OSCE Backs Draft Resolution on Georgia Conflicts, Russia Opposed

TBILISI – A draft resolution prepared by Georgian Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili aimed at ending the frozen conflicts in Georgia was unanimously supported by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee of Policy Issues on Sunday.Russia was the sole country to oppose the passing of the resolution, claiming it refused to endorse a proposal that is considered "biassed”.

The head of Russia’s delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Nikolay Kovalyov, said that the resolution was highly politicized and openly anti-Russian that ignores the wills of the Abkhaz and Ossetian people.

Usupashvili responded to Kovalyov’s comments by saying he was neither surprised nor moved by Moscow’s rejection.

"Fifty-six of the world’s most important countries tell one country to respect international law that needs to be respected, and this is how they respond. Obviously, these standards need to be followed,” Usupashvili said.

The 17-point draft resolution condemns Russia’s continues occupation and support for separatists in Georgia’s breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It also calls for a peaceful resolution to the more than two-decade old conflicts.

Immediately following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian-backed rebels in Abkhazia broke away from Georgia. Moscow occupied and effectively annexed the area, as well as Georgia’s other breakaway South Ossetia region.

The wars left hundreds dead and led to the ethnic cleansing of thousands of ethnic Georgians. Moscow recognized South Ossetia and the other Russian-occupied region Abkhazia as independent states following the 2008 war.

International law and the United Nations continue to state that the regions remain part of Georgia.

A final reading of the resolution will be held at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s plenary session on Monday.

By Tamar Svanidze

Edited by Nicholas Waller