The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza has denied the news spread by Russian presses, claiming that the U.S. has changed its role on Georgia’s territorial integrity. According to “Comersant”, M. Bryza said that the news probably referred to what he had said to the “ITAR-TASS” during the interview, which “has been totally reproduced”. “I said the following: as a principle, we can’t talk about the illegality of Abkhazia’s or Southern Osya’s strive to become autonomous. The wish of those countries to become autonomous corresponds to international norms, just like the any country’s preservation of territorial integrity. The purpose of the negotiators is to find a way out of the current situation.” He also said that at the moment, there is no ready solution and there are possible solutions-a federation, harmony or a decision passed by the UN or a decision based on the referendum. At the same time, he stated that the referendum conducted in Abkhazia can’t serve as a firm basis for independence because “nearly 300,000 people haven’t taken part in the referendum and haven’t been able to return home.” In response to the question as to how do the roles of Russia and the U.S. differ on Georgia’s territorial integrity, Bryza said that Russia’s role is the same as that of its Western allies. “We are all in favor of Georgia’s territorial integrity, but in reality, there are disagreements,” said M. Bryza and brought up the act that took place in the Kodor lake of Georgia as an example. “We think that the recognition of Georgia’s territorial integrity gives Georgia the right to eliminate terrorists. Georgia’s actions in the Kodor lake were balanced and legal. However, Russia fully criticized Georgia for that,” said Bryza.
