Russian Agreement with Abkhaz and South Ossetian Separatists

April 30, 2009

Statement by Robert A. Wood, acting Spokesman

The United States expresses its serious concern over the agreement signed earlier today in Moscow between Russia and the de facto authorities in Georgia's separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which will allow, inter alia, Russian border guards to be stationed along the regions' administrative boundaries .  This action contravenes Russia's commitments under the August 12 ceasefire agreement brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy between Russia and Georgia, and violates Georgia's territorial integrity.We call on Russia to honor its commitments under the August 12 and September 8 ceasefire agreements.  This includes removing its troops to positions held prior to the start of the conflict, allowing unfettered humanitarian access, and allowing human rights organizations to investigate allegations of ethnic cleansing in the two regions.  Establishing a "border" under the control of Russian soldiers marks another step in the opposite direction.