Latvian and U.S. president discuss Georgia

Aug 18, 2008
In cooperation with BNS and Latvian MFA

RIGA- Latvian President Valdis Zatlers discussed the conflict in Georgia with US President George W. Bush and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili over the weekend.

The president's press service reported that the Georgian topic had also been discussed with the Estonian and Ukrainian presidents. Zatlers said that the signed ceasefire should be assessed positively, but it is important for both parties to observe it, especially regarding withdrawal of the Russian troops from Georgia, which has not been done so far.

Zatlers and the US president discussed further international reaction to the situation in Georgia and possible diplomatic steps to promote withdrawal of the Russian troops from the territory of independent Georgia. Zatlers said that at present the most important thing is to ensure presence of international observers and peace-keepers in Georgia to observe implementation of ceasefire. Latvia and its allies will actively work in the European Union (EU), OSCE, UN and NATO to achieve that. Zatlers also said that Latvia is ready to send its observers and peace-keepers to Georgia as soon as the mandate for the international mission is given.

The Latvian and US presidents agreed that a strict stance is needed at the NATO foreign ministers' extraordinary meeting on August 19, taking into account the decisions of NATO Bucharest summit, where the allies agreed that Georgia will be a NATO member in the future.

 Zatlers said that international organizations have to revise their cooperation with Russia in the context of the military conflict.

A similar opinion was voiced by Zatlers in a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko and Estonian colleague Toomas Hendrik Ilves, underscoring the necessity for a coordinated reaction from the international society.

Zatlers voiced the necessity to provide all needed assistance to Georgia and told Saakashvili that Latvia will offer Georgia humanitarian.

Russia has been engaged in armed hostilities with Georgia since August 8. On August 12 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered a halt to military operations in Georgia, but the Russian army has not yet left the Georgian territory. On August 17 Medvedev reported that Russia will start withdrawing its troops from Georgia, but Georgians are still waiting for a move.

Leaders of five Eastern European countries, including Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis, went to Tbilisi to show their support to Georgia, while Zatlers was in Beijing for the Olympic Games at the time.