Radio interview with Jim Murphy MP, British Minister for Europe. 11th August
2008, set to music - theme tune to "The Magnificent Seven"
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nrqcTUfKVYM


Russian action in Georgia 'deplorable', says UK minister

Jim Murphy warns there is no justification for Moscow's continued military
action in light of Georgian withdrawal from South OssetiaAndrew Sparrow and
agencies guardian.co.uk, Monday August 11 2008 10:28 BST

Russia's decision to ignore calls for a ceasefire in Georgia was condemned as
"deplorable" today by the Foreign Office.

Jim Murphy, the Europe minister, said there was no justification for Russia
pressing ahead with military action in the light of the Georgian withdrawal from
South Ossetia.

The Foreign Office has advised all Britons in Georgia who do not have an urgent
need to remain in the country to leave as soon as possible.

Speaking on the Today programme, Murphy said: "The fact that Russia is now going
even beyond Abkhazia and South Ossetia, bombing sites near to the Georgian
capital of Tbilisi, the fact that Russia has mobilised at least part of the
Black Sea fleet off the coast of Georgia is entirely deplorable Russian military
behaviour.

"There cannot be a military solution to this, it is absolutely clear."

In a separate BBC interview, Murphy said conference call between foreign
ministers from the G7 countries - the G8 minus Russia – would be taking place
this afternoon. The aim would be to maximise diplomatic pressure on Russia.

"This has gone far too far," Murphy said.

"There are disputes about some issues - territorial issues and authority issues
in South Ossetia and separately in Abkhazia.

"But there is no excuse for Russia bombing targets outside of those areas, in
and around Tbilisi, and also mobilising the Black Sea fleet to go off to the
coast of Georgia.

"Russia have extended this in an entirely unacceptable way."

Murphy said it would be "utterly unacceptable" if Russia were to try to
destabilise an elected government in order to bring about regime change in
Georgia.

"There is an emergency meeting of all the foreign offices and foreign ministries
of the 27 European countries this Wednesday in Brussels," Murphy said.

"And if that is the stated aim of Russia there will be a very strong diplomatic,
international, response to Russia."

Yesterday Gordon Brown discussed the crisis with the French President, Nicolas
Sarkozy, and the UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon. David Miliband, the foreign
secretary, also spoke to the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, and to
some of his EU counterparts.

In a statement issued last night, Downing Street said: "We will continue to
press for international action to help bring this conflict to an end, and we
urge both parties to agree an immediate ceasefire."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/11/georgia.russia6

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view=News&id=5163208
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/how-we-are-organised/ministers/j-murphy

Latest on Georgia (11/08/2008)We are monitoring developments in Georgia
following news of continued heavy fighting between Georgian forces and South
Ossetian separatists in the conflict zone of South Ossetia.

We urge an immediate ceasefire in the fighting in South Ossetia and for a
resumption of direct dialogue between all parties.

Latest statements

Foreign Office Minister, Jim Murphy, has been speaking to the media. He said:

'It would be utterly unacceptable for Russia to try and destabilise a
democratically elected government on its border with a view to any sort of
regime change. The international community would view that extraordinarily dimly
and would have diplomatic consequences for Russia'.


Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, made a statement on 9 August deploring the
violence:

'I have today had a number of calls with international colleagues. There is
widespread concern about the escalating violence in Georgia.

'British representatives on the ground and the media have reported that Russia
has extended the fighting today well beyond South Ossetia, attacking the
Georgian port of Poti ,and the town of Gori, while Abkhaz forces have been
shelling Georgian positions in the Upper Kodori valley. I deplore this.

'The immediate priority for the international community is to stop the conflict.
The responsibility on the Russian and Georgian governments is now clear. The
offer of a ceasefire by the Georgian government is very welcome. We now look to
the Russian Government to accept this offer and agree to an immediate ceasefire,
in line with its international commitments to respect Georgian territorial
integrity.


- Get Putin!
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/getputin




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