Russian Foreign Minister: 'Saakashvili Must Go'

Mon, Aug 11, 2008 at 11:44:52 am PDT

Here’s a press release from the United States Ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, on a disturbing statement by Russian foreign minister Lavrov that reveals Russia’s true endgame in the Georgia conflict: Remarks by Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Permanent Representative, on the situation in Georgia.

I want to focus however, on one point that Ambassador Churkin made. Ambassador Churkin referred to his minister’s phone conversation with Secretary of State Rice this morning. That conversation raises serious questions about Russian objectives.

In that conversation, Foreign Minister Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State Rice that the democratically elected President of Georgia “must go”.

I quote again: “Saakashvili must go.”

This is completely unacceptable and crosses a line. I want to ask Ambassador Churkin, is your government’s objective regime change in Georgia, the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Georgia. Mr. President, Russia must affirm their aim is not to change the democratically elected government of Georgia and it accepts the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia .

Mr. President, Russia is threatening the territorial integrity of Georgia and this Council must act decisively to reaffirm the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.