Statement from “Memorial”: STOP THE WAR

During the night of 7 to 8 August 2008 war broke out in South Ossetia. Mobilization has been declared in Georgia, and officials speak of the implementation of “constitutional measures to establish peace and order”, with no negotiations possible under this is successfully concluded.

For us in Russia these words are too familiar. The Russian Federation established “constitutional order” In 1994, during the first Chechen War. Then the “blitzkrieg operation” became drawn out and bloody.

Words about war to the triumphant end and about the rejection of negotiations are just as well-remembered in Russia – the leadership of our country declared this in 1999 at the beginning of the “Second Chechen War”. That questionable military victory cost our country rejection of democracy.

In fact, this was true also in Georgia itself, in Abkhazia in 1992, and the same South Ossetia in 1991. The power of Gamsakhurdia and Shevardnadze were affirmed on the Ossetian and Abkhazian conflicts. And perhaps the first victim of the war launched during the night of 7-8 August could be Georgia itself, as a democratic State and as a responsible member of the world community.

Georgia as a participating State of OSCE is committed to resolving conflict by peaceful means. The reestablishment of territorial integrity cannot be grounds for rejecting these commitments. Military actions in South Ossetia should be stopped immediately. The path of negotiation is long and difficult, but it is the only way to achieve a lasting peace.

The history of conflict in the Caucuses over recent years demonstrates a long chain of mistakes and crimes. We call on you to not forget this history.