It's Over... So now what?

by Rishubhav

Today, after intensive talks with the French and EU President Nicholas Sarkozy, the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced the end of Russian military activities in Georgia, and ordered a halt. Together the negotiators laid out "6 principles" on which peace must follow: The cessation of hostilities, the non-use of force, free access to humanitarian assistance, the removal of Georgian forces to their permanent positions, a debate over the status of South Ossetia, and the withdrawal of Russian forces to their positions status quo ante, with the key condition that "Prior to the establishment of international mechanisms the Russian peacekeeping forces will take additional security measures."

It is this clause that is the most worrisome, as it gives the Russians leeway to do a lot in the crucial days to come. Another issue left hanging is that of the rights of Georgian refugees from South Ossetia - this has been a sticking point in previous negotiations. France, the EU, the US, and NATO did well in taking a tough stance on this conflict and making it clear that further incursions would not be tolerated. Now we must continue to push, watch to make sure that the Russians to not abuse their "additional security measures", and ensure that this turns into a lasting peace, not merely "peace in our time"