Alexander Skakov:only demilitarization of Georgia is guarantor of peace

Interview of Head of Department of CIS countries by the Russian Institute of Strategic Research Alexander Skakov to the official site of the South Ossetian part of JCC

- The negotiation process in frames of the internationally fixed format of the Joint Control Commission on the resolution of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict is actually boycotted by the Georgian side in unilateral order. To your opinion, what is the condition for the renewal of the negotiation process?
- At present signing legally obliging agreement about non-use of force is one of the conditions of renewal of the negotiation process both around South Ossetia and Abkhazia. At that, it is necessary to take into consideration that in the documents signed after the cessation of armed conflicts in 1990 Georgia already obliged herself not to use force or the threat of its use. Unfortunately, they forgot about this and the obligations did not prevented Tbilisi from using force in 1998 in Abkhazia and in 2004 – in South Ossetia. We long ago do not remember that multiple threats of the Georgian leadership contradict to the stated international obligations.
- But the leadership of Georgia does not wish to sign a memorandum about non-use of force…
- Really, at present with perseverance worth better using, Tbilisi refuses to take such an obligation. It is absolutely obvious that the leadership of Georgia stakes on military decision of the Abkhazian and South-Ossetian problems. Tbilisi rushes to NATO not for the sake of the Western values and Euro-integration. Saakashvili is convinced that if Georgia becoming member of NATO begins war in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russia taking into consideration the obligations taken by NATO country-participants will be unable to interfere and take a neutral position. In other words, those who give an agreement for entering Georgia to NATO push Tbilisi to a new war, inflame armed conflict in the Southern Caucasus.
But I admit that under the pressure of the European Union (the USA role is more contradictive, moreover taking into consideration an unclear end of the forthcoming presidential elections) Tbilisi nevertheless may sign an agreement about non-use of force or the threat of its use. And it will be posed as unexampled concession of the Georgian diplomacy.
- Taking into account that Georgia repeatedly violated both oral and signed in international format interstate agreements, will it be possible to trust to that paper?
- I doubt. The region is so militarized and rich with arms that it will not make much trouble for Tbilisi to play any provocation. Let us remember with what provocation began the World War II in 1939. Someone will allegedly fire upon a Georgian checkpoint, valiant Georgian servicemen will repulse the attack and deliver response blow. And then let them investigate who was the first who opened fire. According to the laws of dramatic art, the gun hung on the wall in the first acts of the play shoots in the last acts. I think the only real guarantor of non-resumption of hostilities may be only demilitarization of Georgia. In this issue the European Union might assist, if it wants to be a successful mediator. Thank you.