the key points, has all the necessary verifications, including condemnation of Georgia's military actions against South Ossetia. It stresses the need to do the best in order not to admit similar attempts at using force for solving conflicts and evaluates events in the conflict zone. It condemns the policy of double standards and admits the dangers in the conflict zone."[3] The member states also backed a Russian proposal to impose an arms embargo on Georgia.[4]
Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan said, citing the joint statement: "We have come out with support for Russia's active role in contributing to peace and cooperation in the region."[4] But the CSTO (ODKB) did not follow Russia's lead at this meeting and didn't recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.[5] Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha stated at a press conference in Yerevan that the present situation is "driving Abkhazia and South Ossetia into the collective security system",[6] and further stated his belief that "South Ossetia and Abkhazia can not successfully and steadily develop without [being part of] a collective security system, without the backing of other states."[7] |
| European Union | On 9 August, Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, announced with American President George W. Bush that the EU and the USA will send a joint delegation to try to negotiate a cease fire.[8]
On 12 August, French President Nicolas Sarkozy reportedly convinced Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin not to follow through with his plans to overthrow the Georgian government and "hang Saakashvili by the balls".[9] Altogether, what may at first glance seem as fundamental disagreeements among the EU members, in fact turned out to be pragmatism and an interest-based approach among the European countries towards Russia in the longer time perspective[10] |
| Human Rights Watch | Georgia and Russia should not under any circumstances target civilians as the current hostilities intensify in South Ossetia, HRW said. "All sides must remember that attacks on civilians, or acts intended to terrorise civilians, clearly violate international humanitarian law, and may constitute war crimes," said Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "This would be true even if they are carried out in reprisal for indiscriminate attacks by the adversary."[11] |
| NATO | NATO's official website posted the following statement from the NATO Secretary General: "The NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, is seriously concerned about the events that are taking place in the Georgian region of South Ossetia and said that the Alliance is closely following the situation. The Secretary General calls on all sides for an immediate end of the armed clashes and direct talks between the parties".[12] On 11 August Russia also called for an emergency meeting of the Russia-NATO Council to appeal for NATO’s assistance in ending the crisis, but the initiative was blocked by the United States.[13] |
| Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe | The Finnish foreign minister Alexander Stubb, acting as the chairman of the organisation, has travelled with the EU delegation to negotiate a cease-fire. Stubb has stated that OSCE is the only organisation that has infrastructure in the area and which can immediately deploy military observers and humanitarian assistance to manage the conflict. All 56 members have supported the plan to send 100 military observers to monitor the ceasefire.[14] |
| International Committee of the Red Cross | On 8 August, The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) urged the combatant sides to make a humanitarian corridor to evacuate the wounded and civilians from Tskhinvali.[15][16] On 11 August they released a statement saying they were sending 15 tons of medicine and medical supplies to the conflict zone.[17] They also stated "the ICRC has officially reminded Georgia and Russia of their obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and distinguish at all times between the civilian population and those taking a direct part in the hostilities. The four Geneva Conventions, their Additional Protocol I and the customary rules and principles of international humanitarian law are all applicable in this situation." |
| Shanghai Cooperation Organisation | The Hindu reported that Russia has gained crucial support from the People's Republic of China and other member states in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.[18] Xinhua News Agency reported that a joint declaration was issued at the 28 August 2008 SCO Dushanbe summit and signed by the leaders of all six full members, most notably Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The communique denounces force as a means to solve international problems, expressed concern over the tense situation, and called upon all parties to solve the ongoing South Ossetia conflict through peaceful dialogue. The heads have agreed to the six-point plan which was established in Moscow (12 August) and have expressed support to Russia.[19] Some Western sources added that the SCO called for respect for every country's territorial integrity,[20] stating, "The participants [of the SCO summit] underscore the need for respect of the historical and cultural traditions of each country and each people, for efforts aimed at the preservation, under international law, of the unity of a state and its territorial integrity".[21] On 29 August 2008 some Western and Russian sources confirmed that the SCO Group "refused to back Moscow in its conflict with Georgia, and to support Moscow’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia".[22][23][24][25] |
| United Nations | On 7 August, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon voiced grave concern over the escalation of violence and urged all parties to the conflict to "refrain from any actions that might jeopardise the situation further and pose threat to stability in the region".[26] On 8 August at GMT 4 a.m. an emergency session of the UN Security Council was held to discuss the situation. The session was requested by Russia.[27] The session failed to reach an agreement that would have called on Georgia and the separatists to immediately halt all fighting, but expressed its concern over the renewed conflict.[28] Between 06:00 GMT on 8 August and 23:00 GMT on 9 August, Russia tabled three resolutions at the UN Security Council calling upon all sides to renounce the use of force. Each time its efforts were opposed by the United Kingdom and the United States, who sided with Georgia’s UN Ambassador Irakli Alasania.[13]
Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, the president of the UN General Assembly, accused Georgia of committing an act of aggression against South Ossetia and violating the UN Charter.[29] |
| Countries | Response |
|---|---|
| Estonia Latvia Lithuania |
On 10 August Ene Ergma, Gundars Daudze and Česlovas Juršėnas, the presidents of the parliaments of the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – issued a joint declaration expressing deep concern and anxiety over the events in Georgia: "We are calling on the international community to decisively condemn actions of Russia and to promptly take all necessary steps to stop the war and bring the parties to the negotiation table. Justification of Russia’s actions in Georgia by the need to protect its citizens is unacceptable. Alleged reasons for taking up a war against Georgia raise concerns about the future in every state with Russian citizens living on its territory. We are concerned and disappointed with the actions and behavior of Russia, as an important actor in the politics of the region and the whole world, which will inevitably have effect on further bilateral and multilateral relations with this country. Russia's military aggression against another sovereign state and actions contradicting the statements of its leaders raise serious doubts about the reliability and consistency of Russia as a partner."[30] |
| Estonia Latvia Lithuania Poland |
Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Valdis Zatlers, Valdas Adamkus and Lech Kaczyński, respectively the Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, issued a joint declaration condemning Russian actions as an 'aggression': "We strongly condemn the actions by the Russian military forces against the sovereign and independent country of Georgia. Following the unilateral military actions of the Russian military forces, we will use all means available to us as Presidents to ensure that aggression against a small country in Europe will not be passed over in silence or with meaningless statements equating the victims with the victimisers."[31] |
| Estonia Latvia Lithuania Poland Ukraine |
Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Valdas Adamkus, Lech Kaczyński, Viktor Yushchenko, Ivars Godmanis, respectively the Presidents of Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and Prime Minister of Latvia have visited Tbilisi together for the joint support of Georgia. The aim of this common diplomatic mission of European democratic states, which had been either satellite states or occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union prior to its 1991 dissolution, is a contribution to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of independent Georgia.[32] |
| Country | Response | |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | Albania Foreign Ministry has said "We recognise the sovereignty of Georgia." | |
| Argentina | Argentine Foreign Ministry released a statement, which said that the Argentine government "deplores the violence, and exhorts involved parties to avoid any escalation that could worsen the conflict", and hopes that "peace is immediately restored in the region"[33] | |
| Armenia | The Armenian Foreign Ministry said Yerevan is closely monitoring the situation and urging the conflicting parties to call a halt to military operations. "We are certainly concerned about the situation and hope that a solution will be found very quickly," Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanian told RFE/RL. "We hope that the parties will make maximum efforts to quickly stop bloodshed and find peaceful solutions to contentious issues," he said.[34] | |
| Australia | Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called for an immediate ceasefire and respect for Georgia's territorial integrity.[35] | |
| Austria | Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik urged "Russia to respect the territorial integrity of Georgia, considering the UN resolution."[36] | |
| Azerbaijan | A spokesman for the Azeri Foreign Ministry, Khazar Ibrahim, said that the Georgian actions were in accord with international law and that Azerbaijan recognises the territorial integrity of Georgia.[37] According to Azerbaijani media, several ethnic Georgians of Azerbaijani citizenship in Qakh and Zaqatala regions of Azerbaijan had crossed the Azerbaijani-Georgian border to join Georgian forces.[38] There is negative public opinion in Azerbaijan regarding Russia's actions in Georgian territory[39] | |
| Bangladesh | The caretaker government's Foreign Advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in a statement: "This outbreak of violence is a matter of deep concern for the international community including Bangladesh. We hope for an early cessation of hostilities."[40] | |
| Belarus | President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko stated that "Russia acted calmly, wisely and beautifully".[41] He also said that "the Belarussian people, like all Russians, is in mourning over the victims of the tragedy and shares the concerns of those who lost relatives, their homes and their livelihoods. May they have strength and courage in overcoming the consequences of this humanitarian catastrophe."[42] Prime Minister Sergey Sidorsky said that his country had sent humanitarian aid to victims of fighting in South Ossetia and was ready to host several thousand children over the next two months.[43] Maria Vanshina, Deputy Head for Information of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus said "The use of military force in the zone of South Ossetia, civilian casualties, bloodshed, economic losses, ruined peaceful life of people cause a deep concern in us. Only immediate ceasefire, peaceful and civilised manner of negotiating will secure stability in the South Ossetian region and across the Caucasus."[44] Lukashenko offered to send 2,000 Ossetian children to Belarusian schools. | |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | The Government of Republika Srpska sent condolences to families of those who were killed during the war. The statement condemned Georgia for taking unilateral military action which undermined the peace and called the reaction of Russia legitimate. Republika Srpska Government expressed hope for the restoration of peace and declared the mutual agreement to be the right way to solve the crisis.[45] | |
| Brazil | The Brazilian Foreign Ministry issued the following statement: "The Brazilian Government follows with grave concern the escalation of violence in South Ossetia and is saddened by the loss of lives in the conflict. Brazil deplores the use of violence and supports the peaceful solution of controversies. Brazil urges the parties involved to seek dialogue, for an immediate cease-fire and reconciliation in order to restore peace and security in the region, based on International Law."[46] | |
| Bulgaria | Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivaylo Kalfin issued the following statement: "Bulgaria supports a strong and active European position in the South Ossetia conflict. Our embassy in Georgia is working night and day."[47] According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official statement, "Bulgaria is monitoring the escalation of the tensions in the area of the South Ossetia conflict with concern. The reports of victims among the civilian population in the region of the town of Tskhinvali cause particular anxiety. As a European Union member, Bulgaria would support the union's more active diplomatic involvement in order to prevent the further escalation of the tensions and to contribute to the solution of the conflict in the region of South Ossetia.[48] | |
| Canada | Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Emerson, released the following statement: "Canada is gravely concerned about the recent violence in South Ossetia, and we deplore the casualties that have resulted. We call for an immediate halt to the hostilities and strongly urge all parties involved to display restraint in words and deeds, and to respect national boundaries. Canada stands ready to work with its partners in the United Nations and in the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe to support efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict."[49]
On 10 August 2008 David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, released a statement on the continuing hostilities in Georgia: “I am very concerned about the expansion of hostilities well beyond the region of South Ossetia. Rather than acting as a neutral peacekeeper, Russia has escalated the hostilities through its attacks on Georgian towns and cities outside the conflict zone. Canada calls on Russia to respect Georgia’s borders and to desist from any further encroachment on Georgia’s territorial integrity."[50] On 27 August 2008, International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda announced $2 million dollars in humanitarian aid.[51] |
|
| Chile | The Foreign Minister, Alejandro Foxley, expressed that the Government of Chile deplores the act of violence and armed confrontation in South Ossetia and adjacent places, which have caused numerous victims and uncountable material damages. In a press conference, Minister Foxley said that Chile formulates a call to respect the cease of fire "because, the worst from these situations, where territories are disputed, is the large amount of victims, who are absolutely innocent people. The way of dialog has an institutional framework, which is the Charter of the United Nations. The situation is extremely complex, and the first step to take is to reestablish peace, to sit in the negotiation table and to look for rules for pacific coexistence".[52] | |
| People's Republic of China | A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Qin Gang said that "China expresses grave concern over the escalation of tension and armed conflicts in South Ossetia. China calls upon relevant parties to keep restraint and cease fire immediately. We sincerely hope relevant parties resolve their disputes peacefully through dialogue, so as to safeguard regional peace and stability."[53] China also called for an "Olympic ceasefire", following the tradition of ceasing hostilities during the Ancient Olympic Games.[54] | |
| Croatia | The Croatian United Nations ambassador appealed for the Olympic Truce.[55] | |
| Cuba | A statement from Cuban President Raul Castro suggests that Cuba has recognised the legitimacy of South Ossetian autonomy since the fall of the Soviet Union. "When the USSR disintegrated, South Ossetia, annexed by force by Georgia, with which it shared neither nationality nor culture, retained its status as an autonomous republic with its local authorities and its capitol, Tskhinvali." He continues, "It is a false claim that Georgia is defending its national sovereignty."[56][57] | |
| Czech Republic | Czech President, Václav Klaus, stated that when many Western powers decided to recognise Kosovo's break from Serbia in February, it "gave Russia a strong justification for its actions (in Georgia)". Klaus also said that he was worried that the precedent of Kosovo will have long-term consequences in other parts of the world with separatist-minded regions. He also rejected the idea that the Georgia-Russia conflict is a strong argument for the installation of a U.S. radar base in the Czech Republic as part of a missile defense system. He also said "I refuse to accept this widespread, simplified interpretation which paints the Georgians as the victims and the Russians as the villains" and rejected comparison with Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia saying that in 1968 Czechoslovakia did not attack Subcarpathian Ruthenia and that in his view the pro-reform Czechoslovak leader Alexander Dubček did not resemble President Saakashvili in word or deed. He criticised both sides "I unambiguously condemn Georgia's attack on South Ossetia, the murdering of civilians in the area as well as the massive intervention of the Russian military".[58][59] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic released a statement expressing the country's "deep concern" at the unfolding events, urging the immediate cessation of hostilities and for the international community to intervene.[60] | |
| Denmark | The Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogh Rasmussen condemns Russia's aggression: "We have to insist that the sovereignty of Georgia be respected. There are no military solutions. There is only one solution: diplomatic negotiation. The conflict in the breakaway region doesn't justify Russia's aggression"[61] | |
| Estonia | The Estonian parliament Riigikogu on 12 August „condemns the military aggression of the Russian Federation against the Republic of Georgia” and states that „when the Russian Federation justifies the military aggression with the need to protect Russian citizens, it is using arguments identical to those used by the National Socialist Germany when it attacked its neighbours Czechoslovakia and Poland and crushed their independence. The return to such argumentation causes serious anxiety about world peace.” The Riigikogu calls on the international community „to assist Georgia in every way possible”.[62]
The president of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, said on Thursday that Russia's strike into Georgia should persuade NATO urgently to give Georgia and Ukraine membership of the alliance, Reuters reports.[63] |
|
| Finland | Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, also serving as the OSCE chairman-in-office, has been in contact with both Tbilisi and Tskhinvali, urging the parties to stop any military action and to try and restore direct talks instead. He has travelled to the region with the French foreign minister. | |
| France | The French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said ""Don't ask us who's good and who's bad here. We shouldn't make any moral judgments on this war. Stopping the war, that's what we're interested in."[10][64]
France has been trying to urge both sides reach a ceasefire.[65] |
|
| Georgia | Georgia claimed that the attack on South Ossetia was a response to Ossetian shelling of Georgian villages and a massive Russian deployment into the region. President Mikheil Saakashvili also denied the Georgian troops destroyed Tskhinvali, saying that Russian aircraft had bombed the city to prevent them from advancing. Brigadier General Mamuka Kurashvili, commander of Georgian peacekeepers in South Ossetia, stated that Georgian troops were moving to "establish constitutional order in the Ossetian region". After Russia intervened, the government of Georgia released a statement calling for international intervention. | |
| Germany | German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she had "to say that I found some of Russia's actions disproportionate and in particular think the presence of Russian troops in Georgia proper is not sensible. Russian troops should withdraw from central areas in Georgia." But she acknowledged some of the Russian actions were reasonable. "Both sides are probably to blame," she said.[66] Reactions from the ruling coalition were mixed. Foreign Minister Steinmeier has stated being "appalled by the escalation of violence" and demanded that "all combat has to be ceased immediately" on 8 August. He urged the international community to prevent "tensions, violence and looming war" from "spreading throughout the Caucasus".[67]
German deputy foreign minister, Gernot Erler accused Georgia of violating international law by breaking a 1992 ceasefire agreement with Russia. He called it "a question of a violation of international law". Erler acknowledged prior provocation of South Ossetia's separatists, but said he understood Russia's reaction.[68] Eckart von Klaeden, foreign policy spokesman for the Christian Democratic Union, said Russia was "equality guilty" for the current escalation.[68] Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder acknowledged in an interview with SPIEGEL that the conflict was triggered by Georgia's invasion of South Ossetia. When asked if he though American military advisors stationed in Tbilisi encouraged Georgia to launch its attack he responded, "I wouldn't go that far. But everyone knows that these US military advisors in Georgia exist – a deployment that I've never considered particularly intelligent. And it would have been strange if these experts had not had any information. Either they were extremely unprofessional or they were truly fooled, which is hard to imagine." He went on to say that "there have indeed been serious mistakes made by the West in its policy toward Russia."[69] and describes Saakashvili as a "gambler"[10][70][71] and is content with Russia not pursuing any annexational policies in the Caucasus.[70] The German military attache in Moscow described the Russian military response in Georgia as "appropriate" in an internal document.[72] "The extent of the use of military force by the Russian side appears – seen from here and despite reports to the contrary from Georgia and the picture conveyed by the media – not inappropriately high," Brigadier General Heinz G Wagner wrote on August 11. |
|
| Greece | Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stated four targets to be aimed at: consistent observance of the ceasefire, a confirmed final ending of operations, a return to the previous status and the beginning of a substantive dialogue. She didn't side towards any party of the conflict while she both expressed support for Nicolas Sarkozy's efforts through EU, and talked of providing 100,000 euros to South Ossetian refugees.[73]
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with Greek diaspora members in Georgia from 9 August through the Greek embassy in Tblisi and Greek organisations in the country.[74] Mr Kassimis, deputy minister of foreign affairs of Greece, made an announcement on 10 August in which he explained that the emergency committee of the ministry is active 24 hours a day and that there are 6 Greek families in South Ossetia but they face no problems from the violence, and 1 Greek family in Gori which is also okay.[75] The political parties of Greece also made announcements: PASOK called for peace, KKE blamed imperialism for the war, and LAOS said that those who moved the Georgians in this way should be ashamed.[76] (note: the current government party in Greece is Nea Dimokratia) On 14 August 2008 the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a Greek diaspora member, Ivan Mihailidis, was killed in the capital of South Ossetia, while his 3 family members remain in the town, and that in Vladikavkaz there are 25 refugees that are members of the Greek diaspora or their families; the Greek government provided financial aid to the Greek diaspora families.[77][78] |
|
| Iceland | The Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir has in a statement from the Ministry called on the belligerents to preserve civilians and demands a quick end to the hostilities with a peaceful solution.[79] | |
| Iran | The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Manouchehr Mottaki deemed a new cold war possible and predicts for the extra-regional powers the same fate they suffered in Afghanistan and Iraq, should they try to destabilise the Caucasus.[80] Islamic Republic Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said: "The Islamic republic voices concern over the military conflicts in South Ossetia that have led to the killing of defenseless people and calls for an immediate halt to the clashes", he was also quoted as saying: "Iran is ready to offer any help ... under its principal policies of contributing to the establishment of peace and stability in the region".[81] | |
| Ireland | Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, issued the following statement:
"I am gravely concerned about recent violence in the Georgian region of South Ossetia and attacks elsewhere in Georgia. Ireland fully supports Georgian sovereignty and territorial integrity. I welcome the Georgian offer of a ceasefire and call on all parties to immediately accept this. Every effort must be made to keep the situation from escalating further. In this regard, the EU is working hard to find a solution to the current crisis. Ireland will be represented at an emergency General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on Wednesday. The humanitarian crisis in the country is worsening, with many casualties and refugees from the fighting. Ireland stands ready to contribute to relief efforts there. In this difficult time, my Department has kept in close contact with the Irish community in Georgia, most of whom have now left the country. I would urge anyone visiting Georgia to exercise extreme caution."[82] |
|
| Israel | The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the following statement on 10 August 2008: "Israel is following with great concern the developments in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and hopes the violence will end. Israel recognises the territorial integrity of Georgia and calls for a peaceful solution."[83] | |
| Italy | Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini said "We cannot create an anti-Russia coalition in Europe, and on this point we are close to Putin's position" he also stressed that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was a close ally of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia.[84] On 8 August, the Italian Government issued a statement reporting that "In close coordination with its European Union and Atlantic partners, the Italian Government is following the crisis situation that has developed in South Ossetia with grave concern" and that "Italy calls on all parties to bring an immediate end to the violence and reach a lasting cessation of hostilities. It strongly encourages a resumption of negotiations for a political solution to the problem with due respect for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity". Later, on 10 August, after contacts with the US Secretary of State, the French Foreign Minister and the Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated this invitation. In a 11 August interview with the La Stampa newspaper, the Italian Foreign Ministry reported about the direct involvement of Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of Italy: "Sarkozy phoned Putin in his capacity as current President of the European Union, and 10 minutes later he phoned Berlusconi. ‘Silvio, you speak to Vladimir too’, he said, ‘explain that we’re not anti-Russian and we all want Moscow to be close to the EU’. In his conversation with Berlusconi, Putin reiterated his position: that Russia had every right to intervene in Georgia”, and made a reference about an eventual deployment of Italian troops: "If, after his meetings in Tbilisi and Moscow, Kouchner submits a proposal to the European Council of Foreign Ministers on Wednesday, and it’s approved, we’ll take it into consideration. There are a lot of ‘ifs’, and we’d need in any case to redistribute our forces, which are finite, by redeploying them from other international missions. Humanitarian aid for South Ossetia, on the other hand, is ready as of now".[85] | |
| Japan | The Japanese Foreign Ministry expressed their condolences in connection with armed conflict and called on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and sit at the negotiating table. The Ministry also reaffirmed Japan's commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity.[86] | |
| Kazakhstan | Following Vladimir Putin's remarks, the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, said "The Georgian leadership was not right when it failed to inform [other nations] on its actions toward South Ossetia and about higher tensions taking place there". Interfax also reported that Nazarbayev "agreed with Putin's view that countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States should make an assessment of the situation and undertake efforts to halt it".[87] | |
| Latvia | On 14 August, the Latvian parliament Saeima issued an official statement announcing that it "condemns Russia’s military attack on Georgia and expresses its condolences to the relatives of the deceased. The Saeima considers that Russia has violated Georgia’s national sovereignty and the state’s inviolability by conducting military attacks on Georgia’s civilian and military objects. These actions create concerns about the security, territorial inviolability and independence of every country that is Russia’s neighbour." Saeima states that "Russia’s peace-keeping mission in Georgia has failed; not only border conflicts have remained unresolved, but disproportionate hostilities have been provoked causing the death of civilians and significantly damaging Georgia’s civilian and military infrastructure" and calls the member states of NATO "to assess the new security situation which has emerged in the world after the Russian-Georgian conflict and see to it that the EU and NATO find solutions that would strengthen and guarantee the future security of all the neighbouring states of Russia."[88] | |
| Moldova | Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin called on the European Union to help find a peaceful way out of the conflict.[89] | |
| Nicaragua | Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega announced that his country would formally recognise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and welcomed them as "the newest members of the world's community of independent nations."[90] Ortega want on to claim that NATO member states wanted to surround and disintegrate Russia and that they had "used the Georgian government in an operation typical of those launched by the Nazi army."[91] | |
| Netherlands | Dutch prime minister Jan-Peter Balkenende spoke with Vladimir Putin and Nicolas Sarkozy in Beijing where he expressed his concerns on the situation. He pointed out the importance of preventing as much violence as possible and how there should be work on achieving stabilisation.[92] | |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark released a statement from the Beehive saying “New Zealand is deeply concerned about the hostilities and loss of life in South Ossetia and the ramifications for regional stability and the New Zealand Government calls on all parties to exercise restraint. We call for an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of negotiations to end the conflict... We urge all parties to continue to discuss and seek to resolve this matter through the good offices of the United Nations"[93] | |
| Norway | Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway has said "We recognise the sovereignty of Georgia. This conflict must be handled at the negotiation table, not the battle field."[94] | |
| Poland |
On request of the President of Georgia, President of the Republic of Poland has provided the website of the President of Poland for dissemination of information.[95] Chairman of the Council of Ministers Donald Tusk informed journalists at a press conference about actions undertaken by the government so far as regards the Georgian crisis. He said that a team had been established to coordinate actions of the Polish government and the President in connection with the situation in Caucasus. The head of government also asked French President Nicolas Sarkozy to convene the European Council session. In the Prime Minister’s opinion, a quick reaction of the European Union and NATO is necessary in order to work out truce. This is all the more important – he said – that signals have appeared that Russian activeness on the Ossetia and Georgia borderline has not diminished but, on the contrary, is growing. “The most important thing Polish diplomacy can do today is to effectively mobilise the European Union and NATO,” the head of government said. Piotr Paszkowski, Press Spokesman of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of the Republic of Poland "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses serious concern about the development of the situation in the South Ossetia region of Georgia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers the infringement of Georgian territorial integrity by foreign military forces to be unacceptable. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeals to both sides in the conflict to immediately cease military action and return to negotiations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlines the need to ensure the safe functioning of international organisations, in particular the OSCE and the International Red Cross, and to ensure the evacuation of the civilian population from zones affected by fighting. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on countries and international organisations engaged in the process of resolving the conflict in the South Ossetia in Georgia to take action immediately to normalise the situation with respect for the territorial integrity of Georgia." |
|
| Portugal | The Portuguese Government released a statement, which said that the Portuguese government wants an "immediate cease fire" and that supports the European Union and the OSCE in anything they do about this crisis. He also said that Portugal is available to send troops to the region, in a peace keeping mission.[96] | |
| Romania | Traian Băsescu, President of Romania has said (9 August 2008 official press release) "... Romania reaffirms the need to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. ... Romania makes a call to all parties to show responsibility and to cease hostilities immediately in order to create conditions for negotiations to guarantee peace and stability in the region".[97]
He promised that "Romania will join the efforts of the European Union and NATO, contributing its own expertise to promote a negotiated solution that will bring stability in the South Caucasus."[98] He also stated that "In Kosovo, so-called collective rights were put ahead of a country's integrity. Now see what is happening in southern Caucasus. The development is that territorial integrity is stepped over in the name of protecting minority rights. You cannot have that."[99][100] Furthermore, on the early hours of 14 August a group of protestors representing a number of non-governamental organisations started a peaceful demonstration supporting Georgia in front of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bucharest. The Romanian Supreme Council of National Defense also decided to send humanitarian help to Georgia.[101] Russia's ambassador in Romania, Alexander Churilin, criticized the reaction of the local press in an open letter, also stating that Romanian weapons were found in Georgia.[102] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on 15th of August which recognized the fact that Romanian-made infantry weapons and ammunition were delivered to Georgia, but in compliance to international law.[103] |
|
| Russia | Russia stated that it moved to protect Ossetian civilians and Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia, and accused Georgia of genocide. Russia claimed that its troops were sent in to reinforce peace in the region. On 28 August 2008, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused U.S. President George W. Bush of orchestrating the Georgian invasion of South Ossetia in order to get the Republican Party's 2008 U.S. presidential candidate Senator John McCain into the White House.[104] | |
| Saudi Arabia | During a meeting with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin the Secretary of the Saudi National Security Council Bandar bin Sultan told that King Abdullah and the whole leadership of the country had full understanding for the actions of the Russian side in South Ossetia.[105] | |
| Serbia | Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković expressed the concern about the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflicts. He pointed out that the government of Serbia is sorry about the loss of lives and condemns any kind of violence against civilians and called for the cessation of conflicts. Also, he hailed peaceful efforts and attempts to end the crisis through negotiations.[106] Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić commented on situation by comparing the situation to the one in Kosovo by saying that Kosovo "set a dangerous precedent for the solution of problems all over the world". He also criticised the Georgian leadership for taking nonpeaceful measures against the separatist region - "the conflict in the Caucusus has shown the dangers of the militaristic approach to problem solving" and added that "Serbia’s approach will be different, based on legal grounds and peaceful, which means seeking the opinion of the International Court of Justice."[107] Oliver Ivanović, State Secretary of the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija, stated that "The question of Kosovo was didactic and inspirational for South Ossetia, so that they wanted to further strain the relations and define their position, which is understandable. Georgia has tried to solve the issue by using violence just as Serbia tried to do it in 1999. Again as in the case of Kosovo, the politics of double standards will come out in the United Nations. Countries that have recognised the independence of Kosovo are now looking for an argument that Kosovo is a "special case", which is a complete nonsense. When one goes into the violation of the international law and disregard of the sovereignty of states, as it was done in the case of Kosovo, they can expect the possibility that such a recipe will be applied in all other situations".[108] | |
| Slovakia | Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that he agreed with Slovakia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in that all parties of the conflict must lay down their weapons. However, he also identified Georgia as the provocateur of the conflict and said that while Russia's reaction was forceful, he rejects "such a black and white perception, according to which one side (Georgia) is good and the others (Russia, Ossetia, Abkhazia) are bad"[109] | |
| Spain | Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Minister for Foreign Affairs, stated that it is "regrettable" that Georgians and Russians violate the Olympic truce.[110] He also called the EU to send a message to both sides to start the "political and diplomatic dialogue" in order to achieve "peace and stability".[111] | |
| Sweden | Swedish Prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt criticised Russia's attacks on Georgia, calling them "Russian aggressions in violation of international conventions.".[112] Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Carl Bildt said in a statement: "The way in which the situation in South Ossetia has deteriorated is cause for profound concern. It is extremely important that all those involved show restraint and play their part in bringing about a political solution," ... "I am particularly concerned about the impact of the conflict on civilians. Georgia and Russia are dangerously close to war and there is a great risk of this spreading to other parts of the Caucasus."[113] Bildt further stated that the crisis is due to "provocations from the South Ossetian side" and that the Georgian forces are trying to "restore the constitutional order",[114] and that the Russian bombing of Georgia is "very worrying and will demand a forceful reaction from the United Nations and the European Union."[115] "No state has the right to intervene militarily in the territory of another state simply because there are individuals there with a passport issued by that state or who are nationals of the state. Attempts to apply such a doctrine have plunged Europe into war in the past... And we have reason to remember how Hitler used this very doctrine little more than half a century ago to undermine and attack substantial parts of central Europe," Bildt said in a statement.[116] On 12 August Bildt said in a telephone interview from the Georgian capital Tbilisi that: "Russia's military attacks on Georgia will damage both Moscow's and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's image abroad" ... "Russia will sooner or later have to pay a high price for this," .... "It changes Russia's image, there is no doubt about it," he said, adding that the attacks bore witness to "a strong element of revenge, particularly from Prime Minister Putin."[117] On 18 August, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt halted all exercises and military ties between Sweden and Russia, saying that "the Russian invasion of Georgia is unacceptable and a crime against international law. The Russian action has changed [our view] of Russia as an international partner."[118][119] Following the Russian recognition of South Ossetia, Carl Bildt stated that "South Ossetian independence is a joke. We are talking about a smugglers paradise of 60,000 people financed by the Russian security services. No one can seriously consider that as an independent state". | |
| Syria | Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accused the United States of applying "double standards" toward Abkhazia and South Ossetia, stating that the West "is ignoring for some reason the rights of the people of Abkhazia and South Ossetia." Assad also added: "In a situation when Georgia started the war, the position of Russia...was absolutely right."[120] and described the Russian interference as a retaliation "to provocation by the Georgian side"[121] | |
| Turkey | Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that the fighting is a grave concern for Turkey, which neighbours Georgia. Erdoğan has called for an immediate cease-fire and has said that he would call Georgian and Russian leaders to urge restraint if necessary.[122] Later on that day, Turkey agreed to a Georgian request to supply 30-40 MW of electricity to Georgia.[123] Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan went to Russia on 14 August to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.[124] On 13 August, the Prime Minister of Turkey Abdullah Gul had a phone conversation with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in which he highly appraised Medvedev’s decisions, including those taken together with the European Union, and expressed Turkey’s willingness to facilitate the implementation of the conflict resolution principles that all the parties had agreed to. He also expressed his profound condolences at the mass deaths of civilians in South Ossetia and his hope for swift normalisation of the situation.[125] | |
| Ukraine | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called to all sides to stop fire immediately and to start solving the problem by negotiations. Ukraine has confirmed its position of support of Georgian territorial integrity and sovereignty. It was stated that Ukraine is ready to make its contribution to peaceful resolution of the region's conflict within the framework of international diplomatic efforts.[126] Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko, has sent his special representative Kostyantyn Yelisyeyev to Tbilisi as a result of phone conversation of Georgian President Saakashvili. The aims of the visit are consultations with Georgian authorities and representatives of OSCE, investigation of the situation in the region and presenting of the Ukrainian position on peaceful resolution of conflict.[127] The Foreign Ministry also called on Russia to remove its troops from Georgia and pressure the "separatist regime" to negotiations.[128] Ukraine has stated that it reserves the right to bar Russian warships dispatched to the Georgian coast from returning to their base in the Ukrainian city in Sevastopol.[129] Ukraine has sent a plane of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence to Georgia with 30 tons of humanitarian aid for Georgians.[130]
President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko visited Tbilisi on 12 August and presented a speech on the main square of Georgian capital before 200 thousands crowd. He stated that came here to support friendly Georgian nation in its aspiration to freedom and independence. He confirmed absolute solidarity with Georgia. "Freedom is worthy to fight for it. We came here to prove your sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. That is our values. You never be alone. ... There are millions of us."[131] On 15 August, Ukraine brought next 30 tons of humanitarian aid for Georgia.It was already 4th fligft of plane of the Emergency Ministry of Ukraine. The aid was given to the representatives of Georgian government in Tbilisi. At the moment, 132 tons of humanitarian aid already sent to Georgia by Ukrainian Emergency Ministry.[132] On 13 August 2008 Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko released a Press Release which stated "We stand in solidarity with the democratically-elected leadership of Georgia. Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected".[133] A number of political parties have condemned Georgia's actions in South Ossetia. Viktor Yanukovych, in 2008 the leader of the oppositional Party of Regions has stated that Ukraine should recognise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. He stated that the situation in these regions should be treated similarly to that of Kosovo. Yanukovych also believes that the double standards of the West are unacceptable[134] (however, after being elected President Yanukovych said on 4 June 2010: "I have never recognized Abkhazia, South Ossetia or Kosovo's independence. This is a violation of international law"[135]). The Communist Party also registered a draft resolution to recognise the two republics.[136][137] On 4 September 2008 President Yushchenko threatened to dissolve parliament and call snap elections. One of the reasons he gave for this was that Prime Minister Tymoshenko party (BYuT) refused to adopt a resolution sharply condemning Russia's actions in Georgia. Tymoshenko said her position was in line with the EU`s and that she did not want to drag Ukraine into conflict.[138] |
|
| United Kingdom | The Foreign and Commonwealth Office states on its website that it is 'monitoring developments in Georgia following news that there has been heavy fighting between Georgian forces and South Ossetian separatists. We urge an immediate ceasefire in the fighting in South Ossetia and for a resumption of direct dialogue between all parties.
... The offer of a ceasefire by the Georgian government is very welcome. We now look to the Russian Government to accept this offer and agree to an immediate ceasefire, in line with its international commitments to respect Georgian territorial integrity.'[139] On 9 August 2008, the British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband said [10] |
|
| United States | After the GMT 4:00 8 August UN Security Council meeting, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said that it appeared that the South Ossetians were the provokers of the violence. Fried said, "We have urged the Russians to urge their South Ossetian friends to pull back and show greater restraint. And we believe that the Russians ... are trying to do just that."[27] White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said on 8 August, "All sides should bring an immediate end to the violence and engage in direct talks to resolve this matter peacefully."[141] Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice later stated: "We call on Russia to cease attacks on Georgia by aircraft and missiles, respect Georgia's territorial integrity, and withdraw its ground combat forces from Georgian soil."[142]
A senior U.S. official reportedly said on 9 August 2008: "The response has been far disproportionate from whatever threat Russia was citing," the senior American official told reporters in a conference call. "We are calling for an immediate cease-fire and a stand down of all troops." President George W. Bush said the use of air power was a dangerous escalation.[143] The US Vice President Dick Cheney said on 10 August 2008: "Russian aggression must not go unanswered, and that its continuation would have serious consequences for its relations with the United States, as well as the broader international community." in an expression of U.S. solidarity with Georgia in the conflict with Russia[144] President Bush said on 13 August that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will head to Paris to meet with French and European Council President Nicolas Sarkozy to discuss the crisis, before heading to Tbilisi to express U.S. support for Georgia.[145] On 21 August US ambassador to Russia said that the initial Russian reaction to Georgia's attack was legitimate.[146] The Pentagon declared on 25 August 2008, that Russia had not met its obligations to withdraw troops from Georgia under the French-brokered ceasefire agreement.[147] In his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on 4 August 2009, Assistant Secretary of State Philip H. Gordon still referred to the events as "the Russian invasion."[148] |
|
| Uruguay | The Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations issued a press release on 14 August in which it expressed worry at the development of events in the Caucasus. It called for "respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and respect for human rights to reach a peaceful solution in accord with the principles of International Law."[149] | |
| Vatican City | On 10 August Pope Benedict XVI expressed his hope that "military action will stop immediately and that they will abstain, in the name of their common Christian inheritance, from further clashes and violence." He also called on the international community to find "a peaceful and lasting solution."[150] | |
| Venezuela | On 14 August, the Venezuelan government stated that they followed with concern the "unacceptable acts of violence perpetrated by the Georgian troops against the South Ossetian population" and that the conflict was "planned, set and ordered by the United States government". They also stated that the Russian forces acted legitimately, according to international treaties, in order to preserve the lives of South Ossetians and Russians. They also celebrated the steps done in favor of reestablishing peace and warned European countries to "not allow external actors putting at risk the stability of European continent and world peace".[151] | |
| Vietnam | On 28 August, Vietnam closely follows situations in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and supports settlement of international disputes via peaceful solutions. "Our persistent policy is to promote settlement of international disputes through peaceful solutions in line with international laws and the United Nations' Charter," Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung said at a regular press briefing.[152] |
| Entity | Response |
|---|---|
| Abkhazia | On 5 August, separatist Abkhazia's foreign minister, Sergey Shamba, announced that Abkhazia's army may open a second front against Georgia if it launched a full-scale attack against Ossetia.[153] |
| Caucasus Emirate | On 9 August, Movladi Udugov, rebel spokesman for the Caucasus Emirate, stated that "for the time being neither Tbilisi nor Washington have appealed to us with any requests or offers" to fight alongside Georgian forces against the Russian forces. Udugov also noted: "But I clearly can say that the command of the Caucasus Emirate is following with great interest the development of the situation."[154] |
| Chechen Republic of Ichkeria | Usman Ferzauli, the Foreign Minister of the separatist Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, called for the international community to halt the Russian advance in Georgia, stating: "Based on this alarming situation, the leadership of the CRI calls on all peace-loving countries to show integrity and curb the aggressor, to prevent the escalation of military conflict."[155] |
| Don Cossacks | On 8 August (12:24 UTC), Viktor Vodolatskiy, the ataman of the Don Cossacks Host, said that a "volunteer 429th independent motor rifle regiment" will be created to help the fight in South Ossetia and that 450 people were already signed up.[156] Since then, hundreds of Don Cossack volunteers have been streaming across the border to fight against Georgia.[157] |
| Kosovo | President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu said that Kosovo cannot serve as an example for Russia to recognise South Ossetia or Abkhazia. He said "We have always stressed that Kosovo has special characteristics. That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions". He did not comment on Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but said that Kosovo was "on the side of great world powers" on that issue.[158] |
| Kuban Cossacks | The Kuban Cossacks, according to Khariton Yedziyev, expressed their readiness to help in the defence of South Ossetia. |
| Nagorno-Karabakh Republic | A number of public ministries in the republic released a joint statement: "The fragile peace in the Caucasus, obtained at the cost of irreplaceable losses and sacrifices, can collapse in an hour. The nations of the Caucacus and the whole region can come under the real threat of a new big war. We consider the effort to solve any conflict by force absolutely unallowable, and we call on the government of Georgia to immediately stop the fighting, which has already brought about numerous casualties among the peaceful population of South Ossetia. We call upon our colleagues and friends in Georgia, with whom we have worked together for many years and spent no small effort in order to keep the peace in the Caucasus, to join our call and demand that their government turns away from the politics of war and sits at the negotiating table.[159] |
| North Ossetia-Alania | The North Ossetian president, Taimuraz Mamsurov accompanied a convoy to the area and was party to a bombardment, surviving unharmed. Earlier, he told the Interfax news agency that hundreds of armed volunteers from North Ossetia were heading to the area of Tskhinvali.[160] |
| Terek Cossacks | on 8 August, 06:16, Khariton Yedziyev, the ataman of the Terek Cossacks, said that part of his regiment is already fighting in South Ossetia against Georgia, and that more volunteer regiments will be formed.[161] |
| Transnistria | On 8 August, the separatist republic's Foreign Ministry: "The act was against a free democratic nation of South Ossetia... The Georgian government doesn't understand any logic but the logic of blood and violence... We don't exclude our government won't prevent volunteers to join the defense of the South Ossetian Republic".[162] |
Popular protests for peace were held throughout Europe and in the United States as the war unfolded.