SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS TODAY’S DEVELOPMENTS IN GEORGIA CRISIS MAY

HAVE WIDER IMPLICATIONS FOR SECURITY, STABILITY IN CAUCASUS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The question of recognition of States is a matter for sovereign States to decide.

The Secretary-General has expressed his position on the situation in Georgia in statements made since the beginning of the month of August. In particular, the Secretary-General has welcomed the agreement between Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Dmitry Medvedev of the Russian Federation, and reiterates the need to fully implement the six-point plan.

Today’s developments may have wider implications for security and stability in the Caucasus. The Secretary-General regrets that ongoing efforts to find a common solution on the way forward in the crisis in Georgia within the Security Council may be complicated.

The Secretary-General strongly emphasizes the urgent need to protect all civilians living in the conflict zones.

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