OSCE Offers 'Objective' Report On Georgia-Russia Row

OSCE Chairman In Office Moratinos speaking in Tbilisi (OSCE) September 4, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Spanish Foreign Minister and current OSCE Chairman In Office Miguel Angel Moratinos today said the OSCE has prepared an "objective" report on a missile incident that has raised tensions between Georgia and Russia.

Moratinos was speaking to journalists in Tbilisi after meeting with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli, and other officials. Prior to visiting Georgia, Moratinos held meetings with Russian officials in Moscow.

Moratinos said the report, prepared by his special envoy, former Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul, will be presented and discussed at the OSCE's Permanent Council meeting on September 6 in Vienna.

Georgia has accused Russia of violating Georgian airspace on August 6 and dropping a missile, which failed to explode, on its territory. Russia denies the accusation.

Moratinos also said that the OSCE is willing to work toward improving relations between Georgia and Russia, and in order to avoid such incidents in the future, it will outline recommendations to both sides.

Kote Gabashvili, the chairman of Georgia's parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, today said Georgia is keeping close watch on how the OSCE intends to respond to the missile incident.

"If [the OSCE chairman] wants to give a normal reaction, this is good. However, if he intends to put the brakes on the case, then things will stay like this -- he will remain as a man who puts the brakes on, and we will remain a country that has been damaged by Russia," Gabashvili told journalists.

The OSCE report has not yet been made public.

(RFE/RL's Georgian Service)