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2008 Embassy Events

Close Window DAS Bryza speaks at his September 17, 2008 press conference at the U.S. Embassy. (Photo by Ia Okhanashvili.)
DAS Bryza speaks at his September 17, 2008 press conference at the U.S. Embassy. (Photo by Ia Okhanashvili.)
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DAS Bryza speaks at his September 17, 2008 press conference at the U.S. Embassy. (Photo by Ia Okhanashvili.)
DAS Bryza speaks at his September 17, 2008 press conference at the U.S. Embassy. (Photo by Ia Okhanashvili.)

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bryza: “The war between Russia and Georgia did not begin on August 7, it began long before that.”

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza visited Georgia on September 16 and 17, 2008.  DAS Bryza met with government leaders, members of the civil society, and with the political opposition. DAS Bryza wanted to counter the Russian story and get our message out to the media so he spoke widely with the press, giving five one on one interviews - with Rustavi 2, Imedi television, the New Yorker Magazine, a Greek Television station, and the Financial Times. He also gave a widely attended press conference at the Embassy, where he commented on the more accurate picture that is finally emerging of the start of the war and called on Russia to honor their obligations in the ceasefire agreement. “No matter how much Russian officials wish to pretend that Kosovo and South Ossetia are similar, we have to remember that they are fundamentally different and there is no justification for any of Russia’s recent actions.”

Transcript of DAS Bryza Press Conference at U.S. Embassy in Georgia