Russian Deputy FM Discusses Georgia in Iran

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview with the Russian news agency, RIA Novosti, that he had discussed the situation in the South Caucasus in the context of the August war “in detail” during a visit to Iran.

He said that Russia had “assessed appropriately” Iran’s position on developments in August, as well as Iran’s initiatives to stabilize the situation in the region. “We expect that Iran will clarify its approach on the matter. In fact, working on this could become an important contribution to the stabilization of the situation in the South Caucasus,” he added. He did not give details of Iran’s initiatives.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki held talks with the Georgian leadership in Tbilisi on September 17. Mottaki’s visit to Tbilisi followed his trips to Russia, Azerbaijan and Germany. And on September 16 he met with his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian; the latter was in Tbilisi on September 12.

“Our work is not mediation,” the official Iranian news agency, IRNA, quoted Mottaki as saying after meeting his Georgian counterpart.  He also added that “presenting ideas can help find a solution to the crisis.”

Mottaki also said that the August events in Georgia were “regrettable” and Iran was closely following developments “given our sensitivity towards restoration of security and stability” in this region.

In his address to the UN General Assembly on September 23, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said NATO’s “provocations,” “certain western powers” and “underhanded actions of the Zionists” were to blame for the August war in Georgia.

The Russian deputy foreign minister also told RIA Novosti that he had informed the Iranian side about Moscow’s position on Georgia in the context of the October 15 Geneva talks.

“We have stressed that discussions on providing security to South Ossetia and Abkhazia should continue with a focus on preventing the re-militarization of Tbilisi. Some circles, including some governments and not only within NATO, seem to be moving in that direction,” Ryabkov said. “This trend is a source of concern for us and we will counter these efforts.”

Daniel Fried, the U.S. assistant secretary of state, said after the October 15 Geneva talks that 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.

Ryabkov also said in the interview with the Russian news agency that the signing of binding treaties between Tbilisi and Sokhumi and Tskhinvali on the non-use of force should also be a priority during the international discussions over the two regions.

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