8 Jun 2010

GENEVA / RUSSIA-GEORGIA TALKS

Russia and Georgia have opened their first direct talks since the August military conflict between the two countries ended. UNTV

Posted at: June 8, 2010 3:55 pm

Duration: 01:52

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: GENEVA / RUSSIA-GEORGIA TALKS
TRT: 1.52
SOURCE: UNTV 
RESTRICTIONS: NONE 
LANGUAGE: RUSSIAN/ ENGLISH/ NATS

DATELINE: 8 JUNE 2010, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

SHOTLIST:

RECENT, PALAIS DES NATIONS, GENEVA

1.	Wide shot, exterior Palais des Nations

8 JUNE 2010, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

2.	Wide shot, press
3.	SOUNDBITE (Russian) Mr. Grigory Karasin, Director of the Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Head of delegation: 
"We certainly do recognize the 12th August Agreement and 8th September Agreements but our logic is really that they're not enough.  We can't constantly refer to these agreements as a guarantee of a peaceful happy life in the region."
4.	Close up, cameraman  
5.	SOUNDBITE (Russian) Mr. Grigory Karasin, Director of the Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Head of delegation: 
"The Georgian leadership, the authorities in Tbilisi are using the complex situation arising in the Gali region in order artificially to whip up fear and passion amongst those living there, the Georgians, in order to get people to realize that there's some sort of danger, that problems are not being resolved and there's no way out.  I think this is absolutely inhuman and cynical on their part.  If you want to help people you need to resolve their problems."
6.	Med shot, journalists
7.	SOUNDBITE (English) Giorgi Bokeria, First Deputy Foreign Minister, Georgia: 
"I was glad to hear from Mr. Karasin now, finally, that the 12th August Agreement exists, because we had a very nervous moment, for all Participants including the co-chairs where Mr. Karasin I hope just misspoke and said the 12th August Agreement does not exist and thus there were no commitments either by Russia or others for the non use of force.  I have to underline again the very clear position of the Georgia Government that we consider the 12th August Agreement as a binding legal obligation."
8.	Wide shot, Press Room III

5. STORYLINE:

The 11th round of the talks between Russia and Georgia began today (8 June) in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations, The European Union and the OSCE.

The talks are aimed at restoring stability in the region following the conflict between the two countries in August 2008. All participants met in two parallel working groups to discuss security and stability in the region as well as humanitarian matters.

The three co-chairs of the meeting said the discussions had been tense and difficult. The situation on the ground remained difficult and at times dangerous, including in zones that had not been conflict zones two years ago.  But that this showed that the mechanisms that had been created through the Geneva Discussion played an important role.

Much of the discussion centered on the non-use of force and agreements made in August 2008.  Russia, while acknowledging their existence, called the agreements insufficient and demanded further agreements.

SOUNDBITE (Russian) Mr. Grigory Karasin, Director of the Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Head of delegation: 
"We certainly do recognize the 12th August Agreement and 8th September Agreements but our logic is really that they're not enough.  We can't constantly refer to these agreements as a guarantee of a peaceful happy life in the region."

The Russian representative expressed concern over the recent incidents in the Gali district, accusing the authorities in Tbilisi of artificially generating "fear and passion amongst those living there".

SOUNDBITE (Russian) Mr. Grigory Karasin, Director of the Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Head of delegation: 
"The Georgian leadership, the authorities in Tbilisi are using the complex situation arising in the Gali region in order artificially to whip up fear and passion amongst those living there, the Georgians, in order to get people to realize that there's some sort of danger, that problems are not being resolved and there's no way out. I think this is absolutely inhuman and cynical on their part.  If you want to help people you need to resolve their problems."

The Georgian delegation stated that the 12th August agreement, signed by Russia and France was 'legally binding'.

SOUNDBITE (English) Giorgi Bokeria, First Deputy Foreign Minister, Georgia: 
"I was glad to hear from Mr. Karasin now, finally, that the 12th August Agreement exists, because we had a very nervous moment, for all Participants including the co-chairs where Mr. Karasin I hope just misspoke and said the 12th August Agreement does not exist and thus there were no commitments either by Russia or others for the non use of force.  I have to underline again the very clear position of the Georgia Government that we consider the 12th August Agreement as a binding legal obligation."

The next round of the meeting will be held on 22nd July 2010.