Topic: Situation in Georgia
Country: Austria
Delegate Name: Benjamin Van Airsdale
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Austria position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The situation in Georgia has the Republic of Austria very concerned. Every since August 7th 2008, violence has found the tiny breakaway state of Georgia. Georgia, which is located on the southern border of Russia, was once part of the U.S.S.R. until its independence. South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both regions of Georgia, have residents who have close ties to Russia, and identify themselves with both countries. On August 7th, the Russian army invaded the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and overpowered the smaller Georgian army. The Russians justified their actions stating that they were liberating their fellow countrymen from the violent actions of the Georgian government. In defense, Georgia is downplaying the Russian accusations that Georgian artillery killed 1,600 South Ossetians to deter them from succession. The Georgian government is asking for a ceasefire and that the original borders are reinstated from before the Russian invasion.
The Republic of Austria supports the opinions and actions that have taken place in the past from major European powers such as France and the United Kingdom (UK), and as well as the European Union (EU). In the past, we have fully supported the independent sovereignty of Georgia. Although politically Austria has been in good relations with Russia, we have sided with the Georgian government and against the aggressive Russian actions.
To help rebuild after the violent events that have taken place recently in Georgia, with the support of Austria, the EU is sponsoring monetary aid for the Georgian government. Up until the armed conflicts, Georgia possessed one of fastest growing economies in the world, with a growth rate of 12%. Now to rebuild that market, the EU has committed over 500 million Euros. It is estimated that Georgia would need about 2.4 billion Euros for everything, which includes people’s houses, destroyed industrial plants, and food for the civilians with ruined homes. To end this horrific conflict between Russia and Georgia, the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has implemented a proposal. He has introduced the Six-point Peace Plan. The Republic of Austria and as well as the European Union is strongly in favor of this plan in hopes of it closing this armed conflict.
"Aid for Georgia on the way." European Commission. 22 Oct. 2008. European Union. 24 Nov. 2008 <http://ec.europa.eu/news/external_relations/081022_1_en.htm>.
One specific goal of Austria is that both Russia and Georgia uphold their agreement of the Six-point Peace Plan so that order and economic aid is instilled in Georgia. The peace plan proposed by Nicolas Sarkozy, states that both parties have to stop the fighting. Then Georgia should be able to be granted humanitarian aid for the people whose homes were destroyed in the fighting. Another point of the plan is that both Georgian and Russian armed forces return to their posts before the conflict started. Then finally, international discussion should commence about the status of both the South Ossetian and Abkhazian territories.
Six-point peace plan for the Georgia-Russia conflict." M&C. 15 Aug. 2008. Europe News. 24 Nov. 2008 <http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1424314.php/BACKGROUND_Six-point_peace_plan_for_the_Georgia-Russia_conflict>.
