Transcript of Daniel Fried’s Interview with Rustavi 2 TV

Source: U.S. Embassy in Georgia

The U.S. acting under secretary of state for political affairs spoke from Zurich via telephone on March 8, 2008

Rustavi 2: Regarding the recent decision of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lift sanctions against Abkhazia I am sure that the U.S. State Department has a clear position. What is that position?

Fried: I regret this decision and we don’t understand how it contributes to stability in the south Caucasus. We don’t see how it contributes to a resolution of the Abkhazian conflict or to better Georgian-Russian relations.  The Abkhazian conflict is a complicated one and it can only be resolved through peaceful means and through dialogue.  It has been our hope that Russia would play the constructive role it can play in helping bring this about.  We don’t understand how this latest Russian move will help and I hope that it doesn’t encourage hard-line elements in Abkhazia to engage in provocations.  In any event, I think Georgia is very wise itself to avoid falling victim to provocations.  Georgia has behaved with restraint in this case and I commend that. I think that is important.

Rustavi 2: The Russians did what they did.  So what can happen tomorrow or the next week?

Fried: Well, look. This conflict has a long history.  I do not believe that Russia will do something extreme like recognize Abkhazia.  They certainly know that this would meet with fierce resistance and a very strong reaction from the International community.  My regret is that Russia, which has so much knowledge about this region and so much ability to be helpful isn’t working through the U.N. and the Friends of Georgia process to help promote a resolution.  Certainly, Russia has legitimate interests in this region, but I hope that Russia pursues these interests in a way that is consistent with Georgia’s territorial integrity – which Russia says it supports.

Rustavi 2: Will this issue be put into discussion between the U.S. and Russia?  Will you mention that issue to Lavrov or I don’t know?

Fried: Actually the U.S. has already raised this issue with Russia.  We’ve asked the Russian Foreign Ministry why they’ve done this and what their intentions are.  So we have raised this issue.  We do have a dialogue with Russia about these issues and the U.S. Embassy has already been active.

Rustavi 2: How do you think?  What is the most wise way?  How does the Georgian government have to behave in that situation?

Fried: Well look, I’m not going to tell the Georgian government how to behave.  I think the Georgian government is wise to pursue diplomatic solutions, work with its allies and friends and to make clear that it isn’t engaged in and doesn’t intend to engage in military adventurism.  I think Georgia needs to realize and I hope that it realizes that it is not alone.  Countries such as the U.S. follow these issues very closely.  We support Georgia’s future as a member of the trans-Atlantic community, we think Georgia has a future with Europe and Georgia does not exist in isolation.  It is a sovereign independent country and it has made great progress in recent years, both economically and politically, despite the problems last November.  As I said, Georgia is not alone and shouldn’t feel alone.

Rustavi 2: Thank you Mr. Fried.

Fried: My pleasure.