U.S. ‘Regrets’ Russia Base Plans in Abkhazia, S.Ossetia

The U.S. Department of State said in its statement on February 7 that it “regrets the Russian Federation’s expressed intention to establish bases in the territory of Georgia as contrary to the spirit and the letter of Russia’s existing commitments.”

Citing the French EU presidency-mediated August 12 and September 8 ceasefire agreements, the Department of State said Russia had “committed to return its forces to their pre-war numbers and locations in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.”

“This latest announced build-up of the Russian Federation’s military presence in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia without the consent of the Georgian Government would clearly violate that commitment. Implementation of these basing plans would also violate Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, to which Russia repeatedly committed itself in numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions. The U.S. urges Russia to respect Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and facilitate stability in the region through implementation of its commitments and participation in the Geneva Process.”

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