C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 088216 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2018 TAGS: UNSC, PREL, GG, RU SUBJECT: TFGG01 GEORGIA -- GUIDANCE ON FRENCH DRAFT RESOLUTION Classified By: IO PDAS James Warlick for reason 1.4(b). 1. (U) This is an action message. Following is guidance for use in informal consultations and in experts' meetings on the draft resolution on Georgia, circulated by the French delegation. Formal UNSC action on the resolution should be deferred pending further instructions from the Department. 2. (C) Following on the Secretary's meetings with President Sarkozy in Paris on August 14, the Department requests that USUN conduct informal discussions with the French and others, as appropriate, to ensure that the draft text reflects the outcomes of the Secretary's meeting with President Sarkozy. Those outcomes include: a) inclusion of the six principles comprising the EU agreement of August 13; b) inclusion of language incorporating President Sarkozy's letter to President Saakashvili of August 14, clarifying and limiting the role of Russian troops within Georgia, South Ossetia (Georgia) and Abkhazia (Georgia). c) inclusion of language reaffirming Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the operative clauses. Redlines -------- 3. (C) USUN should seek to include a reference to Georgia's territorial integrity among the operative clauses. The Department strongly prefers that we use the formulation from previous resolutions on Georgia, most recently UNSCR 1808 (April 15, 2008) "reaffirming Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders." The Department will consider formulations that simply refer to this formulation in previous resolutions, but USUN should make a strong argument in favor of the explicit formulation in the text, in advance of further experts' meetings, and lobby other UNSC members for support on this point. 4. (SBU) The Department will accept the inclusion of the six principles of the EU agreement of August 13 as listed in OP 1, despite our major reservations regarding the language in OP 1E (which could be seen to grant Russia authorities beyond those existing prior to August 7), provided that language proposed in OPs 1bis and 1ter or a similar formulation is included to limit potential Russian military operations pending further permanent arrangements. Further Comment on Text ----------------------- 5. (SBU) Revised OP 1 clarifies the relationship of the EU "plan" to this resolution and ensures that the UNSC resolution defines the terms of the solution, rather than the EU communiqu. 6. (SBU) New OP 1quat and revised OP 2 acknowledge the Secretary General's statement and express Council commitment to support a new, viable peacekeeping operation that does not include the parties to the conflict, with Russia explicitly considered a party. Revised Resolution Text ----------------------- 7. (U) The above comment is keyed to the revised text below. The Department strongly prefers these formulations, but will consider alternative language that achieves the same goals. 8. (U) Begin revised resolution text: Welcoming the positive outcome of mediation efforts led by France on behalf of the European Union and Finland on behalf of the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe, Welcoming the commitment to a cessation of military operations, announced by the President of the Russian Federation and the President of Georgia, Welcoming the declarations on 12 August, 2008 by the President of the Russian Federation and the President of Georgia expressing their support for the ceasefire plan proposed by France, as President of the European Union, Distressed by human casualties and the high number of refugees and internally displaced persons, and their rapidly deteriorating situation, Determined to facilitate a peaceful and durable settlement through negotiations, X. Reaffirms the commitment of all member States to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders; 1. Welcomes the above-mentioned settlement plan consisting of the following principles as first steps toward a durable solution to the crisis: a) commitment by all parties to renounce the use of force; b) immediate and definitive cessation of hostilities; c) free access to humanitarian aid; d) withdrawal of Georgian forces to their places of permanent deployment e) withdrawal of Russian forces to their lines of deployment prior to 7 August 2008; pending the urgent definition of an international mechanism, the Russian peacekeeping forces may implement additional security measures. f) convening of international discussions on lasting security and stability arrangements for Abkhazia (Georgia) and South Ossetia (Georgia). 1bis. Further welcomes the letter from the President of France, dated 14 August 2008 (S/2008/XXX) that clarifies the understanding of the government of Georgia and the government of the Russian Federation regarding the meaning and scope of the fifth point of the above-mentioned plan, which is reflected in paragraph 1(e) of this resolution; 1ter. Underscores that nothing in this resolution shall be deemed to authorize the presence or activities of foreign forces within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia, nor prejudice the position of any parties in subsequent political negotiations; 1quat. Welcomes the declaration of the Secretary General offering the resources and good offices of the Secretariat to facilitate international discussion and to contribute to possible peacekeeping or other arrangements; 2. Expresses its readiness to take further action as a matter of urgency to contribute to the implementation of a solution, including consideration of a contribution to international peacekeeping operations in Abkhazia (Georgia) and South Ossetia (Georgia) that do not include the parties to the conflict; 3. Calls on all parties to cooperate fully in the implementation of the principles; 4. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter. End Resolution text. RICE