Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Signs Cease-Fire

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Signs Cease-Fire

by John Little on 11/08/2008

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is carrying the proposal to Moscow:

A Georgian National Security Council official said the document signed by Saakashvili called for an unconditional cease-fire by both sides, a non-use of force agreement, a withdrawal of all Russian troops from Georgian territory, including the South Ossetia region, and provisions for international peacekeeping and mediation.

Sources close to the delegation said the French and Finnish ministers, along with their Georgian counterpart, would visit Gori Monday afternoon to see first-hand damage caused by Russian airstrikes.

Saakashvili has an op-ed in today’s Wall Street Journal where he claims that the war has transcended the conflict in Ossetia:

Ostensibly, this war is about an unresolved separatist conflict. Yet in reality, it is a war about the independence and the future of Georgia. And above all, it is a war over the kind of Europe our children will live in. Let us be frank: This conflict is about the future of freedom in Europe.

No country of the former Soviet Union has made more progress toward consolidating democracy, eradicating corruption and building an independent foreign policy than Georgia. This is precisely what Russia seeks to crush.

This conflict is therefore about our common trans-Atlantic values of liberty and democracy. It is about the right of small nations to live freely and determine their own future. It is about the great power struggles for influence of the 20th century, versus the path of integration and unity defined by the European Union of the 21st. Georgia has made its choice.

Sarkozy’s visit would present the logical point for Russia to end this conflict. However, they have to fear the post-conflict steps that will be taken by the West to prevent additional Russian attacks and influence in the region. That’s why a cease-fire may be possible but a Russian withdraw might be significantly more difficult to negotiate. The future of Putin’s expansionist doctrine is at stake.

Others Blogging:

Michelle Malkin
I hope this naked aggression backfires on Russia like their catastrophic invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. They poured blood and treasure into that project for years, and earned the world’s opprobrium even as they hastened their empire’s downfall through their folly. We helped that defeat happen, of course, and I want to see us help out again.

Morning Bell
Beyond this, the United States and its allies and other countries need to send a strong signal to Moscow that redrawing the borders of the former Soviet Union is a danger to world peace; cannot be done without violation of international law; and is likely to result in death and destruction – a price that neither the Russian people nor others should pay.

Related posts:
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Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Launches Blogspot Blog
I can’t confirm that this blog was actually create by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia but it seems plausible given their inability (thanks to Russian hackers – state...

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There are 23 comments in this article:

11/08/2008NoBear2008 says:

RUSSIA IS A DISGRACE! GET OUT OF GEORGIA!
11/08/2008Nikolay says:

No country of the former Soviet Union has made more progress toward consolidating democracy, eradicating corruption and building an independent foreign policy than Georgia.

He’s really full of himself. There’s no denying that Baltic states are much more democratic, independent and corruption-free. The former minister of defense accusing the president of arranging assassinations, police beating up protesters, a number of opposition leaders dying under mysterious circumstances — these are all signs of the perfect democracy.
11/08/2008Arthur says:

BULL by georgia. They are the provokers. What would US do is Mexica desided to take a piece of texas.
11/08/2008don rix says:

So is TJ Holmes still on the payroll? That had to be the worst protocal given a Head of State during an interview (by an Allie!?) in the history of live feed/interviews.
11/08/2008peter42y says:

the Georgian President is a complete idiot that brought this war upon his country. He was the one who started the fight. In august 7, 8 , Russian military were killed.
For anyone with half a brain…, it would be obvious russia would retaliate.
Back in 1999 checnya was independent and when chechen separatists entered daguestan Russia attacked, destroyed Grozny and put an end to Chechnya independence.
To attack Russian troops was suicide.
I have not a bit of sympathy towards Georgian President.
He should have known better .
Georgia has 12 planes. Russia 1600.
The fellow with 12 planes started a fight with the fellow that has 1600.
Not hard to see the outcome.
11/08/2008Ivan Koloff says:

Did someone in the US give this guy the go ahead to start shelling civilians? Why would such a tiny country risk provoking Russia unless they thought they had the backing from another big player?
Don’t mess with the Bear. After the break up, they aren’t going to stand for anymore humiliation. Especially from some insignificant bug in their backyard. These Georgians are getting exactly what they asked for and now seek pity from the rest of the world. Poke a stick in a beehive and then run. That’s what they did. I hope Russia takes their so called “country” and sends the leaders off to Siberia before they get anymore innocent civilians killed. They are getting a much needed lesson right now.
11/08/2008jim says:

Wow i just looked at the history of these two countries on Russia Today station and i was surprised at the Georgians are doing to those poor Ossetians. But now its finally came to Russia to clean the Georgians for good. They deserve it for what they have started. And yeah the news on CNN and Russia Today are very different from each other. But i guess in today’s world who to believe.
11/08/2008ck1cbk16 says:

This could spead up Ukranains membership into NATO.
11/08/2008Hannah Stevens says:

I wonder if the CIA is involved in this uprising? It seems that the US benefits if Georgia breaks away from Russia, as there is oil involved again.
11/08/2008Sam says:

Forget the democracy and war on democracy, Georgia is FAR FAR away from democracy. The only way we keep on hearing democracy in US and in EU is because the Georgian government is the puppet of the US Administration. Only Saakashvili though he had the backing of the US if he picked a bone with Russia, but he’s an idiot and look what happened. US and EU or NATO will not stand against Russia, ohh ya they condemn the attacks but really what is that going to solve. Lets also not forget the history Ossetsians, Abkhazi and Armenians were forced to be part of Georgia under the Soviet Union, now the Soviet union is collapsed they want to be free from Georgia…wait till Armenians start the uprising in Javakhi only thing will be left of Georgia is the Old Georgia..just the Tiblisi and Gori with some villages next to it. Get over the idea that this is a war by Russians against democracy..this was a provoked war by the Georgians which they acted little cocky and they are paying for it.
11/08/2008Mikhail says:

a) America has no moral right to judge ANYBODY
b) Saakashgvili is a dictator and a war criminal who killed thousands overnight
c) Do you SERIOUSLY want to wake up with radiation poisoning because of HIM???
11/08/2008mari says:

What to be created in Ossetia it is awful!!! Also it is fault Saakashvili !!! The Georgian leader the criminal. It has made a ruthless genocide of the Osset people.
Russia should and will help the Osset people!
11/08/2008Chiboy says:

Russia called an emergency session of UN SC on Thursday night at about 11 pm EDT. Russia was calling for the consul to accept a three-sentence resolution calling for Georgia to cease fire and return to negotiations at South Ossetia. This resolution was blocked by U.S. and U.K.
On Friday after reports of Georgia using artillery, MLRS and assault jets to attack a sleeping S.O. city of Tshinvali at night, killing over 1500 Russian-citizen civilians and 12 Russian peacekeepers Russian government had no choice but to go in to keep the face.
In fact a lot of people in Russia are outraged by the fact that it took so long for the Russian government to react and send troops to protect the civilians. By the time Russian tanks got to Tskhinvali the city was already leveled by Georgian heavy weapons. The only remaining civilians were hiding in basements with no electricity, gas or water.
I do agree that Russia has no business in Georgia, but it was Georgian president that wanted to become a national hero and take control of two de-facto independent provinces who started this war.
He even declared an immunity for the members of the S.O. government on Thursday. He was hoping to quickly overthrow the separatist governments (that were by the way elected by the local population) while the whole world is watching the opening of the Olympics. But he miscalculated the reaction of Russia and the willingness of West to send help. Russia is indeed very close to the stereotype of a sleeping bear. It is big, slow and lazy. But it can be very dangerous when it wakes up.
11/08/2008alex says:

why isnt the EU defending one if its member sates? what does it mean to be in the EU?
11/08/2008Chiboy says:

Georgia is flying EU flags on its government buildings, but they are not part of EU and not even close to becoming a member.
Saakashvili violently subdued opposition in November.
On Friday Georgia blocked Russian TV channels and Russian web sites from being accessed from the country. So much for the democracy.
BTW, you can still watch Georgian TV and browse Georgian web from Russia.
11/08/2008Sergei says:

Mikheil Saakashvili is not unique, Osama bin Laden and Sadam Hussein have been before him. Story lines are almost identical.
11/08/2008Robert Sheldon says:

Remember a great movie “Wag the Dog”? That is what US is doing in Georgia. Georgian troops were responsible for starting this war. Now it is the Russians to blame? Georgian president is a US-educated lawyer and his wife was in a CIA. What more to say? US should be on a Russian side, not Stalin-like regime of a new “democratic” Georgian president.
11/08/2008Oksana says:

It is so sad that Americans so easily belive what they are told on their biased news channels.
It is also sad that they do not even try to check facts and say awful things about that what they have no idea they are talking about.Many of them do not know history facts about Georgia,Osetia and Abkhazia and what is this confrontation about.Some do not even know there those countries are.Search the Internet and you’ll be surprised!
Why do you only see Georgian cities bombed by “Russian barbarian”
I am very concerned what American administration is trying to do now-nothing but escalating another cold war by defensing new Hitler.
Why? Only because it’s oil interests in former Soviet Republics? Because it’s own damn money?
Isn’t it better just to unite for a real terrorist threat? We will never defeat them separately.
Why are we becoming foes over this war of somebody’s interests?
11/08/2008Shawn says:

Hypothetically lets say the vast majority of the residents in U.P. of Michigan want the U.P. to be part of Canada because they are in disagreement with the U.S. Government. Canada says, OK sure you’re welcome to join us. BUT, the US refuses to allow the land to go to Canada even though the people all want to be Canadian. After all, there’s value in that land such as a variety of natural resources, precious metals, etc. The citizens decide to say screw the gov’t, we’re Canadian and we’re all going to get Canadian citizenship. Canada decides to allow citizenship to the people. So here’s the question: What would the U.S. do if part of our country claimed it was part of Canada, without officially succeeding? Would we bomb Canada? Obviously, the U.S. would want to take that valuable land back somehow. My point is, Georgia is fighting for the land and Russia is fighting for the people – whose side are you on?
11/08/2008Oksana says:

It is so sad that Americans so easily belive what they are told on their biased news channels.
It is also sad that they do not even try to check facts and say awful things about that what they have no idea they are talking about.Many of them do not know history facts about Georgia,Osetia and Abkhazia and what is this confrontation about.Some do not even know there those countries are.Search the Internet and you’ll be surprised!
Why do you only see Georgian cities bombed by “Russian barbarian”? Have you seen what is left from Tshinvali(Osetian capital) after Georgian “military operation against separatists”? There is nothing!Just ruins and dead bodies of children,women and old people(=”separatists”).They didn’t want to be under Georgian maniac-that was their fault.Nobody say a word about them.
World’s going mad!
I am very concerned what American administration is trying to do now-nothing but escalating another cold war by defensing new Hitler.
Why? Only because it’s oil interests in former Soviet Republics? Because it’s own damn money?
Isn’t it better just to unite for a real terrorist threat? We will never defeat them separately.
Why are we becoming foes over this war of somebody’s interests?
Wake up Americans!
11/08/2008Susan Williams says:

The only place US can land planes to get to Armenia is Georgia and so it is in our best interest to make certain that Georgia remains independent of Communist Russia. This is also a threat to the freedom of all Eastern European nations. We need to give Georgia our weapons and our technology just like the Russians did to us in other wars.
11/08/2008Praveen says:

Saakashvili was fingering the Russians. He got what he was looking for. Only he did not anticipate the level of response from Russians. He probably overestimated the expectations of support from US and European countries. What he did not figure is that US is already busy on 2 fronts.. Will US really get into a war with Russia in its own backyard? For such a worthless president. With elections in US less than 3 months away? With American public strongly opposed to any warfare? Does this fool really think that exercises with US troops make them strong enough to confront Russia? This guy needs a lesson in realpolitik. Now he is running like a rat.

I don’t think Russia will sign the ceasefire agreement that Saakashvili signed because the mentions being to the pre-conflict status. I don’t think Russia will get out of the autonomous areas. Russia would like to keep South Ossetia and Abkhazia permanently with them and not get out of these 2 provinces. Moreover Russia would like to cripple the country to an extent that it’ll take them at least 10 years to get where they are right now.

Saakashvili and Georgia will get the lesson. Tragedy is the loss of life and money this misadventure is going to cost his country.
18/08/2008Angie Lee says:

Russia did the right thing to respond to the aggression by the Georgian president. I wish more Americans would wake up from the bias-media in our country. The fact is that the Georgian president has caused this whole thing.

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