President Saakashvili’s Remarks at National Security Council Session

Tbilisi, May 27, 2008

It is absolutely clear and our key European partners and the United States admit it – and I think that in Russia they also should understand, especially after the recent official conclusions – that the current format is actually cancelled by Russia itself, because, Russia, which, on the one hand, pretends to play a peacekeeping role and on the other hand, carries our military acts against that very country, where it is performing a peacekeeping role, it practically annuls this peacekeeping role. This is the fact, which has been legally confirmed by all international bodies.

But this decision about revising and changing the format is a difficult decision, which is connected with a great responsibility.

Therefore, we should use all the available means. We need much more intensive consultations with our international partners in order to hold consultations on change of formant constructively and to avoid any further escalation.

But on the other hand, keeping of current format is related with a serious risk to our security, as well as with a threat of further deepening of escalation.

Therefore, we have very restricted means of maneuvering. Our task at this stage is to try all means and all ways [to achieve change of the current peacekeeping format], and first of all, with the Russian Federation.

Russia has a new president. Our meeting is planned for June 6-7. I think that before that meeting we should spare no efforts, including with Russia and our international partners, to achieve a diplomatic and constructive breakthrough.

Of course, it should be based on restoration of the situation existing before April 16 – I mean cancellation of those illegal actions, which practically aimed at suspending the recognition of Georgia’s jurisdiction on Georgian territories by Russia. It means withdrawal of extra illegal troops from the Georgian territory, as well as serious talks over constructive replacement of the existing format and not simply megaphone diplomacy.

I want that we prepare everything seriously, but I also want that we try it with the new president of Russia. I think that it is in our interests, as well as in Russia’s and its new president’s interests and I hope that all necessary steps will be taken to defuse the current tension. The situation remains very serious and very difficult. The recent diplomatic activities on the ground confirm it. We should all look for a constructive way out.

The peace process should really be launched and the escalation should be stopped. We should work for twenty-four-hours. Let’s wait for the meeting with President Medvedev until making any decisions. But it is absolutely clear that Georgia cannot remain in such a situation when we all, together with our international partners are sitting and waiting for next provocations and results of the April 16 illegal decision.

I request you to continue consultations with Russia. I request you to talk simultaneously with all parties concerned, including those people, who are in Sokhumi, although the key is in Russian hands today. Nobody should have any illusion in this respect.

We need to clarify the situation together with Russia and to find the way out together. The April 16 decision has brought us to a deadlock.

Now, it is time to work twenty-four-hours, to improve and develop our peace plans. We should find a way out together.