Interview with Nikolay Bordyuzha

Russia is ready to send observers to the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone, according to Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, Nikolay Bordyuzha. The organisation was set up in 2002 and now has Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kaz

Nikolay Bordyuzha: This [that the alliance's representatives will join a mission of OSCE military observers – RT] was the decision of the OSCE leadership. We have good contacts with them, including working on common projects. Naturally, we support all projects aimed at stabilising the situation in the Treaty’s zone and its bordering regions. Most of the organisation’s member-states want to take part.

Twenty OSCE observers will now be deployed to the conflict zone to monitor the situation. In the very near future, 80 more will be sent. Russia has offered three candidates, Armenia also three, Kazakhstan has proposed its candidate while Kyrgyzstan and Belarus are now choosing their candidates. Having our representatives among the observers will only increase the objectivity of judgments that will be made.

Russia Today: The heads of the organisation's member-states will be meeting in Moscow on September 5. Are they going to discuss the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and how likely do you think it is that other member-states apart from Russia will recognise their independence?

N.B.: Recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a sovereign matter of each country. But I can tell you that Russia’s actions are supported by all member-states in various ways: phone calls, statements, messages or comments.

RT: If other member-states follow Russia's lead and recognise their independence, how likely is it that Abkhazia and South Ossetia will make it into the organisation as fully-fledged members?

N.B.: The decisions are taken by heads of member-states. But I can tell that Georgia’s President does everything to push the leadership of Abkhazia and South Ossetia towards the need for creating a collective security system. The latest events showed that these two small republics can’t on their own provide security for their citizens. Sooner or later, they will be seeking ways of collective defence. And Georgia is forcing them to make it happen as soon as possible.