President Valdis Zatlers has discussed the situation in Georgia with other heads of state

President Valdis Zatlers has discussed the situation in Georgia and the international implications of the military conflict there with other heads of state. Latvia’s President has been in contact with the presidents of Estonia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the United States by telephone to consider steps that could be taken to bring an end to the Russian-Georgian war and the normalization of the situation. The President underscored his positive assessment of the ceasefire but emphasized the need to adhere to its terms, in particular to the stipulation that Russian forces be withdrawn, which is currently not being implemented.

In his conversation with US President George Bush, President Zatlers spoke of the reaction of the international community to the situation in Georgia and of possible diplomatic steps that could facilitate a Russian withdrawal. Dr. Zatlers noted the most pressing need at the moment is the deployment of international monitors and peacekeepers in Georgia to oversee the observance of the ceasefire. To achieve this, Latvia and its allies will work actively in the framework of the EU, the OSCE, the UN and NATO. Latvia’s President also emphasized Latvia’s willingness to commit monitors and peacekeepers to such an operation as soon as an international mission is given a mandate by the international community.

President Zatlers and President Bush agreed on the necessity for a strong stance at the emergency meeting of NATO foreign ministers on August 19th, in view of the agreement reached among the Allies at the NATO Summit in Bucharest that Georgia will become a NATO Member. The President of Latvia also emphasized that cooperation with Russia in international organizations must be reviewed in light of this armed conflict.

Dr. Zatlers also expressed these views in telephone conversations with Viktor Yushchenko, the President of Ukraine, and Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the President of Estonia, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response to the situation in Georgia by the international community.

In his conversations with other leaders, President Zatlers also underscored the need to provide badly needed humanitarian assistance to Georgia. Dr. Zatlers told Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia, that Latvia will provide what aid it can to minimize the suffering of civilians and refugees.

President Zatlers will also discuss the military conflict in Georgia and its consequences with Valdas Adamkus during a working visit on Wednesday, August 20th.