Government condemns Russian military offensive in Georgia

The Czech government on Wednesday strongly condemned Russia’s military offensive in Georgia. Following a cabinet meeting devoted to the situation in the Caucuses, Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek said that Georgia’s independence and integrity must be respected and that Russia had violated international law when it sent its troops over the border. At the request of Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg the government agreed to set aside 150 million crowns in aid to Georgia to help restore the country’s damaged infrastructure in the wake of Russia’s military offensive. It also wants to organize a donors’ conference in order to provide further assistance. The government and NGOs have already sent medicines and humanitarian aid to the region.

The armed conflict over South Ossetia has divided Czech politicians. While the Foreign Ministry issued a statement in support of Georgia and condemned Moscow’s use of force, President Klaus said that Georgia was primarily to blame for provoking the armed conflict.