ID :
66439
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 19:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/66439
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Stability in Caucasus impossible without good Russia-Georgia ties
WASHINGTON, June 18 (Itar-Tass) - Long-term stability in the Caucasus
is impossible without good-neighbourly relations between Russia and
Georgia.
This conviction was expressed to Itar-Tass on Wednesday by Irakly
Alasaniya, former Georgia chief delegate to the UN and present leader of
the political association Alliance for Georgia. He is regarded at home a
real presidential candidate in case Mikhail Saakashvili steps down.
Asked what he would change in the present Georgian policy with respect
to Russia, Alasaniya said: "We want very much for bilateral relations with
Russia to normalise. I don't think that long-term stability in the
Caucasus can be achieved in future without good-neighbourly relations
between Russia and Georgia."
However, he added at the same time that a process of "de-occupation of
Georgia" should start along with talks on normalising bilateral relations.
He meant under this process a return of Abkhazia and South Ossetia under
Georgia's control.
Alasaniya reckons that the Georgian government should have "a clearly
formulated policy of pulling out of the present dramatic situation", which
is not the case now, according to his words. The Georgian politician
called "implementation by Russia of the understandings which were signed"
with France's mediation as a prerequisite for normalising relations
between Moscow and Tbilisi.
The 36-year-old opposition leader came to the US so as to show, as he
put it, "those who take decisions in the States what happens in Georgia in
real fact and what the opposition does to pull the country out of the
political crisis".
He meets in Washington with Assistant Secretary of State for Europe
and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon and his deputy Mathew Bryza who is in
charge of the Transcaucasian region at the State Department,
representatives of the National Security Council, the Pentagon and
Congressmen.
Alasaniya said that the US could render assistance in establishing a
dialogue between the Georgian authorities and the opposition. The Georgian
politician confirmed that he discussed this idea with US officials, and
they accepted it positively.
-0-bur
is impossible without good-neighbourly relations between Russia and
Georgia.
This conviction was expressed to Itar-Tass on Wednesday by Irakly
Alasaniya, former Georgia chief delegate to the UN and present leader of
the political association Alliance for Georgia. He is regarded at home a
real presidential candidate in case Mikhail Saakashvili steps down.
Asked what he would change in the present Georgian policy with respect
to Russia, Alasaniya said: "We want very much for bilateral relations with
Russia to normalise. I don't think that long-term stability in the
Caucasus can be achieved in future without good-neighbourly relations
between Russia and Georgia."
However, he added at the same time that a process of "de-occupation of
Georgia" should start along with talks on normalising bilateral relations.
He meant under this process a return of Abkhazia and South Ossetia under
Georgia's control.
Alasaniya reckons that the Georgian government should have "a clearly
formulated policy of pulling out of the present dramatic situation", which
is not the case now, according to his words. The Georgian politician
called "implementation by Russia of the understandings which were signed"
with France's mediation as a prerequisite for normalising relations
between Moscow and Tbilisi.
The 36-year-old opposition leader came to the US so as to show, as he
put it, "those who take decisions in the States what happens in Georgia in
real fact and what the opposition does to pull the country out of the
political crisis".
He meets in Washington with Assistant Secretary of State for Europe
and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon and his deputy Mathew Bryza who is in
charge of the Transcaucasian region at the State Department,
representatives of the National Security Council, the Pentagon and
Congressmen.
Alasaniya said that the US could render assistance in establishing a
dialogue between the Georgian authorities and the opposition. The Georgian
politician confirmed that he discussed this idea with US officials, and
they accepted it positively.
-0-bur
