Russian ‘invasion’ challenges UN charter, Georgian President says

Last month’s “invasion” by Russia flouted principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the President of Georgia said today, expressing the Caucasus nation’s determination to rebuild and further consolidate democracy.

Mikheil Saakashvili told the General Assembly’s high-level segment that his country, with a population of less than 5 million people, was “trampled” in August by Russia.

“Despite our small size, the legal, moral, political and security implications raised by that invasion could not be larger in consequence,” he said, referring to principles protected by the Charter, including state sovereignty, human rights and international law.

“All of these principles were put to the test by the invasion, and now hang in the balance.”

Mr. Saakashvili said that he welcomes a comprehensive and independent investigation into the causes of the conflict, calling on Russia to fully cooperate with such an assessment.

He stressed the need for another Rose Revolution, the first having been held in Georgia in 2003 to battle domestic corruption. “Our second revolution must be even more focused, as now we face an even greater challenge, one that comes from outside.”

Thanking the international community for its support for Georgians in need, the President vowed that resources contributed to the country’s reconstruction efforts will be spent “wisely, well and with full transparency.”

He added that the “Georgia we rebuild will contribute to the prosperity and security of all our citizens, and to the entire international community” by acting as a beacon of stability and model of democracy.