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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 STATE 086130 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018 
TAGS: UNSC GE PREL PBTS
SUBJECT: GEORGIA - DEMARCHE REQUEST ON DRAFT UNSC 
RESOLUTION 
 
Classified By: IO A/S Brian Hook, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (C) This is an action request.  Addressees should demarche 
their host government at the highest appropriate level to 
gain support for a draft UN Security Council Resolution 
addressing the conflict in Georgia (text at para 8).  We are 
seeking an early vote on this text in the Council. 
 
Objectives 
---------- 
 
¶2. (C) Fully expecting a Russian veto of any resolution which 
addresses the situation in Georgia, the U.S. is seeking 
unified international support for a call for an immediate 
cessation of hostilities in Georgia and the restoration of 
the status quo ante prior to August 7.  The 
Department hopes to gain a 14-1 vote in favor of the 
resolution. 
 
-- For Paris, London, Brussels, Rome, Zagreb, and San Jose: 
These missions have expressed strong support for the 
resolution in New York.  Posts should 
confirm support for the text, solicit host government 
views of other Council members, positions, and ask for help 
soliciting unified support from other Council members. 
 
-- For Panama City, Jakarta, and Ouagadougou:  These 
governments may be 
sympathetic to this resolution.  Posts should seek their 
commitment to actively support the resolution in 
consultations and to commit to voting in favor. 
 
-- For Beijing, Tripoli, Pretoria, and Hanoi:  These 
governments are unlikely to support the text, but posts 
should stress the outrageous and unacceptable nature of 
Russia's actions, and seek their support; or, if not support, 
at least an abstention. 
 
¶3. (U) Posts should report the results of their 
efforts as soon as possible by cable.  Please use task 
force designation (TFGG01) in the subject 
line to ensure immediate delivery.  Department point of 
contact is IO/UNP John Mariz, marizjc@state.gov, 202 
647-0048. 
 
Background 
---------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) On August 6, responding to persistent attacks on 
Georgian villages from Russian-backed separatist in the 
breakaway region of South Ossetia, Georgian forces began 
operations against the separatist militias and moved 
against the regional capital of Tskhinvali, not previously 
under the control of Georgian forces.  On August 7, 
Russia-based combat troops entered Georgian territory in 
order to drive Georgian forces from the region. 
Subsequently, Russia has systematically widened its 
operations well beyond the original conflict zone in South 
Ossetia, carried out widespread air attacks on positions 
throughout Georgia, and moved to take control of 
territory inside Georgia.  Russia has also encouraged 
separatists in the breakaway region of Abkhazia to mount 
attacks against Georgian forces, effectively both opening a 
second front in this conflict and driving out 
UNSC-mandated UNOMIG (UN Observer Mission in Georgia) 
military observers from the region. 
 
 
STATE 00086130  002 OF 004 
 
 
¶5. (SBU)  Russia's claims that is acting in defense of its 
citizens are specious.  Over the past several years, and 
particularly over the past several 
months, Russia has engaged in a concerted effort to 
destabilize Georgia through support of militant 
separatists in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in violation of 
a series of UN resolutions reaffirming Georgia's 
sovereignty and territorial integrity. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Posts should draw on President Bush's August 11 
statement on the situation in Georgia (see para 9 for text). 
Posts should also draw on the 
information provided by the Crisis Management Center's 
Task Force 1, available through the Crisis Management 
portal in the Intellipedia website 
(http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Cris is Georgia) for 
updates on the situation on the ground. 
 
Suggested Talking Points 
------------------------ 
 
¶7. (SBU) Begin Points: 
 
-- There must be an immediate cease-fire and an end to 
the violence in Georgia.  We deplore the loss of human life 
which has resulted from the current hostilities.  Russia is 
intensifying and expanding its military moves to threaten 
Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.  Despite a 
written Georgian cease-fire offering, Russia refuses to cease 
hostilities and is moving deeper into Georgian territory. 
 
--Russia claims that their military offensive is in 
retaliation for the loss of peacekeepers in South Ossetia. 
Their response is wildly disproportionate.  Russia cannot 
explain, much less justify, their military assault throughout 
Georgia.  Russia's moves in Abkhazia, in conjunction with 
Abkhaz separatists, are far from the original zone of 
conflict.  They have warned of an attack on the international 
airport in Tbilisi; bombed the civilian port of Poti; 
attacked the city of Gori "all outside of the zone of 
control. 
 
-- The Security Council should act in support of a 
French-drafted resolution which calls for: 
 
   -- an immediate cease-fire; 
   -- a withdrawal of all Russian and Georgian forces to 
their positions prior to August 7; 
   -- support for mediation; and 
   -- all parties to fully implement the Moscow 
agreement of 1994. 
 
-- There has been broad agreement in the Council that there 
must be an immediate cease-fire and an end to the violence. 
The violence in Georgia continues and the humanitarian 
situation is dire.  The Security Council must demonstrate to 
the parties its resolve to seek a peaceful end to the 
conflict.  The French draft resolution is designed to bring 
the fighting to an end, restore the status quo ante, promote 
mediation to deal with the underlying issues, and reaffirm 
Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.  The United 
States fully supports the resolution that is being 
circulated, 
and urges your government to support it also. 
 
End talking points. 
 
Proposed French-drafted UNSC Resolution 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (C) Begin Draft text of UNSC Resolution: 
 
The Security Council, 
 
Gravely concerned at the escalation of violence in 
 
STATE 00086130  003 OF 004 
 
 
Georgia, which began on August 7 in the area of South 
Ossetia (Georgia), and resulted in the loss of numerous 
lives, injuries, and severe damage to property and 
infrastructure; 
 
Also gravely concerned at the extension of violence 
throughout Georgian territory, including Abkhazia 
(Georgia); 
 
Distressed by the increasing number of refugees and 
internally displaced persons, and their rapidly 
deteriorating situation; 
 
Determined to achieve an immediate end to this 
outbreak of violence, and to facilitate a peaceful and 
durable settlement through negotiations; 
 
Dismayed that hostilities are occurring during the 
Olympic Truce, which Member States were urged to observe 
during the games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing; 
 
Recalling the statements of the Secretary General 
on this issue, including that of 9 August 2008; 
 
Reaffirming its support for the United Nations 
Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) and its resolution 
1808 (2008); 
 
¶1.  Reaffirms the commitment of all member states to the 
sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of 
Georgia within its internationally recognized boundaries; 
 
¶2.  Calls for the immediate and unconditional cessation of 
hostilities, and the complete withdrawal of Russian and 
Georgian forces to their positions prior to 7 August 2008; 
 
¶3.  Stresses the urgent need for all parties to refrain 
from further use of force; 
 
¶4.  Calls on all parties to the conflict to engage 
immediately in negotiations aimed at finding a peaceful 
and durable solution; 
 
¶5.  Expresses its strong support for the mediation efforts 
undertaken by Member States and relevant organizations, 
including those of the European Union and the Organization 
for Security and Cooperation in Europe; 
 
¶6.  Expresses its intention to take further action, as 
appropriate, to help bring about and implement a peaceful 
and durable solution to the crisis; 
 
¶7.  Also urges all parties to the conflict in Abkhazia 
(Georgia) to implement fully the Moscow agreement on 
cease-fire and separation of forces of 14 May 1994 
and to cooperate fully with the UNOMIG; 
 
¶8.  Calls on all parties to the conflict to allow full and 
unfettered access of humanitarian assistance to victims, 
including refugees and internally displaced persons; 
 
¶9.  Decides to remain actively seized of the 
matter. 
 
End Resolution Text. 
 
POTUS Remarks 
------------- 
 
¶9.  (U)  President's August 11 Remarks: 
 
I have asked by national security team to discuss the 
situation in Georgia.  I am deeply concerned by reports that 
Russian troops have moved beyond the zone of conflict, 
attacked the Georgian town of Gori, and are threatening 
 
STATE 00086130  004 OF 004 
 
 
Georgia's capital of Tblisi.  There is evidence that Russian 
forces may soon begin bombing the civilian airport in the 
capital city. 
 
If these reports are accurate, these Russian actions would 
represent a dramatic and brutal escalation of the conflict in 
Georgia.  And these actions would be inconsistent with 
assurances we have received from Russia that is objectives 
were limited to restoring the status quo in South Ossetia 
that existed before fighting began on August 6. 
 
It now appears that an effort may be underway to depose 
Georgia's duly-elected government.  Russia has invaded a 
sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic 
government elected by its people.  Such an action is 
unacceptable in the 21st century. 
 
The Georgian government has accepted the elements of a peace 
agreement that the Russian government previously said it 
would be willing to accept: an immediate cease-fire, the 
withdrawal of forces from the zone of conflict, a return to 
the military status quo as of August 6, and a commitment to 
refrain from using force. 
 
There are representatives of the European Union and the 
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 
currently in Moscow seeking Russia's agreement to this peace 
plan. 
 
Russia's government must respect Georgia's territorial 
integrity and sovereignty.  The Russian government must 
reverse the course it appears to be on and accept this peace 
agreement as a first step toward resolving this conflict. 
 
Russia's actions this week have raised serious questions 
about its intentions in Georgia and the region.  These 
actions have substantially damaged Russia's standing in the 
world.  And these actions jeopardize Russians, relations 
with the Unites States and Europe. 
 
It is time for Russia to be true to its word and to act to 
end this crisis. 
 
Thank you. 
RICE