Right of Reply at HDIM 2019 Working Session 14
As delivered by James Donegan, Director of the Department of State Office of European Security and Political Affairs
to the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw,
September 25, 2019
The United States would like to reply to statements made by the Russian Federation concerning attacks that have occurred recently in our country. The Russian Federation insinuated that the United States’ policies on migration somehow caused these violent acts, even going so far as to suggest the government’s “connivance” in these tragic events. The remarkable cynicism of this groundless assertion is belied by easily ascertainable facts. The President issued a strong call for all Americans to reject the hatred behind these crimes, urging us all to condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy, and declaring, “Hate has no place in America.” The authorities continue to investigate these events and we are confident that justice will be done.
In addition, we note that speakers today purporting to represent Georgia’s South Ossetia region intimated that the United States had supported so-called aggression there. However, Abkhazia and South Ossetia remain integral parts of Georgia despite Russia’s continuing occupation. We once again call on Russia to suspend its illegal occupation of Georgian territory and fulfil its commitments under the 2008 ceasefire agreement. For the last decade, Russia’s illegal, malign behavior has undermined stability and peace in the region.
###
