Lithuania denounces 'carousel of violations'

Aug 26, 2008
By Mike Collier

VILNIUS - Lithuania's Foreign Ministry released a strongly-worded statement on 25th August, denouncing Russian actions in Georgia and a subsequent vote in the Duma to recognise Abkhazian and South Ossetian independence as illegal and dangerous.
"Georgia’s territorial integrity was openly and roughly encroached, when the State Duma of the Russian Federation voted in favour of addressing the President of Russia with a request to recognise the independence of two administrative units of Georgia," the statement said. "Such a vote is not consistent either with the international law, or the principle of good neighbourly relations."
"The above-mentioned vote of the Russian Duma also breaches those cooperation agreements between the European Union and Russia, which are presently in effect," the ministry believes.
"We cannot overlook the fact that Russian Duma voted for the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia unilaterally and disregarding the consequences which the decision will have on the international peace, security and the image of the United Nations," it continues.
The statement finishes with a flourish, too, saying: "Please take notice that this is already not the first time, when decisions made by the highest Russian authority institutions have violated the rules of the international law. We would like to summon Russian leaders to end this carousel of violations as soon as possible."