EUROPEAN GREENS URGE RUSSIA AND GEORGIA TO STOP THE BLOODSHED IN GEORGIA:
Appalled by the recent armed conflict in Georgia and its spate of civilian victims, the European Greens are urging both sides to cease armed operations.
Co-spokesperson Philippe Lamberts said : "Military action will bring no lasting solution to the territorial disputes in Georgia. While the territorial integrity of Georgia has to be recognized, the attempt at restoring control over the break-away South Ossetia by force was a terrible mistake. The counter-offensive by the Russian Federation army was not only illegitimate, but also totally disproportionate, bringing the horrors of this unjustified conflict to new heights.
The priority is now to reach an unconditional cease-fire by all parties; we support the efforts of the EU to achieve that goal. All efforts must then be deployed by the authorities of Georgia, of South Ossetia with the help of the international community to bring relief to the civilian victims. Finally, we urge the concerned parties to enter a political process which will bring a lasting solution to the issues of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, within the framework of the OSCE. This will need to combine due recognition of the territorial integrity of Georgia and the minority rights of all ethnic groups in the republic. The European Union must volunteer to play a facilitating role in that process.
We express our heartfelt solidarity with all the victims of that conflict and our support for the Georgian Green Party who has been constantly struggling for democracy, human rights and peace in a country where these core values largely remain to be established."
