Reports: Kouchner Speaks of Ethnic Cleansing

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in an interview with Europe 1 radio on August 27: “in a certain way, yes, ethnic cleansing is taking place” in villages previously controlled by the Georgian side, The Associated Press reported.

The Brussels-based EUobserver.com reported that in an another interview with France 2 television station, Kouchner showed a map of South Ossetia and pointed to the town of Akhalgori, saying: “Tonight, Russian troops are sweeping through it, pushing Georgians out and over the border. It’s ethnic cleansing.”

Kouchner also said on August 27 that Russia’s decision to recognize breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia was a violation of international law.

“We cannot accept these violations of international law, of accords for security and cooperation in Europe, of United Nations resolutions, and the taking … of a territory by the army of a neighboring country,” he was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.