Designated European Union Special representative for the South Caucasus and for the crisis in Georgia, Geneva discussions Co-Head – Herbert Salber on May 16 of the current year during his visit to the occupied Tskhinvali defied the Sovereignty of Georgia and made an unprincipled
Statement
On Defying of the Sovereignty of Georgia by Herbert Salber
Designated European Union Special representative for the South Caucasus and for the crisis in Georgia, Geneva discussions Co-Head – Herbert Salber on May 16 of the current year during his visit to the occupied Tskhinvali defied the Sovereignty of Georgia and made an unprincipled, and at the same time cynical statement. Against the background of the destroyed, devastated and deserted populated locality, he congratulated the illegal and formal ruler with the victory in the so-called elections and occupation of a new position. With this Mister Herbert Salber blatantly violated the diplomatic etiquette and totally ignored the firm position of the European Union in relation with the occupied territories of Georgia, insulted hundreds of thousands of victims of the genocide and ethnic cleansing committed in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region. When the experienced official representative of the European Union makes a statement, opposed to the widely known official policy of the European Union statement, this strange conduct has to be evaluated at least as his personal position. As unfortunate as it may be, the position expressed by Herbert Salber in Tskhinvali is in compete agreement with the policy of the occupant. On the other hand, it contradicts the high mission of the special representative of the European Union for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia and co-head of the Geneva discussions.
In the history of the conflict resolution in Georgia there is a widely known fact, that Andjei Tishkevich, responsible for the observation mission of the European Union, was declared the 'undesirable person' on the territory of Abkhazia in April of 2012. As a cause was named as if ignoring of the appeals of the Abkhazian side and demand for giving access to the EU observers to the conflict zone. Such demand was and is absolutely legal, as laid down by the Sarkozy document issued on August 12 of the year 2008. Despite the irrationality of the separatists’ demand, European Union recalled Andjei Tishkevich from Georgia in June of 2013 so that one part of the conflict did not have the impression of partiality and bias.
'Congratulation' of Mr. Salber evoke the analogous sensation for the Georgian society and in the first place for persons being expelled from their homes due to the genocide and ethnic cleansing committed by the occupants. These people are awaiting the active steps from the International Community for solving the problem; frustrated and humiliated due to Salberg’s shocking statement and they are discomposedly observing the uncertain situation. However, they categorically, but fairly and justly demand reprimanding of Mr. Salber’s step and his political responsibility, as any deed has its own political price
Approximately in a month, the regular round of the Geneva discussions will be held, during which the important and actual issues of security and return of IDPs will again be discussed. It is obvious, that Mister Salber, acknowledging the illegal occupation regime, lost trust of the Georgian society and IDPs and has no moral right of dealing with and discussing the above mentioned problems.
The Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Georgia denounces the statement made by Mister Salber in Tskhinvali and appeals to the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Georgia, with the aim of maintaining the constructive balance in Geneva, to persevere in their attempts to suspend the power of Herbert Salber prior to the expiration of his date so that he left Georgia;
The Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Georgia asks Mrs. Federica Mogherini, the High representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to replace Herbert Salberg, the Special representative for the South Caucasus and crisis in Georgia, with another person acceptable for all the parties of the conflict and remove Mr. Herbert Salber from the Geneva process.
The deputies of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia Elguja Gvazava, David Gvadzabia, Jemal Gamakharia, Akaki Gasviani, Tamaz Khubua, Givi Lominadze, Teimuraz Lortqipanidze, Nugzar Mgaloblishvili, Teimuraz Mzhavia, Rudik Tsatava, Anzor Tsotsonava, Raisa Qaraia.
