David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Monday 01 September, 2008

Thankfully...August is over

It must be a western conceit to think that just because we are on holiday in August there should be fewer crises in foreign policy. Sure enough, August is usually full of crises: coups, scares etc. We go on holiday; we jet back from holiday. Why do we even think that two weeks could go by without a problem?

This year has proved no different. And the Georgia crisis is a real crisis. The European Council meets today in emergency session for the first time since September 11 2001. Over 100,000 Georgian refugees have joined the 200,000-plus left over from the civil wars of the early 1990s. That is reason enough to say there is a crisis.

But the rupture in international norms is more significant. As recently as April, Russia supported a UN Resolution affirming the territorial integrity of Georgia. Today it is occupying and recognising two breakaway states. Talk about unilateral use of force without UN cover ...

Many people have made the point that "we" need Russia - if not for gas then over Iran or Afghanistan. This is true. But Russia needs "us" too. As Fareed Zakaria cleverly points out in Newsweek, Russia's actions in Georgia are a potentially serious strategic blunder: Europe has been united by Russian action; trans-Atlanticism revived; and China alienated. Not a clever day's work.

I do not celebrate this breach. Russia's integration into global economics and politics is actually the best hope for a country losing population at Russia's rate.

Europe and America have not rushed thoughtlessly into action. We will be deliberate and effective in choosing the right ways to react to Russia's actions. In the short term we support democratic and sovereign countries, starting with Georgia, which need economic and political help. In due course we will raise the costs to Russia of such behaviour.

This isn't about winning or losing, as the Russian Foreign Minister pointed out in the FT two weeks ago. What we want to see is Russia on a different course, not Russia ground down. A weak Russia is as little in our interests as an aggressive one.

Posted at 21:51 01 September 2008 by David Miliband  |  Comments[27]

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Good to see that reason and logic are being applied to the situation in the Caucasus. The problem of demarcating borders in the new Europe needs to be looked at in the context of Helsinki 1975, which committed European state signatories to respect territorial integrity and sovereignty. This appears to have been overtaken by 1989 German reunification, but because European leaders were perhaps too busy with other issues, no logical follow up of the peaceful negotiation that produced a unified Germany took place. Would it not be better for the EU to pick up from the example of German reunification,addressing boundaries in the former Warsaw Pact space that were created as administrative diktats by communist regimes, leaving social and linguistic groups in the new Europe living in different countries for no fault of their own?

Posted by Mike on September 01, 2008 at 11:44 PM BST #

I am glad that that the EU is trying to put on a united front. I think it would a disaster if there were several different EU nations seeking different political agendas. The problem is that I think a lot of EU nations realise that it may be much more profitable to seek there own energy deals with russia. There is also not much confidence in a single EU energy plan. Maybe it is now time though, to put a energy plan on the table, which will hopefully alleviate worries about uniting against Russia. If a viable Energy plan becomes possible then it will end or atleast relieve current sources of conflict over resources. Maybe this was already discussed? and where there any conclusions? Also, Do you think this crisis may now help Gordon Brown push ahead with nuclear energy proposals for britain?

Posted by Seb on September 02, 2008 at 12:21 PM BST #

Under no circumstances should Russia be allowed to use blackmail as a diplomatic weapon. As Dr. Rice said; Russia should not be supporting sanctions against Iran as a "favour" to the West but as part of their international obligations to protect the world from the threat posed by Iran's weapons program. Russia, the new Russia, is a young democracy. It is also a powerful country. But with power comes responsibility. I think Britain has been right on key over the situation regards Russia's intervention in Georgia and I hope we will take heed of Winston Churchill's advice - "never yield to force".

Posted by Justin on September 02, 2008 at 12:34 PM BST #

i have never doubted that the UK would have the most reasonable approach to this conflict. Thank you for your support! it's a shame that the most parts of Europe are so dependent on Russia that it was impossible to put fairness and justice in front of material issues on Sept 1. This could of course be understood, however very active and fast steps should be undertaken by the Europe as a whole to diversify this dependance oil and gas from Russia...maybe then we could see the reasonable results. Thank you again in name of many Georgians!

Posted by tamara on September 02, 2008 at 01:02 PM BST #

Americans have been invading Russia’s traditional spheres of influence, entering into provocative political alliances which blatantly contradict the very principles for which, in their own case, the Monroe Doctrine, the invasion of Grenada and Castro’s Cuba stood. And finally to top it all, a US-educated lawyer, and President of Bush’s client state of Georgia, has became a swaggering agitator in Cuban heels. Indeed, the consensus on the part of Nato for the inclusion of Georgia into the Western defence system is nothing but a farce. Let’s face it David, Nato’s expansionist overtures are the origin of the problem, not the basis for a solution!

Posted by Selena Dreamy on September 02, 2008 at 01:22 PM BST #

Mr Miliband, have you already found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq or are you still seeking? One more question, Mr Miliband, if you don't mind. How about strong, powerful Russia? Is that in your interests?

Posted by Paul on September 02, 2008 at 06:20 PM BST #

Mr Miliband, The Georgian attack on the sleeping city with Grad rocket launchers and murder of Ossetians were insufficient to call it a “real crises”? Why had you chosen to support territorial integrity of Belgrad by cluster bombs?

Posted by Yuriy on September 02, 2008 at 07:18 PM BST #

Oh dear. The West invade sovereign nations on the flimsiest of evidence and that's OK. Russia does it and it's not. Double standards perhaps? As for the EU... well, we certainly gave those Russkies a stern listening to, didn't we? Come friendly bombs and fall on Brussels...

Posted by Paul Everest on September 02, 2008 at 07:29 PM BST #

I think you should leave Russia well alone you're going to end up starting a war and that is the last thing this country needs with all the rising prices and bills without being taxed to death to fund a war caused by meddling in other peoples business. Although Britain is fairly strong in no way with any alliances are we strong enough to take on Russia especially if they have China on their side our troops would be slaughtered and we might be under threat by nuclear weapons. So stop sticking the British peoples government's nose in other peoples business.

Posted by Lizzie Smith on September 02, 2008 at 10:42 PM BST #

I want the EU, Russia, and Georgia to be at peace. The advantage of an organisation like the EU is to stop the big powers playing off european nations like pawns in a chess game. We need a strong europe not one divided, where it can be destroyed by any enemy internal or external to Europe. I hope Russia and Georgia can join the union. The greatest threat to Europe is a weak divided Europe, the very thing euroskeptics want. No wonder Hitler left the league of nations.

Posted by Dirty Euro on September 03, 2008 at 12:07 AM BST #

Mr. Miliband, you said "We will be deliberate and effective in choosing the right ways to react to Russia's actions." That's what I really hoped for. Though here in Georgia expectations towards today's European Council were exaggerated, I hoped that you'd at least sound very moderate in the resolution, but do the actual work behind the scenes. Thank you! As Georgians, many of us get quite worried when a harsh statement towards Russia is made. A cornered person gets angrier and can be dangerous, so every time Putin gets upset, he could spill his anger onto Georgia. We had much more than enough in last three weeks. Wish you and us all the possible and impossible luck in pushing RF into legal frameworks and solving the territorial issues of my country.

Posted by Ketty on September 03, 2008 at 01:13 AM BST #

Georgia has launched an attack on Ocetians at night, killed Russian peacekeepers - and that is Georgia who "need economic and political help"? Well... Congratulations with such policies!

Posted by Martha on September 03, 2008 at 09:18 AM BST #

It would need to write another article to point every mistake Mr Miliband made placing various figures in his description of Georgian people tragedy in both conflicts and calling Georgia a democratic country. However it's not the point. There is the same no word about Ossetians as in all speaches of western politicians. Probably David does not know they exist and speak a language other than Georgian. The same as those Russians born and living in Baltic States and deprived from citizenship rights by new national 'democratic' parliaments as they didn't speak new official langauges. You cannot suggest a solution to a problem if you exclude a part of data available. So what Mr Miliband says means he does not care about Georgians, Ossetians, others. Power of Kremlin and its behaviour are of course cynical and amoral. But behaviour of the West is the same cynical and amoral. Ossetia story is not the answer to the West for Kosovo. It's just Russia following new rules of 'big game'.

Posted by Vladimir (SPb) on September 03, 2008 at 09:51 AM BST #

Why is the British government quick to condemn Russia but very quiet when it comes to critising President Saaskashvili of Georgia? If you take the time to look at the historical record it was Georgia that started the conflict on 6th August whilst world attention was occupied by the Olympics. Saaskashvili sent in Georgian troops to shell civilian areas, killing Russian peacekeepers and civilians. This aggression caused thousands of refugees to seek the protection of Russia. What were Russia to do? The EU, US and UK were going to do nothing so Russia had no choice but to respond to Georgian aggression. What troubles me is the blatant misinformation and propaganda that is coming out of Downing Street and being parroted by the media. In a true democracy the people deserve less propaganda and more truth.

Posted by Stu on September 03, 2008 at 11:37 AM BST #

"Over 100,000 Georgian refugees have joined the 200,000-plus left over from the civil wars of the early 1990s." Georgian army were sponsored by "U know whatS their nAme" and if its crisis when part of Georgian was almost destroyed... Who should be blamed? Do you realy think it is country who stopped that violence?

Posted by lerko on September 03, 2008 at 04:29 PM BST #

Georgia remembers Soviet invasion and occupation in 1921 and the reason stated by Bolshevik Russia - Protection of local Communists. Today, Russians are "protecting" ethnic Osetian "Russian Citizens" in historic region of the central Georgia. We also remember early 1990's when invaded two Georgian provinces and was bombing Georgia from sky and black see, enforced 450.000 people 80 of total population - mostly ethnic Georgian refugees to leave their homes. In addition, at inactivity of the Russian “peacemakers” in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region were killed more than 2000 civilians of the Georgian nationality in 1994-2007.

Posted by G on September 04, 2008 at 06:06 AM BST #

Having created, funded and fully backed the "South Ossetian" separatist movement since the Soviet crack-up, in late July the Kremlin ordered its own puppet regime of Kokoiti to provoke the Georgians. In the week prior to the Russian invasion, South Ossetians, aided by Russian “peacekeepers,” had shelled and raided Georgian villages beyond South Ossetia.

Posted by G on September 04, 2008 at 06:08 AM BST #

All that is written in your commentary, David, is -- by and large -- true. It's just that you focus on one side of the problem, while conveniently passing in silence the other side. Put yourself in Putin's shoes for a moment. What would you do on Aug. 8 - roll over, let Saakashvili crush Russian peacekeepers, destroy and ravage Tskhinval, killing in process several thousand Ossetians with Russian passports, and create some 50 thousand refugees? What a brilliant Serebrenica moment! You certainly have full knowledge and full appreciation of this aspect, but choose not to acknowledge it not even once -- for the sake of political expedience, I am afraid.

Posted by Nikolai Skrynnikov on September 04, 2008 at 07:25 AM BST #

Does David support Condi Rice's commitment to give Georgia a billion dollars in reconstructiona aid? It is quite obvious that the United States is hoping to buy up Georgia in much the same way a multinational would buy up a bankrupted company. Now Dick Cheney is pledging support for Georgia against Russia, which means there will be further US inspired provocations against Russia. Does David ever have any concerns about associating with people like Cheney, Rice and Saaskashvili and acting like a slave to US geopolitical ambitions?

Posted by jojo on September 04, 2008 at 03:21 PM BST #

Weak Russia? Who said it is weak? Russia is not weak, but confused seeing the "English world" reaction. I am confused, David. I'd never expect that reaction. So many people killed! How come?! I remember I was often hearing something like: "We, Georgians, we have such strong Army, and those ossetians and abkhazians are miserable nations, they are nothing against us!". I heard it from many different Georgians who lived in Russia. Is it the European type of behaviour? Is it what Europe expects to see inviting Georgia? Think about it, David. We should be patient reconciling the belligerents, war is never the answer. Please, do not cut the thread between Russians and Britains, our kids still learn English.

Posted by Kirk Robb on September 04, 2008 at 05:56 PM BST #

Vociferous Russian lobby here. Awe-inspiring concern over genocide and Srebrenica being shown by the erstwhile dedicated supporters of Slobodan Milosevic.

Posted by Owen on September 04, 2008 at 08:04 PM BST #

From 1992, Russia has been occupying Georgia's territory Abkhazia. I cannot understand why the 300 000 refugees, who were internally displaced from their territory, from their homes of residence where they had lived for centuries, still cannot return to their homes!!!!!! This needs urgent attention: the human rights have been brutally violated... The IDPs justice is boiling...

Posted by Nino on September 07, 2008 at 07:01 PM BST #

russian lobby here cries out \\\"genocide\\\"! what an easy word to say.. russian tv during those august days was crying out 1600-2000 people were killed! why there is no official report as to the number of people yet? why no international investigator was allowed to south ossetian territory yet? the last figures i have seen is 70 people dead, out of those mainly men of army age! russian side was unable to confirm that 2000 people were killed in the conflict. authentic soviet/russian propaganda is deep in the heads of most of the russians, saying that georgians have brutally murdered 2000 women and kids...come on people, get real... much more civilians were killed during bombings on Georgian side, and this is official data.

Posted by eka on September 09, 2008 at 03:23 PM BST #

For the civilians in Tskhinvali living through three nighits of shelling by GRAD missile launchers and ground assault, the outcome of the Russian intervention was unquestionably "good" - for them Russia is the only country that came to the rescue - for whatever variety of reasons is immaterial to them as their lives were at stake. If they had to wait for a sufficiently smoothed-over UN Security Council Resolution, most would be dead by the time that happened. Is that all R2P amounts to these days - empty rhetoric to be mumbled while burying the dead while no effort is made to stop the killing? Where was the UK and more critically, the US, in those early days, when all it took was a stern call to Saakashvili saying call off the attack. That call never was made. That is where diplomats could have played a constructive role. It is disappointing to see you Mr. Miliband, ingore the most basic responsibility here - protection of civilian lives on all sides. It reflects what is so wrong and morally troubling about the international response to this crisis and leads South Ossetians to draw the obvious conclusions - their lives don't matter much at the end of the day to the world.

Posted by Margaret Harries on September 11, 2008 at 05:50 AM BST #

Military tension in Georgia's separatist region of "South Ossetia" has been building up for several months. On July 4 a car with the pro-Georgian leader of South Ossetia Dmitry Sanakoyev, whom the separatists consider a renegade, was hit by a roadside bomb and shot. Three bodyguards were wounded, but Sanakoyev was unhurt. A surge of tension followed the attack RIA-Novosti, July 4; Kommersant, August 4. The latest outbreak of hostilities began on July 31 after two roadside bombs hit a Georgian police Toyota SUV near the Georgian village of Eredvi. Six Georgian policemen were wounded Interfax, August 1. The roadside bomb attack was followed the next day by bloody clashes.

Posted by G on September 12, 2008 at 05:34 PM BST #

Fog of war and war propaganda is thinning out - thanks to UN satellite photo research. It is encouraging that this technique does not only help preparing and carrying on war, but also helps to find out the truth about damages done to buildings, monuments and heritage sites. On August 29, UNOSAT part of UNITAR, the UN Institute for Training and Research has published an initial damage assessment - based on satellite imagery acquired on August 19 - of the main valley in South Ossetia. It comprehends the town Tskhinvali and the "ethnic Georgian" villages from Tamarasheni to Kekhvi: reliefweb.int According to this UN research the situation differs a lot between the town Tskhinvali and the villages upstream: - Tskhinvali: 4211 buildings = 175 destroyed + 55 severely damaged + 3981 with no visible damage. 230 affected buildings = 5.4 - The eight villages north of Tskhinvali: 2211 Buildings = 619 destroyed + 201 severely damaged + 1391 with no visible damage. 820 affected buildings = 37 In plain words: In Tskhinvali every 20th building is damaged, in the “ethnic Georgian” villages every 3rd.

Posted by G on September 28, 2008 at 06:55 AM BST #

Kremlin has a history of causing problems in the "near abroad" , and then coming to "fix" the problem. In 1918, 1921 and 1990's and 2008 the Kremlin ordered its own puppets GEORGIAN COMMUNISTS 1921 and ethnic Ossetian and other minorities in Georgia to provoke the Georgian Government. Was Separatist violence against Georgian civilian population not provoking enough for Georgian presidents: Jordania, Gamsakhurdia or Saakashvilli to act on? Who do you think encouraged the pro-Bolshevik 1918-1921 pro-Soviet 1988-93 and pro-Russian 1993-2008 separatists within Georgia? Russian influence has been destabilizing the region!!!

Posted by G on October 26, 2008 at 06:47 AM GMT #

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