Topic: Situation in Georgia
Country: Iraq
Delegate Name: Bridgette Collins
School: Flint Central Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Iraq position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
August 7th, 2008, armed conflicts erupted between the Russian Federation and Georgia over a territory dispute. While Officially part of Georgia under the borders which existed when Georgia abandoned the USSR, many of the residents of the area of South Ossetia have extensive ties to Russia. Russia claims that South Ossetia, the area being disputed over, has a right to self-determination and wishes to be part of the Russian Federation. MOreover, the Russian Federation maintains that in July 2008 the military of the Georgian Republic had moved into the region and begun to use illegal and cruel measures to suppress the region's desire to secede including using artillery to kill 1,600 South Ossetians. Georgia claims that Russia invaded its borders without provocation, that it had the right to judge internal issues including its own federal relationship with South Ossetia. Georgia further claims that it was not abusing international norms of human rights in South Ossetia prior to Russian invasion.
Observing the evident conflicts between the nations of Russia and Georgia, the country of Iraq takes a stand to deplore the activities between the nations. Iraq believes the fault lies neither with Russia nor Georgia, but with both Russia and Georgia. We find it hypocritial of Georgia to try to absorb the unwilling South Ossetia with force when they have already expressed a firm refusal to join the Russian Federation. We also find Russia's unwarrented use of excessive military force to be far to invasive. Recently, Russia pulled its troops out of Georgia, and Iraq applauds Russia for that act. We see this as a sign of potential agreement between Russia, Georgia, and South Ossetia.
We believe that peaceful negotiation between Russia, Georgia, and South Ossetia would lead to an equally peaceful resolution. Iraq has faith that a ceasefire between the nations will lead to further peace. Iraq would like to see South Ossetia respected as a sovereign nation, not a rebellious part of one country.
