Topic: Situation in Georgia
Country: Holy See
Delegate Name: Kai Chen Yeo
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Holy See position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The region of South Ossetia has long been disputed between Georgia and Russia. On August 7, 2008 violence emerged in the region between Georgian and Russian troops over the said territory. Russia has maintained that Georgia used inhumane methods to ‘cleanse’ the area of South Ossetians because of their wish to break away and join Russia while Georgia claims that Russia is in the wrong for invading their borders unprovoked. Furthermore, Georgia claims that political negotiations in their own country, including negotiations with the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, are no one’s business but their own. Despite varying opinions on who was indeed in the wrong, the truth of the matter is that the violence quickly grew out of hand. On August 14, the two countries agreed on a peace plan although it has since then been debated if the countries followed the plan as strictly as they should. Regardless of official Government proceedings, there still have been frequent outbreaks of civilian violence.
The Holy See holds a fiercely anti-war opinion about violence occurring in the world. The Vatican City has released statements declaring modern military advances as detrimental to the human race. We wish to see an immediate and complete withdrawal of troops and militias from both sides as we understand that tensions are still running high. Greater security is needed in the highly volatile region to aid against the outbreaks of violence by civilians that have grown all too frequent. To end the violence in the region, the Holy See supports peace negotiations that have been going on and encourages further diplomatic and peaceful discussions between the two countries. Also, the Holy See recognizes the dire condition of thousands of civilians displaced by the violence. Security alone will not mend their situation and the Holy See requests that aid be immediately implemented for those who are still unable to return home. Whether or not one side was in the wrong, the Holy See reminds the leaders of violence on both sides that they will have to answer to a Higher Power for their actions.
There should be no countries opposed to the Holy See’s demands for peace. Countries remaining non-aligned in this conflict should especially agree with the stance Holy See has taken on the matter. While some countries may not agree with countries that remain non-aligned, all countries should share and support the Holy See’s call for an end to violence in the region. We look especially to countries that wield a considerable amount of power, such as the United States or the United Kingdom, to support our wish for a lasting peace in the region.
The Holy See has declined to sign any official documents regarding the Georgia-Russia conflict on principle. However, the Holy See has always been an advocate for peace and humanitarian rights. One only has to look to the Holy See’s Path to Peace Foundation to understand the great lengths that the Holy See will go to, to secure human rights. The Holy See’s participation in UNHCR should also be noted in our ardent concern for the refugees created by this conflict. We hope that by working together for a peaceful solution, both Georgia and Russia will be able to look to a bright and secure future.
