Russia is not looking to annex South Ossetia and Abkhazia and expand its territory. That's according to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who gave the assurance in an interview with France's 'Le Figaro' newspaper.
Putin: Russia has always delivered on its obligations, and it is also going to do that in the future. First of all, I would like to say that the current situation that has developed is not through Russia’s fault, but through the fault of the current Georgian leadership that embarked on that bloody venture in the attack against South Ossetia.
Once again, I say that the actions taken by the Russian army were forced. That was in response to an armed provocation from the part of the Georgian leadership, and the murder of our peacekeepers and local residents in South Ossetia. We only went beyond the peacekeepers’ control zone because we were forced to suppress control points that were used to organize hostilities against South Ossetia, and our peacekeepers outside the peacekeeping area.
We had to destroy control points and radar stations that were used to counteract our air forces, and had to suppress organized long-range artillery positions that were used, among other targets, to fire at refugees who were leaving Tskhinval.
After the Georgian army in its current form ceased to exist, following strikes from the Russian army, our peacekeepers, reinforced by Russian Army units, only remain in the security zone that has been outlined in international agreements.
The Russian Federation has the largest territory in the world, and you and I realize perfectly - and I am confident that so do the readers of your newspaper - that Russia by no means needs any additional territories at the expense of Georgia.
We think that the agreements achieved with the European Union are extremely important. I think that French President Mr. Sarkozy, who is currently head of the united Europe, played a great personal role in that.
We think that the agreements achieved with the “Europe Three” will be observed by our European partners as well.
We also hope that observers from the OSCE, UN, and the European Union will assume responsibility in the security zone where Russian peacekeepers are now deployed. If this is done, then, of course, Russia will fulfill all its obligations, and pull its peacekeepers, even out of that security zone. However, there are obligations on the other parts, not only on Russia’s. Our European partners also have obligations. They have to assume the responsibility of maintaining security in the area. We will welcome cooperation with our European partners in that region.
Le Figaro: There’s another question regarding the extra observers to be sent to Georgia. Why do you deny those observers access to the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
Putin: We don’t, but those are sovereign states, the sovereignty and independence of which we have recognized. For any foreign observers to appear on their territory, one needs to talk to the governments of those countries first of all, not to Russia.
Le Figaro: You have put a special emphasis on the role Mr. Sarkozy played in achieving and executing the peace agreements. How would you characterize your relationships with the President of France?
Putin: They are of a very business-like and constructive nature. There has also been a more personal touch to them recently, I think. We have very kind, trustful relationships. He also does some wrestling, and we have agreed to have a training session together one day.
Le Figaro: Mr. Prime Minister, in your interview to CNN on August 28th, you said there had been American soldiers standing behind Georgian troops. Have you found any proof of that information, which was only a hypothesis at the time of the interview?
Putin: I wasn’t talking about American soldiers. I was talking about American citizens.
Continued>>>
http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/30380
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