Russia and Georgia Both Agree to Six-Point Plan to End Fighting
by John Little on 12/08/2008Everyone seems to be on board – for now:
Georgia’s president late Tuesday agreed to a six-point plan announced by the Russian and French presidents that aims to settle the conflict over Georgia’s separatist territories, French President Nikolas Sarkozy said.
The plan stops short of specifically addressing the issue of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The points include Russian agreements to conclude all military operations, return Russian armed forces to the line preceding the beginning of operations and not use force again in Georgia.
In return, Georgia would return its armed forces to their normal and permanent locations.
Both sides would provide free access for humanitarian assistance; and international consideration of the issues of South Ossetia and Abkhazia would be undertaken.
Russia on Tuesday said it has called a halt to its powerful military incursion into Georgia.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the halt to fighting would enable South Ossetia and Abkhazia to decide whether they want to be part of Georgia, leaving open the possibility Georgia might lose one or both regions.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said “all we need to do now is to stop suffering, stop the death of people,” Sarkozy said. Stopping the fighting “is the most important objective.”
It’s important to note that this plan is simply a short-term solution. The Western alliance should be working overtime to develop a follow-on plan that firmly secures Georgian independence.
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