France Sends Out Security Council Resolution on Russia-Georgia War

Last night at about 8 p.m. Eastern time, I received a copy of the draft resolution on Georgia, introduced by France and immediately e-mailed out to members of the U.N. Security Council. The resolution was the result of five straight days of emergency meetings on the crisis in Georgia, and State Department sources tell me that the wording was watered down from what the United States sought.

Here is the gist of the resolution, which will most likely be purely symbolic as Russia has veto power at the Security Council (and China would go to bat for Russia, too):

"1. Reaffirms the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders;

2. Calls for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities, and the complete withdrawal of Russian and Georgian forces to their positions prior to August 7, 2008 ;

3. Stresses the urgent need for all parties to refrain from further use of force;

4. Calls on all parties to the conflict to engage immediately in negotiations aimed at finding a peaceful and durable solution;

5. Expresses its strong support for mediation efforts undertaken by Member States and relevant organizations, including those of the European Union and the Organisation for Cooperation and Security in Europe;

6. Expresses its intention to take further action, as appropriate, to help bring about and implement a peaceful and durable solution to the crisis;

7. Urges all parties to the conflict in Abkhazia (Georgia) to implement fully the Moscow agreement on ceasefire and separation of forces of 14 May 1994 (S/1994f583) and to cooperate fully with the UNOMIGi

8. Calls on all parties to the conflict to allow full and unfettered access of humanitarian assistance to victims, including refugees and internally displaced persons;

9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."

(Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)