U.S. Official Plays Down Russia’s Calls for Arms Embargo on Georgia

Russia’s demand for an embargo on the supply of offensive weapons to Georgia “is not in the first line of practicality given the Russian preponderance of force” in the region, Daniel Fried, the U.S. assistance secretary of state, said on October 15.

“I am not quite sure what that [demand] means,” he said at a news conference in Geneva. “Given the overwhelming preponderance of the Russian force, the fact that the Russians announced that they are going to maintain troops in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in excess of what is allowed under the ceasefire [accords] – I am not sure I understand basis for that kind of demand; that does not seem to be in the first line of practicality given the Russian military domination, preponderance of force.”

“They demonstrated that overwhelming military force when they invaded their neighbor,” he continued. “If they wish to lower tensions in the area they can adhere to all the terms of ceasefire and pull out of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as they are supposed to do.”

Noting that Russia had fulfilled a commitment to withdraw troops from the areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia by October 10, Fried also said “Russia is not yet in full compliance with all of the ceasefire of August 12,” in particular with the provision calling for a Russian troop withdrawal to pre-war positions.

“This requirement has not yet been met, but we hope it will be,” he added.

Fried also pointed out that after the August 12 ceasefire agreement Russian troops went into Akhalgori – a district which was administratively part of the former autonomous region of South Ossetia, but had always been under Tbilisi control before the August war.

“That is a problem; a potential flashpoint,” Fried said.

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