georgia.usembassy.gov Embassy of the U.S. in Georgia

Embassy of the U.S. in Georgia About the EmbassyU.S. Citizen ServicesVisas to the U.S.U.S. Policy & IssuesResources Embassy Highlights The Russian leadership should immediately rescind these steps The Russian government has taken advantage of the lack of unity coming out of the Bucharest Summit to further ratchet up the pressure on young democracies on its borders. Moscow’s actions this week to strengthen ties with the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia undermine the territorial integrity of the state of Georgia and are clearly designed to destabilize the government of President Mikheil Saakashvili. (more) John McCain –“This is a violation of International Law and deserves condemnation by all countries committed to the rule of law” "I spoke today by phone with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili about Russia s moves to undermine Georgian sovereignty over two secessionist regions. Moscow has announced that it will establish governmental links directly with Abkhazia and South Ossetia without the approval of the legitimate Georgian government. Such a move is in violation of international law and deserves strong condemnation by all countries committed to the rule of law. No country -- not even Russia -- has recognized the claims of Abkhaz and South Ossetian leaders to independence. (more) OSCE Chairman expresses concern about recent developments in the Georgian conflict areas HELSINKI, 17 April 2008 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, expressed concern today over the decision of the Russian Federation to establish official ties with the de facto authorities of Georgia s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Minister Stubb reiterated his full support for the existing negotiation mechanisms and regretted that they have not been fully utilized. "I encourage the parties to the Georgian-Ossetian conflict to return to the negotiation table in the format agreed by ...