From: MSN Nicknamepsychoteddybear24 (Original Message) Sent: 10/7/2006 11:50 AM
GEORGIA: SOLANA FEARS KOSOVO 'PRECEDENT' FOR ABKHAZIA, SOUTH
OSSETIA. EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security
Policy Javier Solana on October 4 acknowledged that Kosovo's
campaign for independence could set a precedent for Georgia's
breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Solana also said the European Union could not meet a request
made by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili for peacekeepers, but
that Brussels is actively trying to "build confidence" between Moscow
and Tbilisi.
Solana told the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs
Committee in Brussels on October 4 that during a recent phone
conversation, Saakashvili had confessed to "tremendous worry" about
the possible consequences that ongoing UN-sponsored Kosovo status
talks could have for Georgia.
The Serbian province is seeking independence for its 2
million citizens, more than 90 percent of whom are ethnic Albanians.
Belgrade is staunchly opposed, but international negotiations --
begun earlier this year -- seem destined to end in eventual
independence.
Solana indicated that he, too, considers it possible that
independence for Kosovo could have a negative effect on Georgia's
territorial integrity, acknowledging it would set a "precedent."
"We are trapped here," he said. "President Saakashvili is
trapped, all of us are trapped in a double mechanism that may have
good consequences for one, but not for the other. It may not be a
win-win situation -- although we should be able to look [for] and
find a win-win solution. But it will not be easy."
The United States and the European Union both expect that
Kosovo will achieve independence. Russia has warned that if Kosovo
becomes independent, it will push for the secession of South Ossetia
and Abkhazia.
Tensions between Russia and Georgia are running high. Moscow
has blocked all transportation and postal links between the two
countries in a continuing dispute over Tbilisi's arrest on
September 27 of four Russian military officers on spying charges.
Solana also said today he himself is worried about "the
manner in which Saakashvili is concerned about" the issue, but did
not elaborate.
Solana said the EU will continue to stand up for
Georgia's territorial integrity.
Solana said Saakashvili had also "complained" about the
format of the negotiations it is currently involved in with South
Ossetia -- where it is faced by Russia and its autonomous area of
North Ossetia alongside South Ossetia.
According to Solana, Saakashvili would prefer the format used
in Moldova for talks with Transdniester, where the European Union and
the United States participate as observers, and Ukraine is also a
participant.
But, Solana said, "for the moment it is difficult to do
that," adding that the talks framework for Moldova "is not working
very well either."
Responding to a question by Estonian deputy Toomas Hendrik
Ilves suggesting the EU send peacekeepers to Georgia, Solana also
said Saakashvili had made that request during their conversation.
However, Solana said no. He said today it would be a "very
difficult decision" for the EU, and that the EU could not respond
positively "at the moment." France, Germany, Italy, and a number of
other EU member states have long blocked moves to send EU monitors to
Georgia's borders, in fear of angering Russia.
Solana noted that sending EU peacekeepers might not be "the
best solution" for Georgia in any case. "I mean, for the moment, we
have to see what is the best solution for the security of Georgia,"
he said. "[It] may not be peacekeepers, [it] may be something
different. But I think to begin committing European peacekeepers
there is something that I would not do at this moment. I said what I
told you, I told him [Saakashvili]."
The EU foreign-policy chief did not specify what alternative
solutions he might have in mind. He did say the EU would continue
talking to both Moscow and Tbilisi about the crisis, in a bid to
restore confidence. (Ahto Lobjakas)