VZCZCXRO1957
PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR
DE RUEHC #5565 0220040
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 220031Z JAN 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 7245
INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS STATE 005565 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE GG
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL:  RESPONSE TO SPECIAL 
REPRESENTATIVE CHRISTOPOULOS 
 
¶1.  Post is authorized to make the following statement at the 
January 22, 2009, meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in 
Vienna: 
 
Begin Text: 
 
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. 
 
The United States welcomes Special Representative 
Christopoulos to the Permanent Council.  We appreciate the 
Greek Chairmanship's ongoing efforts to restore stability 
now, to protect Georgia's territorial integrity in the 
future, and to find a way to maintain an OSCE presence there. 
 
We believe the OSCE plays a critical role in Georgia, and 
fills a unique niche that would make it difficult to replace. 
 Its recent work to help restore gas deliveries to Tskhinvali 
is just one example of the OSCE's valuable contributions, 
which demonstrates its ability to produce results.  Its 
monitoring officers provide information on the situation on 
the ground, with special emphasis on security around the 
South Ossetian region of Georgia, helping to deter 
destabilizing actions and promote dialogue.  Its staff offer 
direct assistance in democracy, human rights, rule of law, 
and economic development activities, and represent the 
collective wisdom of all 56 participating States in 
implementing fundamental OSCE commitments.  The OSCE's 
extensive experience and contacts allow it not only to offer 
insight on the immediate and long-term impact of the 
conflict, but also to provide input in the search for lasting 
reconciliation and comprehensive solutions. 
 
If the OSCE no longer had a presence in Georgia, its vital 
role as mediator, monitor, project implementer, and policy 
advisor would be sorely missed.  Its absence would remove an 
important intermediary voice, possibly increasing the 
likelihood of direct confrontation in a still-tense 
atmosphere, and would limit our ability to build confidence 
and resolve what remains an ongoing conflict. 
 
We remain concerned about repeated incidents of violence in 
the South Ossetian and Abkhaz regions of Georgia, which 
underscore the need for an OSCE monitoring presence with 
uninhibited access throughout Georgia.  As recently as 
January 16, a Georgian policeman was shot and killed in the 
Georgian-administered village of Knolevi, gunned down from 
South Ossetian territory under Russian control.  At least 10 
other Georgian policemen have been killed, and many others 
wounded, subsequent to the August conflict, and kidnappings, 
banditry, ethnic cleansing, and attacks on Georgian officials 
and property continue.  Credible reports suggest some of 
these attacks have involved rocket-propelled grenades and 
highly specialized sniper equipment ) an alarming indication 
of the potential for further violence.  These actions are 
unacceptable.  We call on Russia to use its strong military 
presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, despite this 
violation of the August 12 and September 8 cease fire 
agreements, to help to prevent these destabilizing actions. 
 
In this environment, a continued OSCE presence in Georgia is 
especially important, not only to help deter violence, 
promote human rights and encourage dialogue and 
reconciliation, but also to monitor the implementation of the 
August 12 and September 8 agreements brokered by French 
President Sarkozy.  We continue to urge Russia to implement 
fully its commitments under these agreements, which clearly 
state that Russian forces are to withdraw to pre-conflict 
positions.  In particular, Russia continues to maintain 
forces near the town of Perevi, in the Akhalgori region, and 
in the Upper Kodori Valley, areas that were never controlled 
by Russia or the separatists prior to the August war.   We 
note that Russia reiterated these commitments to withdraw 
even after its destabilizing decision to recognize the 
Georgian territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as 
independent. 
 
We are prepared to support the basic approach advanced in the 
Greek package, and look forward to receiving more details of 
the three elements of the proposal. 
 
We stand ready to work with the Chairmanship on a means to 
ensure a continued OSCE presence in Georgia.  The United 
States will continue to support Georgia,s sovereignty, 
independence, and territorial integrity within its 
internationally recognized borders, and will help in all ways 
to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. 
 
Thank you, Madame Chairwoman. 
CLINTON