The statement, which was made by U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland on November 14 at the meeting with students at the Tbilisi State University, is a subject of discussion in the media and political circles in Georgia.
“As for the possibilities to return the occupied territories, there is no quick resolution of this issue. I do not think that Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region see their future exclusively to the North, they have a lot of possibilities, including economic to the South. We are talking about a new “Silk Road”, a transit corridor, I think people living in Sukhumi and Gudauta will have desire to be involved in this process eventually. If you ask me about my personal opinion I can tell you that when I was in Georgia 20 years ago I saw that Abkhazians and Ossetians were treated by Georgians in the same way as Russians had treated Georgians and Georgia will have to apologize for the mistakes of the past. Abkhazians and Ossetians had a reason to feel themselves as minorities in Georgia. In the process when Georgia seeks to make itself more attractive economically and politically for these regions, Georgia has to reevaluate, acknowledge its mistakes and apologize. Another side of the equation is that you have to manage relationships with Russia more successfully, because Russia will undoubtedly try to use your weaknesses. But as we see the experience of those countries that are located near Russia, it is possible to manage good relationships with Russia successfully in order to avoid conflicts,” Richard Norland said.
The above mentioned statement was released by the news agency “Frontnews”.
Later Richard Norland responded to the press question regarding to his discussion with TSU students.
“Ambassador Norland said: "I’m glad you have asked because I think there may be some need of clarification and I’m going to actually read you something. There was a so called “quote” taken out of context. It was not a policy speech, but part of a frank and thought-provoking academic discussion with students. It was an isolated statement during an hour and 20 minute-long exchange. U.S. policy has not changed with regards to the occupied territories. As Georgians know I myself witnessed first-hand the suffering experienced 20 years ago. Mistakes were made on all sides. But nothing justifies the forced expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Georgians from their homes, or the occupation of sovereign Georgian territory. Looking to the future, some sort of reconciliation process that addresses grievances on all sides must be part of the effort to restore Georgia's territorial integrity, an effort which the United States will continue to support strongly," Norland said.
When asked if it was right for Ambassador Norland to express his personal opinion publicly.
Ambassador Norland said: “This was a discussion with students. Actually it was off the record and it was secret recording. I’m actually surprised and I’m not sure the quotes you have are accurate. But I’ve expressed my opinion on this statement today.”
“Frontnews” states that there was not any secret recording. The meeting was open to the media and a “Frontnews” correspondent attended this meeting in agreement with the Head of the Public Relations Department of the university. Our journalists legally recorded the meeting.
As for the "incorrect translation" and "interpretations", at a meeting Norland’s speech was translated by his interpreter. Accordingly, the text which was released by “Frontnews” had been translated by the interpreter of the Embassy and not our translator. We added to this text only one word – apologize. In this regard we would like to make clear that the ambassador said “apologize” and his interpreter said: “recognition” [Mistakes of the Past].
As for the “quote was taken out of context”, we declare with full responsibility that “Frontnews” released a full response of Richard Norland regarding to the question about Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.
Therefore, it is absolutely unacceptable, whether it be the ambassador or anyone else to blame media for the incorrect statements.
To confirm the above mentioned we publish recording of Richard Norland about the meeting with TSU students. You can listen to Norland’s answer to the question on the occupied territories approximately from 22 minutes.
