MILITARY MEMORABILIA

Last interview with Matthew Bryza?

What is the policy of the White House with Obama? Today, politicians and analysts can only guess, but everyone agrees that Washington will not change its foreign policy course a lot, especially because it will be led by a prominent Hillary Clinton, and the position of Minister of Security is always occupied by Robert Gates. It will be possible to draw some conclusions in April alone, after the peak of the "Great Twenty" in London. The meeting of presidents of major countries have a policy presentation Barak Obama. There U.S. presidents and Russia meet for the first time. Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Matthew Bryza dwells on the future of America and Georgia and Russian-American relations.

Bryza, after administration of new questions for the rumors came to Tbilisi power that arises will be appointed to another post. In recent years, Georgia has used its workforce …

– I can not express I'm used to it! I do not know what you do without me (laughs) but I can not really imagine what I'd do without this work. Perhaps there are rumors, but I do not know nothing. I love this region and all of you who live here. I do not know what will happen. Depends Clinton Secretary of State today, I am serving, and I will continue my service in the place designated. Fortunately, I'll stay here for at least a little more. Although, frankly, I'm just physically tired but – Like my soul, I am willing to keep working and hope it will be for long.

Today, Georgians are concerned about the further development of relations between Georgia and the U.S.. Georgia State Opposition that the prospects are quite clear, as Obama does not give positive signals for President Georgian.

– It's ridiculous – the relations between our two countries are very strong, what is today and will in the future. Obviously. Judging by the administration New credit-backed Georgia, even during the pre-election – during the war and the Russian invasion, and this policy continues to support its course. There is a letter defines our relationship, and this document will be made by the new administration. I do not understand what people say there is no positive signs from the White House hope that States Together, because many of these signs.

The table of the strategic partnership that you mentioned has led to suspicions Moscow: says that the U.S. is intends to make the platform of Georgia military bases. To what extent these suspicions are?

– We do not intend to establish the type of bases in Georgia. However, I have said repeatedly that we intend to work with Georgia in the field of security, energy, the economy. The paper should encourage Georgia to promote reforms, and this process strengthens the cooperation of our countries and help Georgia to meet NATO's criteria, including.

Developing our relations with Georgia, we are not interested in the fight against Russia. At the same time, we are aware of the long struggle we face, which requires patience and cooperation with Russia.

A possible new Cold War? The fact is that after the victory Barak Obama in the presidential election, Russia has become more positive about the warming of relations with the United States, but after the Munich speech Vice President Biden people back to earth.

– No cold war, the time passed long ago. I believe that Russia achieves its weakness in relation to United States. Everyone knows. As Biden said we are willing to renew relations with Russia, but never-never recognize the independence Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This means no change in our relations with Georgia. And if our Government wants to conduct negotiations on nuclear weapons, is normal, will influence our During the development of relations with Georgia.

Are there any real mechanisms of pressure on Russia? It is clear that diplomacy alone is not sufficient, because Moscow has not withdrawn its troops to positions before the war – quite the contrary, the new Russian military bases located in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

– These intentions have been declared and the fact that Russian troops have not withdrawn their positions on August 6 is not compatible with the agreement of August 12 and September 8 between Presidents Medvedev and Saakashvili. As a precise mechanism of pressure, there is none. Simply believe that Russia intends to (hopefully) to achieve their commitments under these agreements.

Probably not enough for hope. Well, now diplomatic pressure is not effective as we want to be – well, the result is rather poor.

– It is poor, I agree. But diplomacy is urgent. What happened after the speech by our President during the war? Reporters who observed the situation (I mean the road between Gori and Mtskheta) I said that when President Bush made a speech, Russian tanks pulled out of his way to Tbilisi. This means that diplomacy words to say, are significant. And I think if everyone realizes that Russia has not fulfilled its obligations and Tskhinvali hamper progress the negotiations and did not even want to receive humanitarian aid accounts of politicians and the publication of policy statements, step by step then becomes a positive impact on Georgia.

By Indeed, humanitarian aid. You mean the denial of Tskhinvali to accept assistance from the EU and the UN talks in Geneva?

– In Geneva, I represent the U.S. in the second working group on refugees and there is another security group. I can not express our meeting productive. Why? Because the EU and the UN has offered to provide assistance to needy people in North and South. My colleagues have not passed Tskhinvali. It turns out that work in Geneva, but are not able to fully meet our rights. It is beyond my comprehension. The UN and the EU offer assistance, and one of the parties is not agree – is a violation of Security Council resolution, and this document is an international energy law. This is a very serious moment. The fact is that Article 4 of Resolution 1866 states that humanitarian assistance should be provided free, and happens in our working group is an obstacle to Tskhinvali. And I wish our Russian friends contribute to progress.

And that may be due to the reluctance of Sukhumi and Tskhinvali to EU observers in? It is a violation of agreements. What could be the reaction of the European Union if the format of peacemaking news does not work in Abkhazia and South Ossetia?

– I can not answer this question. I do not know what will happen. We must work to answer such questions and solve these problems. It is why we must conduct negotiations and dialogue.

We believe there is only one state – Georgia and South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia. The European Union said its observers have the right to monitor all areas of Georgia, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia. But the authorities in Tskhinvali and Sukhumi state otherwise. I think we managed to find common ground.

Another issue is the return of refugees questionable. Are there improvements in this situation?

– Most important for this safe return. In the region of Gala and security of South Ossetia must be guaranteed. We consider the idea of Georgia and others on what to do for the return of refugees.

Mr. Bryza, I was worried about a problem since August. In his first interview during the war, which has been very different Mr. Bryza, no not a diplomat, smiling today. You said gravely, that war was an unforgivable mistake. Who did you say to these words?

– You mean when I to Tbilisi? There were many reasons to be frustrated! First, Russia has attacked Georgia, and called on Georgia to launch this war. It was not fair. There were many comments from Russian authorities was easy a lie. I also believe that these statements increased the level of tension during the war. Why I was so angry: I think my work as a diplomat to help the parties reach agreements, and establish peace, to live in friendship and resolve issues of particular urgency. Then and now, I am convinced that these statements Moscow has aggravated the situation.

Mathew Bryza

Biography

Matthew J. Bryza assumed his duties as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs in June 2005. In as such, is responsible for policy oversight and management relations with the countries of South Caucasus and Europe. He also leads the U.S. effort to advance the peaceful resolution of separatist conflicts Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia. In addition, Mr. Bryza coordinates U.S. energy policy The regions surrounding the Black and Caspian seas. It also works with European countries on issues of tolerance, social integration, and Islam.

In April 2001, Mr. Bryza joined the National Security Council as Director for Europe and Eurasia, with responsibility for coordinating U.S. policy in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Caspian energy.

Mr. Bryza was special advisor to the Deputy President and the Secretary of State in the diplomacy of the Caspian energy in July 1998 to March 2001. As such, Mr. Bryza coordinated U.S. effort among government agencies to develop a network of oil and gas pipelines in the Caspian region.

In 1997-1998, Mr. Bryza was advisor Special Ambassador Richard Morningstar, U.S. to coordinate government assistance programs on economic reform in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Mr. Bryza served in the U.S. embassy in Moscow during 1995-1997, first assistant in particular, Ambassador Thomas Pickering, then as a political officer to the Russian Duma, the party Communist, and the Republic of Dagestan in the North Caucasus.

He worked on European and Russian affairs at the State Department during the period 1991-1995.

Mr. Bryza served in Poland in 1989-1991 in the U.S. consulate in Poznan and the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, where he covered the Solidarity movement, the reform of Poland's security, and regional policy.

He joined the U.S. Foreign Service in August 1988.

Bryza graduated Stanford University with a degree in international relations. He received his Masters Degree in the same area of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Fluent Russian and Polish and also speaks German and Spanish.

Source: European Dialogue

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