28 Aug 2008 Russia’s Interests in Georgia and the Need for EU Involvement August 27, 2008. On 31 July 2008, the world witnessed the beginning of a re-escalation of tensions between Georgia and its breakaway region South Ossetia, which devolved into full-scale Russian military operations in South Ossetia and within undisputed Georgian territory. The stated reason for Russia’s internationally dubbed “disproportionate” response on behalf of the breakaway region was that the country must protect its citizens (Russia had begun distributing Russian passports to the population of Georgia’s two breakaway regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in the last few years). detailed 27 Aug 2008 The Position of a Group of Experts Regarding the Impact of the Georgian Crisis on the Republic of Moldova The armed conflict between Russia and Georgia has produced a major political-military crisis capable of generating profound transformations in the system of international relations. Rapid and fundamental degradation of institutional cooperation mechanisms and relations between Russia, on the one part, and the European Union and NATO, on the other, marks the beginning of a new period of confrontation, with serious implications for regional security and stability. detailed 26 Aug 2008 Statement by the Secretary General of NATO on the Russian Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia I reject the decision of the Russian Government to extend recognition to the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia. This is in direct violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions regarding Georgia’s territorial integrity, resolutions that Russia itself has endorsed. Russia’s actions in recent weeks call into question Russia’s commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus. NATO firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, and calls on Russia to respect these principles. detailed 23 Aug 2008 Statement of the Armenian Committee of Helsinki Citizens` Assembly Though Russian authorities officially state and assure that their troops are being removed from Georgian territory we are still getting information about cases of robbery in the territories that are under the control of Russian troops, as well as about destruction of military and civil structures of Georgia. detailed 15 Aug 2008 Statement by Minister Emerson on Violence in Georgia The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the recent violence in Georgia’s South Ossetia region: “Canada is gravely concerned about the recent violence in South Ossetia, and we deplore the casualties that have resulted... detailed 14 Aug 2008 Latvian NGO Coalition for the Support of Georgia Established On August 13, 2008, thirteen NGOs united in the Latvian NGO Coalition for the Support of Georgia with the aim of coordinating NGO activities in order to promote Latvian political and humanitarian support for Georgia. Members of the initiative group are NGOs that have experience in Georgia and are active in the country at present. The Coalition has issued the following statement, calling on the people of Latvia, the Government and the Parliament (Saiema) to be more active in supporting the Georgian government and people. detailed 13 Aug 2008 Support the Initiative "Europe Begins in Brussels and Might End Up in Georgia - Save Georgia" Public Movement "Multinational Georgia" (PMMG) is calling to its partners and all NGOs around Europe to support the initiative "Europe begins in Brussels and might end up in Georgia - Save Georgia" which aims provision societies of these countries with real information about events taking place in Georgia as a result of Russian aggression. detailed 13 Aug 2008 Message from Bucharest, Romania Please allow us to express our solidarity with the Georgian people and the Georgian civil society, in these painful moments. We understand and share your concern about the political situation in your country and we would like to assure you of our full support. detailed 13 Aug 2008 Moscow's Vassal and Enemy To Our Readers The Moscow Times. 11 August 2008 By Jonathan Kulick. After a weekend of heavy fighting in South Ossetia, accusations have been flying as to who did what to whom and when. The exact details still remain opaque. Probity aside, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's wisdom in seeking to restore Georgian control over South Ossetia awaits judgment, but Russia surprised few in responding in force to the escalation of the conflict. detailed 12 Aug 2008 Abandoned Alone In Caucasus – We Condemn Russia’s Agression Against Georgia! Russia has started a military attack on Georgia! We ask you not to be indifferent to Russia’s agression against Georgian state! On Saturday morning Georgian president Saakashvili and Georgian Parliament confirmed martial law in the country. Russia has started a military attack against the independent Georgian state which is unforgivable and demonstrates Cremlin’s imperialism. Georgian efforts to protect their territorial integrity by fighting against South Ossetian separatists who are supported by Russian ‘volunteers’ have brought the situation to war instigated by Russian Federation. detailed